Little rays of sunshine

Believe it or not, Suri Cruise has been named one of the world’s best-dressed women – at just five years old.

In her jelly shoes and party dresses, the daughter of Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes has been deemed stylish enough to land 21st position in Glamour magazine’s annual poll in which readers are invited to vote for their favourite style icons. But if custom-made Louboutin shoes seems a little highbrow for your tearaway, the seasonal fashion forecast for childrenswear should be right up their street.

“High summer for childrenswear focuses on relaxed beach holidays,” says Mags Milliken, Matalan’s senior infantswear designer, adding: “Colourful vests, fun stripes, surf and palm tree graphics are essential summer looks for the boys. Neon brights are a huge look for girls along with big, bold, floral prints – fabulous for brightening up a summer wardrobe.”

Remember holiday-style dressing may not always be appropriate with the changeable British weather.

Grown-ups have enough problems finding clothes to fit, but children have an ability to shoot up faster than a beanstalk so buying a hard-working wardrobe for your kids can be problematic.

Half-Pint Chic founder Nicole Frost (www.halfpintchic.com) knows only too well how contending with the unpredictable weather and growing children can mean clothes need to be adaptable.

“As we don’t generally have clear and defined seasons in the UK, it’s helpful to make sure that your children’s wardrobes are interchangeable so that you don’t end up spending a fortune on items that will only ever be worn a handful of times,” she advises.

A mum of twin girls, Frost offers her expert advice on how to achieve a child-friendly but fashionable summer wardrobe.

Fun summer novelty accessories will add some seasonal flair to your little one’s look but don’t forget the staples when you’re on a childrenswear summer spree.

“Buy clothes in key categories such as jeans, skirts, T-shirts and shoes along with the odd weather-appropriate piece such as sandals and hats, then you’ll never be caught out,” Frost recommends.

“Make sure that each pair of bottoms can be matched to a number of tops and vice-versa so that the number of overall pieces is reduced but the amount of new looks is endless.”

Keep your eyes peeled for clever clothing that doubles up as two garments in one – it also means less space in your little one’s wardrobe for twice the wear.

“Purchasing items that can be swiftly adapted for the weather can save a lot of time and money,” says Frost.

PLAN YOUR TOT’S SUMMER LOOK

“Purchasing items that can be swiftly adapted for the weather can save a lot of time and money,” says Nicole Frost.

“Trousers that have inside hooks and buttons to make them into shorts are a great idea and jackets that have a removable lining can also help to keep a child warm or cool as well as stylish.”

“If you buy these pieces in neutral and block colours they can be used regularly to co-ordinate.”