Are tights unisex?

[trybest]

First of all, I don't want to come across as a conservative, old-fashioned mum, because that's not who I am.

A few days ago, I was visiting my sister in Poland. While we were strolling through the shops, I was surprised to find that they were selling tights for boys up to at least age 10 (not long johns or leggings, but actual footed tights!). She explained to me that it's completely normal for boys to wear them under their trousers during winter.

I mentioned that my DS (he recently turned 9 and is in Year 4) often complains about how cold it is, especially in the mornings during winter. She eventually convinced me to buy him several pairs.

At home, he initially tried on the tights reluctantly, but in the end, he agreed to give them a try under his school trousers when it gets cold enough in winter.

My DH is worried that he might get bullied at school if anyone finds out, while my DD (11) thinks it’s perfectly fine for a boy to wear them.

AIBU to think tights are unisex for children?

Put the socks under them then. Honestly, I really don't understand the issue he's having with socks and leggings/thermals, millions of people are happily wearing this combo every day, including me. Are his socks made out of oil?

Tights are the work of the devil, they always seem to have a badly fitting crotch. Running tights are the exception to the rule, although I always consider them more as leggings than tights.

I'd go for thermal, knee length shorts then you won't have the sock problem.

The norm in one country might not be the norm in Britain. Not worth the risk of him being teased.

Whilst I have no issue with boys wearing tights, I can't imagine they'd be very comfy under trousers!

I totally understand the socks plus leggings issue though. The way I solve it is by wearing knee length socks under them. They definitely don't slip down as much.

Could knee length socks plus leggings be an option?

🤣🤣🤣 I knew very manly men who wore them under work clothes in the 70s! Because they're a thin warm layer.

Honestly!

A male or female wants to genuinely wear tights under trousers sure, if they last more than a day I would be surprised

@trybest you can actually buy mens' tights with a zip at the front!

This

You know a lot of crossdressers?
(or you don't know any men who wear tights but want to say it in a fruity way?)

This!

@trybest , if your son puts on socks first and thermals over the top, the ribbing of the thermals will keep his socks up. Trust me - former cross country skier!

It’s absolutely pathetic if someone thinks a young boy is somehow wrong for wearing tights under trousers to keep warm.

I’ve had people comment that my nearly 1 year old is “dressed like a girl” for wearing green and brown wool tights with braces as trousers. Some people really need to get a life.

It is absolutely normal for boys and men to wear tights in winter in mainland Europe, where it can get much colder than the UK. Absolutely normal.

That sounds really cute

if he chooses to wear them that’s great but I’d probably have a chat about other boys potential reactions so that he’s prepared to speak up straight away with a cheerful reply that he’s seen how comfy they are on his cousin in Poland where all the boys wear them and most importantly that he’s loving being warmer.

You've never met any man that worked outdoors then.

Who's going to know? If he is often taking his trousers off at school then that needs addressing!

Dh used to wear footless running tights when riding his motorbike and then wore them all day as he worked in a massive cold warehouse but if he could have easily found footed ones he absolutely would have.

Nope not for us. I wouldn't do that to them.

DH grew up in Germany and told me about the tights his mum used to buy him to wear under trousers in the winter, he insisted that they were special "tights for boys". I suggested that this wasn't a thing so he checked with his Mum who admitted that she bought the same ones for him and his sister!
Your DS should be able to wear whatever he wants but if he doesn't want to wear tights its his decision and yes, he could well get bullied for it - unfair but there we go

Look at the threads on bullying and the long-term consequences for those who are bullied.

With thermal base layers as well as socks being readily available I wonder why you are going out of your way to encourage your son to wear tights in school.

You may feel very practical and liberal about it ( and I agree it is in reality just a piece of clothing) but it really isn't worth the risk of your son being bullied and ostracized.

As I type this, I know full well that you will still send him in tights though.

My friend was a postman. He swore by tights in the winter.

Tights are very popular amongst anglers, in the winter.

They are unisex on the continent but not in the UK. They are also very very hot and uncomfortable if you spend most of the day indoors so I would avoid for school.

I don't think anyone would ever notice unless changing for PE.

Some children are more at risk of being bullied for something they wear or own, others aren't, but it very much depends on the dynamic of the class.
You won't generally find the popular sporty boys getting bullied for clothing choices but in kind supportive classes shy kids don't get bullied for what they wear either.

I know boys who would have been absolute prime targets for bullying, but were very happy in their primary school environment. Unfortunately for them secondary school changed this.

If your son has a good group of classmates, then don't discourage him from making perfectly reasonable choices out of fear of bullies.

There’s a difference between teaching them to conform and making them wear something that’s not conforming when the kid doesn’t want to wear it

Of course. That's what @gannett meant by the OP being led by her son I expect.