Dress for 13 yr old (NOT a jumpsuit)

[Vohgue]

Does anyone have any ideas? My teenage daughter lives in tshirts/hoodies and leggings. I need something dressy for her - and no puff sleeves please. Asking the impossible?!

Why does she need something dressier? And why does it have to be a dress? I see girls in town that age wearing lovely stylish trousers and tops. Sometimes jeans. Sometimes I see them in skirts. Dresses don't seem to be much of a thing unless it's a very formal event.

these sort of cargo style trousers are very popular around here (I notice because we're finally shifting from the high waisted super skinny leggings which I personally hate so I'm super excited).

Shouldn't you ask her first ? My kids had specific likes and dislikes so I would have to clear it with them first.

What does she need a dress for? I don't think puff sleeves are a thing for 13 year old girls currently so you should be fine. But I am not sure I've seen a teenager wearing a dress in years. Maybe over the summer if they're doing summer/beach type activities. Or for school dances and the like. Otherwise it's all trousers, shorts and maybe skirts sometimes.

Special occasion (dressy dress) or just a bit more formal ( nice dinner with grandparents ?
Is she in teen child or adult sizes?

Gojng to need more info here, what's the event, how does your DD feel about the potential outfit?

Mine only just turned 12 and there's no way she would let me get any clothes for her or even make suggestions. She gets on Vinted etc and finds things herself. Is this a possibility for your DD?

Also unless she is exceptionally petite there's no need to look at kids clothes. Just look at stuff for women. My DD is age 10-11 in kids clothes but also fits XS or 2XS in women's or a size 4-6.

MandCo has some skater shape dresses
example and another. example2 for something more 'special occasion'.
Or more casual/fun but still formal my DD (older but very young looking) has bought desigual print for visiting daytimes over the holidays.
Always worn with chunky boots or trainers.

Thanks all. To answer your questions:

Why does she need anything dressier than say cargo trousers?
Because she does. Isnt that irrelevant? It's a formal ceremony.

@PeekAtYou obviously I have. She would say if she likes or doesnt like something I found/ordered. She hates shopping. But thanks for being so (un)helpful!

She wants sleeves and puff sleeves are on everything Ive looked at. I'm not currently uk based (but able to order obvs).

@BlibBlabBlob and @ODFOx thank you so much. The m&co black/metallic dress looks promising!

You sound a bit irritated because people were asking you perfectly reasonable questions about what kind of occasion. Is it just because you think she should wear dresses or because it's a formal occasion. Trust me, we've all seen plenty of parents on here who are trying to force their teenage children to wear certain clothes simply because the parents think it's necessary. You didn't specify it was for an event.

New Look has a fairly nice range of dresses that are quite simple, and often have sleeves, and depending on her size, she might also be able to wear an adult dress in a small size.

This is a very simple skater dress. We bought two very similar ones for DD in different colours. One she's decorated and (I've) sewn things on to make a dress for a costume she needed for school and one (black) she used for halloween with a belt and I've got it in the cupboard for whenever she next needs a smart dress. I like them because they're cheap, comfortable and flexible so you can adapt them to accommodate a child's preference - eg wear with chunky boots or a cool belt. Add a jacket or some bling (dd's preference!), funky jewellery or a scarf for colour etc.

Hopefully you'll not have too much trouble finding a dress but just to add that there are some really smart, formal-looking jumpsuits or trouser/jacket suits out there if your DD isn't a 'dress' person! I would really hate to be forced to wear a dress no matter what the occasion, I literally do not do dresses or skirts. If I have e.g. a wedding to attend then I put on a smart trouser suit, often from the men's section because I don't like the fitted/cropped look on most women's suit jackets!

So yeah, if DD is happy to wear a dress then great, but it's OK to get more creative if she hates dresses/skirts.

The type of occasion makes a difference to what is considered appropriate.
Wedding vs relative’s significant birthday vs funeral vs school prize giving/graduation ceremony vs Church/religious event.
You don’t have to tell us exactly what the event is, but some context may help. Eg. Restaurant setting, family and family friends present vs. formal school event with peers and dress code requires x.

Next are good for this op if she looks through the website. My dds both found nice dresses on there for their proms.

Yes. This. Big difference between the sun dress I mentioned upthread and a formal ceremony of some sort.

Also totally agree with @BlibBlabBlob if she wants to wear a dress, fab. But there are loads of smart options for girls that aren't dresses if she prefers.

Thanks @GerbilsForever24 I didn't mean to sound irritated, but realise that I sounded so on reading back. I guess I was pissed at the person who suggested that I should ask my daughter as if (a) I had not and (b) that was helpful! All of these suggestions are great thank you. I'm trying to encourage her to consider skirt/top combos (I'm happy for anything really but given dress code was worried about finding appropriate trousers if that's what she wanted). It's very formal thing. I think the skater dresses will work with tights and nice shoes, looking at ordering one from ralph lauren, will see!

@Vohgue Yeah, you obviously haven't seen th eendless threads from parents on here wanting to get their daughters wearing dresses just becuase it's more feminine or whatever! So to you it was obvious you had of course spoken to her, but less so to the rest of us!

Hope you find something nice that you're both happy with for a formal event. Ralph Lauren - fabulously posh. That might make it more fun for her to wear too! (or maybe that's just what happens to me when I wear something "fancy"!?)