Tut tut, John Lewis- you sexists!

[AngelinaJolly]

I went to look for fancy dress costume today for my 2 little DDs. I was directed to two different areas according to sex/ gender...

Girls' section:-
sparkly white "Bride" costume
Pink princess costume
Nurse costume
a few fluffy pink accessories

Boys' section:-
Fireman
Doctor
Vet
Racing Driver
Pirate
Knight
Soldier
Cowboy
Policeman
Sherrif
lot of interesting accessories

anyone else affronted by this?

Yes.

Yes, but there is nothing stopping you buying any of the "boys" costumes for your girls. My 3 year old DS had a wonderful time at his friend's house the other day dressed in her fairy costume. We made sure that we took photographs ready for his 18th birthday celebrations.

Clearly you've not bought costumes/toys/anything from any other store or you would know this is to be expected.

It is sh*te though.

ITA llareggu. I bought a doctor's costume and a dragon too (forgot to mention that one) as well as a pink feather boa! She loves the doctor costume and spent the afternoon "fixing" my knee. I just think that kids learn gender "rules" soon enough and that it shouldn't be suggested that little girls aspire only to be princesses or brides!

well, of all the ones you list, girls can be doctors, firemen, vets, soldiers and policewomen- but none of the others!

I'd write and complain.

I wonder how many women/men complain that their sons want a nurses' outfit?

I did point this out to a member of staff who promised to move a couple of doctor outfits to the girls' section. Bless!

Have a look at the websites selling football strips for DC.

Younger boys

Older boys

That is it. No girls around.

YANBU, especially the nurse/doc thing.

Perhaps it makes up for the general lack of choice in boyswear department?

Rail upon rail of girls clothes in lots of gorgeous colours and erm.....two rails of navy and sludge for boys

Have you seen the Mulberry Tree catalogue? In a bad mood I ripped it in half (it's not very big so that isn't as impressive as ripping, say the Next catalogue in half) because of the sexist crap. Apparently my greatest aim with dd should be for her to know how to cook, do the washing, ironing before 3yo and maybe, if she's a high achiever, to marry a prince. She's getting a tool kit and train set for Christmas .

No I am not bothered by it as I will get a pirate costume to my daughter if she wants one wether the picture on the packaging shows a boy or a girl wearing it. We do have several pictures of Ds2 and 3 wearing pink fairy dresses (we keep them to scare girlfriends off in the future).

I think it is silly to think that because in the shop something is displayed in the boys section that means it it definitely not for girls.

I don't think that - I'll buy what I (or dd) want whichever section of the shop it's in. I just find it irritating that in 2009 there's still such a stupid divide. I also get angry at how early it all starts - our local bookshop has girls books and boys book in the toddler section. I'm going to need to surround dd with trucks and other supposedly 'boys' things to counteract mil's princess and fairy obsession.

It is silly - they should all be displayed together.

Agree with tulpe. Monsoon is the worst, rails and rails of choice for girls, then a dark little corner for boys, it is frustrating.