Smartish clothes for tomboyish DD(14)

[Madcats]

HELP! Sporty teen DD(14) who doesn't/won't wear dresses or skirts needs a couple of pieces that aren't hoodies and leggings/shorts to get her through a couple of forthcoming hotel stays/nice meals out over Christmas.

Protest and Zara used to be our "go to' brands (but Protest don't export to UK any more and I think she has probably grown out of Zara kids - and adults look a bit too..."adult").

She is about 165cm and probably size 10 (and can't be doing with flounces and plunging necklines).

I'm not sure that M&S/Joules/Boden is going to cut it, but Top Shop/Debenhams/New Look/Gap have gone.

I am sure she'd happily buy online, but we need some brand hints.

I suppose she might get a job if she turns up in a school blouse and black trousers, but that wasn't the plan!

Are Fat Face and White Stuff okay? It all seems a bit...well..school mummy.

H&M?

Watching with you ntwrest. My dad and s only 13 but she is 5ft 11 so well past the child range in anything. I will give her money for her to choose some things herself but I would love to come up with a few surprises which hit the mark

What's the budget? I would have thought that COS (in the sale?) would fit the bill.

New look hasn't gone. We still have a large shop here and you can buy online

Stradivarius have a good teen section, also mango do teen as well.

shop.mango.com/gb/teena/dresses-and-jumpsuits_c21321422

The jumpsuit or wide leg dungarees might work with a suitable top

m.shein.co.uk/Contrast-Sequin-V-Neck-Blouse-p-3889556-cat-1733.html?scici=women~~ON_SliderBanner,CN_1category1112,HZ_0,HI_0~~5_1_2~~real_1766~~~~

How about something like this from Shien? With some smartish black trousers it would be reasonably formal without being too fussy.

H&M and Matalan are also pretty good. My hoodie wearing DD can usually find something smarter she likes from these when needed. We will be looking for something in the Spring when we are at a wedding and the hoodie and jogging bottoms won't really cut it.

My DD17 when she dresses up wears the Lands End jersey trousers (joggers) that mimic jeans and nice trousers, and then a nice top.

www.landsend.co.uk/Women/Trousers/Joggers/ix-11499#scroll=2493

Uniqlo?

My DD is very similar. Her current favourite is Superdry - she wore long sleeve T, baseball jacket, pair of rolled up chinos and DMs out to lunch today. She also has a great pair of short dungarees from there she’ll wear with thick tights and DMs or trainers as well

Alex and Alexa have good sales on teen clothes
www.alexandalexa.com/en/product/353099/gray-twill-pants

Arket or Cos?

Uniqlo?

Black jeans and open buttoned check shirts with a small top/t shirt underneath) try next or new look - smart grunge

I second honeylemonteaforme’s suggestion. I often wear shirts over a plain T-shirt with jeans and boots. If jeans not suitable then trousers.

Noisy May, ASOS, Pull & Bear, & Other Stories, NA-KD, AllSaints

Thanks for the suggestions. I'd probably like to spend something less than £150 for a few separates.

Our New Look is becoming a Morrisons, so I missed the chance to drag her around.

It's just struck me that she probably needs some footwear that isn't trainers/Ugg's/school shoes too.

So much for a bargain minibreak!

DD same age, took her to River Island and asked a sales assistant for help, who was about 22 and much more clued in than me!. She picked out wide legged trousers and a tux style jacket, and she looks so cool with trainers and tee under.

My DD quite likes jeggings or wide legged trousers, plus shirts or plain tops. Although she does have a denim shirt with a frill which weirdly works.
Some of her clothes come from H&M, Next and M&S, she's not interested in labels. She shops quite happily in charity shops and retro second hand.
I wouldn't waste money on smart shoes she won't wear just to look right for a restaurant. Maybe get some new converse or DM's if she likes that kind of thing? Allow a bit of non conformity.

Paperbag trousers, tailored shirt and a vintage waist coat could be a good look.

DD went through a major growth spurt in lockdown (gone up to a size 7 feet) so only has a couple of pairs of trainers, Uggs and sandals.

So should I just plan on white converse(or fakes) and DMs like this:

www.drmartens.com/uk/en_gb/p/11838002

We do have a physical DM shop in town.

I don't think she'd be happy wearing heavily branded clothing (different tribe of school kids).

Your DD sounds a lot like mine! Wouldn't be interested in superdry etc.
DM's do take quite a bit of breaking in though. Lots of the quirky teens I know wear DM's/converse/vans and they're smart enough. DD has a cute pair of plain black converse trainers that look quite smart and tidy but have a really jazzy sole (which is hidden most of the time)

Topshop and Gap still exist but online only. Topshop is on ASOS. What about Urban Outfitters? They have physical and online shops.
My DS is 12 and only wears sports clothes. TBH I don't stress about it. He dressed up in a (borrowed) suit for a wedding recently but I don't think I'd bother with anything specific for other occasions unless he wanted some new clothes!

Gap isn't gone? Also try Lindex, H&M, United Colours of Benetton, John Lewis.

My older DSD likes Urban outfitters. She's not overly girly either and the clothes she wears are nice, stylish but quite practical and wearable.

Depends where you are going and what clothes your DD likes.

I have a tall 16 year old who dresses similar to your DD except she has also taken a liking to baggy mens tops and hoodies…its a nightmare. We are going to a cottage with extended family (who like to dress up) just before Christmas. I asked her if she wanted to look for a couple of new tops and new trainers. She was eyeing up mens hoodies in TKMax and mens trainers in the NIKE outlet store. I give up.

I would be happy if my DD wore black jeans or beige trousers, has brushed her hair (hasn’t tied it back severely) and has new clean white or clean other trainers and isn’t scowling or on her phone.

I would maybe try ASOS you can pay £9.99 or similar for a years free delivery which is delivered within 24 hours. That way you can try several sizes and styles.

I have a DD who is 168cm and a size 8-10 with no curves. H&M and Zara are good. Some of the oldest Zara kids stuff fits and the TRF adult stuff which is cut more for a teenage figure (narrow hips etc).

She is eyeing up some flared corduroy trousers from H&M at the moment which I think we should be able to smarten up for Christmas events with different tops.