Matching T-shirts. Opinions, please.

[ShootingStarMom2]

I wasn't so sure about matching at first. People used to match going to Great America and I thought it was hilarious. I don't think it's dorky at all now that we have a family. I think it's fun. I mean, you are walking around a fantasy and riding silly rides and posing with characters from cartoons. Why not add one more fun thing? We like to wear a matching family shirts but it's not every day. The last time we went we (17) had matching shirts for the whole crowd and then each family had their own. DHs family used to wear matching 7 dwarf shirts when he was growing up. They were simple ringer t's with their dwarf's name on it. So it was fun to remake them and start the tradition again. We probably won't have 5 kids, so DH can still have fun with his siblings.

It didn't have anything to do with finding each other, although it was easier to spot one of us. And as far as outdoing each other with the shirts, I've never felt that way. I haven't seen anyone on the creative thread with a my shirt is better than yours link. I just think about the effort someone made to make their family happy.

 

[duffy]

I hate matching shirts, and more importantly, so does my daughter. She'll be 14 when we go, and I do not want to make her do something she hates. I think once kids hit double digits in age, they're old enough that I shouldn't have much problem finding them if they wander a bit.

 

[NiniMorris]

I'm a quilter...so this is my prejudice on this...

If you wear matchy tshirts, then everyone can have their own quilt with their shirts made when you get home....

We are making matchy t shirts for our group (only 5). My youngest is a runner and developmentally delayed. This will make it easier to keep up with him, and for him to keep up with us! And I love the way the pictures turn out when everyone wears the same color.

Nini

 

[Nlbnikki]

My Dh was not into wearing matching shirts & I was ok with that,but like others I like the look of pictures with matching shirts. What I ended up doing was getting matching shirts for DD's then Dh & I wore shirts that were colors that were in DD's shirts. For example theire minnie mouse shirt had red,blue & yellow,Dh wore a yellow shirt & I wore a blue shirt.It worked really well & didn't scream "look at us we match". The pictures turned out great & everyone was happy.

 

[xbatman]

We all had Disney logo shirts with all the same design but each in a different color.

We also did themes like, DH with a Captain Hook T, DD with Peter Pan and me with Tinkerbell. The colors, styles, etc. were different so it didn't scream "we match!", but tied us together somewhat for pictures.

 

[TheRatPack]

I think it's kind of rude to call people that wear matching shirts dorks.....that's not nice at all. I agree with the poster above who said that you're in a magical place, riding crazy and silly rides and getting your picture taken with larger than life characters....why not make it more fun and wear some matching shirts or bright colors? I can only imagine what people around us think....we have matching shirts everyday we are there, and bring out the bright colored crocs for our Disney vacations too.

We don't dress this way at home (except on field trips)....but it's part of the fun for Disney. Every one of my children enjoy it and the older ones even help me make the shirts (they are teenagers).

Still I think it's rude for you posters that called matchy shirt people dorks.....just because it's not your thing doesn't give you the right to call people names.

 

[TheRatPack]

I HATE HATE HATE matching shirts. JMHO, but if you can't keep track of your family without matching shirts, that is pretty bad!

It's not so much about keeping track of them as it's just easier to see them in a crowd. We've gotten to a restaurant before and went to the restroom before they seat us, when we come back out sometimes it's hard to find our table.....not now, we just look for the bright colored shirts or tie dies or a CM will see us and know who we belong to and direct us to our table.

If we go to get drinks or snacks while we're finding a seat for the parade....again, easy to spot where the rest of the family is sitting.

We go to different shops at DTD and when we come out of the store we can just glance around and find our family.

I know that you could set up a time and place to meet or even use a cell phone and call the other part of your family but still....this is just easy for us and we enjoy it.

So it's not for those of us who have trouble keeping track of our family....and I think that line was a little rude, but then I'm guessing you meant it that way when you wrote it.

 

[anna_chronistic]

I agree with TheRatPack. Just because it's not your thing, there's no reason to be so condescending toward those who enjoy donning matching shirts on vacation. I hope that pointing out how rude that is won't be considered rude in itself, but I'm sure it will be!

My parents brought all of us (their 7 kids, plus all the grandkids) to Disney for their 30th anniversary. I made a personalized tote for each kid, and two years later, they all still use and love them. I fought hard to get everyone to wear matching shirts, and they finally agreed to wear matching shirts on one day -- and those are everyone's favorite pictures! We plan to return for their 35th anniversary, and this time we agreed to wear matching shirts for three days of the trip and get plenty of photos. Part of it is a tradition thing -- my dad is one of 10 kids, and when his parents were still alive we all wore matching T-shirts at reunions that listed the wedding date of his parents and the names of all 10 kids, and we each had a star next to the name of the one we "belonged" to. It was just a nice family bonding thing.

 

[cassandrap83]

didn't read the other replies, but thought I'd give my 2cents:

I would never even *think* about putting our family of 4 in matching shirts. Do you really think that you're going to be separated? Does your DH not have a cell phone you could call him on if you're separated? Do you really think a lime green shirt or whatever is going to help you pick them out? IDK...

I think in a huge group it's maybe necessary, but absolutely not in a family 4.

 

[MAKB]

I think it is FUN!

 

[FLAgirl73]

Interesting how those posting in this thread who are against matching shirts are almost violently opposed, vs. just not caring for it. I don't really care what anyone else thinks about my family, but it makes me sad to think that my kids are growing up in a culture that would look at them and think ugly, disparaging things about them or their family simply because they have on coordinated or matching shirts. Wow.

 

[gigsmoke]

I did not read most of the posts, but I am one that would never in a million years wear matching clothes. Matching is something people do with their twin 3 year old girl's. To me it gives the appearance that the man in his group has replaced his mother with his wife, and both pick out his clothes every moring in an effort to make him look as cute as possible. And to make matters worse, they are doing it in a place where they will take pictures that their wives will post on the internet, even if, as a previous poster noted, her husband denies dressing that way after the fact. So he is clearly uncomfortable with it, but his picture gets posted on the internet anyway. I still remeber the first time I saw a matchy family, they all wore yellow. I still feel sorry for that man ecause he was clearly uncomfortable. So if your husband does not want to match, then let it go. If he thinks it is fun, then have at it.

 

[LWatson]

Just because it is not your thing doesn't mean you have to make rude remarks about others. Some families love doing it and that's their right to do it. I dont see why if its okay for an Adult to wear mouse ears and hug a giant cartoon character why its not okay for them to dress like their family. The wife is in noway demasculating the man. If the guy really didnt want to he didnt have to, he does have a voice and the ability to dress himself.

Maybe you should take a step back and see that you are one person in a world of many. Each of us have our different likes and dislikes. Maybe you should accept it and not put people down because they are different from you.

 

[gigsmoke]

There was nothing runde in my comments. I described what I think when I see someone in matchy clothes, and thus why I do not do it. I did not call them names, I did not laugh at them, I simply said that if they were uncomfortable with it, do not force them to do it. There have to be things that make you uncomfortable that do not bother others. You should not be badgered into conceding. I also said if you are into it, then go for it. Just because you like it, does not mean that everyone has to agree with you.

 

[MACfamily4]

I apologize for not remembering that asking for opinions on these boards frequently elicits unkind words. I thank you all for your candid responses and wish everyone a great trip, regardless of what you and your family are wearing.

 

[floridascgirl]

Wow...who would have thought that some people could act so ugly over how another family chooses to dress. I guess some people don't have a sense of humor and like to have fun when they are on vacation. What would Walt say?

 

[LWatson]

We were thinking of getting those ol little league style baseball jersey shirts (white on the main part of the shirt and the sleeves another color) in white and red, and putting like a cute little patriotic mickey on the front small near the upper left area, and on the back 09 larger (like its the number for the Jersey) since we will be celebrating a homecoming. That way its something matching, fun, and yet still okay for guys. That is just a thought for now though.

 

[riley2008]

Our first trip last year, we ended up all wearing different solid color shirts - hot pink, lime green, orange, blue and DH wore a yellow fishing shirt. All different styles, but made for great pictures too. (I didn't even plan it.)

We did make tie-dye shirts and all wore then one day. DH's only request was not to use pink or purple in his. Our shirts were all totally different, but still tie-dyed. That was our best day. Got to be the first family, my cousin got to lead a parade, my boys got free ice cream for something (they had gone on a ride with DH).

DH still wears his tie-dyed shirt!

 

[mjkacmom]

Just because it is not your thing doesn't mean you have to make rude remarks about others. Some families love doing it and that's their right to do it. I dont see why if its okay for an Adult to wear mouse ears and hug a giant cartoon character why its not okay for them to dress like their family. The wife is in noway demasculating the man. If the guy really didnt want to he didnt have to, he does have a voice and the ability to dress himself.

Maybe you should take a step back and see that you are one person in a world of many. Each of us have our different likes and dislikes. Maybe you should accept it and not put people down because they are different from you.

I don't think the comments were rude - yes, some people (including myself) think that adults who wear matching shirts look dorky (and I also feel the same about adults wearing mouse ears and a huge giant cartoon character). So what? Wear what you want. I don't see saying someone looks dorky as vicious.

 

[HerdOHuds]

I think if wearing matching or color coordinated shirts makes your day easier in the parks, go for it. Things can get a little hectic at WDW, I think we would all agree. You are searching in your bag for your key/a wipe/a tissue/some money and look up and suddenly you don't see your spouse/child/parent or you have been distracted for a moment by, say, a parade of roller skating pixies....if having everyone in the group match makes that situation less stressful, then go for it.

We matched the kids' clothes when we were last there. Adults didn't match. The kids really loved it. I love washing those shirts now and remembering that we wore them in AK when it poured or in MK when everyone was soooo cranky or in HS when it was just 2 adults and 4 kids who all wanted to ride a ride RIGHT NOW! It makes me smile. Anything that can make me smile while I am doing laundry is a good thing!