to encourage all size 8 to 10s

[Graasspp]

to shop in M&S kids? Tried on this playsuit in size 13-14 years, so not even the biggest size, and I've ordered it online for £20. Along with a stretch blue dress in the sale for £4.50.

I think with the right shoes and accessories, so much of the clothes for teens can be fine, especially for holidays.

Also, a little bit wtf. I don't think Zara Kids works quite the same size/age ratio......

I've been wearing children's clothes and shoes for decades. Sometimes the style details are not quite right, but tights, joggers and the like are OK.

Their adult things are big because the average age of their customer for clothes is quite high. I don't know why it would be the same for teen clothes.
I've never understood teen clothes anyway (apart from saving on the VAT) and I don't really remember them existing when I was growing up. I was a size 12 at 12 years old. Now in my forties, I'm bigger but fit into a 10 quite often.
I'm short so some kids' clothes can just about fit me, but in general I'm too wide.

I've been doing this years from various shops

Crazy isn't it? I needed a rash vest for a water park on holiday. Tried on one of the kids ones, thinking it would be too much, but no! The age 13-14 rash vest fitted perfectly!

This is why M&S 15-16 is rarely available in store, then sells out fast online and why Boden stopped offering teen sizes and Johnnie B.
I'd have kept it quiet rather than offer it up to Mumsnet's gazillion readers!

I've also been doing this for years.

Don't people just buy clothes they like and that fit them (hopefully) regardless of what 'range' it falls under? YABU to even ask the question.

Zara Kids is fantastic if you dig around a bit. Started shopping there out of necessity as I would by DD's toddler clothes and she would get too restless and whiny to be dragged around the adult section. So the easiest option was to pick out bits from the teens and pay at the same till. Since high-waisted jeans are in trend now, it's so easy to pair with kids t-shirts as it doesn't matter if they're short. As long as the shoulders look like they fit, you can wear them with any high waisted bottoms.

The teen boys section also have great stuff like preppy linen shirts or jumpers. If you're a petite woman then they actually look oversized but perfectly fitted around the shoulders and sleeves.

I always do this is Next and M&S. I'm 6ft tall and around a size 10. I can't get trousers or jeans as they are too short but the dresses fit better in the waist - as in the waist is at the right place for my height- than the adult size 10s one do. I love kids clothes.
In Next an age 13-14 is about a size 8-10 and a 15-16 is about a 10-12 I would say.

I used to do that, and kids shoes in a 39. Teen boys ranges especially for shirts

id never considered this until my daughter got an age 12 hoodie and it fits me.

opens up loads of options!!

I'm 5ft 3. I have a flabby lower belly. And thick bingo wings. I just love to eat hobnobs and share bag crisps in my undies.

And I quite happily fit into age 15 cycling shorts from Matalan without the addition of thrush and sore flaps.

I'm wondering whether I could get tights from M&S in a teenage size? As adult sizing for my height makes them fall and I end up hoiking them up to my tits. Never a good look.

Sometimes I don't bother and just look like Nora Batty. 🤟

That is helpful advice, thank you OP. I stopped shopping at M&s as their size 8 was too big. Might look at teen stuff in shops now.

I just bought GEOX kids school shoe loafers in a size 7. They are brilliant. Lovely quality and a fraction of the price of the adults loafers I was looking at

I was wearing size 8 at 13. I'm now a M&S size 6. I can't fit into many of my size 8 clothes from the 1990s.

Styles have changes, waists on skirts and trousers are bigger or elasticated.

Try H&M kids section too OP.

I get all my tee-shirts (short and long sleeved) and basic vest tops there. They usually come in a 3 pack set, and if not they are usually 3 for 2. And one is about half the price of the exact same thing in the ladies section.

I have mostly 13 to 14, but I have been wearing age 10 to 12 Tshirt this time around. Bonkers really. Seeing as I am 53 😂

Trousers too. So annoyed as I sold on a pair of cargo trousers last year, I regret selling them really as they fit me really well. They were age 12 to 13.

I have M&S school uniform trousers in navy and black which I have been wearing as my work trousers for over 4 years. And they have the adjustable elastic waists which is brilliant, as I can never find adult trousers that fit on the hips and don’t gape at the waist!

I have broad shoulders, broad hips and Im 5 foot 8.

I can squeeze into many kids clothes (as long as its flared hip like a skater skirt) but they are going to either be painfully tight at the armpit or rip their... a dress will usually be indecently short and a play suit would relocate the grand canyon to my coochie.

No. size 12 now, but I used to occasionally fall in to this trap when I was younger and thinner and the item would always turn up and the zipper would be a big smiley face or there'd be a butterfly appliquéd on to the bum. It just never works out like you think..

It doesn't just apply to non branded items. I bought an Adidas l/s tee last week in the sale. It was just a silly price so took a chance as I didn't try it on in the shop.

Its age 12 to 13. Fits me perfectly and doesn't have those too long sleeves that some do.
My dd (age 21) has claimed it though.

I think it's a bit of a risk to do online though. As I buy by eye.

Yes, there can be some childlike features on that you don't see at first glance. But, for basics it's usually fine.

Hence me always going in store. I wouldn't chance it online.

Sports clothes for kids tend to be small. They can get away with charging more for adults clothes.

I agree about silly motifs

It's often better to look in the men's section for something smilar, e.g. a plain V-neck jumper or basic joggers. The quality is usually better, and the joggers have (better) pockets.

I'm a 6-8 and 5ft 3 I realised this a while ago. I can fit age 13-14, although my Christmas jumper from next is aged 12, they did the same in women's size for way more ££ even the smallest size was huge, kids fitted better. I think they can be very hit and miss kid sizes though they are very generously sized in many shops. I get really annoyed though I'm size 6 feet so can't shop for kids shoes 🤣.

I often look in the kids section, especially in new look. 13/14 is around a 10/12 I would say.

The height has never been an issue, im 5ft 6 which is pretty average I would say!

The height would work but I don't think my boobs would fit 😂

Years ago I would buy tops from gap Kids, sometimes jeans. The tops were nice but you could tell the cut wasn't quite right somehow.