The first time I wore a girl’s 10-11 years gingham Primark dress to the pub, I was, frankly, scared. Could you tell I was wearing children’s clothing? Was it emanating school summer picnic energy? Was my bum exposed? But when I arrived, the outcome was all the more hilarious and unexpected – one of my friends was wearing exactly the same dress from the kids’ section, too.
Buying children’s clothes from high street brands including Primark, M&S, H&M, and Zara has boomed in popularity over the past year thanks to influencers sharing their best purchases on TikTok, with certain items (like my £10 gingham dress) becoming lusted-after viral buys. But many shoppers in the know have seen the appeal of this practice for years: no 20 per cent VAT cost, meaning anyone under five foot five with small feet can enjoy the latest styles for a markedly lower price.
