14 year olds - "evening casual"

[GolfForBrains]

We are going on a cruise this August. The dinner dress code is "evening casual" (except for one night which is black tie, but 17s and under can still wear evening casual if they want): I have G/B twins who will be 14. B wears only sportswear. G wears leggings, tshirts, hoodies and a scowl. G went shopping today with friends and came back with nothing and no ideas. B would not go clothes shopping if I paid him. What might a teenager wear that fits the "evening casual" vibe without looking like I've dressed them for my own amusement like smaller, crosser versions of their middle-aged parents? Ideally I would like to suggest some stuff that they might actually think was good enough to wear on other occasions. I'd love some links to show them please of what others might wear!

(the official dress code page is www.pocruises.com/what-to-wear but key point is they can get away with dark denim on all nights but the black tie one. That's my reading anyway...)

No idea about cruises but I enjoyed the P&O page. Wish every outing came with a what to wear instruction book.
Would your DD wear something like wide legged or bootcut trousers and a top? Or a comfy dress?

I went to my kids school music concert this week ( dress code smart,) and the teen girls were in jumpsuits, playsuits and skater dresses. Boys had blazers over tshirts or shirts - you can pick these up on Ebay and then sell on

Thanks both (yes, I loved the dress code page too. After working somewhere where they would set dress codes like "evening Mediterranean casual" I wish they had given us similar examples!). Good to know blazers (navy?) OK - what did they have on bottom half? Dark jeans, or chinos - dark or light?

Boy - Chinos and a short sleeved shirt with converse
Girl - equivalent of chinos (maybe 7/8ths trousers or wide legged black linen trousers) with flat sandals/converse, a vest and cardigan

I’m no ur3 whatsoever but your comment about wearing leggings and a scowl has given me such a laugh!

I would say for 14 year old girls, skater dresses or the little tube dresses they like with trainers is fine. I imagine the scowl comes regardless of the outfit. For the boys, looks like smartish jeans with a polo shirt or a proper shirt would also work if they don't fancy chino's and converse or trainers also fine. I imagine, chino shorts with the same also fine.

This would be my teens' idea of hell for dressing, so kudos for you for trying. I would try to keep them roughly in their comfort zone but dress it up a bit

Girl - Mine would refuse a dress or skirt so I wouldn't fight the battle apart from maybe the black tie one and even then, the last time she had to get dressed up she wanted a tuxedo style trouser and fitted jacket look. For the other nights I would go posh leggings or jeggings maybe a wide leg trouser if you can manage to persuade her, probably black because you could re wear it with lots of options. On top a vest top, and I have a black silk bomber jacket than she likes to steal when she has to go 'posh'. With mine, if she'd got a tuxedo-esque outfit for black tie, maybe neat dark denim with the jacket one night.

Boy - mine would go trousers or dark jeans and short sleeve baggy shirt. And knowing him he'd go for as brash a Hawaiian print as he could find or something similar. As for black tie I'd put money on it going either that I'd have to bribe him to get him into a shirt and tie or he'd want to go the whole hog with a full tux.

No, never short sleeved shirt 😳, it shouldn't exist 😬.
Chinos is a good call, long sleeved shirt with top button undone and decent belt and shoes. Teens tend to lose their trousers without belt around here 🙄.
Nice cotton jumper as well. I would avoid converse, or trainers of any sort, they could manage to wear loafers for couple of days surely.
For girls a nice dress and ballerinas with silk cardigan?

These kind of things with trainers or converse would work

www.boohoo.com/bardot-sun-dress-porcelain-print/GZZ12515.html?color=119

www.newlook.com/uk/womens/clothing/dresses/mela-blue-floral-wrap-skater-dress/p/802081749

www.newlook.com/uk/girls/clothing/dresses/girls-silver-glitter-square-neck-skater-dress/p/809880792

www.newlook.com/uk/search/?text=mini+dresses

Or sandals but owning a 16 year old I know that the chances of getting her or her friends into any kind of proper shoe at 14 and to be fair even now is minimal and the idea of a silk cardigan or ballerinas on a teen who only wears leggings and hoodies - never going to happen

Boy: black jeans style trousers, plain t shirt, shirt open over that, black converse or all white trainers.

I have recently requested advice on what is acceptable for young men on a night out 🤣 For my DS, I hasten to add, not nefarious purposes

And what @Housetreecar said for girl twin

The thought of my 14 year old countenancing loafers 😃

@GolfForBrains I do think that once they are there and everyone else is dressing up it will make it easier-

probably at home/with friends it seems ludicrous but i think a lot of good ideas on here- I'd even take some things they might be hesitant about at home in grey UK assuming that's where you are because it will all make sense on a sunny cruise

Good point about taking things anyway because in a context away from their mates some things may seem more palatable. Also depending on where you are going are there shopping options en route once everyone is into the swing of it?

I would take them to Zara and Mango and pick up a few pieces for them there

Girls ideas jumpsuits:
www.zara.com/uk/en/striped-jumpsuit-with-cut-out-detail-p06201612.html?v1=156567726&v2=2019361
www.zara.com/uk/en/linen-jumpsuit-with-cut-out-detail--p01361214.html?v1=171280629&v2=2019361
www.zara.com/uk/en/belted-playsuit-p01639640.html?v1=158818098&v2=2019361
shop.mango.com/gb/teen/dresses-and-jumpsuits-plain/cut-out-back-jumpsuit_27071160.html

then a pair of trousers with a plain tshirt / vest. My DD & friends would wear these:
www.zara.com/uk/en/flowing-tie-dye-linen-blend-trousers-p01324613.html?v1=170284562&v2=2013810
www.zara.com/uk/en/pleated-floral-trousers-p04333610.html?v1=170030945&v2=2013810
www.zara.com/uk/en/textured-striped-culottes-p05767613.html?v1=157158192&v2=2013810

Gingham leggings & a tshirt or tie front shirt www.zara.com/uk/en/gingham-leggings-p00071607.html?v1=153136248&v2=2013810
These sandals would do most day/nights
shop.mango.com/gb/teen/shoes/platform-leather-sandals_27045758.html?c=99

14 year old boy
www.zara.com/uk/en/basic-chinos-p09959770.html?v1=153451142&v2=2020081
www.zara.com/uk/en/comfort-trousers-with-elastic-detail-p06706762.html?v1=153446309&v2=2020081
Shoes
www.zara.com/uk/en/fabric-trainers-p14427930.html?v1=144419091&v2=2020081
Couple of plain t's & with shirts to go over & leave open from here
shop.mango.com/gb/teeno/shirts-and-t-shirts_c15934406
or if he wants bolder
shop.mango.com/gb/boys/shirts-printed/printed-flowy-shirt_27012502.html

Have a great holiday

These suggestions are great - thank you! Lots to think on. And I didn't realise Mango had a specific teen section so that's a new place to trawl for ideas for DD and me!

Also if you are going to the Med chances are there will be Euro kids who aren't as stuck in the sportswear rutt. My own boys ( not in UK) are happy in loafers slip on's , chinos and a shirt.

It's never too early to teach the offspring that one must wear appropriate clothing in any occasion.
🧐

Very true Valeriana - I have pointed out that if you don't want to stand out (DD hates being noticed), being dressed differently from everyone else won't work - but it's finding that balance which doesn't make them feel like they are wearing a fancy dress costume.

I'm really quite excited by the possibilities upthread - hopefully they will be too!