WHAT'S AGE-APPROPRIATE?

Byline: JOANNE watkinson

DID you get your hands on the Liberty style printed smocked playsuit from Next? Haven't seen it? That's because it only goes up to age six, and while it may sound strange for me to be coveting clothes designed for preschoolers, hear me out.

My complaint is two-fold: first of all, why doesn't Next make that playsuit in adult sizes? It's amazing and I have a penchant for oversized babygros aka rompers / jumpsuits. They are super comfy and require zero effort styling wise.

Cute not just Striped PS12; Ditsy from PS Secondly, why do pretty clothes for young girls stop at age six? Zara aside, why do high street retailers think that girls over the age of 10 should dress in scaleddown versions of unsuitable adult clothes? Off-the-shoulder tops and wet-look leggings are suitable for Little Mix on stage but a child's wardrobe should not be provocative.

I'm feeling the pain early as my own seven-year-old daughter has been blessed with the long legs and height that skipped my generation but puts her in the age 10 size bracket.

Buying age-appropriate holiday clothes for her was a challenge when all the prettiest clothes appeared to stop at age six and for six-plus, retailers wheel out fluorescent crop tops and logo sweatshirts.

clothes are for kids. dress, dress, 10, Next I'm not saying I want her wearing baby pink frilly knickerbockers, but I do want to dress her in away that reflects her fun-loving character.

Are our kids supposed to jump straight from childhood into pouting, Instagramming, Victoria Secret Pink-wearing pre teens at age eight and above? Not on my watch!

CAPTION(S):

I don't want my seven-year-old dressing like Little Mix yet

Cute clothes are not just for kids. Striped dress, PS12; Ditsy dress, from PS10, Next