DD aged 16, petite and very slim - wants tips on how to dress

[SlimCity]

Hi all,

DD1 is 16, petite (5'2) and very slim (wears size 4 - 6). She loses confidence in her body as she feels small and has been mistaken for a 13 year old an many an occasion! She has lovely legs which are long for her height (wears W25L32! jealous, me!? ) but still seems to dislike her body.

She wants some tips on how to dress for her height, and I'm not the trendiest person, so I was wondering what you lovely MN ladies suggest?

Her Christmas present was a shopping trip to buy some key essentials and this is what we have: skinny jeans, black skater skirt, two skater dresses, black skater skirt, leather jacket, black wedge ankle boots, tan coloured brogues.

She says she's really bored of wearing jeans and jumpers to school every day.

Whoops, put black skater skirt in there twice...

Hi there SlimCity.
She sounds like she'd be an Urban Outfitters fan. They do some fabulous ethnic-patterned knits and tops to jazz up her jumpers. And some snazzy leggings too if she wants to show off her pins in stylish fashion.

Can I also recommend the Topshop petite range? And Dorothy Perkins do nice chic clothes in a size four.

My dd also age 16 is very slim ...she likes topshop river island and urban outfitter ...when she wears skinny jeans she wears leggings underneath to try to make her legs look bigger!

Yes to skater skirt, dress, biker jacket. Anything slightly fitted and slightly smarter than jeans and a hoddie/jumper. A nice fitting denim jacket might work.

DD2 is almost 13, and exactly your DDs size and she has a black shorts, cream fitted top DP playsuit that makes her look 16. I suspect a lot of slightly structured, fitted slightly office wear tops might have the same sort of effect.

Also slightly office style fitted dresses, which our sixform girls use for formal events.

Basically anything that just hints she's might be a student, might be old enough to have a Saturday job and isn't worried about out growing her clothes and shoes tomorrow.

What about high waisted shorts/skirts? I'm the same height as your dd and wear those quite a bit to give the illusion I'm taller than I actually am.

I just remembered this thread:
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/style_and_beauty/a1960289-Calling-all-short-people-where-do-you-buy-dresses for the best places to buy dresses for petites which might be worth a look.

My DS1's girlfriend is a bit younger than your DD and likes H&M women, Topshop, Forever 21, Urban Outfitters and Aeropostale.

Thanks all for the fab ideas! Enormouse, high waisted things are fab, aren't they? We bought Topshop's Joni high waisted jeans and they're so flattering!

New look do great high waisted skinnies too (slightly cheaper than topshop too). Bought 2 pairs in the recent sales.

Having been made to watch Dr who for the billionth time I would say that Jenna Coleman dresses really well (and is teeny).

Enormouse I completely agree, New Look is great! We found that the 915 (teen) range is great because their styles are similar to Topshop "trendy" things, but make things age 12 etc. so dresses / skirts aren't so long! Really reasonably priced too.

And tell her to make the most of being able to pay children's prices. My tiny auntie wasn't beyond the odd C&As teen dress in the dark ages before petite was invent.

And I've never taken advantage of VAT free boots, trainers and sandals having size 4 feet .

She'll get some very envious looks as a student when they find she can get jeans and boots for 1/2 price.

New Look's teenage range is worth a look - their jeans fit my petite DD.

Primark does a lot of clothes in a size 6 - so jumpers, tops should fit well. Their jeans are too baggy though.

I'm 37, 5ft and a size 6. I've always been very petite and can remember being the same age as your daughter and wanting to be taller / bigger build / look older like many of my friends. Obviously I'm now thrilled when people tell me I look like I'm in my mid to late 20s
In terms of what flatters those of us who are short arses petite, I stick to slim fitting trousers, skinny jeans, skater style dresses, high waisted skirts, fitted crewneck knits, fitted shirts and Ts, leather biker jacket, parka style coats where you can pull in the waist and not drown in them. I do brogues for day but like heels to add height when going out. I avoid anything too voluminous and anything with huge patterns.
I like the following petite ranges: Topshop, Miss Selfridge (They have some great black shorts in at the moment which look fab with opaques and wedge heels), Next (only really for coats), New Look online has a petite range. Johnnie B also has the odd nice thing from time to time.
In terms of wanting to feel more confident and grown up - what about a new hair style and maybe a little make up when going out?

I agree with scarlet about hair and make up. I still remember going to the MAC shop with my extremely glamorous older sister when I was about 15 and learning how to apply foundation and use make up in a subtle way.

Thanks scarlet! DD wears eyeliner/mascara when going out but has quite clear skin so avoids foundation and cover up etc. We got some gorgeous suede effect black court wedges for a tenner in primark which apparently got her many a compliment at the last party