Children's fashion: dressed for success

On a cold, wet evening the library of the Dylan Hotel in Ballsbridge was transformed into a family sitting room on Christmas morning, with all the same chaos, tears and laughter you’d expect on such a day.

Little girls played with Baby Annabells, feeding and cradling them, while the boys built Lego houses just to tear them down with flying Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

Monster High Dolls seemed a more morbid departure from the gargling Baby Annabell, but Draculaura and her Monster High friends proved a big hit with the older girls.

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In between shooting Nerf guns at proud mums who were waiting in the wings and outbursts of rapturous laughter at the farting pig, we got a chance to admire the ever-changing wardrobe of the kids in the spotlight.

Styled by Clara Halpin for Arnotts, the boys looked dapper in their Ralph Lauren sweater-vests and cuffed Gant shirts, while the girls twinkled in their sequined Billieblush tutus and Lili Gaufrette knitted dresses. The beautiful autumnal coloured DPAM cord trousers and jumpers which the boys wore are reasonably priced, built to last .

The white and cream Kate Mack dress which Carly wore and the Billieblush tutu and fur tippet which Suzie sported were the highlights of the girls ensembles – though not as easy on the pocket.

For value and practicality, DPAM and Lego are the ones to go for, while Kate Mack and Gant top the scales for detailed occasion wear.

All clothing and toys are from Arnotts Department Store, which has just opened a Toytown concession on its second floor. Shoes from Clarks at Arnotts and Toys are from Toytown at Arnotts.

Styled by: Clara Halpin and assisted by: Zita Kelly & Peter O’Connor. With special thanks to the Dylan Hotel for the use of their Library