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Lucy Devine
Parents have been left furious over a new range of activewear by Australian brand, Cotton On.
Photos of the range, which include girls' crop tops and leggings, were shared on the brand's Instagram page, and parents have been left divided, with some accusing Cotton On of 'sexualising children'.
In the post, three girls of varying ages can be seen posing in the activewear, which features a matching crop top and leggings in different colours.
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This sparked debate among parents over the outfits. While some saw nothing wrong with the styles, others were fuming.
One person wrote: "Why crop? Why not age appropriate and be longer singlet?"
"Sexualising children again cotton on??? Why do little girls need to wear crops??" another said.
And a third added: "Why are we putting children in crop tops? This is absurd!"
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Meanwhile, one parent commented: "Umm so make tops longer please not for my lil girls."
"Why do little girls need to be flashing their bellies so young," added another.
Some parents didn't see an issue with the cropped styles and explained their children were gymnasts and loved wearing crops, often finding them more comfortable.
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"No one is forcing anyone to buy them! I think they’re cute as! 'Sexualising' kids??? If they think a belly is sexual then there’s something wrong with THEM and not the crop top!" said one person.
And another added: "Very cute, my girl will love these! She’s a gymnast and this is great for her. It’s a crop top, not nipple tassels calm down."
A third wrote: "My six-year-old daughter is a gymnast and chooses to wear crops and bike shorts for training. She also wears crops most days throughout summer because she is comfy and feels good in them. If I tried to control everything she wears we’d never get out of the house."
Ally Mahoney, owner of kids clothing company Sunny Active, added: "What is sexual about a crop top? It’s not a push up bra… my girls love wearing crops to acro, gym and dance classes because it gives them freedom of movement."
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She later wrote on Sunny Active's Instagram: "What’s with the hate on showing kids bellies? I just saw a post from cotton on showing their new kids activewear…. so many negative comments about crop tops.
"Are bellies sexual? I’d understand if the poses were provocative… but it’s kids and baby bellies."
Tyla has reached out to Cotton On for comment.