Putting our schoolchildren in little suits kits them out for a non-existent adult world

With office life relaxing and fewer professional adults wearing suits, we may soon end up in a scenario where our children are the most formally attired among us

Wearing skirts makes playing sport or cycling to school difficult and potentially embarrassing to do.

Right at the top of last weekend’s To Do list was a task of major developmental significance: getting the uniform for my four-year-old daughter’s impending debut in the local Junior Infants class. So, with 30 minutes between the designated shop’s opening time and swimming lessons, we made our approach.

Hers will be a sensible uniform: a green cotton tracksuit with white polo shirt (both which — pending non-ruination — will serve her little brother in a few short years) and runners (model’s own). It’s sensible, that is, until she hits first class, when, like many of her unsuspecting cohort, she will be expected to wear a collared shirt, plaid skirt, and woollen(ish) jumper.