I have an 8 year old girl who I don't want to kit out in head to toe Boden, or conversely in lots of nylon black and pink swirly dresses with black leggings

[TheHonEnid]

am I doomed?

well personally I think the next stuff is disgusting

lots of moss green and acrylic cropped cardigans and baggy black tees with silver faces on them

gross

Zara

Next clothes for kids are really nice now as i found recently to my complete and utter astonishment.

pumpkin patch stuff goes up to 11 looks quite good but I only have boys so may not be what you are looking for.

I buy dd who is 8, clothes form Zara, H&M and Gap

I agree wrt Zara, often buy my 9 yr old cousin stuff from there, she loves it, as does her mum, bright colours, funky, and if chosen carefully not too pink/girly/tarty. Gap can be good, but depends on the collection, design can be variable. I had a look for my dd and ds the other day, and didn't really love any of it

New Look are now doing kids stuff too, I got DD some really funky stripy smock style tops and t shirts from there last year.

thatnks for the link jen

she doesnt like pink

actually she iw quite tomboyish but still wants to look like a girl IYSWIM

try M & Co (used to be Mackays) - some ranges are OK.

Completely agree Enid. I find that the appealing kids clothes in H&M, or Zara or even Gap are for younger children. IMO, it is very hard to find suitable/appealing/affordable clothes for girls age 7-11 (generally). Clothes for bigger/older girls look cheap and hideous.

What about some independent children's stores? I find that they are a bit better with selection, but quite pricey.

Haven't yet looked in John Lewis/Peter Jones or other department stores. Have you looked there, and is there anything appealing?

Have you tried Monsoon or Jigsaw?

looks like a trip to zara in order then

Tchibo?.

Don't know what the quality is like though, as I haven't bought anything from here before.

I think from memory there is a tiny Tchibo in Salisbury.

I'm in same situation with dd1 (9). The answer appears to be Gap (as ever - what would we do without it) and Zara. And H&M for jeans only (they do some for super skinny girls). Also I have an outlet centre near me and so she gets some Ralph Lauren (fitted polo shirts for summer, jeans, the odd dress).

She (and I) are basically bored bored bored of Boden (and I think it looks a bit silly on someone her age), Next appears to design for child prostitutes, H&M for child goths, and Monsoon over flounces and sequins and details everything, and is 99% overpriced tat...
Otherwise I shop for her in the states when I'm there, much better stuff. My next trip is early May which should deal with her summer wardrobe!

monsoon is too much, too partyish etc

John Lewis looked very nice actually , lots of stripes, nautical type stuff and some groovy ted baker things (prob v expensive but tbh as she is the oldest of three girls I dont mind splashing out)

I must check out jigsaw jnr

lol at next for child prostitutes

I agree

am in germany next weekend I wonder if they have any nice kids shops

dd1 now thinks boden firmly for dd2 and 3

I think Next are trying to copy Boden now.There wasn't a wealth of slaggy stuff when i went in t'other day.

Still by analogy with boys' things, M&S can produce something surprisingly nice from time to time. Or is that too boring?

she has three pairs of Gap Long and Lean slim fit - they are fabulours

she does live in jeans which is something I suppose

What about these?
M&S
Pumpkin Patch from age 5 to 11
Du Pareil Au Meme
Vertbaudet
Kids should be kids

Zara has a nautical look this season for girls.

Love it this season

I was in a big gap in cheltenham with her the other day and we got some nice stuff. My dd looks much better in blues than pinks as well. Also I currently go to London for Zara (sigh) but rumour has it that a big zara is coming to Swindon

I think i might be marginally more excited about that than I am about the Harvey Nichols opening in Bristol. How sad am I

I find it hard to find nice kid's clothes, all the shops in town seem to have nothing. I like fatface, i like h&m but not sure where my local h&m is. We get some from TK Max but the rest i buy on-line.

Zara in Bristol with new shopping centre eventually

You might be pushing it with the German idea - their childrens'clothes aren't often as fashionable as here but some stuff is ok.

Some of the more designer stuff is good, but bearing in mind that they still have C & A in some towns, you can picture the general style.

Have you looked at some of the french websites - some are lovely.

Isn't there a German clothes place called "Jak-o" or something similar? I know frogs has recommended it from time to time & I think she has perfect taste in pre-teen wear.

Unfortunately the MN search isn't working, so I can't find it.