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Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

Feminism: chat

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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daisypond · 09/04/2021 11:59

The men’s section of M&S pyjamas is much better - quite a revelation. And cheaper. But I’m a very slender woman, though an average height. Maybe too big? I’m going to give them a go.

MissBarbary · 09/04/2021 12:01

@PurpleDaisies

You can buy PJs with pockets. All mine have them.

Are we really arguing that every pair of women’s pjs needs to be made of plain, pure cotton with pockets?

Basically yes- except of course for the infantilised air heads who might want something different.
Thisgirlcando · 09/04/2021 12:08

@user64325 I would question where you are shopping then because I replaced all of my partners youngests underwear a few weeks ago because it was looking tatty and I only went on one website and had none of those issues! Her older sister commented that it looked like boys because it was plain and boring.

Butwasitherdriveway · 09/04/2021 12:09

Men have superhero, marvel and DC, Simpsons, et
This is where people create issues where they aren't any

Missushbb · 09/04/2021 12:09

@FrickfrackFeckit

So why isn't it all over the men's clothes? I absolutely love Disney films, I don't want to wear it though.
My husband has a superman super dad dressing gown 😂
Butwasitherdriveway · 09/04/2021 12:10

Also, they go on what is popular. I'm sure you wouldn't be suggesting they don't sell Disney because you don't want them to.

Missushbb · 09/04/2021 12:11

@widthofacircle

I can't imagine wearing anything in bed, I haven't since my twenties, as for anything with Disney or superhero's on, well if you like it why not ?
Does it not feel really cold? I have to go with bed socks and pjs! 😂
Missushbb · 09/04/2021 12:11

[quote FrickfrackFeckit]@Insomnia5 Disney is feminine? Why? Why are children's cartoons feminine not masculine?[/quote]
Doc Mac stuffin isn't feminine. I really don't think there's a problem.

Missushbb · 09/04/2021 12:12

@user64325

Absolutely agree with you OP. I don't want to wear Winnie the Pooh or Harry Potter pyjamas, how embarrassing.

I would like plain or neutral colour pyjamas shorts, with pockets like the men's, and long enough that you can't see my pubes when I sit down.

It seems the choices are cartoon characters or frumpy granny gowns.

Next have loads plain with pockets
Missushbb · 09/04/2021 12:13

@bonzo77

Totally agree. It’s all either Disney, granny or flammable. Not to my taste.
Where are you people shopping? Next, Tesco, John Lewis; loads of places have plain nightwear for women!
NotMeekNotObedient · 09/04/2021 12:28

I agree, it's infantalising.

Beowulfa · 09/04/2021 12:42

@PurpleDaisies

And any evidence of a different level of choice and quality between men's and women's clothing is a feminist issue.

Based on nothing but my own instinct, surely there less choice for men in clothing? Whenever I’ve shopped for dh the men’s departments are smaller than women’s.

This is interesting in itself though, don't you think? Are women expected to have more, and more varied clothes? To present a different look in different situations, at different times of day?

I also find the debate about Disney/Star Wars/Super Heroes for adults intriguing. It seems many more women and girls are into Sci Fi and graphic novels (at least the film version) than when I was young, which is encouraging in this age of gendered shite. I've hardly met any women of my age who read Tintin when young, and realised I had access to it as I had a brother (the books were his, as were The Three Investigators series, which I adored). If you grew up with sisters, you were unlikely to read stuff like Asterix (seemingly aimed at boys, especially boys who didn't like reading) unless you actively sought it out in the library. I hope more girls are encouraged to try graphic novels these days?

I went to Disney Princesses On Ice with a friend and their little girl a few years ago (because I love ice skating, I didn't know any of the films and had to have them explained to me by the 5 year old). There were a handful of boys in the O2, but it was overwhelmingly girls.

Hophopandaway · 09/04/2021 12:43

This is my issue with some members of modern ism movements (of which feminism is one of them) they seem to roll over with victimisation where none exists. This isn't a feminist issue really men wear superhero underwear socks and pyjamas. Many of my friends choose these Disney characters nighties and to be honest this sounds like "feminism" belittling other womens choices to buy this clothing.

MissBarbary · 09/04/2021 12:55

Just checked - the 3 identical white and blue checked nightshirts I have from TU are 100% cotton.

daisypond · 09/04/2021 13:01

@MissBarbary

Just checked - the 3 identical white and blue checked nightshirts I have from TU are 100% cotton.
But they’re checked, and they’re nightshirts. Why is it impossible (unless you pay silly prices) to get plain cotton pyjamas in nice colours?
SleepingStandingUp · 09/04/2021 13:20

But they’re checked, and they’re nightshirts. Why is it impossible (unless you pay silly prices) to get plain cotton pyjamas in nice colours? Because no store has capacity to stock every type of every items of clothing you can thing of? There's 90+ items listed under pajamas, 60+ cotton / 40+ in pajamas sets of which 30+ at least cotton mix, 3 are cotton. Plain pink ones, white ones, green, blue. Yes some character ones, some friends ones, some stars and stripes. Some with pockets, some without. Honestly if there's nothing in there you like, the issue isn't with M&S's misogynism

bishbashbosh99 · 09/04/2021 13:25

Clutching at straws here fgs 🤣🤣🤣🤣

WrinklesShminkles · 09/04/2021 14:16

[quote Thisgirlcando]@user64325 I would question where you are shopping then because I replaced all of my partners youngests underwear a few weeks ago because it was looking tatty and I only went on one website and had none of those issues! Her older sister commented that it looked like boys because it was plain and boring.[/quote]
Seems strange you don't say which website it was.

YetAnotherSpartacus · 09/04/2021 14:20

I want PJs with wide, baggy arses and a waist band that comes up to my actual waist - in 100% cotton and nighties (as my old ma would say) that are also 100% cotton and not so tight that they turn you into a chrysalis at night. And no fucking Disney, Peppa fucking pig, unicorns or spaced-out cats that look like they are on drugs like every other page of Tu other than most entries on page one.

YetAnotherSpartacus · 09/04/2021 14:22

Oddly I don't personally care about pockets - I have a small basket next to my pillow for things I need at night.

ifIwerenotanandroid · 09/04/2021 14:32

@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.
Yes! I stopped watching the BBC news when (apart from the annoying theme tune that they talked over) they seemed to be addressing 6 year olds for whom English wasn't their first language.
ifIwerenotanandroid · 09/04/2021 14:36

For cotton nighties, PJs & briefs, I suggest looking at Matalan. A bit downmarket for MN, I know, but they were brilliant when I had an operation & needed some comfy, grown-up nighties & big, soft 'Bridgets' to avoid my scars.

Milkshake7489 · 09/04/2021 14:41

My favourite pyjamas are Lion King themed. My DH's favourite pair are Toy Story.

I think the trend for accepting that adults can also enjoy childish things is great.

Thelnebriati · 09/04/2021 14:50

YANBU OP. I think I've posted about this before, a local 'character' has been banned from the supermarkets and has to stand outside (dressed as a furry) while a member of staff gets his shopping.

Last time I went in to buy nightwear he was standing outside, I went in and the clothes in the women's nightwear section all looked like what he was wearing. There was nothing without a cute cartoon face or ears. So I bought men's stuff, just plain joggers and t-shirts.

This isn't about 'victimisation'. Its about the infantilisation of adult women. Its bad enough that the clothes are skimpily cut and are made from cheaper fabric than the mens.

Thisgirlcando · 09/04/2021 21:53

@WrinklesShminkles nothing strange. It was next. She got some in a boxer style to sleep in because she gets too hot on a night and then a few other styles. All thick fabric, not skimpy and not childish.

They do have some with Disney on or that are more feminine but there are plenty of options for all tastes.