Living in the oh-so-serious world of adulthood can, at times, provoke an overwhelming desire to run away, gather round some cushions and settle down for story time. Well, dear reader, cast aside your grown-up work wardrobes and dreary occasion dressing and come follow me down the rabbit hole to a make-believe world of childhood stories, innocent wonderment and, yes, style icons. It's like fashion in a dressing up box.

5. ARTFUL DODGER

As style icons go, little pick-pocketing boys from Dickensian novels-turned-musicals may seem like an 'unconventional' (read: ridiculous) choice but, let's be honest, the Artful Dodger was always far cooler than his wimpy companion. Adorned in the kind of softly masculine tailoring that would not look out of place on today's runways, his instruction to "pick a pocket or two" is surprisingly apt advice in these times of magpie-like fashion arrangements. Jaunty details like printed neckerchiefs, bow ties and disheveled tailoring are well worth bending your moral code and pickpocketing for. For those less inclined towards urchin-like behaviour, any old vintage store will do...

4. RICHARD SCARRY'S ANIMALS

Dear reader, let us keep an open mind, lest we discard potential style icons because they're, you know, animals. The enchanting world of Richard Scarry's illustrated books are filled with the kind of nostalgic naiveté and whimsy that serves Sonia Rykiel and Marc by Marc Jacobs so well. Between the blouses on the mice and little peacoats on the foxes, these guys have perky dressing down to a fine art - even the elephant seems to have pre-empted Balenciaga S/S 08. The best thing to pilfer from these books, however, is the 70's-style saturated colour palette of faded brights that looks great on the coloured-in simplicity of little jumpers and apron skirts. Failing that, there is a tiger in a suit. What's not to love?

3. LITTLE MY

You don't need me to tell you that grumpy looking models are our generation's epitome of style. It follows, therefore, that we should look to Scandinavia's moodiest export for inspiration. Little My, the disgruntled little girl who stomped through Tove Jansson's series of fanciful "Moomin" books is regularly noted for her moodiness but rarely for her style. Silly, really, when she is clearly the innovative successor to Little Red Riding Hood's line in forest-bound red outerwear. Key to this look, obviously, is the statement coat in a paintbox colour of your choice, preferably with scantily clad little legs peeking out underneath and a bright pink bow. In fact, it seems like Alber Elbaz might have indulged in some Little My inspiration at Lanvin S/S 08; there were sculptural block colours and scraped back pony tails as far as the eye could see. Just perfect for an ill-tempered summer.

2. ANNE OF GREEN GABLES

There is nothing better than a plucky schoolgirl heroine to induce a flood of sartorial inspiration into one's wardrobe. The outspoken and disaster-prone character of Anne of Green Gables enchanted me as a child, but it is her Victorian smock dresses, straw hats, scuffed boots and unkempt plaits that get me dreaming now. There is something eternally beguiling about that mix of Sunday best clothing and scruffy nonchalance that suggests you might be prone to scrabbling over a tree and into a private apple orchard at any moment...something to consider when getting dressed in a morning.

TO READ THE NUMBER ONE CHILDREN'S BOOK CHARACTER TO DRESS UP AS, CLICK HERE...