Does anyone else have a complete ban on character clothing and accessories?

[backonthewagon]

Or would you buy items like umbrellas, bags, towels, hats, sunglasses, gloves, scarves, pants, vests, socks, pjs, dressing gown, swimwear, raincoats, puddlesuits, wellies, slippers etc with tv characters on?

[FreeButtonBee]

I don’t mind a bit but often the quality is a bit rubbish so I object on those grounds mostly. I hate appliqué or sticky plastic transfers in clothes (mainly cos they don’t tumble dry v well) but the odd spider man PJs or Minnie Mouse notebook doesn’t bother me. It’s more often gifts than purchases. Actually DS1 has a few Lego T-shirt’s which are quite cool and DD has a really awesome denim jacket which has a Lego butterfly on the back. So it seems Lego can do no wrong in my house!

[HoppingPavlova]

I think it’s a good philosophy but in my experience it goes to shit once the kid actively knows what they want unless you never expose them to a clothes shop. One of mine was the worst, from before 2yo they would be racing around pointing to the character clothes they wanted. By 3yo no way we would have left a store with a generic item leaving the ‘priceless in the eyes of a 3yo’ character branded item behind. So then it’s make the kid wear something that makes them unhappy to suit your philosophy or suck it up. I sucked it up.

[grisen]

My son is mainly dressed in character clothes and has been from birth, but then so do I. Can't see the difference between mickey mouse and a random crocodile/bear/slogan. Must admit I dislike slogans and anything stating "best XXX in the world" makes me sick.

[Ginfordinner]

Please can someone explain the MN snobbery about character clothing and merch, because that is how it comes across - pure snobbery.

TBH I don't even remember what DD wore as a child.

[coconuttelegraph]

Please can someone explain the MN snobbery about character clothing and merch, because that is how it comes across - pure snobbery

Obviously I can't speak for anyone else but I can't see how a like or dislike for certain types of clothing is snobbery. I don't like character clothing, sleeveless vests for adults, shoe boots with skirts or harem pants to name a few examples - how does anyone decide whether snobbery is involved in personal preference?

[formerbabe]

I don't like that stuff for myself so wouldn't buy. My ds loved it when he was little especially superhero stuff. My DD still loves it.. it would never be my first choice, but I let her wear it. It's important to her, harmless and makes her happy...that's what matters to me.

[EssentialHummus]

Also not speaking for anyone else, but to me it's akin to adults wearing tops with prominent logos etc. But I think the fact that most (not all clearly) merchandise is sold by the supermarkets also feeds into it, and there's something about "buying your kids clothes from Asda" that feeds into that. Which is ridiculous, since clearly a) the supermarkets all sell clothes, so someone's buying and b) they have plenty of clothes without characters on, but this is England and class signifiers are everywhere .

[LolaSmiles]

coconuttelegraph
I agree with you. There are lots of things I like and dislike.

I'm sure some people wouldn't like gym clothes not at the gym, but I wear them and find them comfy. I wouldn't get defensive and accuse them of being snobs for having different preferences.

The "you dislike something I like, so you're a snob" is a really silly argument.

[FreeButtonBee]

Ah, this is also helped by never taking my children to the shops if I can possibly avoid it. Online grocery delivery and I really only take them clothes shopping for shoes. So v little opportunity to mither for character stuff. They watch plenty of TV but being of the impatient current generation they mostly watch Sky kids or Netflix so limited ads. This also helps control Christmas/birthday demands! My mum was also a big fan of recreational shopping as a hobby and I don't really want to repeat the experience of being dragged round the shops that I had - I am perhaps a bit too much the other way but am sure the tables will turn when they are teens and want to go wild in Westfield or Topshop on Oxford St!

[formerbabe]

Forgot to add, my DD has sn which specifically affect her ability to communicate, so I've always allowed her to choose her own clothes as it's one way for her to express herself. We've had plenty of clashing patterns and character clothes over the years. I grin and bear it.

[soggypizza]

I think there is an element of snobbishness in the choice of clothing...whether that relates to you or not is up to you but it exists and I think it's silly to deny that.

[LolaSmiles]

soggypizza
Would you be arguing that parents who choose to avoid highly gendered clothing for their children are being snobbish?
What about parents who don't like the whole joules/Boden look? Are they snobs?
What about people who are happy with fancy dress in the house, but not around town? Is that snobby too?
At what point are parental likes/dislikes acceptable? Or are all likes/dislikes snobby?

I dislike character clothing and highly logoed and branded clothes? Does that make be a snob? Because that makes me a snob on this thread. I also love doing the shop in my gymwear, others may not. Should I be calling them snobs for having different preferences?

[TheKitchenWitch]

Lol no absolutely no ban here whatsoever. I'll actually look out for tops etc with characters on them which my two like. We have quite a lot of Lego brand clothing and I've been really pleased with the quality. I haven't found that branded stuff is worse than any other - you get good and bad stuff of both imo. I only buy things that look good though, not just because they have a certain character on them.

I have some band tshirts I wear, and the Princess Leia one from H&M, and I am on the lookout for some Marvel tops for me too. I don't understand the blanket ban at all.

[formerbabe]

@LolaSmiles

We all have personal preferences. There's nothing inherently wrong with any particular style. I think what I'd object to is a parent who won't allow their child to wear a t shirt with their favourite character on, when their child really wants to.

[soggypizza]

@LolaSmiles I said there was an element - if you aren't snobby about clothing choices good for you. I know I am - I can't believe it's just me - maybe it is just me .

[LolaSmiles]

But isn't that their choice? Just like parents can, and do, make decisions on whether their kids wear all sorts.

For example, I don't want to buy into pester power for character and brands so wouldn't be happy to do that, but if there was one in the charity shop, nearly new sale or a hand me down then I'd not bother so much even if I dislike it.

It's a bit much for people to decide that someone's difference of opinion makes them a snob.

[simplekindoflife]

I'm not a fan of character clothing, but my kids like them, so I let them wear them?! I think it's a bit wanky to put a ban on them.

Kind of puts your personal taste above a small thing that makes your kids happy?! It's so short lived too, I just embrace it.

I have to wear boring smart clothes for work and they have quite a boring school uniform too, it's nice that they can be themselves at home.

My son also wears odd socks and my daughter wears the most colourful clashing colours and patterns too! They're happy?! 🤷🏻‍♀️

[MarshaBradyo]

Not so much a ban I just don’t buy them. I use one site for clothes and non are character so it’s easy. I haven’t really thought about it.

[formerbabe]

For example, I don't want to buy into pester power for character and brands

But it's not really pester power is it? Say you're shopping and your DC needs a new t shirt...there's a choice of a plain one or one with a superhero on it and your DC wants the superhero one, why on earth would you not allow it just because you prefer the plain one.

I agree with @simplekindoflife. It's a short lived time in their life...it's harmless, they're happy. Who cares?!

[nogooddeedgoesunpunished]

Not into the slogans, especially those that are gender specific . I work with children and young people though and as a parent too am learning that it's not worth making a fuss about in the grand scheme of things!

[smegsmeg]

I am indifferent on whether it has a character or not. It helps with my DS creativity in getting to choose what/who he's wearing and finding pleasure in showing it off and interacting with other kids/adults. For anything formal of course he would have clothes to suite.

[LolaSmiles]

former
Because the one that's linked to a trend character is likely to go out of trend when they move onto another character and then I've got a top with a character they don't like anymore, the pain if and when they don't want to wear the original character again (based on this thread character clothing is all about childhood happiness so no doubt I'd be a terrible person for telling them to get over it as it's a perfectly decent top because that's also stifling their happiness).

Like i said, it was eye opening a few years ago watchig a documentary about marketing for kids and the rationale behind branding clothing, household items, other daily items with characters. It changed how I viewed things ever since.

[NerrSnerr]

Lolasmiles your children clearly change their interests more than mine. Mine have never gone off a character before growing out of something.

[HeyNotInMyName]

Nope never had one either for my dcs (dc2 had a couple that were given to him for his b'day by friends and thats about it).

Too much marketing around them and to sexist (in that they seem to be always linked with very specific boy/girl 'characteristics').
No regrte on my side and I cant say that my two dcs, who are now late teens, have ever expressed a deep regret of ot having them. Seeing their tastes now, they would probably go down the same route anyway....

[HeyNotInMyName]

@soggypizza, if doing what I think is best/what I enjoy rather what I dislike/what other peope do makes me snobby, then I'm very happy to be snobby.

Ive stopped a long time ago to actually care about what 'other people' think about my choices. And I prefer to be true to myself instead.