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AIBU?

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Original poster

old chestnut - pink for girls - driving me nuts

140 replies

nellieellie · 26/02/2009 10:44

I know its been a thread before but I am so tired of the difficulty getting my 18mth DD clothes that are not pink. Don't get me wrong, she has some pink clothes but I really resent the fact that in some shops, everything for girls is pink. It's not just the clothes either, but even toys seems to be gender-marked. I go round to a friends house and her little girls snap their clothes off and put on pink tutus and look at themselves in the mirror; friends who bought my DS imaginative activity toys give DD clothes and dolls (in pink). Friends with older children hold "princess parties" for their little girls and little girl friends. My DD looks nothing like a boy but routinely is termed "little boy" at toddler groups/parks etc because she is not wearing pink. And this despite her flowing wavy hair and inch long eyelashes.
Other people talk of how their little girls are so interested in their appearance, and as young as 2 look at themselves in the mirror to see if they are "pretty".
I'm sure that the gender divide on clothes is worse than ever - as is the way toys are marketed as either for boys or girls. The worrying thing for me is that while toys for boys is invariably about doing stuff, or being active, girls toys have a bias towards appearance and looks - "prettiness". What is so good about a "princess" at a Princess party? - presumably dressing up and looking a certain way. For boys,say a "pirate party" is about rushing around, putting on silly voices and climbing up the crows nest - or sort of. I just remember my childhood as being fantastically oblivious to how I looked - having too much fun playing and running about. I don't want to isolate my little girl from her peers - and have nothing against a little bit of pink and dressing up from time to time but I don't want her to be sitting in front of a mirror putting bows in her hair (or getting me to) in the morning before she goes to nursery. I just want her to be a kid. Eating disorders are on the increase and I honestly think that in creating an enclosed world of pink and princesses for our girls we are giving too much emphasis on looks and appearance.

OP posts:
misdee · 27/02/2009 21:41

£10!!! i paid £4 for her last pair.

christiana · 27/02/2009 21:42

Message withdrawn

Horton · 27/02/2009 21:43

That DPAM stuff is lovely.

I bought DD pink wellies but NICE pink wellies, white, with stylised flowers on in green and crazy bright pink. She does need some new ones, though, and loves pirates so thanks for the tip.

Mammina · 27/02/2009 21:48

dusbuster dpam is my favourite too and they have great sales

nappyaddict · 27/02/2009 21:48

I am going to get these for DS but they are marketed as girl's pumps. They do other sizes too.

dustbuster · 27/02/2009 21:50

at christiana's swedish Seventies hoard. It sounds like something from Together - one of my favourite films.

nappyaddict · 27/02/2009 21:50

wish these weren't covered with glitter

emalushka · 27/02/2009 21:59

I haven't read all the messages sorry. But I have a 17 month old daughter and have absolutely no problem in buying her clothes that are not pink. Where do you shop? Most shops, even tesco sell neutral colours. And why not buy her blue? One of my daughters favourite outfits is osh kosh blue denim dungarees with a blue stripy jumper underneath. Yes, she looks like a boy in everyone's eyes, but it doesn't matter!! She looks gorgeous whatever. It's only a stereotype that boys wear blue.

christiana · 27/02/2009 22:01

Message withdrawn

Horton · 27/02/2009 22:03

I think those are lovely, nappyaddict. And why not glitter if it's FUN glitter rather than insipid princess glitter?

dustbuster · 27/02/2009 22:03
dustbuster · 27/02/2009 22:04

that was @ christiana btw

ravenAK · 27/02/2009 22:04

I have a mum who's kept all her original 70s knitting patterns & turns out fabulous one-off retro jerseys & cardies in any colour I request. Which is any colour but pink.

I keep telling her there's a cottage industry in it...

Horton · 27/02/2009 22:07

There really is, raven. I bet she could make a bomb on Etsy or Ebay.

christiana · 27/02/2009 22:11

Message withdrawn

nappyaddict · 27/02/2009 22:11

Horton - I have a boy

Horton · 27/02/2009 22:14

Oh but nothing wrong with glitter for boys, either, unless he'd be embarrassed. They're lovely.

nappyaddict · 27/02/2009 22:17

If he'd asked for them I'd have no problem getting him them but don't you think buying a boy glittery things is a step too far if he doesn't specifically want them?

ravenAK · 27/02/2009 22:18
SingingBear · 27/02/2009 22:20

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Horton · 27/02/2009 22:26

Yes, I see your point, nappyaddict. How old is he? You could maybe show him and see what he thinks?

christiana · 27/02/2009 22:28

Message withdrawn

christiana · 27/02/2009 22:28

Message withdrawn

Horton · 27/02/2009 22:30

Nope. Privacy settings are wrong.

christiana · 27/02/2009 22:32

Message withdrawn