Can you dress my teen?

[rockstuckhardplace]

DD has work experience in a hospital next week. She's 17, about 160cm (so ideally petite range,) and 60kg (about size 10). Nice waist, slightly heavier on the bottom half.

She has nothing suitable to wear and no time to shop.

Can you put me together an outfit? Including shoes! I always find shoes hard. Ideally from Next, as it's the only place I can get a click and collect.

As it's in a hospital she'll be warm and also needs to be bare below the elbow.

Please help. I'm so unstylish myself.

Thanks so much! I don't love her enough for the Reiss, but the others are good!

Haha I missed they were Reiss!!

She must wear clothes at the the weekend. I'd go pair trousers she will wear again, plain tshirt (boxy would be best for her age) and clean trainers. She a school kid on work experience I am sure that will be just fine.

I'd go to Sainsburys Tu or Tesco F&F personally - their clothes are good quality.

This strives mad in most stores' websites. They don't seem to realise that if they are advertising the shoes you might want to buy their trousers as well or instead of them. Ideally you'd be able to buy the whole outfit. If you go on Instagram then some people label absolutely everything in the picture and it's really useful.

This blouse- has lots of colour options:

https://www.next.co.uk/style/su500886/av1090

These trousers:

https://www.next.co.uk/style/su563872/ay5677#ay5677

These shoes:
https://www.next.co.uk/style/su460287/ag6906#ag6906

This bag:

https://www.next.co.uk/style/su297646/b14778#b14778

Thanks everyone. I have 11 items in my basket and am about to order!

I will report back!

Surely she can sort this herself?

I'm surprised that your 17 year old is leaving it to you to choose her clothes. I don't mean there's anything wrong with that but when my daughter was 17 she'd have picked the clothes herself. When I was 17 I'd have picked them and had to pay for them out of my Saturday job money. I hope she likes what you've chosen and appreciates your effort on her behalf.

If one if those v-necked love and roses tops has made it into your basket, makes sure she tries it on first. I really like mine, but it is very low at the front. I need to wear a vest underneath to cover my bra.

My DD did similar work experience. She wore these trousers from Hollister with fitted cotton shirts, sleeves rolled up and a pair of black leather loafers from M&S which she said were comfortable all day long. She had a slim fitting cable knit v neck jumper (also Hollister) in case she was cold and needed another layer but never wore it inside as it was quite warm.

H&M often have inexpensive office type wear.

My barely 5ft tall 16 year old dd bought wide leg trousers from pixie girl in a ribbed jersey fabric. She's worn them loads since as they are super comfy. With a fitted smart top they looked smart enough for work experience.

The shoes should be black and no heels (nhs worker here) you don't say which type of experience but clear arms would indicate a clinical area. White shirt/ blouse and black trousers will be fine.

Wide leg trousers, fitted t-shirt and trainers will be fine (NHS here). As long as she's not in jeans or leggings.

Second trainers, especially if under bootcut or wide trousers. I think wearing brand new shoes is a risky game for blisters.

https://www.next.co.uk/style/su615293/aw5053

https://www.next.co.uk/style/su574451/an7272#an7272

Those blouses would be fine, with black trousers. I'm short size 10 (most of my weight is tummy and bum) and still prefer slim ankle grazer or regular boot cut trousers to wide leg. So whatever trousers she likes and some comfy plain shoes, doesn't necessarily have to be black.

I think some of the patterned blouses are not quite right for a 17 year old.

I’ve only clicked on a few links of the tops you are thinking of @rockstuckhardplace and they are not something any 17 year old know would pick..sorry. Why not let her choose?

I would have a look on Uniqlo as I think they do the kind of timeless casual office wear that would be perfect. In particular I love their linen stuff

https://www.uniqlo.com/uk/en/women/linen/bottoms?path=%2C%2C114225%2C

https://www.next.co.uk/style/su649257/f53829#f53829

What role is she doing work experience with, OP? I work in the NHS and think it’s difficult to advise on an outfit if we don’t know this - there are so many NHS jobs and dress codes can be quite different. For example, in contrast to some PP’s, I’d be quite surprised if a work experience student wore a T-shirt or trainers.

Have a look at Stradivarius petite on asos as they do really nice work trousers.

Grey trousers
Black trousers

Agree with others who have suggested loafers, ASOS also have lots of different brands of leather loafers so you can order a few for her to try on. Topshop loafers

With black or grey trousers and black shoes she can wear most tops with them. Cute top
Or this

if t shirts are in the dress code, go for a premium cotton one as it will look smarter

I’ve always found the sizing of Next Petite shockingly bad.

I wouldn't recommend those very wide, long trousers. She may have to do a lot of walking and I've seen too many women in ultra-wide trousers tripping up on the hems. They're not practical for a busy professional environment and I wouldn't be hugely impressed if she turned up in them for an interview.

I'd look for something like these, OP: her existing school trousers may be fine:
https://www.nextdirect.com/bh/en/style/su051511/145261
or these:
https://www.uniqlo.com/uk/en/products/E450606-000/00?colorDisplayCode=05&sizeDisplayCode=003
and pair them with a simple t-shirt-type top like this in a colour that suits her:
https://www.uniqlo.com/uk/en/products/E424873-000/00?colorDisplayCode=21&sizeDisplayCode=003
Add her existing trainers or a pair of slip on brogues as in the Uniqlo trouser image and you're done.

Neat, practical, professional, neutral workwear: so that she'll make the impression, not her clothing.

Just going tonsay trainers, preferably plain colour ie black,/white. No not get anything more than basics in case she comes into contact with vomit, urine etc!

That's the kind of comment I often make to myself, and don't write. I'm not usually that kind of parent, but she's been overrun with various things (that I won't go into, as outing) and this has been low priority. I don't usually shop for her.