When it comes to clothing, I like kids to dress like kids. I’m talking bright clashing colours, fun prints, animal appliqué designs, neon trainers and stretchy fabrics. You can keep your ‘mini-me’ outfits like boys in flat caps and girls in leather look leggings.

Controversially, I even dislike a skinny jean on kids under the age of ten. (I know, I know, I can hear myself saying this and I sound like a strict, rule-setting kidswear prude, don’t I?) Don’t worry, it’s not like I walk around Bluewater shopping centre tutting loudly at young boys in tweed waistcoats, but I do prefer them in a bright tee with a red bus on it.

After receiving some lovely toddler red shorts and tights last Christmas, I even thought twice before dressing my two year old in them, fearing they were too mini-me, but I got over myself and now it’s actually a look I love on her.

With family gatherings and parties-a-plenty fast approaching, it’s nice to have kids looking smart but still looking like kids. This is my pick of Matalan kids’ clothes for party season. The checked shirt in the boys’ outfit balances off the smartness of the tie, and the hi-tops are neutral in colour but add a skater boy edge to the outfit. The girls’ outfit has an ace mix of girly attitude and festive sparkle…