Do we really want our little girls dressing like this?

You may have seen the news that ten year old Noah Cyrus (that's her, on the left) is helping to launch a new line of clothes aimed at children for the Ohh La! La! Couture range. along with her eight year odl friend Emily Grace Greaves.

Now, let's put aside the fact that these kids are ten and eight, and let's even take it at face value that they are indeed "designing" the clothes themselves (I have my suspicions on that one!).

Instead, let's look at that picture on the left a little more.

Knee length PVC dominatrix boots. The shortest of mini skirts. Grown up full length gloves. Fishnet tights. All topped off with a face full of mascara, eyeliner, blusher and lipstick.

SHE'S TEN...

According to the official press release, clothes such as those in this this photograph are:

"versatile styles that can be worn with sweet ballerina slippers, casual sneakers or paired with lace stockings and boots for more of a rock and roll look,"

Lace stockings and boots? On a ten year old? (And let's not forget that these clothes are going to be available in baby sizes too, by all accounts).

We know that kids like to dress like their icons and idols, and every little girl wants to grow up too fast, but when we see girls of 6 and 7 coming into our shop looking for outfits that show off their midriff, complaining skirts are too long and looking for the skimpiest of tops and underwear, it makes us glad we have boys!

Call us old fashioned, but what's wrong with a pair of trendy leggings and a bum covering top? It can still look cool and 'edgy' without making our daughters think they have to dress like hookers to fit in, no?

What do you think? Are we being old fashioned? Do we not 'get it'? Is this the ways fashion for young girls is going? Or do you agree with us and think we should let little girls be girls just a little bit longer?

Please use the comments box below to join the debate.

Read more...

Pink stinks? We think tens of thousands of little girls disagree!

You can't fail to have seen the news recently of the launch of a 'PinkStinks' campaign, aimed at getting rid of pink gifts and toys for little girls. The owners of the PinkStinks website say that:

We believe that body image obsession is starting younger and younger, and that the seeds are sown during the pink stage, as young girls are taught the boundaries within which they will grow up, as well as narrow and damaging messages about what it is to be a girl.

Now, we're all for girls growing up and having great jobs, being as good as (if not better than!) the boys, and having high self esteem. Who wouldn't be? But we're really not buying into the fact that buying them pink things makes them the opposite, no matter who thinks it's true!

Asking around the girls we know, pink is still a huge favourite, and we do think that most little girls go through a 'pink' stage - do people out there really think that having a pink laptop or pink wellies is going to lower self esteem and mean a more menial job?

Pink is a great success in our online shop, here are a few of our pink favourites for little girls (or boys for that matter!)

Away with the fairies organic t-shirt - 0-6 months

It's pink and it has fairies on it - and we love it! Sumptuous, top quality fairtrade clothing in top quality 100% organic cotton. Just £12.99!

Angelina Ballerina Small Barrel Bag

It's a bag and it's pink. Far from being a symbol of oppression and low self esteem, it's one of our best sellers, and at just £6.99 it's great for carrying around your belongings - maybe even your PINK ballerina shoes?

Small Paul Julius Hooded Top with Monkey Ears

For the girly little monkey in your life, this gorgeous Zip Through Hoodie features Julius the Monkey across the front, a black hood and cute monkey ears. At just £27.99, it being pink hasn't stopped it flying out of the door!

Hungry Jungle Butterfly - Insulated Lunch Bag

It's pink, it's insulated and it's perfect for carrying your sandwiches in for school or a picnic. We're sure that you can still become a high powered businesswoman in 20 years time, even though you had a pink lunchbox!

Now, we are being a little tongue in cheek here. Of course, not EVERY little girls wants to be surrounded by pink, and of course it's important that little girls grow up into self confident young women who follow their dreams and don't become downtrodden and self conscious. But think about it, is being surrounded by pink REALLY going to make that much of a difference?

Tell us your opinions in the comments - are you a successful woman who loved (and maybe still loves!) pink, does your little girl refuse to wear anything but pink, and have glitter, sparkles and various shades of pink become a part of your life without you really noticing? We'd love to hear your thoughts!

Read more...