the matching t shirt things

[delmar411]

we've done the matching shirt thing, DH was quite willing, and it just makes things easier on me.

I don't really bother anymore since the kids have plenty of Disney tops to wear and I just bring a bunch each trip but I would still make matching ones again if we had a special occasion.

We got a lot of CM and character attention when we wore them. Plus little special extras and extra pixie dust thrown our way. So we have nothing but good memories with the matching shirts.

 

[MrRob]

My question is why do people worry about what other people think about their clothing/appearance?

Because it's an aspect of social acceptance. People naturally want to be accepted into the culture and society they're a part of and like it or not, appearance plays a part in that. People judge others on their appearance. It's why we dress up for job interviews and formal occasions.

In any case I dont mind people who wear matching shirts. If they enjoy it, good on them. It doesn't hurt anyone and it's Disney. Though if they wore matching shirts on a day to day basis then yeah, I'd probably judge them. It'd say something about their lack of individuality. But on a vacation? Not so much.

I do think it looks super goofy, and is overall aesthetically unappealing when it comes to family photos, but all that means is I won't do the matching shirt thing.

 

[sjv919]

We never did it when we went on family vacations to WDW when I was a kid...I can't imagine any of us ever agreeing to that, even my mom! Lol well, I'm not sure about now. My brother and I are grown and no longer get along or really speak anymore, so it's been a loooong time since a family vacation...but I still doubt we would!

 

[AimeeMichele]

I'll preface this by saying I wouldn't be caught dead outside of Disney wearing matching shirts, outfits, etc. with my family, friends, boyfriend...

However, for Disney it's another story! We do it so we can easily find eachother, photos, the characters usually react to them, and they're cute/fun. Note: we don't match 100%. I'll get my nephews matching shirts and then will get matching shirts for my mom and I with my niece wearing a shirt that's very close to one of the others

 

[OrangeBirdFan]

My boyfriend is actually an advocate of matching shirts OUTSIDE of Disney but once we're in the world it's somehow not cool. Because it's so fashionable the rest of the time..

We have similar tastes and a large overlap in our tshirt collections so sometimes he'll see what I'm wearing and change. Drives me nuts. I'm fine with it if we're going to be doing something where coordinated clothing will make for better/more fun pictures but the rest of the time...My family is the same way--matching or heavily coordinated for at least one set of pictures but that's it.

I think he's finally giving in for a day or two for our upcoming trip to Disney since I told him I wanted some form of coordination for at least one set of pictures.

 

[Boski]

Yes but if you read back, I was specifically quoting this poster who said:

I think you misunderstand what I was saying. I wasn't saying all folks who wear matching shirts behave badly. I was saying when I am distracted enough to notice what other folks are doing/wearing, a good part of the time they are wearing matching shirts/outfits.

I was specifically pointing out some instantces where folks in matching outfits did 'bother me.'

I've seen the mom/daughter in uncomfortable matching outfits mutliple times. It's not the shirts that are an issue- it's when mom (or dad?) goes all out making an elaborate outfit and gets carried away adding impractical frills. They forget the idea is to have fun, and the outfit takes over. I saw this just the other day, and it wasn't just mom- it was dad and maybe an uncle? as well. But the poor little girl had the most extras, and she was clearly uncomfortable. Again, I was specifically answering the question of when the matchy-matchy concept crosses into a problem area.

I also saw last week a daughter dressed in a princess dress: clearly happy - Brother and infant also dressed up in coordinating outfits: clearly unhappy. I wouldn't notice at all except that the boy was complaining loudly as he paraded past my table. The infant didn't look very happy either. Again, that's when I think a parent has pushed the 'we MUST match' bit too far.


This is one of those areas where the internet is a poor means of communicating. When you say 'family', most posters probably think of their primary family of four. When I was thinking of 'families that are a problem' - I was thinking of the extended family groups that are the size of tour groups (and field trips, and cheer groups, etc)- again- answering the specific query quoted above - when do they bother me. They cross a line when they behave like a tribe.

Large groups wearing matching clothes are more inclined to act with a 'tribe' mentality. I think that's exactly WHY matching outfits and uniforms appeal to 'tribes' of all kinds. It is without a doubt why the military does it. And that does go to the heart of the OP's question. I think part of the appeal is that the crowds at Disney are overwhelming. It makes you feel like a drop in an oean. If, however, your group is wearing matching outfits, then they become a teaspoon in the ocean. Lots of folks have said, 'it's easier to find our group in the crowd.' (It also might answer part of why matching outfits are culturally/historically frowned upon in Australia?)

I rest my case.

I think you're grasping straws here. I would say I've seen more girls dressed in uncomfortable clothing while their mom/dad/aunt/insert other family members were in shorts and a T-shirt then doing the matching thing. The point is they are in uncomfortable clothing either because they wanted to wear it or someone is making them.

Your point on extended family walks a thin line. Where does big extended family end and tour group begin? If a family is rocking those vibrant red "Thing #1" through say #9 is that what you are referencing? And if they cut in line its because they are rude. Its as simple as that. I saw plenty of cutting or people "catching up" with their families done by people who were not wearing coordinating clothing. Plenty of parent/kid combos catching up with the other parent/kid who had already got in line.

And I think the reason the military has matching uniforms is 1) To tell the good guys from the bad guys and 2) because they want to create a "team" mentality.

 

[fan1080]

Because it's an aspect of social acceptance. People naturally want to be accepted into the culture and society they're a part of and like it or not, appearance plays a part in that. People judge others on their appearance. It's why we dress up for job interviews and formal occasions.

In any case I dont mind people who wear matching shirts. If they enjoy it, good on them. It doesn't hurt anyone and it's Disney. Though if they wore matching shirts on a day to day basis then yeah, I'd probably judge them. It'd say something about their lack of individuality. But on a vacation? Not so much.

I do think it looks super goofy, and is overall aesthetically unappealing when it comes to family photos, but all that means is I won't do the matching shirt thing.

Precisely, it's a vacation. There is no need to be looking for social acceptance on vacation, imo.

And to be completely honest with you, all the stuff about dressing up for a job interview, etc, is fake anyway, for many. Most don't dress that way normally; but that is for another discussion, certainly doesn't belong on this thread.

 

[Mariep26]

My kids are young enough that they think it is cute and fun so I play along. Once they get too old for it, I may stop -- maybe not though!

 

[Izzy&LiamsMomma]

I make matching or coordinating shirts for my boys because they like it, I enjoy making them as we get ready for our trip, and it helps me keep track of them better. They look great in pictures, and I believe it helped us get picked to be the family of the day on Tuesday! The CM saw my boys and said "stitch!" and came up to us and talked and then asked us to help open the park.

 

[SquirtsMom]

We wear matching T's just one day each trip. We pick a color and then come up with a theme. Last year we each wore a different Hercules character. We've done the same thing with Cars, Ratatoullie, VMK. My kids are all older (teens and twenties) but they still ask what our shirts will be each year. As some of the previous posters said, they look great for pictures and it makes for some added fun!

 

[TandLMommy28]

We are all wearing Perry shirts the day we do Agent P's adventure. But different ones. My daughter got a pink "I love Platypi" shirt. Mine is purple and I can't remember what it says. Hubby got one that says Undercover. And little guy got the one that's just Perry's face. So we match without actually matching. That's as far as I go.

I do try to make sure the kids don't totally clash so that pictures are suitable for framing. maybe I think too much. Probably.

 

[nessz79]

You're at Disney....What passes for embarrassing outside the "world" is seen as part of the experience in the "world"....

Exactly.
Disney isn't exactly the real world, nor is it representative of how people normally dress in the United States.

 

[Cyrano]

... and we are closed.