10 year old DD needs to up her game in the style stakes...

[NotdeadyetBOING]

Took DD to a party yesterday and it suddenly dawned on me that her classmates have got all trendy. It's all ankle boots and bomber jackets, gilets etc. Poor DD still seems to be blissfully unaware of all this business, but is starting to stick out like a sore thumb with her tat purchased for a song on ebay- ancient clobber. Boden & its ilk clearly not going to cut it now. Not sure where to go to buy her suitable stuff. Zara? Not loaded. Pls share your tips……

[WorraLiberty]

I'll share a tip.

Leave her alone and stop trying to dress her through your own eyes.

If she wants to look like everyone else, she'll let you know.

[Happybee09]

Although I agree with other posters about letting her have her own style I can see where you are coming from....this sort of age is a minefield for bullying and the odd one out is usually the one who gets picked on

Can you take her shopping, let her pick stuff but take her to a shop where a lot of the stuff is in fashion but also not to expensive (because she is still growing and changing)
Shops like primark, H&M, select

[Happybee09]

Also by the time they hit year 8/9 in high school they all start noticing what others are wearing and what's fashionable ime so I wouldn't worry too much

[Dulcimena]

She's 10. She definitely does not need to up her game in the style stakes. If she's blissfully unaware then leave her be, apparently neither she nor her friends see any cause for concern.

[1nsanityscatching]

I think you should let your dd discover her own style when she is ready and if she is happy as she is just now you should leave well alone. Dd1 has always loved clothes and has always had a very definite idea about what she wants to wear and how she wants to look and has an innate sense of style (nothing like me) Dd2 has no interest in clothes whatsoever, she wears for comfort rather than style and wouldn't want to go clothes shopping ever. So long as she is clean then it's ok by me tbh

[BonnyScotland]

I like you DD... she's cool x

[hoddtastic]

i think if the OP is buying the kids clothes and she's genuinely not bothered what she wears then there's no harm in the OP adding stuff that's a bit more 'trendy' for want of a better word.

Mine is really not bothered what she wears, I buy her clothes- as she's got older I've bought her things that are a bit older / trendy rather than stuff that is just bigger sizes of the things she'd had worn when she was 6 if that makes sense.

She's happy in leggings and hoodie, she's equally happy in leggings and one of those sequinned changing picture top with a unicorn on it or whatever. It's no big deal.

[Out2pasture]

Keep it simple; clean (no stains or loose threads) relatively wrinkle free.
Next time she needs something ask if she has a preference or why something appeals to her.

[Ohyesiam]

She sound great.

[NotdeadyetBOING]

Maybe you're all right. I totally agree that children should have the confidence to be themselves. It's just that she is quite left out by the other girls as it is and is desperate to fit in. I can see that they have all suddenly got into that stuff .I don't like it - would rather she wore fruit of the loom t-shirts forever. But given that I still choose her clothes I wondered if I should start looking elsewhere for them…..

[NotdeadyetBOING]

I was just a bit shocked to see how 'style aware' they all were when out of their school uniform, I suppose. Childhood seems to go so fast these days. Not a fan of any of it - maybe I wasn't clear in my post and agree maybe badly worded. Just want to protect her if that makes sense.

[SoupDragon]

I started letting DD choose slme clothes from Primark when she was about 8. I would choose basics like jeans etc and she chose a few other things to go with them. She's 11 now and has developed her own style, although I do know still what things she'd like so I can buy her stuff without her input.

[LoveDeathPrizes]

She sounds like a breath of fresh air.

[chocatoo]

Superdry tees and hoodies are good. Chunky DM-style boots. My DD was same as yours and still very much prefers her own quirky style at 15 - I love the fact that she doesn't conform. DD's closest friend is also quirky and has found some brilliant things in charity shops.

[Notreallyhappy]

If she's happy... why change her.

[WorraLiberty]

I'm not sure why she sounds 'great', 'fab' and 'cool' because she's blissfully unaware of fashion.

This thread is strange at both ends of the spectrum

[megletthesecond]

I'd let her pick a few new items in somewhere like primark and h&m. Kids will be mean and she might appreciate something trendy to wear.

I was bullied for having crap clothes and while I want my dc's to have their own style I also want them to go under the radar for bullies. It's a tricky line to follow.

[JustSpeakSense]

I'd let her choose her own clothes (H&M, New look, Zara, primark) she'll find her own style naturally.

My DD and I started enjoying shopping days together at this age (lunch out and a browse through the shops, also exploring Lush, paperchase etc, so not all clothes!)

If you remain flexible she will maintain her individual fashion style. She sounds fab!

[ActuallyThatsSUPREMECommander]

I agree that H&M is a good pick at this age. The DD is just as much her DM's creation in eBay Fruit of the Loom as she would be in something a bit more on trend, so there's no harm in a) asking the girl's opinion and b) shifting the stuff you buy to something that will make her look a bit more like the others. Some of the previous posters are talking as if you were forcibly ripping a tomboy's beloved Doc Martens off her feet and forcibly lacing her into Junior Kardashian Boutique, but she hasn't expressed an opinion either way except that she'd really like to fit in with her peers.

[KavvLar]

My DD is very specific in what she doesn't like.

To avoid wasting money I now go for the formula she likes which is Shorts, tights, soft tops and ankle boots.

I've bought a few versions of each, so some plain tops and some with sparkle, velvet shorts for parties and denim for playground etc as appropriate. Maybe see what she's comfortable in and just get a few more up to date variations.

Disclaimer DD is 7 so it isn't quite the same I'm well aware that the peer comparisons get keener and more specific as they get older.

Your DD does sound lovely and I do get it, you're not trying to give your poor child a makeover you just want to make sure you're not doing her a disservice when you pick her clothes. Like Pps have said H and M, New look and Primark are all good bets and you can't go far wrong.

[RebelRogue]

How about you start giving her more choice instead? Take her shopping but let her choose what she wants. You don't have to necessarily swap shops or go into zara. Plus,if it's still you that chooses,it won't really help her develop her own fashion sense will it?

[diddl]

She might appreciate some input, Op.

It could be that she doesn't care, or may not have known how to broach it with you.

However, if you think this might be a reason for her being left out, some pointers wouldn't go amiss.

[sick0fmykids]

My son is the same. 11 and he just wears track suit bottoms and the same hoodie all the time. It doesnt affect his popularity.

[OSETmum]

I also think it's a bit patronising to claim the op's daughter is 'cool'
And 'fab' how can you possibly know??

I'd just take her to Primark or somewhere like that and let her loose. You might be surprised at what she chooses!

Although as the mother of a 7 year old boy who's massively into clothes, thank your lucky stars you don't have to shell out for labelled clothing (Vans is ds's label of choice)!