Formal outfit (not dress) for 11 year old girl

[longestlurkerever]

Dd1 (11, y7) is growing out of the children's ranges in places where we used to shop but not quite adult sized yet. She's also starting to care about clothes a bit more and hates dresses, skirts etc. We have been invited to a wedding and she wants a jump suit or trousers and tank top over shirt with a blazer type thing. 1) would her idea work for a wedding outfit? The sort of tank tops she showed me were knitted and quite casual but maybe there's a dressier version? And 2) Where would we look for this kind of thing in small enough size? She's somewhere between child and adult in terms of body shape but most shops' teen ranges seem quite limited.

Doubt bride (my cousin) will care that much but DM/dauntie will expect her to be dressed appropriately.

A jumpsuit sounds perfect. I'd look in New Look and H&M - they both have teen ranges.

My dd was the same - jumpsuit is the way forward. I found asos petite had some ok stuff when dd was that age (you have to hunt, but it may be worth a look).

It's a tricky age - nothing is in proportion as they grow I find, not the right shape for children's clothes, but often not the right shape for women's clothing either.

Next teenage things go up to age 15-16 and they usually have nice jumpsuits

I got DD a khaki jumpsuit for this purpose in H&M a couple of weeks ago. I think it's 100% polyester or similar which means it can look relatively smart.
New Look often have similar outfits too.

My then 11 year old wore a jumpsuit from H&M to a wedding last year

Monsoon's teen rage (aptly named 'Storm' 😃) usually do a couple of jumpsuits. Mango teens are sometimes good too. River Island have a teen range too but sometimes do 4s and 6s in adult range too.

Next Teen 15-16 is the same measurements as an adult 10-12, and an age 13-14 is an 8-10 I believe (or it might be a 6-8 just compare the sizes to check) so she should still fit those for quite a while. If not try their petite range. My DD wouldn't touch dresses but likes a jumpsuit for formal wear.

Zara often do nice dressy clothing in the older children’s range

Something like this is nice: fhwt.app.link/f5bReyvaIxb

Or this if she'd accept floral. fhwt.app.link/kmCGpWyaIxb

Above links not on the app!

www.next.co.uk/style/st940985/t01570

www.next.co.uk/style/ls352987/k38428

Cara Delevingne looked amazing in a tuxedo suit (with top hat and very high heels) at Princess Eugenie's wedding, so your daughter is in good company.

Jumpsuits are quite normal for girls at weddings etc.

I don't think a tank top would be dressy enough but maybe she'd consider a waistcoat? It'd probably need to be a boy's one, but a smart one in a nice colour (maybe embroidered).

Wear with co-ordinating trousers (skinny, possibly ankle skimming à la Cara, or wide leg) and white shirt. No tie obviously, shirt top button undone. Shirt untucked and cuffs loosely rolled. Waistcoat unbuttoned (so long as it looks like it could be done up it won't matter if it actually doesnt), maybe slightly oversized would work. Could probably get away with good trainers. A sort of 'undone' version of smart.

Got my 11 yo DD a jumpsuit from New Look 9-15 range for a wedding.

Zara is good for this sort of thing. DD had a lovely jumpsuit from there that she wore to a wedding.

Definitely jumpsuit…. Lots to choose from and look suitable ‘cool’!

New look teen section is a good bet. My girls both wore jumpsuits to a wedding last year

Lipsy do great jumpsuits. My nearly 10yo lives in them too for anything smart. Won’t entertain a dress. Next sell them. Good luck!

H&M is a good shout.

Sounds like her shopping list might be for things she wants to wear after the wedding. Whatever you decide, remember that children's clothes do not have VAT so if you can find a teen range (they go up to 164cms) then you will be saving 20%. Hopefully she hasn't mentioned shoes and a bag as well!