Let boys have clothes!!!!!!!!

[slushy]

Okay ladies I have started a mumsnet campaign a lot of ladies complain about the inequality of children's clothes. You know the fact that you go in ASDA to see 10 lines of girls clothes one line of boys clothes. Because boys don't really need clothes.

I personally would also like to see some trousers other than jeans. Post your idea and complains ladies, and perhaps if we get enough support Mumsnet will help out.

[TheLadyEvenstar]

I am not a zone for camoflage or skulls either and I am not overly keen on slogans. Both DS1 and DS2 have some with slogans and/or pictures on.
However (I discovered today) DS1 (12 today) is now in mens clothes 30" waist 29" leg, and small mens t-shirts/shirts.
DS2 (2) is in 4-5yrs clothes.

Either wouldn't be a problem if 1- mens clothes didn't often display crude text on the front - saw one today which said "I'm with dickhead" 2- boys clothes in high street stores clothes were available in bigger sizes.
I don't want DS1 in tops displaying text of a crude manner or sports as he is not interested in sport at all.

I don't want DS2 in skulls, slogans etc

what is up with UK sizes???

in asda he can get away with 2-3
primark 4-5
next 4-5
peacocks 3-4
gap well thats a joke he has a pair of shorts from there 12-18m and a hoody which is 4-5 and both fit him perfectly.

I love them both in bright colours as they suit them

[slushy]

"i agree with omni, and most boys don't give a shite about wearing brightly coloured breton stylee tops. get a grip"

I disagree boys don't care as much as girls when they are young but give a child a choice between a navy blue or grey t-shirt and a red one and I know what my ds would choose.

[PosieParker]

Ahem, this is the first year that I have not stocked up on fake very cheap clothes from China, during my annual trip. I normally pay less than £2 per tee, the plane fare is quite expensive though!!

[abirdinthehand]

posieparker, how nice you can afford to shop ethically. For some of us it's a struggle.

[trixie123]

Can I suggest Matalan? I got some really nice outfits there inc. some dungarees in cream/green/red kind of pattern. Generally there is less choice than for girls but actually my DS has lots of ts shirts in orange, turquoise, yellow etc (and none with pirates or monster theme) mostly dinosaurs, stripes or tractors.

Also, Monsoon?? Really? Are they not heinously expensive for clothes that get covered in orange food?

[PosieParker]

Did you read the article bird? Apparently I don't teach me for being so smug. And I buy from china, in China....not really sure the Chinese give a shit about human rights type PR in their local market!

And I can't afford shit all, I just don't buy very much but what I buy washes very well three times a week.

[PosieParker]

And abirdinthehand Bishopston trading is 500 yards from my front door.

[ChateauRouge]

JL clothes are great- nice colours, v few with pictures, no slogans, and t-shirts (short and long sleeved) are 3 for £12.

I have found Sainsbury quite good too- plenty of plain brights, bottom half are a little more difficult, though plenty of joggers/shorts.

[BustleInYourHedgerow]

I second H&M. Really nice t-shirts and the like. Mothercare's not too bad either. Also DS's great-great aunt sends some really nice stuff from America, the brand is Carter, don't know if you can get it over here though?

[SalFresco]

H&M is the best for boys.

I posted on another thread about this, but I always get stroppy in shops about the lack of boys clothes and in particular accesories like swimsuits, sunglasses and hats - SO much more choice for girls.

The best, or worse, response I got was that there was "less demand" for boys clothes - this was while I and my mum were right there demanding!!

I haven't read this whole thread, but in ref to a comment above, DS1 has been interested in his clothes since about 2, and does care what he wears, granted he would most like to wear a three piece pinstriped suit, but there you go!

[abirdinthehand]

I just skim-read the article, didn't have time earlier - tea time!

Effics are so complex - am currently in a dilema re my Shiny New Bicycle which will make me Thin and Happy (don't pop my optimistic bubble) -

I can afford a really nice made-in-Uk or made-in-holland bike, which will last forever and which will (hopefully) be made by people with a decent wage. BUT... then I will have to buy cheapo chaepo stuff for 6 months, like sweatshop kids clothes and un-fair-trade bananas.

OR

I can buy an OK perfectly good bike made in Taiwan or China where, chances are, the workers will have been paid 50 p a week or something. And bike won't last as long in the long run so less good for the environment. But I can carry on buying my fairtrade bananas etc etc.

At the moment I have everything crossed that ok bike will turn up on ebay - problem solved. But I tie myself up in dilemas like this!!

[abirdinthehand]

Sorry, I've also just realised that has nothing to do with boys clothes!!

[Ineedmorechocolatenow]

I'm in... drives me nuts....

[BikeRunSki]

I'm in too. Clothes are hard enough to get hold of, but accessories - almost impossible.

[shellio]

Im in slushy. Glad i started thread over in AIBU cant believe the response! Ok shops its time to take action!

[Ragwort]

Am I missing something - never have trouble getting clothes for my DS - mostly from charity shops or hand-me-downs - I very, very rarely buy new stuff (by choice - too mean) - but there seems plenty out there, noticed some lovely things in John Lewis today.

[TheLadyEvenstar]

I think there are too many slogans on t-shirts. I picked a lovely orange t-shirt up last week in (and yes i know it's not a great shop) Primarni (primark to you)only to look at the front and see
"Gone to the naughty step back in 5 minutes" on it.

I want a nice plain or striped set of t-shirts.

And last weekend I picked up a top in a market on a stall where I used to buy DS1's clothes always good quality and lasted, it looked like a boys top. I was about to buy it when I noticed writing on the back, turned it over and it said.....

"Smoking keeps me slim and beautiful"

I chucked it at the stall holder and said "I don't think i will buy that thanks. You need to look at what you are selling"

He looked genuinely shocked and removed all the said tops from the rail.

[aarghhelp]

reasonably priced T shirts, many plain or striped, in different colours

[makeupmummy]

aarghhelp - ordered some of those t shirts - colours v lurid in the flesh
Birdinthehand -those polo shirts v nice, will bear in mind in future, may be indication of the problem that most sizes sold out!

[slushy]

aarghhelp I will order some of those any one got any idea where to order some cheap tracksuit bottoms?

[abirdinthehand]

makeupmummy you would like the colours of the bishopston trading ones I think, they are quite muted - because they use natural dyes I guess. DS has a lovely moss green one.

[xkaylax]

Ive been looking for a coat for DS and am struggling to find something that isnt black or a bubble coat

However for girls theres a huge range in all different colours and materials ?

[mistlethrush]

I don't treat ds as a clothes horse. However, I don't see why girls get to be able to wear fun, colourful coats and boys get to wear navy, black and grey. I like DS in his bright yellow coat partly for the safety angle - he is SO much easier to see than he would be in a navy one. My son LIKES to wear bright colours. He particularly likes green - I've seen no end of girls coats with a green background but a 'girly' design on top - but not a single one for ds's over 5. Why can girls get coats with spots on, coats with stripes, coats with patterns, or plain, bright coloured coats (with detailing clearly designed for girls) but boys get such a boring, dull option.

[xkaylax]

Exactly mistlethrush..

It's impossible and my DS loves bright colours also but i'm really struggling.

[LoveJules3]

I'm in! My ds is 10m and tall for his age, but everything seems to be pirate-y or baby blue which he looks awful in!

Next is quite good, but their range for under 18m is woefully small.