Man Utd jersey sexist?

Adamocovic · 04-08-2015 03:02PM

anncoates wrote: »

The elephant in the room here is that plenty of women do buy "accentuating"clothes, no matter how other women feel about it.

United are one of the biggest clubs in the worldso saying their shirts are mainly bought for utilitarian, sport reasons is wrong, basically. They're worn more as fashion items than for 5 a side, training and whatever.

It would be better if they provided a less revealing female version, I agree, but presumably they just assume women/girls will buy a men's/boys version if they don't want that look.

Companies of this size don't really give a fig about the politics, they just see what they perceive as a market gap and are trying to exploit it.

It's not United exclusively, the majority of Adidas ladies jerseys have the same neck line.

Just look up Chelsea, Argentina, Real Madrid etc. It's just how adidas do their ladies jerseys (with the few exceptions). I've never heard of any issues before until the United one though.

DeadHand · 04-08-2015 03:03PM

Samaris wrote: »

Hm, yes, maybe it was a rather harsh word to use. My point is that it's intended to accentuate sexuality of the person wearing it. Sports isn't about sexuality

Yeah, a lot of slim fitting rugby jerseys accentuate the biceps and pectoral muscles of their male wearers. I even saw women wearing make up to a GAA match once. This sexualisation is a disgrace and nothing to do with sport. All sport spectators should be obliged to attend in burkhas lest someone somewhere get upset.

Or... We could all just choose to wear what we want to wear. No woman will be forced to wear this apparel. No woman will be refused entry or criticised for not wearing this apparel. And for those that choose to- the option is there and more power to them.

That whinging bint in the article... I mean really. "'a 2.disgrace. Women can't even wear normal looking football shirts these days?" Er, yes. Yes, you can. Women can wear anything they want to wear, including "normal" jerseys or jerseys with a plunging neckline.

She then goes on to weep about how uncomfortable the shirt makes her... So uncomfortable, in fact, she only managed to knowingly and willingly pose in one for a picture she then posted on the internet herself. "I'd never wear this though to a match"... Ok, here's an idea then- don't and stop complaining about nonsense for attention.

As for the reaction, yet another sexism storm in a teacup. It seems feminism is all about giving women more options... Just as long as those options are acceptable to feminism.

Sir Gallagher · 04-08-2015 03:04PM

Samaris wrote: »

I just did a bit of hunting, nope, that looks like the only female option.

By the way, anyone else now getting Adidas ads at the bottom of the screen? :pac:

God forbid we discuss fashion versus practicality.

Yeah if this is the only female option then women have a right to be aggreived. I would have thought this whole thing was a load of bollox a few years ago, but ive since gotten to know a good few women who play football and this top would be of zero use to them for a kickabout or training.

Mars Bar · 04-08-2015 03:06PM

Adamocovic wrote: »

It's not United exclusively, the majority of Adidas ladies jerseys have the same neck line.

Just look up Chelsea, Argentina, Real Madrid etc. It's just how adidas do their ladies jerseys (with the few exceptions). I've never heard of any issues before until the United one though.

I was in Barstow Outlets the time of the World Cup and I thought I'd pick up a few international jerseys on the cheap but just took one look at the Adidas jerseys and walked on. They were so deep! It annoyed me to be honest.

It's why I paid the obscene amount of $100 for that L.A one. It's the only one that looked right in a women's shape.

Samaris · 04-08-2015 03:06PM

rubadub wrote: »

I don't think it has to be, it usually does have negative connotations, but doesn't have to if you take the literal meaning.

You could say other clothing is sexist -women would not need "ball room" in their shorts. Or you could say they judged that men would need ball room.

Oh quite, and I totally agree with that. Sexism doesn't have to be entirely negative. You know, the word "miraculous" actually isn't positive either, it's any happening that seems so unlikely that it could be assigned to godly intervention. So a horrible confluence of events would also be miraculous. But a newspaper reporting on the "miraculous death" of someone would probably get into trouble because of the generally assigned meaning

I felt that the Daily Mail was using the word "sexist" to get a rise out of people, hence my comment that it was a dangerous term to use.

Blast it, meant to reply to One Eyed Jack too, but I've lost the quote...

Hrm..ok.
True, it is disingenuous and I'm talking only from my own point of view. Then again, the Adidas designers have also been a bit disingenuous by assuming that women who go to a sports game automatically want to look "sexy" by wearing a neckline that's not so much plunging as swan-diving. They really could have compromised a bit.

What you just said there, about some women wanting to go play the field - is that the market that should specifically be played to? Suggesting that all women want to by making the shirt that...well, gives that impression?

I can only speak from my own perspective here, but I am speaking from the perspective of someone with boobs that doesn't really want to display them if she's going to watch a match. Sure, I can just buy a male jersey if I was going to. But if my only options are potential wardrobe malfunction or, to quote another poster "looking like a sack of spuds", I reckon I can roll my eyes a bit

keano_afc · 04-08-2015 03:07PM

anncoates wrote: »

To be fair, judging by those pictures, the cleavage doesn't look any more revealing than a normal woman's t shirt.

Presumably women can just buy a man's version if they don't want the style.

There's an unfortunate rush to label things as sexism when they're probably market led. Some women might want a more fitted, low neck version that's not catered for by wearing a male version.

The first picture is a little unnecessary though. Very easy on the eye, but clearly gratuitous.

Gatling · 04-08-2015 03:08PM

Sir Gallagher wrote: »

Yeah if this is the only female option then women have a right to be aggreived. I would have thought this whole thing was a load of bollox a few years ago, but ive since gotten to know a good few women who play football and this top would be of zero use to them for a kickabout or training.

It's a fashion top not an actual real kit ,just like the men's .
And if your that desparate to worry about girls having a kick around I can recommend several Sports Bra's through the wife to keep everything in place

Adamocovic · 04-08-2015 03:08PM

Mars Bar wrote: »

I was in Barstow Outlets the time of the World Cup and I thought I'd pick up a few international jerseys on the cheap but just took one look at the Adidas jerseys and walked on. They were so deep! It annoyed me to be honest.

It's why I paid the obscene amount of $100 for that L.A one. It's the only one that looked right in a women's shape.

It's strange since the likes of Puma and Nike don't vary much in terms of neckline, I don't really know why adidas do but their design team are consistent with it anyway :pac:

Hammer89 · 04-08-2015 03:08PM

Rooney will be wearing it come Saturday.

anncoates · 04-08-2015 03:09PM

eviltwin wrote: »

And if they want to do that then it's fine but not all of us do and its not much to ask for a modest top. Football has a lot of female fans of all ages, a women's version of the mens top isn't too much to ask.

Presumably the company think that women/girls will just buy a mans/boys top in that case.

Again, thinking that companies this size have some devious sexist agenda outside of making more money is naive.

Should also point out that judging by some of the Talafornia types you see waking around, I wouldn't be surprised to see a significant take up on the fitted, low-neck version among some men. :pac:

topper75 · 04-08-2015 03:10PM

Not sexism.
Equality in fact.

Beardsley did the the balls-out shorts yonks ago:
<snip>

This is just ladies catching up.

Mars Bar · 04-08-2015 03:18PM

Gatling wrote: »

It's a fashion top not an actual real kit ,just like the men's .
And if your that desparate to worry about girls having a kick around I can recommend several Sports Bra's through the wife to keep everything in place

My good sports bra would be higher than the neckline according to those pictures.

anncoates · 04-08-2015 03:19PM

keano_afc wrote: »

The first picture is a little unnecessary though. Very easy on the eye, but clearly gratuitous.

It's the Daily Mail. They'd find a way of to make communion dresses look sexually provocative.

/waits for Courtney Love replies

DeadHand · 04-08-2015 03:19PM

Sir Gallagher wrote: »

Yeah if this is the only female option then women have a right to be aggreived. I would have thought this whole thing was a load of bollox a few years ago, but ive since gotten to know a good few women who play football and this top would be of zero use to them for a kickabout or training.

But it's not the only option available, this is the point. Obviously, women playing football wouldn't wear this top out of practicality. No one would force them too. They'd most likely wear a regular sports shirt as they have since women's sport began.

The jersey in question isn't meant as training gear- it's meant as fan apparel.

Gatling · 04-08-2015 03:21PM

Mars Bar wrote: »

My good sports bra would be higher than the neckline according to those pictures.

Pics are staged I believe to show more cleavage than what's actually on show

One eyed Jack · 04-08-2015 03:25PM

Samaris wrote: »

I can only speak from my own perspective here, but I am speaking from the perspective of someone with boobs that doesn't really want to display them if she's going to watch a match. Sure, I can just buy a male jersey if I was going to. But if my only options are potential wardrobe malfunction or, to quote another poster "looking like a sack of spuds", I reckon I can roll my eyes a bit

Oh absolutely, I agree with you that of course you can roll your eyes, and believe me I am too (well, one of 'em anyway :pac:), but essentially it comes down to marketing and whether or not there's a market for well fitting women's supporters jerseys. Adidas has decided there isn't, but there's a market there for dolly birds that want to "get their tits out for the lads", and now they look well while doing it too! :pac:

eviltwin mentioned that there wouldn't be many parents would buy these jerseys for their daughters - their daughters can buy these jerseys for themselves!

I don't think they're sold as a serious sports clothing item, but rather a fashion item for women.

CFlat · 04-08-2015 03:45PM

Lucy Varley is definitely pulling the top down with her hands to exagerate the chest line.

And I for one would like to say thank-you Lucy, you've cheered my miserable/hungover day up no end

Greenmachine · 04-08-2015 03:48PM

They'll want to ban the bra next.

One eyed Jack · 04-08-2015 03:50PM

Greenmachine wrote: »

They'll want to ban the bra next.

They'd find it hard to get support...

Pherekydes · 04-08-2015 03:51PM

I'm puzzled. All I see in the link posted is a Chevrolet jersey.

Do Chevrolet have a chance this year, or will Samsung dominate again? What about Etihad Airways?

AIG for the All-Ireland!

pickarooney · 04-08-2015 03:54PM

Sir Gallagher wrote: »

It looks ridiculous tbh, doesnt look functional for playing in. In this day and age where womens football is becoming more and more popular i cant see why they cant just bring out a jersey for women which is good for playing in whilst having a decent fit.

The mens jersey is made for fashion and function, while the women's jersey is fashion only. Seems a bit sexist to me.

Fashion? Jesus Christ...

Medusa22 · 04-08-2015 03:55PM

Greenmachine wrote: »

They'll want to ban the bra next.

But then where will we stuff our chicken fillets?? :eek:

frostyjacks · 04-08-2015 03:59PM

We seem to be going full circle with women's clothing. They used to be required to cover themselves head to foot in the old days. Then they were allowed to wear less and less (hurrah!), now we have the social media mob dictating what women should and shouldn't wear. Look at the complaints Amanda Holden received for her plunging necklines on BGT.

The cleavage is a beautiful thing, why cover it up?

Adamocovic · 04-08-2015 04:00PM

Pherekydes wrote: »

I'm puzzled. All I see in the link posted is a Chevrolet jersey.

Do Chevrolet have a chance this year, or will Samsung dominate again? What about Etihad Airways?

AIG for the All-Ireland!

Chevrolet is the shirt sponsor of Man United. They are not actually the team. The teams crest can be seen on the jersey but it is smaller than the Chevrolet and can be seen just above it to the right.

As for Samsung possibly the old sponsor for the Chelsea shirt and Eithad I would guess is actually the Manchester City jersey sponsor. AIG is the sponsor for the Dubling Gaa kit too.

You see all the names you listed are only sponsors to the shirts and not actually the sports clubs name. It is an easy mistake for someone who is not a sports fan to make.

northknife · 04-08-2015 04:00PM

From what angle exactly is this your point of view old Mr. One eye :-)

One eyed Jack wrote: »

Sudden upsurge in attendance figures at Old Trafford...

Really? That's even more harsh than sexist! I mean, obviously the tee shirt is sexist, it's made for women, but sluttish? I'm sure if a woman wears a good bra underneath, she'll be able to keep her chesticles under control :pac:

Low-cut V-neck tops have been women's fashion for decades. This is nothing but another social media storm in a teacup.

One eyed Jack · 04-08-2015 04:13PM

frostyjacks wrote: »

We seem to be going full circle with women's clothing. They used to be required to cover themselves head to foot in the old days. Then they were allowed to wear less and less (hurrah!), now we have the social media mob dictating what women should and shouldn't wear. Look at the complaints Amanda Holden received for her plunging necklines on BGT.

Pfft, social media mobs which hardly anyone actually takes seriously! I certainly wouldn't get too worried about the minority of idiots looking for attention for themselves by "highlighting issues" and "raising awareness" of things that are obvious to everyone else.

The cleavage is a beautiful thing, why cover it up?

Some people aren't comfortable with women showing their cleavage. I can't say I ever found it offensive myself either tbh

Sir Gallagher · 04-08-2015 04:14PM

pickarooney wrote: »

Fashion? Jesus Christ...

You know what i mean ffs.

Greenmachine · 04-08-2015 04:15PM

One eyed Jack wrote: »

They'd find it hard to get support...

I knew I should have put in a joke something about female joggers.

razorblunt · 04-08-2015 04:16PM

That's not sexist they just want to show off Luke Shaw's man boobs.

YFlyer · 04-08-2015 04:20PM

Problem solved: wear the grey jersey and blend into the crowd.

Man Utd jersey sexist?

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