Parents angry at store selling baby bikinis
A HIGH STREET store that was criticised for selling padded bras aimed at sevenyear-olds has put a line of baby bikinis on its shelves.
Shocked shoppers have joined Kidscape, the children’s charity, in complaining to Primark, urging it to “let children be children”.
Primark has denied its line of children’s swimwear is unsuitable, but Lauren Seager-smith, the chief executive of Kidscape, said: “We are utterly dismayed that high street stores continue to profit from ‘adult’ clothes such as bikinis and bras sold to babies and young children.”
A spokesman for Primark said the bikinis were age-appropriate and designed in line with British Retail Consortium guidelines.
The chain offers a pinkand-white-striped two-piece with a bow on the bikini top and another blue-and-gold set with ruffles.
The £4 bikinis are being sold for children aged from 18 months to eight years old.
Ms Seager-smith added: “This is a difficult enough world for girls to grow up in … Let our children be children and save the bikinis and bras for a time when a) they have breasts and b) make a conscious choice to wear them.”
Mothers also complained that the items offered little protection from the sun.
Holli Sherratt, 22, from Paignton, Devon, said: “It is completely stripping the innocence out of childhood. A child should be covered up, protected from the sun and not flaunted as some sort of model. I look at this bikini the same way I look at bras aimed at young children.” Another mother said: “It’s not just Primark who sell clothing which I think is more suitable for adults.”
The budget chain previously came under fire after selling padded bras for seven-year-olds in 2010. They have since been removed from stores.
A spokesman said: “All Primark’s childrenswear, including swimwear, is designed in line with British Retail Consortium guidelines and we take great care to ensure all our children’s ranges are age-appropriate.”