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Original poster

Another moan about boys' clothes... so annoyed!

157 replies

snowleopard · 19/06/2006 19:57

Firstly MIL, bless her heart, sends DS World Cup England kit for his birthday. He is 1, and we live in Scotland... luckily she also bought the wrong size and put the receipt in so I had every excuse to exchange it. They don't even sell the England stuff here so I had to get something different. Hurrah, £15 to spend in M&S on something nice for DS.

What do I find - for 1-year-olds - a load of stuff with not only endless skulls and crossbones, but, and I quote:

"I'm trouble"
"Tiny but trouble"
"Trouble-maker"
"Bad"
"Bad attitude"

etc etc ad nauseam. OK I have seen this kind of thing around and I've always hated it but M&S?? On practically their whole range??? Are they mad? Why don't they just write "self-fulfilling prophecy" and "boys are little wankers" and have done with it?

Angry. I shall be writing to head office... (when I've done the squijillion other things waiting to be done after getting back from holiday... :))

OP posts:
Greensleeves · 21/06/2006 18:49

Also most little boys actually look ridiculous in aggressive skull-and-crossbones type clothing. It's just sad to see (as well as dangerous and irresponsible)

PanicPants · 21/06/2006 19:13

Really agree with the whole thread. It IS hard to find nice decent clothes for boys. Although have to admit to having some t-shirts with 'i'm a little monkey' on them for ds.

Tommy · 21/06/2006 19:42

Children's warehouse are quite good for plain things.
I get mightily peed off with all the rubbishy clothes for boys too - agree that even Pumpkin Patch has gone downhill this year. Don't even get me started on M&S - I have often commented to the staff about it

fullmoonfiend · 21/06/2006 19:51

did anyone hear about that Woolworth's top with the slogan 'drive it like you stole it' or something very similar! (Unless my dh is windng me up....)

Greensleeves · 21/06/2006 19:57

I did try and make a comment to the most senior-looking of the staff in Mothercare about teh fact that they were selling combat kit for toddlers, but I don't think she was impressed (looked like a bulldog licking piss off a nettle)

I think some kind of large-scale kicking-up of fuss is called for on the part of British mothers. I don't know anyone who has a little boy (and an IQ above 65) who isn't sick of seeing this crap.

franca70 · 21/06/2006 20:40

lol at "bet they wish they had a girl" snowleopard! Although concerned of the problems that affect the world, I still find that fashion on the high street for kids (both boys and girls) is horrible. and sexist. and it's not all right to dress little ones like mini-adults. etc etc

SoupDragon · 21/06/2006 20:43

Camouflage is only a pattern, hardly "dangerous destructive". Realistic toy guns OTOH...

Anyway, as an aside, am I the only one who sees the phrase "little princess" and thinks "spoilt brat"?

franca70 · 21/06/2006 20:54

No, you are not alone!

fullmoonfiend · 21/06/2006 21:53

deffo not alone!

Original poster
snowleopard · 21/06/2006 23:34

Camouflage only a pattern? Yes and so is a swastika... It's what it means that is getting our goat. It means "label your leittle boy as a soldier - ie an aggressive killing machine" - nice.

The clothes I like, apart from plain/striped ones, are those that say things like "little explorer" "zoom zoom to the moon" and "I love bugs" etc. Actually giving boys something to dream of and be positive about, instead of giving them the message that they are destined to break the law, kill people and end up with a criminal record.

Tsk.

OP posts:
Pixel · 21/06/2006 23:37

I've got to the stage where if I see a t shirt that is not completely hideous, I buy it for ds even if it isn't likely to fit him for another three years!

I was trying to pack a suitcase for him last night. He has only gone away for a couple of days but I was searching around for things that still fit him. It made me realise how few clothes the poor boy has got and it's only because there is nothing I want to buy. When I am out shopping I pick up nice little bits and pieces for dd all the time but I only go shopping for clothes for ds when the situation is desperate because it is so soul-destroying trying to find anything decent

glassofwine · 22/06/2006 09:56

My DS has camoflage doodles - to him they are a pattern that matches the jungle in our garden. He is 3 1/2 he wouldn't know what an aggresive killing machine was. I do have a high IQ thank you and I think they look cool.

I agree with you about the "here comes trouble" etc T shirts, but come on you're going too far now.

SoupDragon · 22/06/2006 10:09

Soldiers aren't "aggressive killing machines" FFS!! Get real!

A swastika is not just a pattern it is a logo for something absolutely appalling. Camouflage does not even come close so don't try to pretend they're the same.

SoupDragon · 22/06/2006 10:10

As the sister of someone who wears camouflage as part of his job defending this country, I find the "aggressive killing machine" hugely offensive.

Greensleeves · 22/06/2006 10:12

Military/camouflage clothes and shoes are the pinnacle of offensiveness IMO, far worse than "here comes trouble" or similar.

It's not "just a pattern", it's a symbol of war and of militarism. It's irresponsible and despicable to allow your child to wear such stuff at 3 years old. And even more despicable of a company calling itself "Mothercare" to sell it to you.

Think yourself lucky your child isn't one of the thousands across the world who will die as a result of war this year, and whose guns are not toys.

Greensleeves · 22/06/2006 10:15

As the sister of someone who has fought in two wars, I find the popularisation of military clothing/insignia for small boys utterly abhorrent, irresponsible and sick.

shimmy21 · 22/06/2006 10:22

I agree with you all (even those of you disagreeing with each other.) The number of times I have been out looking to spend money on some decent clothes for my boys and have come back with nothing. Every shop has two thirds of the floor space taken up by pink and always in the far corner at the back is a patch of dark navy, black and khaki for the boys. Why on earth would I want to dress my sons with dead people's heads all over their clothes????

For the first time in my life I wrote to M&S last year because it annoyed me so much. I got a bog standard letter back. Thankyou for my interest and they hoped I would be delighted with their coming Autumn collection (no, I wasn't).

SoupDragon · 22/06/2006 10:31

So, Greensleeves, I take it you agree that your sibling is an "aggressive killing machine" then.

Greensleeves · 22/06/2006 10:33

No, of course not, I didn't use that phrase. But I don't think war is a joke or a fashion statement either, nor do I think it a foregone conclusion that little boys will/should grow up to be soldiers. I don't approve of sticking adult labels on children, and this is the worst example of it IMO.

SoupDragon · 22/06/2006 10:35

Ban khaki - that's been a military colour since the 1800s. And combat trousers (look at the name!)

SoupDragon · 22/06/2006 10:36

I dont think it's the worst example by far. Prostitute in Training clothes for girls are far worse. At least being a soldier is a worthwhile/honourable profession.

peachyClair · 22/06/2006 10:39

Soupy - 'A swastika is not just a pattern it is a logo for something absolutely appalling.' Actually no. I wouldn't have my sons wear it wweither because of Nazi connotations, but the Swastika is an ancient Hindu symbol that was nicked by the Bastards, and a lot of Hinu people want it reclaimes.

'I know what you mean. ASDA are the same and I can't aford anywhere else atm (fridge just died, MOT due next week, etc etc etc on a student income). not that I mind of course, just pleased TBH to have the chance to study, but anyway.

I DO mind about the clothes though. Gives off totally wrong message, esp, as DS1 DOES have behavioural issues with violence. I managed to get Doodles with worms s on not wanting camouflage (as some people will know, I am phobic of worms and their snakey ilk) so that was great . Ia lso like bright clothes for my lads- yellows, oranges etc. They should be children not mini teenagers.

Mind you, saw a t shrt yesterday in tesco for little girls with ' WHAT eva on- yuck!)

Greensleeves · 22/06/2006 10:41

Yes, I do think dressing little boys in kakhi/combat clothing is irresponsible and distasteful. Joining the military is an adult choice, in this country at least. There are plenty of child soldiers in the world who don't have a choice about wearing camouflage kit. And all the soldiers/Marines I've met disapprove of military fashion clothing for children too.

glassofwine · 22/06/2006 10:42

Sorry Greensleeves, but I do think your attitude is extreme. I really don't think a pair of shoes is going to glamorize war, if I thought it did then I wouldn't let DS wear them. Surely what he learns at home will win through, not the odd item of clothing. I wouldn't dress him head to toe in it, like a soldier because no I don't that it would be appropriate.

Greensleeves · 22/06/2006 10:43

Precisely the sort of lazy half-baked attitude that has allowed this crap to become mainstream, IMO.