'Sexist Trousers' Spark Twitter Row (Label Instructs Men to Give Their Laundry to Women)

The Telegraph ^ | 06 Mar 2012 | Emma Barnett

[nickcarraway]

In the battle of the sexes, sparring over who should do the washing is nothing new - but one clothing company sparked a Twitter outcry after the chauvinist label in a pair of its trousers was judged below the belt.

Madhouse, a nationwide chain of discount men’s clothing stores, was branded “shameful” and “outrageous” by hundreds of Twitter users yesterday, because of the label’s washing instructions to ‘Give it to your woman’. The beige pair of chinos in question were purchased in London at Madhouse’s flagship Oxford Street store last month.

The incident shows the power of Twitter to embarrass companies which make such gaffes. Last year, Topman was forced to apologise and remove a range of t-shirts from shelves after Twitter users said they were sexist. One t-shirt said: “Nice new girlfriend – what breed is she?”

Vanessa Truskey, a publicity executive, commenting on the Madhouse trouser label, tweeted: “Lately I can't tell which decade I'm living in. What brand are those trousers?! I can only assume that's a joke.”

Another tweeter, Julia Hines, the chair of charity Age UK in Barnett, London, agreed, writing: “That is extraordinary! Name and shame the brand (presumably shopping is also women's work).”

However, certain Twitter users thought the ‘advice’ was light-hearted and funny.

Paul Reeves, from Surbiton, tweeted: “I literally cannot see why people are so upset by a bit of humour in some trousers.”

[nickcarraway]

[cripplecreek]

Outrage my ass.

Now make me a samich woman.

[newnhdad]

where can I buy those?

[Verginius Rufus]

Why is "colors" spelled the American way?

Noah Webster rules!

[SandyInSeattle]

I like these!

We have three laundry baskets at home... whites, colors, and DON’T TOUCH!!! Those would be the things I don’t want my husband to destroy.

(Yes, I segregate my laundry. It’s not illegal yet.)

[Jack Hydrazine]

ROFL&L&L&L&L&L&LMAO!!!!!!

[nickcarraway]

Good catch. It doesn’t say where they were manufactured.

[Southside_Chicago_Republican]

I can only assume that's a joke.

It must be sad to go through life with such a chip on your shoulder that your sense of humor is totally squashed.

[HiTech RedNeck]

So what does the garment itself look like?

I think it’s kind of clever. For equality’s sake they should put “give it to your man” on skirts.

[nickcarraway]

So your husband will do laundry from the other two baskets?

[B Knotts]

This has been going on for a while. I bought a shirt for my son a couple of years ago at Burlington Coat Factory, and it had this on the packaging:

[wagglebee]

I think this is hysterical!

[SandyInSeattle]

Yes, he does.

I don’t keep any bleach in the house, so he can’t do much damage. Actually he does a really good job, once I convinced him that fabric softener makes me happy.

[nickcarraway]

You actually bothered to read the fine print? Do the Chinese workers who make this understand/write English?

[riverrunner]

Thats what I do.

[rfreedom4u]

So what do the male same sex couples do?

[trisham]

I think it’s funny and true. Or maybe funny because it is true. Mr. t doesn’t usually read directions or labels, so he can be dangerous in the laundry room. On the other hand, he irons very well. I do the laundry and he does the ironing. Perfect.

[Repeat Offender]

where can I buy those?

I don't know, women are supposed to do the shopping.....and I haven't seen them at Harbor Freight or Tractor Supply.

[Slings and Arrows]

---

[samiam1972]

That’s funny stuff. However, I make the kids do the laundry. :0)

[ladyvet]

I don't know why some women are so thin skinned. I think it's pretty funny.

[dead]

"I can only assume that's a joke.”

Wow! Nothing gets by this super genius lady!

[SandyInSeattle]

That’s what’s wrong with the world. Too many people have no sense of humor!

[maggief]

[lurk]

That is funny. The one who thought of that label is a marketing ace and deserves a hefty raise.

[Excellence]

All your laundry are belong to her?

[null and void]

So what do the male same sex couples do?

I'm NOT going to answer that!

[Tax-chick]

I think it’s funny, too. I hate letting the Male Family Members use my washing machine, but I finally had to after the baby was born, because I’d been up until midnight every night getting it done and couldn’t do that anymore.

[Oztrich Boy]

Vanessa Truskey, a publicity executive, commenting on the Madhouse trouser label, tweeted: “Lately I can't tell which decade I'm living in. What brand are those trousers?! I can only assume that's a joke.”

I LOL'd, so it was easy for me to tell it's a joke.

[fini]

It is not a joke around our house. My wife won't let me do the laundry. She claims that I'll just destroy the finer items. I try NOT to dissuade her.

She also claims that yard work is MY job, because she'll just destroy things. I HAVE tried to dissuade her, but she isn't convinced yet.

[fredhead]

We both do laundry. There are three laundry baskets: whites, coloureds (correct English spelling), and delicates.

If I’m not sure about something of the wife’s, it goes into the delicate basket.

[SandyInSeattle]

Hey, it’s my Herbie year, too!