Formal wear for a 10 year old girl?

[PineConeWar]

We've been invited instructed to attend a formal evening meal in the spring. Our lives are very far removed from such affairs and I don't have a clue what counts as (British) formal any more. Posh restaurant wear for us would be jeans and a collared shirt without tie. This is what DH and DS will wear.

But I've no idea what I or, more importantly, DD should wear. She won't wear dresses. She is not into frilly, floaty or impractical things although is partial to a bit of sparkle. Can't wear polyester. I have no idea what style of things to look at. What do you all advise?

To me, a formal dinner and dance would be with a live band and ballgowns.
I think the children will be fine in what you have suggested, just maybe dress you and oh up a bit to balance it out!
If it's a meal with a party afterwards that wouldn't really be that formal (not for most people anyway!).

If you can’t respect the dress code don’t go. You sound like your just trying to make things difficult. It’s really not that hard to look up formal clothes online. Also look at a few uk clothes stores for girls and ladies fashion.

My almost 10yo DD lives out of tracksuits, leggings and hoodies but she would 100% wear a dress to an occasion that called for one, because we’ve taught her that she can’t always do and wear what she wants and to respect other people, if that means someone wants a dress code for something they are hosting, we agree to respect that when we accept the invite.

I gave my DD the option recently to wear nice trousers and top to a family event but she actually opted for a nice kilt like skirt and tights with a plain black top, slightly puffed sleeves but she could live with that, she was happy to make the effort because the night was about her Aunty, not her.

No buttons means no waist fastening or just buttons with a button hole ?

www.welovefrugi.com/sale/all-kids-clothes/view-all/everywhere-trousers-indigo_ss21.htm?utm_source=google&utm_medium=base&glCurrency=GBP&glCountry=GB&productid=61009&gclid=Cj0KCQiA2sqOBhCGARIsAPuPK0jTWFJG5DGGAfsHg2yVQGztAbth8za7Q96IY8bzDNBAbdVm0vvk664aAr1fEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

These ?

Does your son have special needs?

Tbh I think the M&S trousers would be ok with a shirt - particularly the navy ones. I doubt you’re going to find formal trousers without a button fastening at that age. No one’s going to be investigating the waistline.

DH chinos and a jacket at a minimum.

No buttons means no waist fastening or just buttons with a button hole ?
He can manage a hook type but not buttons. Those only go up to age 10 Neurodiversitydoctor

@Antiqueanniesmagiclanternshow

Go on, op , tell us where you live

I'm guessing Texas? Or maybe Arizona? They seem like very jeans-type places.

What's the problem with buttons? Even jeans have a button!

@madisonbridges Women in Texas wouldn't, in general, eschew all formal clothing.

Can you replace the button with hook and eye and sew up the button hole on a normal pair of chinos? Or with some Velcro even.

Most formal trousers have a hook and eye type fastening.

@jay55

Can you replace the button with hook and eye and sew up the button hole on a normal pair of chinos? Or with some Velcro even.

Or even, you know, teach a 12 year old how to do ip a button?

We will need 3 days travel

For an evening meal? Fuck that.

plus I'll need permission to get the Dc out of school else I'll face a 1000€ fine a day for each

Then losing the cost of a smarter outfit is immaterial. This fine would render the trip impossible for us.

If we're not there all hell will break loose

So?

And relative will be upset

They'll get over it. Or the won't. Either way it's not the end of the world.

No one even in the fanciest restaurant is going to care whether a 10 year old child is black tie formal. I'd say avoid blue denim or bright colours/patterns and you can't really go wrong

If I buy something for a formal do I ebay it after on the basis that I'm unlikely to wear it again. Reduces the cost that way.

I'd likely buy from eBay too

If you don't want to spend kids use school trousers and get a nice jumper

Would these trousers work for your son? Or something with a button but also some elasticity so they can be pulled up and down easily? My son has additional needs and struggles with buttons but is able for them if there’s elastic adjustments (lots of Zara trousers have this).

If your son does have additional needs I would actually just bring him in whatever he is comfortable with. Other people should be able to respect that.

18:10IvorCutler

Those are nice, I like the checks.

@liveforsummer

If you don't want to spend kids use school trousers and get a nice jumper

OP has already said the kids don't have a uniform.

There are also checked leggings in shops just now which makes them look more like smart trousers. Look nice with a plain white or Ivory shirt or blouse for dd

@BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz yes I had missed that sorry

Is it correct that your son has additional needs? The button on trousers that are not denim are easier to do than button jeans where the material is stiff so a neurotypical 12 year old will manage it and he may as well learn now, it is as good a time as any. I mean it is a button.

However if a button really is a no go lots of trousers are hooks and Marks& Spencer’s easy dressing range are pull on and available in older sizes.

m&s

For girl leggings with a nice top. Could be long top, loose look like dress. Also if spring can get nice light summer dress were over leggings. Try H&M, New Look, Primark