‘Young girls should be playing sports, not joining in the January weight loss craze’: Shoppers blast Matalan for selling gym gear including crop tops for girls as young as two
- Retailer is selling pink and purple gym wear for mothers and their daughters
- Includes sports bra with characters from Disney’s Frozen for girls as young as 2
- One mother asked ‘Why would a two-year-old need sport leggings and crop top?’
Matalan has been slammed for selling matching gym gear for mothers and their daughters, including crop tops for girls as young as two.
The UK retailer’s ‘Souluxe’ range features leggings and sports bras for little girls and their mothers.
But parents have been left outraged that the clothing store is targeting children and claim they are trying to draw them into the ‘January weight loss craze’.
Mothers were particularly shocked by the Souluxe sports bra that features characters from the Disney film Frozen and is suitable for girls as young as two.
Parents also complained marketing for the sports items is not gender inclusive and only targeted at mothers and daughters – not fathers and their sons.
Mothers were shocked by Matalan’s Souluxe sports bra that features characters from the Disney film Frozen and is suitable for girls as young as two
The UK retailer’s ‘Souluxe’ range features leggings and sports bras for both mothers and daughters. Pictured is a pair of children’s gym leggings suitable for ages four to 13
The new range sparked outrage online, with parents accusing the retailer of trying to draw children into the ‘January weight loss craze’
Ana Nikiforovski Harrison highlighted the issue on Facebook, saying it was clearly aimed to coincide with those beginning January weight loss or fitness regimes.
She said she had been left dismayed, adding: ‘Today I opened an email from Matalan which had an empowering-sounding subject but actually promoted workout clothes for the ‘full family’, comprising women, men, and young girls.
‘Young girls this age should be playing sports or engaging in active lifestyles, not joining in the January weight loss craze.’
Donna Collins said: ‘Why would a two-year-old need sport leggings and crop top?
This is Matalan’s Souluxe purple ombre gym for children, which is suitable for ages two to 11
This is the adult version of the Souluxe purple ombre gym leggings, aimed at mothers
Donna Collins was not impressed by the matching mother and daughter gym range
‘Nothing wrong with promoting sports for kids per se but why no boys selection when you click on the sportswear title? Just brings up men/women’s/girls.’
Elanor Cormack said: ‘This is an interesting one. Definitely odd that there are no boys included, but I can’t argue with the message that girls should be strong and active.
‘I do resent that girls & women apparently have to wear lycra to do so though!’
Facebook page Let Clothes Be Clothes highlighted the issue, saying: ‘Past two years this seems to be a thing – not kids getting active in January, but specifically girls*
‘Why are girls being included in the push for getting fit after Christmas (which retailers do every year) but not boys..’
Ruth McBrind added: ‘There may be sneaky marketing stereotypes hidden here but they are also encouraging exercise in young girls who are the group most likely to drop sport in teenage years (in no small part cos they don’t feel comfy in the clothes).
‘If getting young girls wearing ‘trendy’ exercise clothes likes their mums gets them and keeps them active then it can’t be bad – telling them to lose weight not obvs.’
This sports bra is also part of the Souluxe range, suitable for girls aged six and seven
It is also available in another purple and pink print, also suitable for ages six and seven
Penny Malcolm added: ‘My views on four-year-olds needing skin tight, revealing workout clothes are a whole other rant!’
Among items for sale from the brand’s Souluxe sports range are a Disney Frozen sports top for two to 11-year-olds, matching Frozen leggings and a purple hearts crop top for four to 13-year-olds.
Purple ombre leggings for two to 11-year-olds are almost identical to ones for sale for women.
And mothers and daughters can match in the brand’s tropical print leggings which are identical for adults and those aged four to 13.
A spokesman for the store said the store did not just cater for girls but did have boys’ sportswear.
She added: ‘As a family retailer, Matalan offers a wide range of products for different age groups and uses.’
A Matalan spokesman said the store did not just cater for girls but did have boys’ sportswear