“A dress” for 15 year old

[Nevermindthefurball]

DD doesn’t normally wear them but has asked for one for Christmas. I asked what kind of “dress” but got no specifics back (I suspect she doesn’t really know herself). I’ve looked at various places online but anything and everything seems to be available so hasn’t helped much. Going by what she wears at the moment doesn’t feel like it helps as I think she probably wants something a bit different.

Any suggestions as to what dresses 15 year olds are wearing at the moment? No bodycon….

I think you need to ask her what she has in mind as 'a dress' can be anything and 15 year olds are as diverse as any other age group

Take her shopping and let her pick something herself?

Show her pictures

What would flatter her figure? My dd goes for A-line dresses 1950s style dresses in modern fabric so a very pretty dress with skulls on 😂

A friends 16yo has a couple of dresses from Popsy. They look lovely on her.
www.popsyclothing.co.uk/

Way too broad. Her body shape, style preference and everything like that will matter. A punk-style plus size teen will want very different clothes than a size 6 teen who’s into Japanese/Korean street style, or a curvy girl who likes the trendy insta look.

I would consider a voucher or money and go with her to buy the dress instead!

My 14 yo has a pinterest board of clothes she likes, so by following that I get a pretty good feel for what will work, and have even identified the exact corner of H&M where her sort of thing is likely to be.
Prior to that shopping just consisted of me showing or buying her things that WOULD LOOK LOVELY - but just got a nah

I remember at 15 we used to love those cool t shirt dresses

We had a family party this weekend, she wore a lace skater dress from boohoo with her Nike air force ones.....

www.boohoo.com/lace-racer-neck-skater-dress/FZZ32628.html?color=105

If it's just to feel girly and being adventurous, I'd say the skater style dresses are what most of the teens are wearing and can easily be dressed up or down.

I think you need a bit more info about what she has in mind op. Dd turned 16 recently and had a party with a 'wear a dress' dress code. 25 girls all turned up in different styles - some bodycon and trainers, some skater style, some floral t-dresses and some maxi dresses and sandals. It's a bit of a minefield unless you have an idea about what she's thinking. Taking her shopping to try some on might be a good starting point as she might not even know herself!

Urban outfitters is the shop du jour for the 3 teen girls in my life. If you buy something from there she can always exchange it. Or get her a voucher.
I think 90s style floral slip dresses are coming back

Taking her shopping results in “I don’t know”. She comes back empty handed when she goes shopping with friends. I usually just direct her to the ASOS app and suggested she picks something but normally she wears jeans, leggings or shorts and I think she’s at as much of a loss as I am. I can normally guess what she’d like pretty well but not here. I’ll look at some of the suggestions above, thanks.

Could you get her a voucher for a department store personal shopper? I went to my mums appointment and the lady was fab but not at all pushy. She was really talented at understanding my mum, her likes etc but also pushing her slightly outside of her comfort zone to try stuff which she would usually avoid but ended up looking amazing

Sounds like you need to admit to each other you're in the dark and need to figure it out. Bet she's hoping you'll know! You could show her how to find out the various fashion tribes and like pp said get a pinterest board going on the things that appeal to her.
Or book her a style consultation at house of colour and have a professional do it for you.

Shirt dress might work: www.boohoo.com/dobby-gathered-shoulder-shirt-dress/FZZ53475-168-24.html?istCompanyId=4bd63293-f970-4d25-8695-422e3c08a364&istFeedId=4213e776-38e9-4fed-89b9-aadfd4011112&istItemId=illtlwwll&istBid=t

I think she’d be mortified by the consultation! I don’t understand why she always comes back empty handed when she goes into town with friends. She likes Jodie Cromer, Florence Pugh and the Avengers films but the pictures on her walls aren’t helping much.

Taking her shopping results in “I don’t know”. She comes back empty handed when she goes shopping with friends.
Take her to a shop that does styling. Like JL but not JL.
Teaching her about body shapes, colours, etc would be a better gift than the dress itself.

Perhaps start with where she wants to wear it? That may give you an idea of casual v dressy etc etc.

What would flatted her figure? Is she tall, curvy, short...?

For the tops she buys now are they colourful? Does she wear prints? Do they ever have embellishments or frills? Does she wear plain fabrics or do her tops have lace or other textures?

Basically, what would she suit and what is her style.

Maybe she lacks body confidence, like a lot of teenagers? I'm tall and have been size 10-12 since I was 11, when I developed some generous thighs and hips. As a teenager I had a couple of stick thin, model-like friends who wore tiny low rise jeans and bodycon stuff. I didn't even bother trying anything on when I went shopping with them, I just felt like a freak. Obviously my body is perfectly normal, but at the time I didn't think so! There are loads of women of all different shapes and sizes doing style content online and on social media, surely there are a few she follows and likes what they wear?