Q My six-year-old daughter doesn't have a school uniform, and every morning is a nightmare as she tries to convince me her hot-pink tutu is appropriate school attire. Can you suggest some outfits that might cure her of this (hopefully) temporary addiction to all things pink and frilly? Georgina, Dublin 6
A Pink is a good colour. It is the colour of love, roses and a nice rare steak. I suggest just letting your daughter go to school wearing her puffy cloud of tulle (if the offending article is machine-washable; let's not go mad). Often, the only way for a person to power through an addiction is to hit rock-bottom, so let her get some wear out of her tutu. Your daughter will be delighted, but will eventually get tired of it. The worst that can happen is that a teacher tells her it's inappropriate, and you can put the offending article in the back of the wardrobe on school days, safe in the knowledge that you are no longer the bad guy.
Failing that, there is no shortage of twee pinkness in children’s clothing retail. For that, we have extreme gendered stereotyping to thank.
A pink coat, schoolbag or pair of shoes is a safe bet. Your daughter will get to wear pink every day, and you won’t have to agonise over it. Marks & Spencer and Debenhams are great (Debenhams has a good range of pink rain jackets that won’t disintegrate immediately). If you wish to invest in the international finance racket that is designer children’s clothing, Burberry does a pink quilted jacket, a mere snip at £153.
Email your wardrobe woes to wardrobing@irishtimes.com
Burberry pink quilted jacket, £153. Converse, €35-€40. Backpack, €19 from M&S. Tutu, €19-€22 from M&S
