A mother has gained significant attention on TikTok for addressing the damaging distinctions between girls’ and boys’ clothing at Target.
By Rachel Smith, Updated: Feb. 20, 2024
Rachel Thompson, known as @naptown_thrifts on TikTok, is no stranger to challenging clothing double standards. In high school, she faced frequent dress code violations, even resorting to painting her shoulders to protest in the cafeteria. Now a Maryland mom of two, her latest video highlights the glaring gender disparities she encountered while shopping for school uniform pants for her 7-year-old daughter.
“Target, if you’re listening, I have a question,” Thompson opens in her video, which has garnered nearly 400,000 views. “My daughter needed pants for school… in the girls’ section, we have these nice, stretchy, thin leggings.” She contrasts these with boys’ pants, which she describes as “durable,” pointing out features like drawstring waists and reinforced knees. The disparity is clear: boys’ clothing prioritizes utility and longevity, while girls’ options offer less protection from the elements and often lack pockets.
Upon researching online, we discovered numerous legging choices for girls, as well as the stiff, zip-fly uniform pants that kids generally dislike because they’re not designed for active play. A few more comfortable “performance uniform pants” were available, but the overall selection for boys included a wider range of athletic and “performance” options. Cargo pants, known for their pockets, were only found in the boys’ section, alongside robust styles like the “Understoned Surf N’ Turf Pant,” designed for comfort and durability. In contrast, girls’ options such as the “Bloom Shakalaka” and “Sunday Strut” were predominantly floral and pink.
Thompson concluded her video by stating, “You all know I thrift everything, but if I can’t find their size or color for their uniform, I have to buy it new. This is what’s local, this is what I can afford, and these are my options.” Some commenters suggested she explore gender-neutral brands, to which she replied, “I love thrifting from @Primarydotcom, but I can’t afford them regularly.”
In a follow-up video, Thompson examined the shorts available and found even more concerning trends: girls’ shorts were less durable, pricier, and shorter than those for boys. The absence of pockets in girls’ designs particularly frustrated her since her youngest daughter often resorts to using her mother’s pockets for carrying small items.
While Thompson acknowledged that boys’ clothing is also limited to traditionally “male” themes, she stressed that the repercussions for girls and women regarding clothing choices are far more serious and escalate with age. For instance, a girl might be removed from class for wearing shorts that are too short, whereas as teens, they may face clothing being used as a justification for violence against women.
Thompson doesn’t expect a major retailer like Target to eliminate gendered clothing entirely, but she advocates for more equality, especially considering the implications for her daughters and other girls. “Clothing for small children serves a universal purpose,” she emphasizes, adding that it should protect them from the elements and not be dictated by aesthetics.
While Target has made strides in inclusivity, it seems they need to catch up in this area. It’s a broader issue across most stores, as many parents prefer not to buy clothes for their kids that will make them stand out, even if those clothes are more functional. “It’s tough to find clothing for little girls designed as well as boys’ clothing,” Thompson laments. This isn’t just an issue for Target; all kids deserve better options.
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Summary:
A Maryland mom, Rachel Thompson, has gained viral attention on TikTok for highlighting the significant disparities between girls’ and boys’ clothing at Target. In her videos, she showcases how boys’ clothing is often more durable and functional, with features like pockets and reinforced knees, while girls’ clothing tends to be more delicate and styled for aesthetics. She emphasizes the impact these clothing choices can have on young girls and calls for greater equality in children’s apparel.
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