Lingerie fun

I've been a little Japan-focused, I know. You play with the cards you're dealt, and last year I was dealt a whole lot of Tokyo. It's now 2014, and I'm looking forward to trips to Disneyland Paris and Disney Hong Kong. I'm inexplicably excited about Hong Kong, even though the fan buzz says it's the least exciting one. But they serve tea in the English tradition, which seems a great idea in a place where you may be very tired, and I do wonder how they deal with the Chinese element. Perhaps over Chinese New Year it'll be fun to go.

Before I get into that though, I just need to share one more Japanese Disney item. This one came to me via my fellow humanity-watcher Annie, to whom I'm very grateful for unearthing such a gem. I don't know what to make of it, but I thought I'd share and see what you think:

Weird, right? Or more accurate, my original thought was ohmygodwhatthehell?!??

But then I stopped and really thought about it, and I can't decide if it's actually a bad thing. I mean, presumably these sexy little lingerie items (or, as a British friend once called underwear - "smalls") are meant for adults. And sexy stuff for adults should be perfectly fine.

Princesses are sexualized everywhere else as well, but for kids it's a different issue. Shouldn't that disturb us more? It's not even a thing of the past. The controversial transformation of Merida into babelicious-Merrrida in the most recent Disney princess movie was just yet another example in a long line of sexualized princesses sold to little girls. 

The Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique in Orlando does a brisk business putting make-up, nail polish, and high heels on little girls as young as 3. Fan sites tell parents to book as far as 180 days in advance to make sure they can have the magical transformation of their daughters. 

In Japan the princesses I've seen have tended to be young women. Sexy, yes, but women. 

And the little girls - well, they seem more like little girls. In Alice outfits made of breathable cotton. And sneakers.

It makes me wonder whether the princess lingerie is disturbing only to us because our little girls love princesses and ewwwwww little girls in princess lingerie. But that's our issue and not the Japanese. Meanwhile we're putting nail polish and make-up on 3 year olds ewwwwwwww!  So here's the conundrum: what's actually more disturbing?

By the way - for my European friends with children - we're planning a trip to Disneyland Paris to check out how the Europeans do Disney. Wait - what am I thinking - you don't need children to have fun at DLP. Anyone at all - either first or third week of April. Interested in joining?