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Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

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Original poster

What's with the infantilising of women's nightwear?

346 replies

FrickfrackFeckit · 08/04/2021 18:59

I was just looking for a nightdress (peri menopausal and completely unable to wear pyjamas any more because I'm so bloody hot at night Sad) on M and S (never again). I was struck by all the Disney bloody characters? I'm not 5yrs old, I don't want to wear Disney characters. Out of interest I had a look at the men's. No Disney, no cutesie stuff, just very normal (if boring) pyjamas. So what's that all about?

OP posts:
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6
Quaagars · 09/04/2021 00:00

I think it’s weird to see adults wearing clothes with cartoon characters

Why?
What do you like to wear? Is there a cut off age where we all should wear something more grown up? (Whatever that means?)

LibertyMole · 09/04/2021 00:00

Yes. I am happier knowing that I have had the good fortune to be in a matching family. Before this thread I was unaware of this good fortune.

ThatsShitTryHarder · 09/04/2021 00:03

@Quaagars

I think it’s weird to see adults wearing clothes with cartoon characters

Why?
What do you like to wear? Is there a cut off age where we all should wear something more grown up? (Whatever that means?)

I think people should wear what they like.

And I am free to think whatever I like about people who wear clothes with teddies and cartoon characters on them.

HopeClearwater · 09/04/2021 00:04

@LibertyMole I find it hard to understand why an adult wouldn’t like Disney

Are you joking? You don’t have to go very far on Google to find out why adults wouldn’t like Disney.

QueenPaw · 09/04/2021 00:08

Next often have nice ones in. I like legging type pjs with a baggy top so usually get ones like these
Although I'm currently wearing avocado print ones

What's with the infantilising of women's nightwear?
LibertyMole · 09/04/2021 00:08

Do you want to expand Hope? I googled but nothing relevant came up.

famousforwrongreason · 09/04/2021 00:09

@ErniesGhostlyGoldTops

It's not just nightwear that infantilises adults. Everything does. TV, adverts, the way narrators and presenters speak to us as if we are seven. It's everywhere and it's constant.
I'm heartily sick of the dumbing down of everything. Critical thinking is being erased. Anyone who speaks out about it is called a derogatory name and jeered at. It feels like living in a mob of football hooligans circa 1981
Quaagars · 09/04/2021 00:11

I think people should wear what they like.

And I am free to think whatever I like about people who wear clothes with teddies and cartoon characters on them

That's a leetle bit contradictory lol, not to mention dodging the question.
If you think people should wear what they like, why are you passing judgment on what other adults choose to wear?

PurpleDaisies · 09/04/2021 00:12

I'm heartily sick of the dumbing down of everything. Critical thinking is being erased. Anyone who speaks out about it is called a derogatory name and jeered at. It feels like living in a mob of football hooligans circa 1981

But this is a thread about pyjamas. I don’t think my choice of bunny print pyjamas invalidates my university education. Confused

LibertyMole · 09/04/2021 00:14

You are shallow Daisies. My pyjamas have the entire text of Umberto Eco’s The Truth of Literature printed across them.

AllTheWayFromLondonDAMN · 09/04/2021 00:14

Agree with you @FrickfrackFeckit but am surprised so many don’t and are actually saying it’s not an issue. Me and my husband often roll our eyes at how patronising grown women’s pyjama sections of shops are. I buy from the men’s PJ section or wear oversized plain mens t shirts and shorts.

Quaagars · 09/04/2021 00:18

I buy from the men’s PJ section or wear oversized plain mens t shirts and shorts

That's good - we should buy from both, I regularly buy from the mens tshirt section for example.
Why can women not want to buy Disney or teddies though?
Are we not capable of liking both?
Why is it "patronising?"
What I do find more patronising is being told some choices aren't "classy" enough, or that it's infantalising us.
No, it's called freedom of choice.

ThatsShitTryHarder · 09/04/2021 00:19

@Quaagars

I think people should wear what they like.

And I am free to think whatever I like about people who wear clothes with teddies and cartoon characters on them

That's a leetle bit contradictory lol, not to mention dodging the question.
If you think people should wear what they like, why are you passing judgment on what other adults choose to wear?

It’s not contradictory at all.

People have freedom of expression in the UK - they are free to wear what they like and I’m free to criticise.

Quaagars · 09/04/2021 00:22

People have freedom of expression in the UK - they are free to wear what they like and I’m free to criticise.

Yes they do, and yes they have.
If you're saying people have the freedom to choose though, but in the next breath saying you judge them for doing so, it seems you do have a problem with them choosing in the first place.
Still haven't answered my question - what do you like, then? I hope it's suitable enough for a lady, or not too juvenile

ThatsShitTryHarder · 09/04/2021 00:24

If you're saying people have the freedom to choose though, but in the next breath saying you judge them for doing so, it seems you do have a problem with them choosing in the first place.

You seem not to understand the difference between criticising someone’s right to choose and criticising the choices they make.

Quaagars · 09/04/2021 00:26

So what do you like then?
What is acceptable for a grown woman to like?

ThatsShitTryHarder · 09/04/2021 00:30

@Quaagars

So what do you like then? What is acceptable for a grown woman to like?
I haven’t posted about what I like. It’s not relevant.
Quaagars · 09/04/2021 00:34

I haven’t posted about what I like. It’s not relevant.

I know you haven't.
You're passing judgment on what adults should like, or shouldn't though.
So it kind of is relevant.

ThatsShitTryHarder · 09/04/2021 00:37

@Quaagars

I haven’t posted about what I like. It’s not relevant.

I know you haven't.
You're passing judgment on what adults should like, or shouldn't though.
So it kind of is relevant.

To you maybe.

Anyway it’s late and I’m up early tomorrow, so that’s me done for tonight.

Quaagars · 09/04/2021 00:41

Anyway it’s late and I’m up early tomorrow, so that’s me done for tonight.

Confused Grin
OK then, goodnight, that clears that up

NiceGerbil · 09/04/2021 00:47

That'sShit I am very surprised at the responses to your post!

Of course people can and should wear what they like (although there is a lot of pressure for men and women and boys and girls to look certain ways, and despite the enthusiasm for opposite sex clothes, in reality for loads of people they don't fit. I mean most women's clothes don't fit loads of women!).

But there seems to be a weird totally not related to real life thing going on here.

People choose their clothes for all sorts of reasons. Many of them are about conforming, or non conforming.

Who on earth doesn't judge? I mean, seriously? If it's not a thing then why is there a difference between relaxing clothes and interview clothes? Why do hipsters style themselves in a certain way? And obviously some people will see them and think cool bloke, and some will think wanker. And some won't care either way.

Is it seriously being pressed by multiple posters that thinking people can wear what they like, but also sometimes thinking that person looks like my sort of person/ looks ridiculous, is out of order?

Come on.

Quaagars · 09/04/2021 00:57

If it's not a thing then why is there a difference between relaxing clothes and interview clothes?

How is that the same though when we're on a thread where people are judging people for what pyjamas they wear, whether they're deemed too childish or not?
I mean, I wouldn't rock up to an interview in my Winnie The Pooh pyjama top.
You'd leave it at home

PotholeHellhole · 09/04/2021 01:09

Does anyone have more details about where to buy running shoes for flat feet but without pink stripes on, come April 12th? Without breaking the bank?

Please don't say google, because I really need to try shoes on. Grin My usual port of call was Sports Direct, but they treat their staff badly, and also I always ended up with only two non-pink pairs of shoes to choose from.

NiceGerbil · 09/04/2021 01:11

The judgement is dull.

It detracts from the topic.

These things always get so defensive.

I mean who gives a fuck if some random person on the internet thinks nighties with snoopy on are crap if you're over 10. Or 25. Or 50. Or 70. Whatever.

Why does it always get so personal? And why do people care? I've had 'constructive' criticism on every aspect of my appearance for my whole life from both women and men. Some men have been kind enough to bellow their thoughts out of cars.

Getting shitty because a random on the internet says Disney nighties are pretty shit is peculiar and detracts from the conversation.

The interesting thing though, and one I've never understood. Is why 'smart' clothes are usually less comfy than relaxing clothes. Why some people seem to relate effort in appearance to respect.

At a job interview in a non customer/ client facing role, why does it matter? Why not wear what is essentially a Winnie the Pooh t-shirt to an interview? They're not hiring your for what you look or dress like so what does it matter?

I've never understood that.

orangebay · 09/04/2021 01:16

It's the one time as an adult you can get away with enjoying childish designs really. As a kid you would get Disney wallpaper, adults can't make a princess living room or go to work in fun childish clothes. So why not enjoy it at home while you can, have a bit of fun life has so many rules

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