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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To hate those “Mother” / “Mama” / “Mutha” sweatshirts / jumpers?!

263 replies

jaffacakemonster · 24/09/2018 11:59

Those jumpers emblazoned with the words “Mother” / “Mama” / “Mutha” etc. that seem to have been around for a couple of years now – am I alone in finding them just beyond annoying? I find them just unbearably smug, contrived, attention-seeking, cringeworthy… especially as I am currently (desperately) TTC. I think they are kind of rubbing my nose in it a bit, I could be over-sensitive, but aside from that, I just think they are DEEPLY uncool anyway and I would not be seen dead in one! Just smacks of wanting to look like an instamum to me. ABIU?

OP posts:
YeTalkShiteHen · 25/09/2018 15:22

Come to think of it, given that most of MN go to fashion labels aren’t my thing, I’m quite happy people hate my jumpers Grin

hurryupbus1 · 25/09/2018 17:51

The charity aspect is good & I love sweatshirts, I’m just not a fan of mother/mama/papa etc. I also think they are quite expensive for a generic polyester mix wholesale sweater with a printed logo on.

RoboticSealpup · 25/09/2018 17:52

@InTheNavy Good point.

SinglePringle · 25/09/2018 18:36

@Inthenavy the difference is Mumsnet is anonymous and anyone could be posting here (male, female, non-binary, parent, non parent etc)

I think it’s fairly safe to say a man / childfree woman wouldn’t wear a jumper saying ‘Mother’ (or any variation of).

CoffeeShortbread · 25/09/2018 20:04

I have a ‘human’ one from Selfish Mother. Don’t wear it often, mostly around the house, but it is really comfortable and washes/dries well. It’s not something I can get worked up about.

Booksandwine80 · 30/09/2018 21:17

I have a selfish mother t shirt that says “mama”. I like it, I’m not smug. Suffer with crippling PND and anxiety.

I think it’s actually quite shallow and sad to label someone for an item of clothing they wear

Spotsandstars · 30/09/2018 21:37

I love my Mama jumper. It took my 11 years to become one so I don't care about anyone judging my clothing choice! Also a portion of the sale goes to charity to support women, so yup YABU!

Thundercracker · 30/09/2018 21:46

I have a Selfish Mother “We are all Wonder Women” jumper - is that allowed?

MrsStrowman · 30/09/2018 21:52

I've seen none of these jumpers, I've not been living in a cave honestly!

MrBull · 30/09/2018 23:27

Strong Girl's Club ones are all over insta too. These type of tees/jumpers were quite cool for a bit but I think it's a fad that's on the decline.

HeAteAFatball · 01/10/2018 03:56

I hate the rerm "mutha." It makes me think there should be another not very nice word racked on behind it. Because that is the only context I have seen Mutha used.

startalloveragain · 02/10/2018 09:23

Ahh, see I have a Mother t-shirt which is nice, big, slouchy (got it free in a Mumsnet Blogfest Goody Bag a few years back). I bought my daughter a 'Human' sweatshirt to remind her in case she thought she was a dinosaur again. Got a huge one, and it has lasted about four years, and it's lovely quality too.

They've raised nearly a million towards various charities which is excellent, so I guess there are several smug, helpful mums out there maybe? Myself included... (have to admit, I don't feel that smug though)

MissHenty · 02/10/2018 10:17

I cringe when I see people in the “mother”/“mama” t shirts.

It’s probably all just projection. When I first joined Instagram a couple of years ago and I’d just had my daughter, I tried to fit in with these insta mum’s- I started buying the odd bit from Boden (in the sale) and bought a “mother” necklace. The whole thing now makes me cringe as I’ve since realised I can’t keep up with these “insta” people. I can’t afford to dress my children in scamp and dude and Fred and Noah tops and I realise that none of this type of stuff is important - I was just lonely and looking for connection with people I didn’t know. I can’t help it but now if I see someone in one of those “mother” t shirts, I cringe as I imagine they are going through the phase I once went through (v judgy and probably inaccurate assumption!). I cringe that I nearly spent £55 on a jumper and I cringe that I tried to fit in with people that I don’t know and are not my friends!

I love the charity aspect though of course! Good on SM!

Choccyhobnob · 02/10/2018 10:29

Oh I feel a bit sad Sad I got a black and gold MAMA one for Christmas last year and I love it and was looking forward to wearing it again now the weather has changed but now I'm going to feel a bit self conscious as I didn't realize it was so uncool.... Hmm

CoffeeShortbread · 02/10/2018 10:31

Just wear it, enjoy it and feel good that you’re helping a small business and giving to a charitable cause. Not everybody has the same taste and that’s ok.

MissHenty · 02/10/2018 10:37

Choccyhobnob - don’t even think about what others think - you can never please everyone! if you like your jumper you wear it! They’ve raised an amazing amount for charity x

Madams1990 · 02/10/2018 10:41

If you don’t like them then don’t buy them 🤷🏻‍♀️ Personally I would prefer to buy from a company who raises money for charity from every sale and supports women.

To hate those “Mother” / “Mama” / “Mutha” sweatshirts / jumpers?!
Madams1990 · 02/10/2018 10:44

Couldn’t agree more 😂

Choccyhobnob · 02/10/2018 10:47

You're right, I've never been very cool anyway Grin

MightyMousie · 02/10/2018 10:51

Surely clothes are personal choice and everything you wear is something you’ve chosen for yourself? You don’t buy clothes based on how you think other people will see you, you buy clothes because you like them, they are comfortable and you feel comfortable.
The only issue with these is they’ve become so polpular and have slogans. It’s just like any brand. I wouldn’t wear an Adidas or Nike sweatshirt because I don’t like branded goods. I therefore would not wear one of these jumpers because they are instantly recognisable. I would wear a decent quality nice quality jumper (treat myself) if it didn’t have a cheesy slogan.
I guess mentally I would think you a certain type of person for wearing one, but that’s not bad. It is like my friend who’s a dancer wearing dance gear, she looks like a sporty person, those slogan jumpers just look like middle class mummies, but on the whole that’s what they are so does it really matter?

MightyMousie · 02/10/2018 10:52

(And for the record I am well aware I look like a slightly over weight mum that could do with a decent haircut...)

mintich · 02/10/2018 10:54

@toomanyidiots which business are you running? The selfish mother one?

TheEverywhereBear · 02/10/2018 11:02

Meh. It's just a jumper.

And there's nothing wrong with being proud of your identity as a mother. It has been a defining change in my life, and it's not "uncool" to want to acknowledge that. Doesn't mean I'm "just" a mum with no other identity, and also, other people might feel differently and that's fine too.

Live and let live, I say.

Dahlietta · 02/10/2018 11:19

I cringe as I imagine they are going through the phase I once went through

If it makes you feel any better, I have one and I don't even really understand what Instagram is. Grin

toomanyidiots · 02/10/2018 11:23

No, although I doubt a few women making sweeping and incorrect statements about someone who wear a certain type of jumper will bother her too much.

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