I AM NOT sure I can take another stupid, so-called celebrity-fuelled, so-called fashion fad.

I mean, I know we are all in need of some light relief as the General Election rumbles ever closer and it would just be a joy to turn on the television and see something other than politicians talking to and about each other, but honestly – wearing matching outfits with your children?

Twinning is a thing. Princess Diana had a go, sort of, back in the 80s (remember poor Prince William in his emerald green braces which matched his mother’s Trooping the Colour coat?)

But it has started gathering steam in recent months on Instagram and has, of course, been embraced by celebrities and Holly Willoughby.

If the internet is to be believed, mini-me fashion is all the rage.

But really, is it? Are you sure? Is it not just a horrific thing to do to your children, a cringeworthy parental crime as awful as cuddling them at the high school gates or singing in public?

When I was growing up, the very thought of wearing the same as my mum would have made my blood run cold. I’m breaking out in a sweat just thinking about it now.

Granted, it was never going to be Beyoncé and Blue Ivy wafting about in matching floral print Dolce & Gabbana kaftans, but still.

I went to primary school with a girl who had twin sisters, and their mother always dressed the three of them the same. It was eerily fascinating to me, a middle child with two brothers, to see this identikit trio in their candystripe dungarees of varying sizes, hair parted in identical bunches. The twins were too young to care, but my friend hated being dressed the same as her little sisters. Imagine if her mother had joined in too.

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Twinning is real and trying hard to be a trend, at any rate - Swedish clothing brand Polarn O. Pyret has seen a rise in sales of 185 per cent for its matching adult and child ranges over the past two years, and Matalan and Next now have family-matching collections of pyjamas and swimwear.

UK retailer Missguided even launched a range of matching clothes for dog owners which takes this nonsense to even more ridiculous levels.

Perpetrators suggest it’s cute and can help keep families together in airports (not even joking, one mother did say that.)

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But what about individuality? Encouraging your kids to express themselves and be happy? Teaching them it’s important to find their own style? And, bottom line, there is absolutely nothing cute about using your toddler as a fashion accessory.