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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Lifestyle
Hannah Jane Parkinson

My favourite childhood outfit: ‘I loved my homemade hat – the strong papal vibes were unintentional’

Hannah Jane Parkinson, four, on holiday in Mallorca.
‘This is a look that speaks to the boundless creativity of childhood’ … Hannah Jane Parkinson, four, on holiday in Mallorca. Composite: Guardian Design; supplied image/Getty Images

I would love to have picked something super cute: a sparkly tutu; an adorable pair of Mary Janes. Or something cool: an oversized denim jacket with the collar popped, perhaps.

But no. Here is an entirely unhinged photograph of me aged four wearing a homemade (obviously) hat – strong papal vibes unintentional – embellished with drawings of my teddy (name: Ted) and with actual Ted himself affixed to the hat. I am also wearing two anchoring hair slides because of the weight of this magnificent creation. This is a look that speaks to the boundless creativity of childhood, of making your own fun as the rest of the family snoozes in the late afternoon sun, in a time before the attention economy was monopolised by algorithms.

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