To ask what idiots design girls' clothes??

[Pepperwort]

And who decided that 9 - 13, 14 ish has to be a new group for marketing, and wearing those adult-like, almost aggressive (can't think of a better word) fashions?? I'm not advertising sexuality for a 'tween' or whatever they're called, creepy men can get their kicks somewhere else. I just want something nice that suits the weather! I hate hate HATE clothes shopping.

It's lockdown, so I haven't had my act together and wanted to get some summer tops for my dd, 11. Designers - summer is hot, and the sun burns. What you need is something covering the shoulders, light, loose, in natural cool fabrics and nice prints. Something patterned in nice colours.

NO MORE damned slogans or flipping' unicorns or what-have-you, scrap animal prints. Ffs ditch the polyester, and kill the 'cold shoulder' rubbish already!!

HOW HARD IS IT??? REALLY?

Ahem. As you were. And if anyone could possibly point me to some nice simple (very simple, I can use a sewing machine but I'm not a whizz) and new sewing patterns for tunic and 'peasant blouse' types, assuming I get my act together next year, I would be eternally grateful.

There is plenty out there like this - Zara, H&M conscious, next etc. Zara have lovely all cotton blouses/T-shirt's/tops.

I'll look at Zara, thanks. I have ordered a couple off H&M, but there weren't many on the website. What there was was just plain blue too.

It is hard
I remember from the time DD was about 8 to 13 most clothes for her were quite inappropriate. Either a bit too “adult” or childish. Finding a happy medium was difficult. Plus she was tall so most things were very very short. Once she fitted Hollister, Superdry, Abercrombie, Tommy Hillfigger etc it was easier (but bloody expensive)

I used to buy quite a bit from the kids Zara or Bennetton in Spain

And whilst you’re there, can they also explain why my DDs shorts (aged 8) are a fraction of the size of those sold for my DS, aged 5?

Why do designers want girls to show off their arse?

ASOS has a huge variety Of tops (some will be everything you hate!) but I’m sure you’ll be able to find some bits for her.

@MoltoAgitato

And whilst you’re there, can they also explain why my DDs shorts (aged 8) are a fraction of the size of those sold for my DS, aged 5?

Why do designers want girls to show off their arse?

I hate this as well! My daughter is only 3.5 but I want long shorts for her and it's so hard! She is in age 4-5 clothing and they are still short. I want knee length shorts for girls.

See if Prima magazine’s patterns can be bought online (or just start subscribing to the magazine)

They’re pretty simple patterns to follow and are usually seasonal

(Sorry, don’t know what’s been in the last couple of issues as I normally get it from my DMum when she’s finished with her copy)

Sorry - obviously ASOS is for adults but some of their simple tunics and shirts etc come in little sizes (4 or 6) and might work

I got my dd some fab stuff in asda the other day. All in khaki, denim, beige and some plain pastel t shirts and shorts.

I get you op. My dd is 9, and as she is quite big and tall for her age I have to buy her older girls clothes, and my they are so grown up!! it’s a real struggle to buy her anything. Can’t afford clothes from Zara personally. I’ve looked at h&m but they are still quite grown up from what she is in to so the choices are limited. She’s likes bright colours and florals but it seems older girls only like dark colours and slogans apparently! I’ve got her some nice dresses from Matalan.

It’s frustrating. Dd(12) wanted a skort- she doesn’t like tight or denim shorts and the boy ones would get her teased - and she wanted something for the hot weather. Could we find a plain skort? No - only Boden kiddy bright patterns.

Could we find long shorts for girls - no, not in the loose, light fabric and cut she wanted. Could we find t-shirts she liked - no, they were either for boys (which come up too wide) or cold shoulder (no sun protection) or had slogans.

She wants plain basics and it just seems almost impossible - Uniqlo have done well out of us but their range is limited.

I buy plain shorts next boys section for my dd10 as she doesn't like them too short and I couldn't find girl ones that were nice. Don't blame her they are much more uncomfortable and I don't know why the styling is so grown up!

uniqlo is good for basic clothes - the adult sizes go very small so they fit my 12 year old, and there is lots of choice of plain t-shirts etc.

My daughters have endless frustration with shorts. Neither of them want to wear "Daisy Duke" type shorts that only just cover their bottoms...same for PJ shorts. Teensy, tiny and not comfortable.

We managed to get some long denim shorts one year but haven't seen anything similar since so they've started shorts and summer PJ shopping in the boy section and are much happier.

direct.asda.com/george/kids/shorts-skirts/pale-pink-button-front-denim-mini-skirt/GEM748674,default,pd.html?cgid=D25M2G1C19

direct.asda.com/george/kids/dresses-outfits/khaki-denim-long-sleeve-button-through-dress/GEM728694,default,pd.html?cgid=D25M2G1C1

direct.asda.com/george/kids/dresses-outfits/rust-broderie-anglaise-dress/GEM752481,default,pd.html?cgid=D25M2G1C1

Roxy Quiksilver and Billabong also do lovely stuff

www.roxy-uk.co.uk/big-memories-sleeveless-playsuit-3613375150989.html#cgid=kids_0816_new&start=14&hitcount=295

www.billabong.co.uk/over-again-floral-mini-dress-for-teen-girls-3665601001879.html#cgid=women_girls&start=6&hitcount=26

@OverZoomed look on sports clothes type websites, tons of skorts by Nike, adidas etc

I got some 'cycling' shorts, like short leggings. They are just plain black, but we were looking for longer ones too. At least sports wear is comfortable.
Thanks for the Zara suggestion, I thought they were one of those posh expensive places. They don't look too bad. Their website is not showing up to best advantage in my browser or is plain old crap though.

Try LandsEnd Kids for skorts

www.landsend.co.uk/Search?q=Skorts+&simplesearch

My DD is 6 and in that in between phase in some shops between little girl and young teen. I don’t want a cold shoulder top for her. I don’t want leopard print. I want some nice summer dresses that are age appropriate. I’ve found a few in Asda but it’s proving more and more difficult.

I buy plain boys shorts and add trim.
Either a pretty ribbon near the hem or flower chain.
I’m in Australia and it’s just as bad here.
Well worse cause the sun burns you to a crisp.

You wouldn’t of thought with our skin cancer rate we would have learnt.

Why are girls T-shirt sleeves just the stupid bloody cap ones?

I agree! My dd has some nice pieces from Gap surprisingly. They have some really cool (as in temp!) t shirts and have shorts in ‘midi’ and Bermuda length.

Even h&m and zara fall down in this category. My dd is 8.5 she is tall and needs older girls (stick to dresses and leggings as she still needs a thin fit). I despair of the utter shit in the older age category. I don't want to dress my dd like a 15yo. But she no longer fits in the up to 10yo stuff.

I'm with you there.

I was looking for leggings for my 11 year old. Saw these with their name emblazoned on the arse.

Who thinks it's appropriate to draw people's attention to girls' backsides?

I've just had exactly this conversation with dh. Dd (3) has outgrown her sandals And the only placed open are local supermarkets. All of the girls sandals are little strappy gladiator type things, even some with wedge heels. Half are covered with glitter and would rub horribky and have no support In the soles.
The boys are all robust, velcro and adjustable. They have proper soles. It's like designers don't think that little girls run or jump. Just sit still and look pretty