Slightly smart clothes for 13 yo dd who doesn't want to wear dresses or jeans

[scatteredglitter]

That s it really
Dd has an event coming up dress code is smart
She wanted to wear sports leggings and jersey.
I d love a compromise.
Jumpsuits - no
Jeans - no
Wide trousers - no

Chinos - possibility

Her suggestion is t shirt and varsity type bomber jacket on top- which is again too casual. I ve said she can get those for afterwards but we still
Need something for the ceremony / occasion.

Anyone seen anything or got any suggestions of where to search ?
Thanks in advance

Sorry OP, not a clue - but placemarking as I have the same problem...

My Dd got some patterned skinny skates from h and m. With a nice blouse/polo neck/T-shirt they could look smart-ish. Smarter than sports leggings.

Maybe something like these with this or this, or maybe have a look at the 915 range at New Look.

Flares*
www2.hm.com/en_gb/productpage.0996424002.html

These were them. I’d say you you could smarten them up

What is the event? I think the idea of smart clothing or smart casual is changing. We went to a student recital a few weeks ago, in previous years, girls wore very fancy long frocks and boys suits. I think after lockdown, expectation have changed and there were several young people performing in clothes that wouldn't even pass as smart casual.

I'd say black denims and a nice blouse. Would she consider wearing a dress or skirt? It's a mine field for sure.

@Softpebbles

My Dd got some patterned skinny skates from h and m. With a nice blouse/polo neck/T-shirt they could look smart-ish. Smarter than sports leggings.

I love these! Shame dd wouldn't consider wearing them, she's a bit set in her ways.

Would a tunic type top or oversized plain sweater with thick black leggings be very close to "sports leggings and sweater?" With plain black school e.g. loafers or just school shoes would look fairly smart if non descript and not be too far out of her comfort zone?

I've just had a quick look on Zara kids, and they've got some gorgeous trousers and tops on there, in fabulous colours.

What about silky joggers? So upgraded fabric type but in a comfy style. And quite in.

School trousers?

Oooh or Jogger Jean's?!

Thanks for all the replies, some nice ideas,

School trousers are a no, too scratchy

She will not under any circumstances wear a dress or skirt, and refuses to try jumpsuits (because hates the whole palaver of going to the loo in a jumpsuit, )

Dislikes jeans and denim as also too restrictive.M but I have ordered a few pairs of paper bag trousers and skate trousers for try outs

Refuses anything with an edge corner or seam that looks remotely scalloped frilled or lacy and the cold shoulder top is not her at all.

I think she likes clean lines and simple fabrics that are comfortable, I think I found some pale chino type trousers that might work hopefully we can agree on a shirt too to match it

Have a look at M&S jersey flared trousers (womens)
They are one step up from sports leggings
If she's too small you can prob find similar from new look teen or somewhere

What would a boy wear to the same event, would she go for that?

My kids are boys but they also don't like stiff dressy clothes. I've had success with grandad style shirts in a soft fabric (Next, no collar to annoy) and chinos (or kilts for very formal but only if you are Scottish I guess 😊)

Zara. Great clothes for teens. Easily the best looks. Makes me wonder how young people get to be so choosy. Must be like treading on eggshells.

No not like treading on egg shells and not being especially choosy - combination of not being a very 'girlie' girl who had never worn dresses and is usually quite sporty so either in school uniform (which is tracksuit ) or sports gear and tbh hasn't had an excuse or event to dress up for given the last two years.
Plus maybe coming to terms with adolescent hood and figuring out their own sense of style in the midst of peers and other pressures and trying to cope with the physical changes that adolescence brings which she is not entirely comfortable with yet. So I could insist she wears a dress or skirt like everyone else but I would rather try find something she feels comfortable and herself in, that is a little more dressier than leggings and hoodie. I m liking the sports lux for tweets optuon.

H&M sell 'treggings' which are soft and don't have buttons or any fastenings. They look like jeggings but they are soft and the black ones are relatively smart.

Well all teens cope with physical change. There are lots of decent trousers and tops though. No need for dresses. But you had a very long list of what she didn’t like. So some compromise might be needed.

Dislikes jeans and denim as also too restrictive.M but I have ordered a few pairs of paper bag trousers and skate trousers for try outs I am similar but I have also found "Jogger Jeans" which she might like and look smart. Comfiest Jeans I have ever owned.

She will not under any circumstances wear a dress or skirt, and refuses to try jumpsuits (because hates the whole palaver of going to the loo in a jumpsuit, ) I totally get this though.

I agree compromise is what s needed. We will get there.

Thanks for the input,
Have ordered some trousers from h and m next and some tops to try with! Hopefully sorted from some combination of what we have ordered.

I agree jumpsuits are a palaver. DD had one on last weekend that zipped up the back and had to get me to unzip her so she could use the loo.

DH turned to DS and said "that's the Patriarchy in action. No one even makes clothes for us that we can't get in and out of without help."

@scatteredglitter

I agree compromise is what s needed. We will get there.

Thanks for the input,
Have ordered some trousers from h and m next and some tops to try with! Hopefully sorted from some combination of what we have ordered.

Yeah it's a trial and error she'll find something

Monki might be a good place to look?

My leggings loving daughter got some black bootcut trousers from Zara - slim cut and bootcut not flared. Worn with a plain vest top and an oversized cream cardigan (also Zara) she looks smart enough for anywhere but also she feels comfy in them and is happy.