DD is suddenly into dresses - help me!

[SarahAndQuack]

DD has been insistently trousers-and-top for the past couple of years, and has suddenly decided she wants a dress for own-clothes day next week. She's rising 8. I strongly suspect this is a move to fit in with the other girls in her class, so please help out a clueless mother ... what would your 8-year-old consider to be fashionable? DD honestly won't know; they don't see each other outside of school uniform, and the last time she wore dresses they were sweet little toddler-style things.

TIA!

Take her to new look and let her choose.

New Look sounds good. Ideally, needs to be something I can buy online - she's not with me this weekend, and there's not time after school in the week.

If you could link to a picture of what your 8 year old would think was great, that would help!

What I'm worried about is DD thinking she's chosen something 'girly' to fit in, and then finding it doesn't fit in anyway, because she's still thinking of the dresses she wore when she was 4/5.

(And yes, I know, there is a time and a place about discussing whether we need to fit in, and how it's lovely to be individual, but she's had a rough time lately and I would just like to smooth her path a bit.)

I would go with something like this with either woolly tights or leggings underneath.

https://www.zara.com/share/lilo-stitchch---disney-plush-dress-p05431617.html?v1=432946041&v2=2427552&utmcampaign=productShare&utmmmedium=mobilesharinggiOS&utmsource=reddsocialmovil

My daughter wears boden dresses or tunics with leggings underneath. She is just 8.

I think your best bet is to talk to friends parents as it can really vary by area and friend groups. Or, you can look at New Look/ H & M for trendy styles (surprised if they would have wintry dresses) but their fitting can be hit and miss so get several outfits if buying online and send back.

New look
Zara girls
H&M

Thanks all! @berrypop, that link doesn't work for me, but I googled. Sounds like a jumper dress/tunic and leggings might be the winning formula. And thanks @PrincessOfPreschool for the warning about sizes!

H&M have some lovely dresses that are cheap enough that you could buy a couple in different styles and see what she likes?

Definitely H&M, they will have something.

Why don't you get your daughter to look at online places as she might want to choose her own dress?

H&M, Zara would be good places to start. Primark have a kids range but it's hit and miss.

Denim skirt and jumper is good combo for this time of year. My DD liked that with tights and boots. DM style usually

Zara usually have a skort each season which are cute over tights with trainers and a hoody over the top. Bridges that gap between the leggings and full on frou frou dresses and is practicable for bombing around.

Just she's not with me and time is of the essence!

Thanks all, this is so helpful! H&M clearly a firm favourite.

New look, river island or H&M maybe even SHEIN to start with, that’s where I get most of my 8 year olds stuff from. Even primark can have a few odd nice bits.