DD 12 dress very short for family wedding

[SimonNeilshair]

We have a family wedding coming up in a few weeks and both my dds have had dresses brought for them to wear by the bride. My 12yo is very tall and the biggest size dress (age 13-14) is coming up to mid thigh. The options appear to be get a dress maker to add a panel at the bottom of the dress to give it length or wear something underneath it.

Any suggestions as to what could be worn underneath so it doesn't look naff?

I was also coming on to say she is standing as if she fees awkward in it. I agree with either wearing some leggings under it or at least some tights or changing it completely. No-one wants to feel uncomfortable when on show!

The dresses do match, it's a very small family wedding and they're not doing bridesmaids, best man etc. The bride wants them to be involved and play a special part which is why she has chosen and brought their dresses

Dd is not a dress person usually which is why she looks uncomfortable. It is a beautiful dress and both dds look beautiful in them.

I will look for some leggings

The High Camera angle makes it difficult to see exactly how short it is, but in the picture it looks ok. If your dd is ok with it then it's ok, if not tell the bride it doesn't fit and she needs to choose a longer style or buy another dress in the same fabric and get a dress maker involved to resolve the problem.

Maybe a short, white chiffon skirt underneath? It would help to extend the overall length without looking too out of place.

Not sure leggings are really appropriate for a bridesmaid.

get her white knee length lycra leggings, or cycling length.

She looks lovely - it's a pretty dress and looks great on her. It would not be classed as too short by my DC or their mates, but if she really feels uncomfortable, then I guess leggings is the way to go. Or a pair of white lycra shorts underneath?

It looks ok but if she doesn't like how short it is Mint leggings. H and M had mint leggings in. Or she could try nude tights? May make her feel less bare?

Mine is 10 but tall and wears shorts under shorter skirts, not sure if black would show under the dress but this sort of thing

www.next.co.uk/x575616s4

If she's not a dress person def get some cropped leggings. I'd avoid white - disaster if there's grass - better would be if you can match one of the colours in the tunic dress ( which is very nice!)

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Womens-Ladies-Scallop-Lace-Trim-Jersey-Gym-Bike-Cycling-Hot-Pants-Tights-Shorts-/322115493900 How about these in white? They're very pretty and I imagine only the lace part would show (if anything at all). Lots of them on Ebay with various sizes and prices.

I like your kitchen OP

A pair of shorts might be the way to go actually, just to give her the feeling of being less on show.

I think it will be fine for the ceremony but at the party she will be running around and playing so will want to have something covering her bum!

Shorts and tights and leggings all seem very hot at this type of year.

If it was me - which it isn't - I'd probably want to wear some linen trousers underneath (thus making the dress into a tunic) which would at least be cool... Pastel coloured maybe.

I agree some close fitting jersey shorts in a light colour. Then she can feel less exposed.

Dd often chooses to wear small thin shorts under particularly short dresses - Incase if the wind catching them, etc. That way it's still short - dd likes short dresses anyway - but they feel a but more confident and covered iyswim.

The dress, and imo it IS a dress not a tunic, is lovely and definitely suitable for a family wedding. It's pretty, grown up enough without being too grown up, and summery.

A pair of leggings or short leggings underneath so she feels comfortable will do the trick

It looks good on her.

Why not let her wear it as it is for the service then put leggings on when it's time to play?

It is definitely a dress, my other dd's dress comes to just above the knee

tights

It may be warmer in a few weeks but at the moment cropped leggings or tights are fine, they might need them on a cooler day.

What about a fairly opaque sheer panel in one of the colours from the dress?

Stitched a few inches above hem on inside, with the length coming about 3 inches lower than the hem (so it's like a 2 layered dress effect).

I think shorts would be best. It doesn't look too short to me, she's not a developed 12 year old (not that it should make a difference, but I was so short stuff or clothes not buttoned up to the neck apparently made me fair game for 'slutty' type comments) but if she feels a bit exposed then shorts would still tie her to her sister style wise and also won't be so short! Assuming it's not too see through at the bottom any colour would do, but I'd go with black.

If the bride is being quite particular about what people wear to the wedding (and she sounds like she is), I wouldn't put leggings or shorts with that dress. They are too casual and would really take from the whole 'dressing up' vibe of a wedding.

What about some tights and sparkly shoes? They wouldn't take from the prettiness of the dress and your DD would feel more comfortable.

Does the dress come in a larger size (or in a Tall version), and if so, do you have time to exchange it?

Alternatively, could you come up with several other dress options that fit better, and let the bride choose which she prefers?

If your elder daughter is uncomfortable with the length, you could get away with adding a plain grey band along the bottom to match the grey in the print at the hem. Is there a hem on the dress that could be taken down ?, that plus a band of a couple of inches might be enough. I say grey because it won't stand out as much as the white would so shouldn't look significantly different to your other daughter's dress.

The bride is quite happy for dd to wear leggings underneath but we have now decided to go with adding a panel at the bottom of the dress.

Thank you for all the suggestions

Lovely dress, lovely DD, totally reasonable bride. This is not what we're used to...

Off to find some bridesmaid dress drama on AIBU