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MNHQ

URGENT! Asda have signed up to our Let Girls Be Girls campaign - and would like to consult you quickly!

296 replies

HelenMumsnet · 14/04/2010 17:55

Hello.

As we hope you've already seen, George at Asda were one of the first clothing ranges to sign up to our Let Girls Be Girls campaign.

And now they've phoned us to ask for our help.

The press (who are all over this story today) have contacted Asda to point out that they're selling this T-shirt for girls.

Asda would love to know whether Mumsnetters think it's OK or not.

They say that, as they've signed up to Let Girls Be Girls, they'll take action if we have a negative reaction to the T-shirt.

Please post your comments ASAP - Asda are biting their nails...

OP posts:
HerBeatitude · 14/04/2010 22:58

Another vote against, because of the focus on looks. I always hate those t-shirts that say "Sexy" on grown women, because it seems to me rather desperate - if you genuinely are sexy, why does that fact need to be sprayed across your chest? In case someone doesn't notice that you are? Same with kiddie stuff IMO.

If we have to have slogans, then positive empowering ones please. Oh I don't know, along the lines of "Future human rights lawyer/ Prime Minister/ Board Director/ Sports Coach/ Doctor/ Teacher" - anything but fucking WAG.

Tortington · 14/04/2010 22:58

its minging but doesn't sexualise the wearer in anyway.

sack the stylist

i am available on a consultation basis and my fees are v. reasonable.

MonkeyChicken · 14/04/2010 23:02

YUK. Hate it. Projects a precocious attitude which emphasises a girl's appearance. I tell my DD and many of my friends' children (male and female) that they are gorgeous, but this phrase is not a child's. Not overtly sexual. Depends where you want to draw the line.

Nemain · 14/04/2010 23:08

I don't think is anti-campaign, but it is certainly tasteless IMO!

chaostrulyreigns · 14/04/2010 23:08

I don't think this one sexualises the child but emphasises the shallowness of the mother (or purchaser).

I am impressed with Adsa wanting feedback on this item - just wish they would have consulted the sages of MN about the general standard of their ranges for children at the moment - I have wandered around muttering abysmalabysmalabsymal under my breath both times I have nipped in recently. See - I gave them a second chance.

There was not one thing I would have brought - everything looked cheap, nasty, covered in logos/unnecessary embellishments, or too old looking for the age range it's been designed for. urgh.

Quicksilver · 14/04/2010 23:09

HATE it.

ellenjames · 14/04/2010 23:11

awful awful awful, but not sexual!

skymoo · 14/04/2010 23:14

naffer than a big bag of naff things, but no sexual undertones

SusieCarmichael · 14/04/2010 23:22

your jeggings/leggings are great btw i love them on my daughter and they are cheap but look lovely

anyhoo, back to the subject, umm, i happen to think that the skirt is the problem here, it looks quite short and would definitely be tight on my dd as she has a big bottom! (the t shirt is not nice but not sexy imo)

MinkyBorage · 14/04/2010 23:35

I think it's bloody awful; sexist, precocious and tacky.

GrimmaTheNome · 14/04/2010 23:39

Is this a first? Total agreement on an MN thread! OK, shades of opinion on whether its sexual or just tacky but no one likes it, or its ilk.

I hope ASDA are glad they asked!

EightiesChick · 15/04/2010 00:36

I'm not mad about it, but I don't think it's sexual or gendered. Gorgeous is a term often used for boys too (esp my DS ). I am very keen to see the campaign succeed but I also feel we have to take aim at the really offensive stuff, picking and choosing battles, to be credible and not seen as just a bunch of whingers. So I would let this one go.

And kudos to Asda for making this move. Following on from the Primark thread, I have cheap clothes from Asda that have lasted, ooh, nine years now, so as a budget clothes option they are good to have on side.

thousandsplendidsuns · 15/04/2010 00:50

I saw a boy's T-shirt in Gap today (age 1-4) that said 'My middle name is handsome' - I thought was cute and nicely modest, but the quality was also really good,which probably gives it the edge over this Asda offering. Kids have always liked slogans... At 11, I had the Sex Pistols T-shirt with the front page of the Sun reproduced which said 'Sid Vicious is dead'... wish I still had, it was so cool. Madonna would probably buy it off me for Lourdes

IneedacleanerIamalazyslattern · 15/04/2010 07:12

I don't like it but don't necessarily find the slogan offensive.
However I do agree with the posters that the jump between the styles in the toddler range and the next size up range is far too big and have found recently ASDA are the worst for this.
I also have a 6 year old dd and the styles are mini adult styles rather than good simple everyday basics. I struggle to find even a suitable t-shirt in ASDA for her now never mind skirts or jeans etc.

I don't understand why the range for the teenagers has such a young start age for it for one it is far too grown up for 5 year olds and 2 realistically what 13 year old is going to want the same outfit the 6 year old next to her on the street has?

I used to like ASDA clothes but right now I wouldn't even consider them for dd as I think they are all far to grown up for her.

ProfYaffle · 15/04/2010 07:32

Totally agree Ineed, I used to love Asda clothes for my dds as babies/toddlers (particularly thinking of some fab retro pinafores which everyone commented on) but once dd1 graduated to the over 5 range I was bitterly disappointed. I really struggle to find anything vaguely tasteful these days.

SkaterGrrrrl · 15/04/2010 07:38

It doesnt sexualise the wearer, but it does send the message to little girls that they are being judged on their looks, which is also harmful. I wouldnt buy it. I'd scrap it.

cyb · 15/04/2010 08:01

I will take Asda seriously as part of this campaign when they start stocking Loaded ,Nuts magazine with protective covers and stop displaying them at 'family' height

SoupDragon · 15/04/2010 08:10

But Loaded and Nuts etc have got nothing to do with this campaign. They are a separate issue altogether.

posieparker · 15/04/2010 08:17

Who designs this stuff? It's really horrid and a bit 'teen' in design but not sexualising at all.

cyb · 15/04/2010 08:20

soup I find it hypocritical that a store that espouses 'family'values and the non sexualisation of children sells those mags where they do. Different topic I know, but related IMO

cluelessnchaos · 15/04/2010 09:00

If it said sexy or hot that would offend me, this doesn't bother me

lucykate · 15/04/2010 09:21

another vote for don't like it. am also not a fan of childrens clothing with slogans. dd is 8 and over that time i've noticed a real change in what's available in clothing ranges for girls. when dd was younger, i used to look at the clothing for older girls and see some really nice things. now, it's all glitzy, tacky and far too much bling.

MaisietheMorningsideCat · 15/04/2010 09:28

I don't like it - it's naff and tacky in the extreme, but it doesn't sexualise girls in the same way as the padded bras or Lolita bed.

msrisotto · 15/04/2010 09:31

Well, is there similar in the boys section? If so then i suppose Asda are guilty of objectifying both boys and girls rather than just girls.

Clarissimo · 15/04/2010 09:36

Not something i'd choose even if I had girls but all little girls should be thought of as gorgeous (does goirgeous have to be looks or is that us interpreteing that way? I say oh thats a gorgeous thing to do if a child is kind for example)

So not ofensive at all IMO

otoh they could ditch that bloody awful boys one along the lines of i tried but i gave up... boys deserve to be taught self respect and values too

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