The New Intimacy

Marketing sex toys to women

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Contributor: phoenixfire phoenixfire
I have noticed that a lot of sex toys, particularly those aimed at women (vibrators, clit stimulators, etc) are offered in either purple or pink (or both). Why do you think this is? Even storage chests are usually available in these two color options. I am not saying I don't understand the "pretty" factor. I like those colors. However, I'd be perfectly happy to purchase something in silver, red, black, orange, green--whatever. A quality product is a quality product, regardless of color. KWIM?

Does anybody consider this trend in any way sexist? Discuss.
12/06/2012
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Contributor: Pink Lily Pink Lily
I know what you're saying, but at the end of the day, I think companies are going to market what is going to sell. If more women make noise about the colors they want then the colors will change.

I think at the end of the day it's as simple as that.
12/09/2012
Contributor: JennSenn JennSenn
It's the stereotypical female colors. If people made enough noise about it or overwhelmingly bought other colors and stopped buying those they could change, but otherwise it's probably going to stay like this.
12/09/2012
Contributor: indiglo indiglo
Oh yeah, I'm not a fan of the pink and purple toys either. The good news? High end companies are now focusing on other colors as well. Some of the colors I'm noticing lately from the higher end toy companies are neons (like neon green, orange, yellow, blue, etc.) and darker colors (like black, really deep purple that's almost black, etc.).

When those options are available, I always make sure to order them in those colors. Hopefully it's a good sign, and maybe other lower end toy lines will begin to follow suit. I don't know.
12/09/2012
Contributor: - Kira - - Kira -
I think a few companies have stated that those color sell the best, thus why so many companies make things in those colors. As others have said, if people make a fuss or buy in different colors then they'll make more color options.
12/09/2012
Contributor: phoenixfire phoenixfire
Quote:
Originally posted by - Kira -
I think a few companies have stated that those color sell the best, thus why so many companies make things in those colors. As others have said, if people make a fuss or buy in different colors then they'll make more color options.
I wonder if, to some extent, people who are new to sex toys feel more "normal" (and I am using that word very loosely; I tend to believe normal is a setting on a dryer) buying familiar stereotypical colors? Does this make them feel better about doing something they might otherwise consider kinky?

This is all speculation on my part. My favorite color happens to be purple. It's just that I don't want purple *everything*. and to some extent I find that marketing insulting. It's like, "Here, please buy these select few gender appropriate, defining colors. These are for the girls. Anything that is not pink or purple is Not for You."

I am definitely going to buy in alternate colors where available, just to buck the trend. I'm like that (Gets off soapbox.)
12/10/2012
Contributor: wildshores wildshores
on the one hand, this does reproduce prescriptive gender roles, however subtly
on the other hand, pink and purple toys sell best, probably because women experience lifelong conditioning aimed to reproduce gender roles, including affinity for pink and purple everything.
i want more blue, i decided but i really like purple too.
12/10/2012
Contributor: phoenixfire phoenixfire
Quote:
Originally posted by wildshores
on the one hand, this does reproduce prescriptive gender roles, however subtly
on the other hand, pink and purple toys sell best, probably because women experience lifelong conditioning aimed to reproduce gender roles, including affinity for pink ... more
Wildshores, this is exactly what I'm getting at. Women (and men, too) are conditioned from a very early age to think of certain colors as appropriate for them. It amuses me to think that the accepted color for baby boys in my grandparents' generation was pink. Blue was for girls.
12/10/2012