Help me find a wedding outfit for my 12 yo DD

[Doublebubblegum]

We are off to a wedding in April and my DD needs to find an outfit to wear. Really struggling to find something to suit her from the usual places.

She's very slim - no curves - and wears age 11-12 clothes, or maybe XXS from the adult range.

We are way past flouncy dresses and pink (occasion wear was much easier when she was a lot younger and happy wearing a frilly dress of the type you can find anywhere!) but struggling to find something she likes. She's very casual (baggy jeans and hoodies).

There are a few older girls at the wedding so she wants to look 'grown up' - any ideas of where to look?

She likes blue, and would prefer to cover her arms if possible.

I looked at Bershka. A lot of them seem very short though which is probably what the girl wants.

I agree with it being lovely. I had plenty of backless sun dresses as a child which is fine if your have no boobs and don't need a bra.

My DD is a similar age and also slim and small - no curves.

Anything adult does not work even if it’s XXS as it’s cut for boobs and hips.

Places to look: New Look, H&M, Zara Kids, Abercrombie Kids (but size down for Abercrombie). All these do teen friendly sizes and styles, down to about age 9 so will fit. Possibly Hollister in the smallest sizes.

Subdued is popular with tweens/teens in my area but the dresses are on the skimpy side!

New Look has lots of the stretchy dresses she likes. Personally I think they are a bit too “disco” for a wedding. But a curveless 12 year old could get away with it and best thing is that she is comfortable.

https://shop.mango.com/gb/en/c/f/women/party-and-events_398c749c?filters=sizes%7EXS&view=overview

Agree. but she's 12 and maybe won't be as tall as the model.

Speaking from my very current experience with a (developing) 11yo, this still very much isn't this case for us! What might fit her waist/hips, very much still doesn't on the chest / shoulders.

H&M is also good for that age group, doesn't cost a fortune and their smallest size of XXS may fit - but you'd have to get her to try it on. This is nice.

https://www2.hm.com/en_gb/productpage.1295362002.html

Actually you’re right H&M is usually a good shout.

a lot of adult sizing will work. Not all but some will. Petite size 2 and 4 isn't made for boobs. Speaking from personal experience.

@Doublebubblegum It’s not easy is it! My ultra fashionable 30 year old (more like 20 year old) has a dress just like the black one! She is a size 6. If you posted the black dress, it’s certainly fashionable right now! The blue is a bit babyish.

Shein are cheap Chinese. Customer services regarding returns have been criticised. It’s landfill clothing so not sure I would use them.

There are a lot of short dresses at Zara women and their XS is small.Would depend on cut though. Zara has a girl range that goes up to age14. There is a section on occasion clothes. Yes, they are made in younger sizes, but they are made for the shape your dd is. Look on their web site and see what you think. Many of the models look about 12.

Another option might be trousers and a sparkly top? Baggy trousers and a top might work for her?

Many dresses at Zara are short and bubble hems are definitely 2026. No one expects a 12 year old to look like an adult (unless you are Royal Family) so you could look at separates. River Island also have a range going up to age 14. They are worth a browse.

Im assuming the wedding isn’t ultra smart!

https://www.laceandbeads.co.uk/products/sydney-red-heart-mini-dress?variant=44178731008238&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=23295339069&utm_content=&utm_term=&gadid=&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23300389595&gbraid=0AAAAAB8BxuTVtz99VCgcbWm2mbQ-LDA8_&gclid=Cj0KCQiAtfXMBhDzARIsAJ0jp3C2BSnoYQV0cVSxQjlbX5E7yOurtKZ9SY9Lr8QV8foVF1Do9smT4sAaAusmEALw_wcB

https://www.asos.com/prd/209539105?acquisitionsource=pasteboard

https://lavishalice.com/products/bonnie-off-shoulder-tulip-mini-dress-with-corsetry-detail-in-emerald-green

https://www.next.co.uk/style/su731694/w93900?srsltid=AfmBOorflP_OasDh_hEb8Au37muFR7dzKUyyLx9fEsZK3uT2EHQ2xVJo2SY

Would the size 6 in this fit her? Its long sleeve, blue and slightly more wedding/age appropriate. Its a tough age to dress I think.

https://www.next.co.uk/style/su828641/w97152

https://www.hollisterco.com/shop/uk/p/flocked-chiffon-mini-dress-61708352-1005

Also Mango do a specific teen range so these might be a better fit without the risk of wearing a similar style outfit to a 6 year old
https://shop.mango.com/gb/en/c/teen/teena/party-and-events_8af79c70

I remember trying to find something for a formal event for my daughter when she was at that age. She rejected almost everything! We eventually found a nice green dress from (sadly now defunct) Collectif. When she was 18 she could have gone to prom but was rejecting everything again (she's no longer a dress-wearer and most suits were too expensive or not stylish enough) and threatened to go in her baggy jeans! As it turned out none of her mates were going (was labelled "lame") so she didn't.

I wish there were better clothes for girls aged 12-18 but I suppose their ever changing bodies pose a problem for mass manufacturing.

Mango has a teen department. A lot of things are a bit more grown up, but this is similar to what my daughter would have worn (she had a few events to go to and has not like d floofy clothes since she was 10)

https://shop.mango.com/gb/en/p/teen/dresses-and-jumpsuits/dresses/printed-dress-with-back-opening_27084771?utm_source=product-share&utm_medium=social&c=68&l=00

https://shop.mango.com/gb/en/p/teen/dresses-and-jumpsuits/jumpsuits/floral-print-jumpsuit_27095810?utm_source=product-share&utm_medium=social&c=70&l=00

https://shop.mango.com/gb/en/p/teen/dresses-and-jumpsuits/dresses/ruched-detail-dress_27025814?utm_source=product-share&utm_medium=social&c=56&l=00

That red heart one is so nice!

The Mango ones look far too grown up for a 12 year old imo

Think it depends on the style. Adult smallest sizes work ok for boxy or drapey or oversized styles but anything fitted really doesn’t work. It’s not just the boobs and hips, my DD still has child size shoulders and ribcage. There’s just too much fabric.

How about this from New Look OP?

Have you looked at Hollister, brandy melville or urban outfitters? Also ASOS have small adult sizes.

This is cute, I could see my 13 yo wearing this. Much more so than the jjhouse links up thread. I’m 50 and I don’t think I’m old enough for those.

I was going to say that! As a shy 12 year old I’d never have worn that!

Nice but I’d filter for a size 4. My 16 yo can wear a 6.

Edited- thinking about it some of my DDs friends are a lot taller and could do a size 6. We are rather small.

These are probably quite good. Like I said I liked the Bershka ones. Places like there and Pull and Bear often do nice jewellery too. I’d also suggest maybe a bubble dress. Anything on trend.