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Posh wedding - 11 year old

51 replies

IJustNeedAUserName · 24/05/2018 10:08

We (whole family) been invited to a pretty smart wedding - village church followed by reception in a ginormous marquee in the grounds of the family seat. The dress code for all guests is "morning suit". Amazingly (!) I'm sorted for myself, apart from still needing to get a hat/headwear of some sort, but I'm struggling with what sort of thing DD should be wearing.

She's 11, tall, but not skinny. Starting to develop boobs and hips but most grownup clothes don't quite work on her shape yet. She tends to wear age 13/14 or 14+ sized clothes from Tesco/Asda/H&M. She lives in hoodies and jeans/shorts normally but isn't averse to dresses as long as they're not "sparkly".

I can't even picture in my head what sort of thing tween/teens might wear for this dress code. Can anyone link to anything that might give me an idea where to pitch the "dressy-ness" level and where to shop - I'm thinking Monsoon but also want to avoid anything that looks too much like a prom dress or bridesmaid dress...

OP posts:
NigelMolesworth · 24/05/2018 10:25

I bought this for my 11 year old DD who sounds similar to yours and it looks great. tuclothing.sainsburys.co.uk/p/Multicoloured-Flamingo-Occasion-Dress-%283-14-years%29/133010405-MultiColoured# I'd be quite happy with her wearing it to the sort of wedding you describe. Plus it's in the sale!!

EspressoButler · 24/05/2018 10:33

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Languageofkindness · 24/05/2018 10:34

Have you tried Wild and Gorgeous?

IJustNeedAUserName · 24/05/2018 10:34

Ooo, I like that... I think DD may think the flamingoes are a bit "little girl" though. I'll order it and see what she says :-)

OP posts:
littlemissminor · 24/05/2018 10:35

If there isn't a dress she likes, what about a smart Jumpsuit instead? They always seem to go down well at weddings too!

Ocies · 24/05/2018 10:37

Zara has some great dresses and jumpsuits.

2cats2many · 24/05/2018 10:37

How about a jumpsuit. Something like this

Dress is up with silver belt, shoes and bag.

mckenzie · 24/05/2018 10:38

FWIW, I think the lace one would be the best bet.
We had the same issue with DD last year and she eventually wore a cream lace dress from one of the high street stores and looked gorgeous. We kept it simple so that it wouldn't irritate her, get in the way, be fiddly etc.
We found footwear even harder though. Getting DD out of trainers was a challenge.
good luck.

DrEustaciaBenson · 24/05/2018 10:49

What about something like the outfit Lady Louise Windsor wore on Saturday? I think she's around thirteen, but the dress and top would be suitable for a younger girl.

www.popsugar.co.uk/celebrity/photo-gallery/44862332/image/44862326/Lady-Louise-Prince-Harry-Wedding

GinIsIn · 24/05/2018 10:53

Or H&M -

m2.hm.com/m/en_gb/productpage.0559176003.html

Pinkkahori · 24/05/2018 11:00

I have a daughter a similar age. I doubt if she would wear the flamingo dress.

The green patterned prom dress with the pink trim from Next that Fenella linked to is beautiful.

FairfaxAikman · 24/05/2018 11:14

Debenhams has load of different styles .
This Ted Baker one is particularly nice (and in the sale) https://www.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prod107011100012400202345233-1

Scabbersley · 24/05/2018 11:17

The green and pink next one is lovely. Even my fashionista tomboy 12 year old would be persuaded into that.

IJustNeedAUserName · 24/05/2018 11:34

Thanks all so much. I now have a few ideas of places to look that I wouldn't have thought of for such a formal do! And a lot more ideas of what I'm looking for too - Lady Louise looked great, I think I'm going to try to steer DD towards something a bit like that; though I'm not sure I'll get her into a hat/fascinator!

The shoes will definitely be traumatic. She's size 6-7 but for some reason, ballet pumps or similar just won't stay on her feet and I'm evil and won't let her wear a heel... with these requirements, I've found before that there are surprisingly few smart/party options out there.

OP posts:
Scabbersley · 24/05/2018 11:35

ballet pumps are very bad for growing feet. A heel is much better.

IJustNeedAUserName · 24/05/2018 11:41

True, but heels are very hard to run around and play in safely and I'd like her to stay a "running around/playing" girl for as long as she wants to be.

She doesn't have ballet flats for day to day or for school Smile

OP posts:
Scabbersley · 24/05/2018 11:42

low wedges would be ok and its just for one day

Bettyfood · 24/05/2018 11:45

Also, no-one really cares what an 11 year old is wearing, even at a posh wedding. Just take her out and let her pick something on sit with you online while you order something. Doesn't matter if it isn't smart enough, as long as she feels comfortable in it.

Bettyfood · 24/05/2018 11:46

And she definitely does not require a hat or fascinator.

Ocies · 24/05/2018 11:55

There are loads of sandals around that would fit the bill. Next girls sandals go up to size 7. Or even some silver or gold trainers would be fine for an 11 year old.