Thousands of Wales’s parents are embarrassing their children on a daily basis due to their lack of fashion sense, it has emerged.
Generally dressing unfashionable, wearing mis-matched outfits and wearing crocs away from the beach or back garden are all big no-no’s for parents according to Welsh kids.
Shorts, Crocs and glaringly bright clothing are also considered major fashion faux pas.
Overall more than four in 10 children are embarrassed by their parents’ lack of fashion sense, while one in four mums and dads said their child’s opinion on their clothing was important to them.
And almost half of parents would happily be dressed by their children in a bid to improve their look.
Away from fashion, the top three ways that the region’s parents embarrass their children include fussing around them, telling them off in public, and telling them they look good or handsome.
The findings emerged in a study of 2,000 parents with kids aged 16 and under for Oxfam’s Dressed By The Kids campaign, a national fundraising event happening on the 16th June.
Kelly O’Connor, fundraising officer at Oxfam, said: “Oxfam is giving kids a chance to put the boot on the other foot and take control of the grown-ups’ outfits for a day – while raising money for a great cause. It’s a win-win situation!
“These findings show mums and dads do not always score highly in the fashion stakes in the eyes of their kids. It’s time kids take action! Who wouldn’t love a chance to dress their parents up in flamboyant and outlandish clothes, at the same time as doing their bit to support those who need our help all round the world?”
The study shows a third of children have been known to comment negatively on their parents’ attire, and a fifth of mums and dads have even gone to change an outfit following a particularly critical remark.
But parents don’t just embarrass kids in the fashion stakes, as the research indicates there are a number of other ways they have the last laugh.
A quarter of parents say their children are mortified if they are told off in public while 19 per cent of kids hate having food wiped off their face. Being fussed around, being called a nickname in front of friends and having their hair ruffled also makes children feel self-conscious.
But mistakes with fashion are considered some of the worst ways to embarrass children – particularly if parents choose to go out in fancy dress, or shoes they can’t walk in.
One in 10 children have been so embarrassed by their parent’s choice of outfit they’ve refused to be accompanied on the school pick-up, and the same percentage have apologised to their friends about what mum or dad were wearing.
Shaun Ryder, who was recently spotted on the streets of Manchester in flamboyant dress chosen by his daughters, as part of Oxfam’s Dressed By The Kids campaign said: “The kids had a great laugh getting me dressed up in whatever they wanted – from a flowery dress, a fox onesie and flippers, and melon shorts and a tutu. They wanted to stitch their dad up! Funny thing is, when we got outside they went crimson in the face walking around with me limping along in high heels, so Dad got the last laugh! Getting Dressed By The Kids is a great thing to do with
the kids, we’ve giggled all day. So come on Britain, get seriously silly and get yourself signed up for Oxfam!”
WALES TOP 20 FASHION FAUX PAS
1. Generally dressing unfashionably
2. Exercise leggings on the school run
3. Dressing age-inappropriately
4. Socks with sandals
5. Nipping out for the school run in pyjamas and slippers
6. Glaringly bright clothing
7. An outfit which doesn’t match
8. Crocs away from the beach or back garden
9. Going out in fancy dress clothing
10. Oversized shirts, sweaters, jackets or coats
11. Tops which are too tight
12. Shoes you can’t walk in
13. Skirts which are too short
14. Having underwear which shows through the clothing
15. Lurid Hawaii style shirts
16. Bermuda shorts
17. Eccentric hats
18. White shorts
19. Untrendy swimming trunks
20. Giant foam clogs or wedges
Go to Oxfam.org.uk/silly to sign up and take part in Dressed By The Kids Day on 16 June.
ENDS