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Parents Slam River Island For Selling 'Sexualising' Leather Trousers For Children

Parents Slam River Island For Selling 'Sexualising' Leather Trousers For Children

Some parents called for a boycott over the 'highly inappropriate' clothing

Jake Massey

Jake Massey

Parents have slammed River Island for selling leather trousers for children as young as five.

The retailer has been accused of 'sexualising children' with the faux leather black leggings, which are available to buy in sizes for five to 12-year-olds.

Lots of parents are less than impressed by the trousers.
SWNS

Helen Richards, 60, was shopping with her 33-year-old daughter Alison in Worcester, UK, when they clocked the offending leggings.

Gran-of-seven Helen said: "I was shopping with my daughter who was looking for an outfit for her daughter. She pointed at these trousers, and I was so shocked. I am usually the one who mentions this sort of thing.

"Why are they sexualising children? Why do they feel the need to put leather trousers for parents to buy for their child? It's so wrong, especially in this day and age. We shouldn't encourage our children to dress like that.

"There's more than one way to take away a child's innocence. I am so angry."

Helen added that the trousers could attract 'unwanted attention' and should be withdrawn by the clothing giant immediately.

She said: "I was tempted to say something to the staff but it's not their fault.

"I think River Island should remove the clothing from their store immediately. I'm also worried the clothes might attract unwanted attention.

"Young people can't deal with that and it can take away their childhood."

Some parents don't think there's anything wrong with the leggings.
SWNS

The leggings caused a sir on social media too, with many people agreeing that they should be removed from sale.

Posting on Facebook, Sally Wright said: "Who would want their children walking around like Kim Kardashian in leather pants? We should boycott the place until they are removed."

Carlie Brown commented: "This is highly inappropriate and another example of our kids innocence being stripped away. Shame on River Island."

Terri Hopcroft added: "I'm all for children's fashion but please let kids be kids. Wouldn't dream of letting my 2yo daughter run around in tight fitting trousers."

But not everyone agreed there was anything inherently wrong with the trousers.

Nicola Long said: "What's worrying is how adults are pushing their idea on everything being sexually motivation. It's a pair of trousers, how you see them says more about you."

Jade Charlotte commented: "No need to get angry, just don't buy them. If everyone thinks they're tasteless and doesn't buy them, then they'll stop making them.

"I don't particularly like them as I don't think it's a good look for most adults either. But I cant make that decision for other people! Basically, worry about what your own children are wearing, not other people's."

A spokesperson for River Island told LADbible: "We take in age-appropriateness, style and function into consideration in all our Kidswear designs, together with customer demand."

Featured Image Credit: SWNS

Topics: UK News, Fashion