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

[FrickfrackFeckit]

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 ) 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?

It’s not a feminist issue; stop making it out to be

If feminism is simply about being interested in women and girls and what moves or motivates them, and why, then yes, it is.

ALL of my pyjamas have Disney characters on them. It’s still not a problem finding ones that don’t have them. Isn’t it weird how different people like different things

What is it that you like about Disney?

They stock them because they sell. Not to offend women. I buy them, I like them more than boring ones. There are plenty of other options available, stop trying to create problems when there are plenty of genuine issues to deal with.

They stock them because they sell. Not to offend women. I buy them, I like them more than boring ones. There are plenty of other options available, stop trying to create problems when there are plenty of genuine issues to deal with

What is is that appeals to you about Disney images on your night clothes?

What is it that you like about Disney?

I quite like Disney. Why should anyone have to justify their likes and dislikes? I personally like it for the escapism of the movies, easy watching, and used to love cartoons as a kid. Is there a cut off age where you're supposed to like things deemed more grown up? (Which would be....?) If so I missed the memo

@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.

Tbh I notice this much more than nightwear!

I gave up buying women’s pyjamas when my husband pointed out that I was always ‘borrowing’ his because they were so much more comfortable. He didn’t mind me wearing them but also thought it was a waste of money for me to continue buying women’s ones that I would moan about (usually due to childish designs, itchy fabrics or being cut too short under the arms/top of my legs). I now buy lovely, soft cotton pyjamas in plain navy, just like his, and I love them.

I agree with you OP. Disney is for children. The fact that some women like it doesn't mean it's not for children nor infantilising.

I have Disney pjs and so does DH! We also have Harry Potter pjs and a selection of colourful Christmas ones that match. I have noticed men's pj t shirts are usually longer and thicker though.

I quite like Disney.Why should anyone have to justify their likes and dislikes?I personally like it for the escapism of the movies, easy watching, and used to love cartoons as a kid.Is there a cut off age where you're supposed to like things deemed more grown up? (Which would be....?) If so I missed the memo

I'm not asking you to justify anything. I'm asking you what it is you like about Disney. I'm naturally of analytical persuasion, and these things interest me.

Have to say , I personally feel that Disney plays a very large role in reproducing certain types gender stereotypes; certainly in the U.S, and in creating a certain kind of escapist culture. It is noticeable, for example, how over recent decades girls are now encouraged more than ever to aspire to be/pretend to be princesses ( I think this is also connected to the explosion in the big white wedding industry).Growing up in the 1970's it was not such a big thing to dress up as a princess.

Yes, I have the same problem - I like to sleep in a t-shirt style nightie but often find they all have inane slogans on them or, like you say, cartoon characters. I just want something plain and tasteful.

Pop culture PJs and loungewear is fashionable at the moment. The Harry Potter stuff is big as well.

My DH has got Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle PJ bottoms, Star Wars tshirts, Simpsons socks off the top of my head.

There are plenty of things without them too.

I agree, op. It is infantilisation. What’s more, I loathe the Disneyfication of childhood: it stunts the imagination.

My husband loves his Peppa Pig pants. If you don't want characters, buy something else. There's plenty of 'adult' stuff out there.

I’m impressed at how many of you are able to wear clothes in bed without sweltering! I wear nothing in summer, and an old t shirt in winter if it gets below minus ten outside.
When DH was alive, thirty years ago, I didn’t even need the t shirt in winter. He was very cosy. Although he moaned when I warmed my feet on him.

Women’s sections sell Star Wars pyjamas too? Primark and Asda George sell them a lot.

My pyjama collection is mostly Star Wars/Disney and then a few nicer bits. Oh and I like the Barbie ones too. Doesn’t mean I’m infantilising myself. I find these comfier and more for myself and then I wear the nicer silky bits for DP.

Also I don’t think my male DP owns a single pair of non Disney pyjamas.

I love a bit of disney, so glad to see this trend, previously womens nightwear was either slinky/uncomfortable or totally boring. Give me cutesy disney any day.

This post is in the Feminism section. If you're not interested in feminism or its ideas, perhaps this isn't the thread for you?

We have recently seen other areas of the board asking that posters who aren't interested in the issue or are just on the section to pour scorn or otherwise antagonise regulars should perhaps desist. That sort of behaviour could of course be viewed as trolling.

So I'd like the same rules to apply here.

Far more men’s underwear than women’s has Disney and other animation on it.

I love Disney - Bambi, Star Wars, Marvel, Pixar, Lady and the Tramp.

I have the Bambi Cath Kidston bedding. I also have A Snoopy nightshirt from M&S. Adult DD has Snoopy pjyamas. Adult DS had a Wookiee onesie, muppet show socks and minions underwear.

I love all childish things - theme parks, water parks, animation, novelty cakes, cute stationery.

When I was growing up all my elderly family members had those forties and fifties cute deer and rabbit figurines on their mantelpieces. It’s not a new thing.

Are you saying that posters who disagree with the op are not welcome and not feminist clymene

My husband and son both have nightwear and underwear with Disney characters on. At the moment it’s Baby Yoda from Mandalorian

If you're not interested in feminism or its ideas, perhaps this isn't the thread for you?

I am, as in why is it as a woman liking Disney is infantalising?
Surely it's feminism to believe in us having our own choice what we wear, or what we like?
There's plenty of non Disney wear out there.
As other posters have pointed out, their DH's wear Disney stuff too.
It's not just for women.
Granted, it's more Marvel related (which I'd definitely like to see more of in the women's section! Why is it not in the women's? to anyone who thinks superhero comic villains and sci fi type things aren't for women )
it's still Disney in the men's section though.

@Clymene A) I saw this on the active boards like I'm sure most other respondents did and paid little notice to the board it was on B) I'll repeat, on checking tonight M&S website shows 3 Disney nightdresses of 40 total on their website. Less than 10%. Kind of dampens the OP's point.

I could equally claim that M&S are trying to age and desexualise me with 'all' their full length winceyette nighties, or being misogynistic by stocking nighties at all when pajamas would do just fine, but instead I realise that they simply stock something for all tastes.

@ChronicallyCurious

Women’s sections sell Star Wars pyjamas too? Primark and Asda George sell them a lot.

My pyjama collection is mostly Star Wars/Disney and then a few nicer bits. Oh and I like the Barbie ones too. Doesn’t mean I’m infantilising myself. I find these comfier and more for myself and then I wear the nicer silky bits for DP.

Yes, dd has Star Wars pyjamas & yoda slippers. She has several Marvel themed tops etc too. From Primark I think.