THE MATCHY-MAT CHY MINI-MES
You’re not seeing double. The High Street’s gone mad for mother -and-daughter dressing. So brace yourself for...
PREPARE to see double this season as the trend for ‘mini-me’ dressing hits its peak on the High Street. Autumn/winter ranges are full of matchy-matchy mother-and-daughter outfits.
While we may only just be thinking of mothballing our summer wardrobes, the fashion industry is already concentrating on what we’ll be buying this winter (Christmas in particular) and this, apparently, is it.
The idea of women’s fashion reimagined — or just copied — for little girls is not new. Celebrities have been on to it for a few years now, showcasing the big and small versions of designer outfits on social media.
Kim Kardashian and little North West were pictured in matching silver Vetements dresses in 2016. Beyoncé, also unaverse to a mommy-and-me look, has posted images of her and daughter Blue Ivy in matching Gucci florals, while Serena Williams and daughter Alexis Olympia were seen this summer training in identical purple Nike tennis kit.
It would be easy to dismiss the trend as a weakness for anything ‘ickle’, but, actually, it’s cold, hard fashion economics. The luxury childrenswear sector is growing faster than men’s and women’s clothing, making it a significant part of designer brands’ offering.
Social media, meanwhile, is a powerful selling tool for fashion labels and there’s nothing like a cute ‘mummy and me’ picture to catch customers’ attention.
AND so, it was only a matter of time before High Street brands caught on to the mini-me trend. Family clothing label Joules was an early adopter and has seen significant growth in its range over the past few seasons, while H&M has increased both the frequency and size of its mini-me collections.
Zara has got in on the act, too, producing a matching range of blouses, dresses and jumpsuits.
People are divided over whether minime dressing is a healthy impulse or not. Some claim it’s harmless and just shows our natural desire for anything twin-y. Times are hard for the retail sector, they argue, so if it can get through Christmas selling mother-and-daughter loungWe ewear, then why not?
Others, however, contend that dressing young girls identically to their mothers infantilises the adults and renders the children prematurely image-conscious.
So, how best to negotiate the oncoming mini-me trend without looking daft or wasting money? There are definitely a few rules you should bear in mind if you decide to match your mother and daughter wear.
Most importantly, look for pieces that don’t shout ‘sexy’ or, conversely, ‘cutesy’. In other words, steer clear of tight skirts, high heels or fussy necklines and similarly excessive frills, girly patterns (unicorns in particular) and giant buttons.
Next has several matching designs which work equally well as womenswear and childrenswear. particularly like the pink, cord ‘shacket’ (that’s a shirt-jacket, in case you hadn’t guessed), €41 for the adult version and €22.50€29 for the child’s size in cotton, both at next.ie.
The teddy borg coat (€75 and €46-€52 respectively) also manages to straddle both markets without looking daft in either. The LF Markey boilersuits at Next (€152 and €35-€40) are also worth a look.
A trench coat would sit well in either an adult or a child’s autumn wardrobe and Zara has a good version for grown-ups and children
(€69.95 and €35.95, zara.com). While you’re browsing the Zara site, also have a look at its track-sole ankle boots for adults and kids (€69.95 and €35.95).
Mini-me dresses are a tricky arena and there’s a fine line between ‘pretty’ and ‘pretty ridiculous’. And if you encounter unwillingness in your little one, then it’s best left alone. If you want to go with the trend, then — as Beyoncé and Blue Ivy demonstrated in their mother-anddaughter Gucci — it’s probably best to match the fabric rather than the cut.
Look for something like Boden’s Mollie Shirt Dress in the brand’s heritage bloom fabric (€200, boden.eu), which is cut with a flattering, deep V-neck in the grown-up version and with a contrasting collar and waistband in the mini version (€54).
Always remember that whatever the item of clothing, it has to work on its own, too. If a potential purchase only makes sense when accessorised by a small child then it’s time to walk away.