Summer dresses for teenagers - HELP ME!!

[stinkingbishop]

I have two gorgeous DTDs (14) and want to get them both casual, short summer dresses that are easy to slip on when we're on holiday after a morning by the pool to head off for lunch. But not just beach cover-ups - nice enough to wear into town. They're being useless at finding stuff themselves, despite my being willing to pay. So I am reduced to trawling Hollister, Mango, Bershka, Stradivarius, Pull&Bear etc online.

Herein lies my problem. I grew up in Scotland and, frankly, was still in a jumper come July. So I am clueless. Because all the dresses are spaghetti straps, or halters with low backs, so strapless bras are out...What bras would they wear??? Most of the models are flat-chested and I think are going without. But I don't think mine could/would. They're both really petite frames, but C cups.

Am I missing something??

Or can anyone find me something flippy and pretty and breezy that has a strap/sleeve, and a neckline that would cover a normal bra? I could probably persuade them into short jumpsuits/playsuits, which might be easier.

One suits pinks/greens/reds/oranges; one is more blue/silver/white.

Please save me. Otherwise we're staring down the barrel of an 8 hour trip into the nearest city, trailing round everywhere, all getting increasingly narked off with each other 😆

I confess it gives me Daisy Duke vibes but my DD likes it.
https://www.marksandspencer.com/checked-mini-dress-6-16-yrs-/p/clp60785934?intid=mobile_app_pdp_share

Do they actually need dresses? My Mum loved clothes shopping and I always hated it and would have been quite happy in either old stuff, or for Mum to shop for me 😂 If they're unenthusiastic / not bothering, why chase them?

I was going to say that they need to whittle.down to two each or you would order from M&S childrenswear. DD had lots of H&M dresses at that age.

Thanks everyone. Lots to look at here. I shall settle down with them and a big bowl of popcorn. The coloured bra straps on show is a good idea, and will open up lots more.

If I posted it before ignore me, but ruffled mini skirts (coloured, stripe sort of fabric but not chiffon) appear to be in at the moment (saw on a young woman the other day) and broderie anglais (large bits of it) shorts (on her friend). So I imagine the dresses would be similar looking. Short skirts and shorts would work well, with tank tops/vest tops/tshirts. If they want to show their legs and feel comfy doing so.

My daughter only wears short dresses with build in shorts. She feels more comfortable with them.

Get on vinted and search and for expensive brands in size XS / 6-8. I have found it's cheaper to buy my tween second hand quality items, from adults ranges, rather than 'cheap' teen stuff from the high street.
She has Cos jumpers, Reiss etc... like under £5 a pop.

I’m sorry I have no idea what teenage girls wear but I thought M&S had some cute / fun retro looking summer dresses

https://www.marksandspencer.com/cotton-rich-striped-knitted-mini-dress/p/clp60788701#intid=pid_pg1pip48g2r6c1%7Cprodflag_plp_ts_CBS_1

https://www.marksandspencer.com/denim-mini-swing-dress/p/clp60789126?color=LIGHTINDIGO#intid=pid_pg1pip48g2r17c2

https://www.marksandspencer.com/linen-rich-striped-mini-shift-dress/p/clp60777548#intid=pid_pg1pip48g2r18c1%7Cprodflag_plp_ts_QPH_50

but also lots of pull on plain cotton or t-shirt dresses which would pack well and go with anything

Yes, have bought some sort of ruffled Hollister skorts off Vinted to go with t shirts, and they have been accepted!

I think the problem is they're at that turning point, which i remember well...want to be independent in their choices, but don't actually know what they want yet. So unless I intervene, they'll rock up in 35 degree heat with their default baggy jeans and hoodies...

We'll get there 😊

Abercrombie has lots of dresses with built in bras. As does uniqlo.

So they could wear crop tops over their bras with strappy dresses or tops if they don’t want their bras to show? This is what I do, & I’ve seen other women & girls do this.

My DD is only 5ft but we picked up a variation of this woman’s primark dress in store and it is just above the knee on her.

https://www.primark.com/en-gb/p/short-sleeve-tiered-mini-dress-blue-991164094505

also picked this H&M dress up in store, not the best quality but will do for the summer

https://www2.hm.com/en_gb/productpage.1329562002.html

There are some great options on A&F, thank you!!!! I will definitely share with them. The vest tops will be great too. I should have thought about Uniqlo, I have their vests myself, doh!

My daughter aged 24 is pretty trendy with a vintage following. This is the brand she has gone to this Summer

https://www.nobodyschild.com/products/connie-shift-dress-2613205002

https://www.nobodyschild.com/products/vicky-mini-dress-2614898004

https://www.abercrombie.com/shop/uk/p/bra-free-cap-sleeve-dipped-waist-midi-dress-62828419-1005

we have used this brand in the past

Or try Cos / H and M

https://www2.hm.com/en_gb/productpage.1322917002.html

I think teens prefer &other stories. But their dresses aren’t cheap these days (started off cheaper when they came to UK).

I remember this stage. I ended up choosing dresses for dd because she didn’t know what she wanted either. They hung in the wardrobe all summer, unworn, while she spent every day in shorts and t-shirts.

She’s 16 now and still doesn’t wear dresses, actually.

I got my 14 dd these two from H&M for the summer

https://www2.hm.com/en_gb/productpage.1325635001.html

https://www2.hm.com/en_gb/productpage.1328382001.html

They are perfect, cotton, not too short, can wear a bra.

Urban Outfitters is your friend.
Bang on trend.

Have you asked them if they are comfortable braless? Lots of younger women are.

My teen and most of her friends, order from shein, and h&m.

Loads of Abercrombie teen dresses on vinted, mine are always happy with these.

Ourdoorsy shops like Mountain Warehouse or Go Outdoors have dresses which might be what you are looking for.