Sir, – Arminta Wallace’s fascinating article (“A day with the fairies”, Features, January 7th) on UCD’s collection of fairy tales is graced by a photograph of a “fairy boy” in a petticoat. The received wisdom is that boys were dressed in petticoats or dresses until around the age of three to frustrate the efforts of fairies who wished to capture male babies. The real reason is rather more prosaic. In the days of large families, before Pampers and washing machines, little boys wore dresses for one very practical reason. As soon as children were walking their nappies were removed and they were allowed to toddle around, performing at will, until the time came when they were toilet-trained and the boys could safely be put into knickerbockers or trousers. The system saved a lot of washing. Those who hold to the “fairy” theory might explain why little boys had short haircuts during these times – surely this would have been a dead giveaway to any fully subscribed member of the fairy folk? – Yours, etc,