Marketing for women: princesses or athletes?

On July 2, the San Francisco Chronicle offered a commentary entitled, "Sometimes a backpack engenders exasperation. When marketers design products for fairy princesses, athletic women are the ones who have to pay the price," by Catherine Price. Her comment is basically this: Maybe women who climb mountains don't want to be 'girly'. Maybe there are women who are trekking in the wilderness or going on mountain bike rides who prefer to buy items that speak to their athleticism instead of to stereotypes of their sex. Of course, many women like the idea of outdoor gear that highlights their feminine side. And it sells.

On a tangent, I will confess that sometimes, when I am looking at children's gear or apparel at outdoor clothing and gear stores such as REI, I kinda wish they'd make those in an adult size. What's wrong with silly themes on adult apparel? What's wrong with celebrating loony toons when you're over...30? Galloshes with psychedelic sunflowers? I'd love a pair!

That's the spirit of DTBF! Celebrating your own sense of style, no matter if it's what 'the mainstream' might choose.

So, I link to the above referenced article here... and invite you to share your own thoughts on the subject: http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/07/02/INGJNJMQ6Q1.DTL

DTBF!
Johanna