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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to find septagenarian rock stars on DC's clothes odd?

168 replies

Tofindthisodd · 05/02/2022 09:55

I was looking for some new tops for DC online this morning, H&M and Next. I always find it so strange that there are numerous Rolling Stones, ACDC, Guns and Roses... tops for kids. They were all well past their prime when I was young, so why would my DC wear their merchandise.

Any music that they release now is dire and I don't want my DC's advertising for rich and powerful men. I hate random slogans on clothes anyway, but this seems worse.

AIBU?

OP posts:
WomanStanleyWoman · 05/02/2022 12:47

Exactly @SleepingStandingUp! They don't do Go-Go's T-shirts!

Why would they? The Go-Gos had one British ‘hit’ and it didn’t even go Top 40!

Iwannabewherethepeopleare · 05/02/2022 12:55

Some kids are into that music! Why can’t they choose to express that? Stevie Nicks, Blondie, Britney are all on T-shirts, it’s not men only but Kate Bush and Joni Mitchell don’t have the same mass appeal. So they won’t sell. It’s the same as Peppa Pig being on clothes vs other less recognises characters, what will sell to more people.

Original poster
Tofindthisodd · 05/02/2022 13:07

I agree with you about football shirts @SpinsForGin. Football has a really poisonous mysoginistic culture. Star Wars, I find a bit muddier and less clear cut, the franchise has made attempts to redress previous racism, sexism, ageism, but only partially... And of course it has been bought by Disney, which has all kinds of dubious associations.

I personally find individual bands that are often exemplars of an incredibly mysoginistic time in music culture, much more clear cut to object to.

Even in the 90s it was acceptable for musicians to sexually exploit under age fans. I was around that scene from the age of 15. So to hark back to an even worse age, where you could publish songs about your own exploitation of women and girls, is in extremely bad taste and disheartening. For me...

OP posts:
MermaidEyes · 05/02/2022 13:08

Or football shirts....

Yep...plenty of footballers, and their managers, have treated their wives, and mothers of their kids, badly..
I see more toddlers and young children in football shirts than band shirts.

Pedalpushers · 05/02/2022 13:12

I'm just feeling bad for all these poor kids who have apparently been brought up to like Guns n Roses Confused

Samcro · 05/02/2022 13:12

previous racism, sexism, ageism,
odd that the op sites this in a post and yet starts an agist thread.

Innocenta · 05/02/2022 13:15

Fwiw, anyone saying ‘oh, Queen members are happily married…’

Well. Maybe they are now. But both Roger Taylor and Brian May have been complete shits to women in the past. I love Queen and have some merch, but they’re not immune from this stuff.

SpinsForGin · 05/02/2022 13:17

@Tofindthisodd

I agree with you about football shirts *@SpinsForGin*. Football has a really poisonous mysoginistic culture. Star Wars, I find a bit muddier and less clear cut, the franchise has made attempts to redress previous racism, sexism, ageism, but only partially... And of course it has been bought by Disney, which has all kinds of dubious associations.

I personally find individual bands that are often exemplars of an incredibly mysoginistic time in music culture, much more clear cut to object to.

Even in the 90s it was acceptable for musicians to sexually exploit under age fans. I was around that scene from the age of 15. So to hark back to an even worse age, where you could publish songs about your own exploitation of women and girls, is in extremely bad taste and disheartening. For me...

So what's the answer? We don't wear any clothing that might represent music, sports, films, tv etc? Because we can find examples of poor behaviour and attitudes across all of these and not just from those who are older.

My son wears his football shirts because he loves football and supports a particular team. Just like I wear GnR t shirts because I'm a fan of their music. I'm not wearing them because I support the attitudes and behaviours that were seen as acceptable in the 80's.

It is possible to be able to appreciate the art but not like the person producing it.

tigger1001 · 05/02/2022 13:17

My youngest loves music. And has done since he was little. Eldest not so much.

My youngest came home from school in p1 with a lovely poster he had done with "welcome to the jungle" (badly spelled he was only 5 after all) written on it. Loved his T-shirt with the band on it. Still listens to them now but ha ms very much added to his musical taste. I am taking him to his first concert later on this year.

Merchandise is just merchandise. People will buy what they like. If you don't like something just don't buy it. It actually really is that simple.

Original poster
Tofindthisodd · 05/02/2022 13:23

No @SpinsForGin, just that we question it and make choices where we see a problem. You do have specifically look for football shirts, as well. They're not presented to you when you're looking for every day clothes for your DC.

I have never bought anything with a Disney cartoon character, as I personally hate Disney, but at least they are for children, so don't give me the WTF feeling that the Rolling Stones tshirts do.

OP posts:
SpinsForGin · 05/02/2022 13:30

But I don't understand why it's a problem.
If I see someone (adult or child) wearing a Rolling Stones t shirt I don't assume that they think that misogynistic behaviour is acceptable I just assume they (or their parents if it's a child) like the music or liked the look of the t shirt.

Same with football shirts. I just assume they're a football fan and support that particular team....

I'm a huge advocate for challenging misogyny and outdated attitudes but band t shirts are really not the problem.

A580Hojas · 05/02/2022 13:33

Yanbu OP, I think it's nuts. Plenty of little girls in their Ramones t-shirts around here, the parents obviously think they are the height of cool. Most of the parents were children themselves when the Ramones were in their prime, if not born later, so it's doubly odd.

Original poster
Tofindthisodd · 05/02/2022 13:34

That's fine @SpinsForGin, but I do see a problem. I just draw my line in a different place to you. I'm sure that there are things that you wouldn't wear on a t-shirt and even more so that you wouldn't buy for your DC.

OP posts:
fairylightsandwaxmelts · 05/02/2022 13:35

You do have specifically look for football shirts, as well. They're not presented to you when you're looking for every day clothes for your DC.

Really? I wouldn't say that's true.

A quick google shows me you can get kids football kit in Next, Sports Direct, ASDA and H&M, and I'm sure there are plenty more shops out there that sell it too.

I'd say it was far more commonplace than t-shirts with the Rolling Stones on for 5yos!

Original poster
Tofindthisodd · 05/02/2022 13:36

... and more to the original point, things that you would find jarring on a t-shirt in a kids' clothes shop.

OP posts:
Original poster
Tofindthisodd · 05/02/2022 13:43

@fairylightsandwaxmelts, but you've just googled football kits. That is specifically looking for a football shirt.

OP posts:
SpinsForGin · 05/02/2022 13:44

@Tofindthisodd

... and more to the original point, things that you would find jarring on a t-shirt in a kids' clothes shop.
It's a tad OTT to find band t shirts jarring .....

Misogyny is a huge issue which absolutely needs addressing but it doesn't exist because people are buying GnR t shirts for their kids.

sunshinesupermum · 05/02/2022 13:46

What a misery you are OP! No one is forcing you to buy this merchandise and last time I looked it was still a free world! My grandsons (6 and 9) choose what they wear when not at school and it's often Guns n Roses or some other well known rock band who they love dancing to.

20viona · 05/02/2022 13:46

What a pathetic post making an issue from absolutely nothing.

fairylightsandwaxmelts · 05/02/2022 13:49

[quote Tofindthisodd]**@fairylightsandwaxmelts, but you've just googled football kits. That is specifically looking for a football shirt.[/quote]
Oh, I didn't realise you were stood over my shoulder Grin

What I actually did was pick a few popular retailers and had a look at what they sold in their kids clothing sections. They're all cheap, mainstream shops and they all had football shirts/kits available.

If you can buy them in supermarkets, they're hardly niche or something you have to look for specifically. I don't even have kids and see football shirts all over the place - they even sell them in our local Post Office/general shop!

Original poster
Tofindthisodd · 05/02/2022 13:52

There are a lot of really rude replies. Ironically, I have really offended a lot of people with my post. I'm not offended by band t shirts, I don't think they should be banned, I don't think the Rolling Stones should be cancelled. I just find it odd that shops sell T-shirts of these bands. I find it odd that there are obviously so many people buying them. as they've been around in kids clothes selections for years and years.

OP posts:
WomanStanleyWoman · 05/02/2022 13:54

@Tofindthisodd

No *@SpinsForGin*, just that we question it and make choices where we see a problem. You do have specifically look for football shirts, as well. They're not presented to you when you're looking for every day clothes for your DC.

I have never bought anything with a Disney cartoon character, as I personally hate Disney, but at least they are for children, so don't give me the WTF feeling that the Rolling Stones tshirts do.

You honestly sound like you’re annoyed there wasn’t a trigger warning. You were ‘presented’ with a band T-shirt, not violent porn.
SpinsForGin · 05/02/2022 13:59

I just find it odd that shops sell T-shirts of these bands.

Why is it odd?

I find it odd that there are obviously so many people buying them. as they've been around in kids clothes selections for years and years.

Again. Why is it odd that people buy a t shirt of a band they like or a t shirt they like the look of?

CoilWatershed · 05/02/2022 13:59

@Tofindthisodd

There are a lot of really rude replies. Ironically, I have really offended a lot of people with my post. I'm not offended by band t shirts, I don't think they should be banned, I don't think the Rolling Stones should be cancelled. I just find it odd that shops sell T-shirts of these bands. I find it odd that there are obviously so many people buying them. as they've been around in kids clothes selections for years and years.
You are the only one on this thread who comes across as offended.
AuntMasha · 05/02/2022 14:05

These vintage rock band teeshirts are everywhere atm, and there are plenty of young people who like their music too. I’m really struggling to find anything offensive about that.