Dress for a pre-teen DD?

[Overwhelmedandout]

We are on holiday in France and DD (10 but very tall so in age 12 clothes) wants to buy a dress to go out for dinner with some family friends. She hasn’t worn dresses for a couple of years - it’s all denim shorts or big slouchy jeans. We have had a look but everything we’ve seen is either too young or too old. I’m very reluctant to start buying dresses for a ten year old that are aimed at actual teenagers, for obvious reasons. Even in practical terms, whilst they may be the right length, she is quite slim so that they gape at the bust area and the arm holes are so huge that they flap around and are a bit inappropriate.

Are your 10-12 year old DDs wearing dresses this summer and if so, would you mind sharing where you
got them/ what sort of thing they’re wearing? Maybe there’s just a weird gap now until they start wearing “teen” dresses?

And if so, what do they wear to smarter events - christenings / parties for big birthdays etc?

I bought DD an adult dress in xs which she wore with a T-shirt under to disguise the gaping. It's a really hard age when they're too young for or don't want typical teen clothes.
She also has a jumpsuit for smarter occasions.

Thank you - I did come away thinking that a jumpsuit might be the answer. I may well be sent back into the fray tomorrow, so that’s useful info - thanks!

Have a look at Subdued - if you’re in France there should be one near you. It’s a gorgeous Italian brand - really simple and classy, very popular with tweens/teens. Their fit is smaller than UK sizes so you should be able to find a dress there to suit your DD.

DD got the most gorgeous white linen dress from their Nice branch last year

This is a good choice for dressing up and down.
DD has worn it for bar-b-ques and formal dinners.

Try this website.

https://www.rococlothing.co.uk/girls/girls-dresses/

Thank you - very much appreciated!

DD now 13 had some very pretty but still sort of cool dresses from New Look and Next at 10-12. Now she's gone for a more tomboy/sporty spice type look. For more formal things she would go for a blazer and trousers with a shirt or blouse.

Sorry, just read you're in France. Anywhere near an H&M? Decent range of older girls summer tea dresses there now. That slightly grunge-y yet cute 90s style v trendy right now.