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Help me shop for my 15 year old sister...

22 replies

libertychick · 29/08/2013 23:17

She needs some new clothes for a work placement at a radio station. She's size 12/14, 5ft 3 and is hourglass shape - she is v v self conscious about her norks...she's had a difficult time recently and the work experience placement is a big confidence boost for her so I want to buy her a few things she can mix and match - would be grateful for any suggestions - we're going to Westfield at Sheperds Bush tomorrow - thank you all.

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OneLittleLady · 29/08/2013 23:22

I usually minimize norkage with wrap or mock wrap tops and dresses but the wrap style may be just too old looking on her. What about a v-neck skater style dress with longline cardi perhaps? I'd avoid any cropped cardis as they tend to land on the wrong part of the upper torso and draw attention to norks. That's all I've got, sorry I can't be more help

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libertychick · 29/08/2013 23:29

Thanks one
Yes wrap tops have been firmly rejected!! She likes skater style skirts but a lot of them are very short and I think at the station she needs clothes that she can be fairly mobile in ie crawling on floor with cables etc.
I'm trying to persuade her to (a) get some better quality items (she lives in primarni and (b) experiment a bit - I struggle with helping her as I don't have big norks so I don't really know how to help her 'dress them'.

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santamarianovella · 29/08/2013 23:51

liberty I think it's best to try different styles,best to stay away from v neck tops,as it seems she will do a lot of moving around,how about shirts?they sound boring but she can make them look interesting with the right accessories ,I see lots of young girls wearing chambray shirts,or plaid, it does not look frumpy at all,one look I like was a very loose,chambray shirt tied with a bright belt,and bright flat,she looked really nice.

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RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 29/08/2013 23:58

Any ideas how formally/informally the staff dress? A just above the knee skater dress would be fine, I think. Or some slim leg/cigarette black trousers with a plain top and perhaps a longer-line cardigan?

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shopafrolic · 30/08/2013 00:00

It might be worth a look at basic tops and a blazer from Bravissimo? Does she have decent bras, the right fit will make her less self conscious.......

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RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 30/08/2013 00:00

This is cute if it's not too informal.

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shopafrolic · 30/08/2013 00:01

And yes, what Santa said - plaid shirts- great idea!

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TheWoollybacksWife · 30/08/2013 00:11

That Oasis dress is lovely Remus.

OP it sounds like your sister has exactly the same figure as my DD2. She has a t-shirt dress like that in black from H&M and it looks fabulous on.

She wears longline cardigans and looks great in skinny jeans and slouchy tops with ballet flats.

Have a lovely day shopping Smile

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mignonette · 30/08/2013 05:43

Hi Lib

First of all layers, layers, layers as she'll be warm/cold.

Then layers because they can help disguise any prominent breasts. She needn't worry that they'll be the first thing some people zoom in on. Also, no frills, ruffles and fussy details over the chest area. Look for a good bra too as so many teen/High St ones are ridiculously padded making breasts look like weapons.

A long line tank layered over another one in a different colour w/ a modern looking cardigan or jacket over looks smooth and streamlined. Nothing that billows out over the chest either as the material tends to hang straight down from the widest, sticking out bits making you look larger. The standard good quality blazer jacket or even a fitted bomber would look good. A long slouchy suit jacket, a casual one is an adaptable item for her to wear w/ so many different outfits.

So think fitted underneath, layered over the top and a good bra.

If she sees any new season sweaters look for ones w/ a fitted cut to the waist and a deep welt (knitted bit that settles on the hip) as that'll define her shape without looking sacklike. The new sweatshirts could look fine but make sure they are not long in the body, but fitted to the lower waist and not too sloppy.

A stretch longer skirt would work too allowing her to crawl about under desks etc. An A line shape worn with a pretty but simple shirt and some shoe boots is good office wear. Look for colour and print to keep it young. Or go long skater shape to the knee worn w/ thin cotton tights if it sin't too hot. Probably best to go w/ pants though. Geometric print straight leg pants worn w/ layered tanks and a jacket. Or a fitted shirt or blouse w/ give under the arms and not too short in the back. Get her to stretch in it and bend over to check that there's no ride up.

Look for layering in different shades of the same such as a pale grey and dark grey tank together or top/jacket/ as that looks very pulled together.

Finally motif tops can help disguise breasts. Not really small prints but the animal photo or graphic ones will draw the eye to the print not the breasts. Keep the print large but in one place rather than all over the top. No spotty tops. They tend to emphasise in my opinion.

Have a lovely day!

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Mominatrix · 30/08/2013 06:19

Fitted on top of loose would also work. I would wear dresses with draping kind of like this worn with a very tailored jacket on top. It will give a casual-yet-smart and cool vibe. Radio stations are usually not very formal workplaces, but she still wants to dress in a professional manner.

Love mignonette's advice.

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Allthingspretty · 30/08/2013 07:58

Can she layer a v neck top with a thinner vest top underneath so she is not so self concious and appropriatly dressed?

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Annianni · 30/08/2013 08:08

I agree to make sure she's got a decent bra.

How about some of those 3-99 h&m vests for underneath other tops.
I have the wider strap ones and they're great for layering. I buy a bigger size, so they're not too tight and a bit longer then.

I'd probably get some slim leg pants or jeans, a couple of vests, a denim type shirt and a slouchy cardigan (bum length)

Then she can put the vests under any nice tops she already has, for modesty.
And has the cardi to hide behind if necessary.

Good luck.

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libertychick · 30/08/2013 09:23

Ahhhh I have just lost a really long post.....just to say thank you all so much - some fantastic ideas here - I'll report back...

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QueenCadbury · 30/08/2013 09:50

Nothing to add except have fun shopping Smile

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MarianForrester · 30/08/2013 10:40

River Island has some really nice skater skirts that are not as short as some. And dresses, some of them are stretchy, so good if different sizes top and bottom.

With skater skirts, they can be really wide on hips, so sometimes good to size down.

Happy shoppingSmile

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Allthingspretty · 01/09/2013 17:33
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libertychick · 03/09/2013 21:51

Very late report back! We had a good shopping day. Had a good chat first and realised that she had lots of stuff that could work at the station ie black trousers, a couple of plaid shirts etc so decided to concentrate on getting her a smart dress. Bought her this dress which made her look amazing! She was grinning from ear to ear in it! She was slightly horrified to spend an amount that would get her 3 outfits in primark Grin

We styled it with this red blazer but unfortunately the budget couldn't cover both dress and jacket so I am now on a mission to find a cheaper version (or I might stalk that one and perhaps buy it for Christmas). She had a black trilby on and she just looked so fab in the jacket, dress and hat Smile.

Also got her some H&M vests, plain black converse, this backpack and a black and white star print jumper in New Look which I can't find on website.

Thanks again for all the help and suggestions.

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OhTheDrama · 04/09/2013 20:42

Probably not as good quality but what about this new look jacket. Glad to hear your sister is feeling more confident.

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thewhitequeen · 04/09/2013 20:49

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

libertychick · 05/09/2013 14:51

OhTheDrama that NL jacket looks great and at £20 worth a go...will order and see...

I like the Zara one too thewhitequeen - she has big boobs though and we tried on a lot of things in Zara on the shopping day and nothing in there seemed to sit quite right on them - for example she loved this dress but in a medium it gaped badly and in a large it was way too big on her shoulders. So I am now feeling that they just don't cut for bigger than a C cup.

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Annianni · 05/09/2013 16:47

That dress is lovely Liberty.

Gap usually does a red blazer, and there's 30% off at the moment.

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libertychick · 05/09/2013 20:32

Anni I was convinced we would get one in Gap but the red one they have is a very orange red and it didn't suit her at all - she needs a 'cooler' or 'blue' red...we share a fusspot gene Grin

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