Attire for picky preteen

kellymiron

My 11 year old niece is attending a wedding in August. It's outdoors, and not super fancy. My neice is sporty, and REFUSES to wear a dress. She is tall (5'5) and bigger than her classmates... She wears a size 8 jeans. She is atheletic (swimmer) and very tom-boy. So while she isn't really overweight, she is much bigger than her peers, and very uncomfortable with her body, as most 11 year olds are. My sister in law asked if I would take her shopping to find something to wear to this wedding. I agreed, because I was exactly like my neice. Does anyone have any suggestions for what to get for her to wear? She doesn't even want to wear a dress with leggings. It's also outside, so it will probably be warm. I was thinking black flats with nice capris and a dressy shirt? But I don"t want her to look like she is dressed in "professional" clothes... I want her to feel like herself.

jennylee813

I think the capris and a dressy shirt might work. She might like a skort - looks like a skirt to keep mom happy, but is comfy like shorts. Give her a choice, she might surprise you.

If she's anything like my DD, a lot of resistance comes from being told what she's 'supposed' to wear. If I tell DD she has to wear something, she usually freaks, even if it's something that she would normally wear. She's been picking her own outfits for a long time, and I bit my tongue a lot.

kellymiron

I forgot about skorts! I will have to see if that would work.

hyechica81

take her to a few stores you said she is more like a tomboy take her to a few of those style stores then mix it up with some dressy stores go through the racks ask her if she sees anything she might like if she says no then ask her is there anything you kinda like or would want to try on try to get her out of her comfort zone a little. don't pick up dresses and say try this on try that on it could get overwhelming for her

here are some suggestions for stores to hit up

American eagle they have dresses not a huge selection but they do and they are more of  a casual kind of store

j crew another casual store and they have dresses

charlet ruse clothing store for teens they have dresses and trendy stuff

debs another trendy clothing store for teens and women. lots of trendy stuff and they carry a huge selection of dresses

macys and jc pennys also would work in the jr section

itzMS

I would suggest dressy black capris or bermuda-length shorts. Then any top of her choosing. Some awesome jewelry might help, too. (Jewelry always fits!) :-)

I personally don't think 11 is too young for some subtle makeup (though that's her mom's choice...not mine!) but maybe a quick stop to Sephora or a beauty counter at Macys would help her self-image.

chibiyui

I think nice capris and a dressy shirt (or bermuda shorts) will be fine. No need to force the poor girl into a dress.

lyntopher

Athleta can be pricey but has some very cute skorts, capri pants (and dresses if she). It has work-out gear, but also has nice sporty day-time clothes. The sport element of the store may make the clothes feel like less of stretch to her. These are not formal suggestions, but would work for something to which you could wear a sundress. Title Nine is another website/catalog that may have a sundress option if she's willing to try the sporty-dress route.

[Deleted User]

I would explain to her what the "dress code" (sorry couldn't come up with better term) for this type of event is. She's 11, she doesn't know what's approriate or not. Give her some examples of things that are acceptable. Then when you hit the mall, you pick out some things and let her pick out a few things. Then together you can find an outfit that will work and that she will feel comfortable in. For a causal wedding no reason a pair of capri either in a solid or cute print wouldn't work just fine. If the event is still when it's warm, what about a fun pair of sandles with some jewels attached? Sandles may be more comfortable then flats in warm weather.

aekc

Capris, dressy top, cute sandals -- sounds like something I'd want to wear!! Maybe some fun jewelry, too?  Cute!

KatWAG

I would try Loft. they are a ton of fun capris on different colors and patterns. It would keep from looking like she is going to an office.