Finding clothes for tween girls can be a hard task. Here are some tips and tricks after experiencing this season with my tween.
I’m in the challenging stage of finding clothes to fit my 10 year old daughter who will soon be taller than me!
It seems we have outgrown the limited tween kids range and now need to explore the women’s range of clothing. But it’s tricky as the clothing options are sometimes more suited to a fully developed women’s body. Sometimes the styles are just not age appropriate.
Tween Clothes Tips from Others
Be a Fun Mum has an excellent post on how to convert kids sizing to adult sizing for girls. There is also a list of clothing stores to consider for this age group. Most of the brands weren’t ideal for my tween hence why I’m sharing what has been successful for us recently.
Suger Coat It has a list of plus sized clothes for teenagers. Definitely worth a look for your tween daughter.
It can be a heart wrenching and delicate season when your daughter can’t find clothes to fit her from what is offered in the tween/teen section.
But don’t let it define her.
In fact once you’re aware the tween clothes aren’t going to work anymore, this can open up to a whole lot of other stores which would have been previously ignored.
My advice is to not talk about their body but how pieces of clothing are made and why they aren’t always sewn to suit our frame. The fault is placed on the piece of clothing and NOT on your tween daughter’s body.
Also your daughter’s greatest example for fashion is you – her mum. So stop talking down about your body and stop focusing on size.
We spent a full day at Indooroopilly Shopping Centre to try on clothes and find pieces my tween would feel comfortable in. It was an exhausting effort and not completely successful.
However a recent online shop from Ally Fashion seemed to fill in the gaps. This is why I’ve created this post because I know I’m not alone with this struggle.
There are a few tricks I’ve discovered which may help you as you navigate this season with your tween daughter.
Finding Clothes for your Tween Girl – Where to Shop
Here are a list of brands where we have found success in purchasing clothes for the tween girl age group.
- Best and Less
- Kmart
- Ally Fashion
- Dangerfield
- Myer
- Dotti
- Supre
- Jay Jays
- H&M
- Shein
- Sportsgirl
I’ve also put together some outfit ideas. All tweens will have their own sense of style and how they would like to dress. They may turn their nose at these suggestions, but my tween girl didn’t so I’m taking her feedback as being on the right track.
Tips and Tricks for Tween Clothes Shopping
- Online stores will often have a bigger range than the bricks and mortar stores. Even stores like Ally have pieces that are only available online and not instore.
- Choose skater style skirts and dresses as the length and style should suit a tween frame.
From left to right: Ally Fashion Long Sleeve Boho Skater Dress , Ally Fashion 3/4 Sleeve Linen Lock Smock Dress, Seed Heritage Teen Sweat Dress
- Round and square neck are great cuts for tees and dresses. V-neck and cross over style dresses will often hang loosely over the chest area.
From left to right: Dotti Leopard Tee, Dotti Turnback Tee, Jay Jays Stay Wild Tee
- What looks like short shorts on a teen/ younger woman’s body, may actually be above the knee or mid thigh for your tween. Don’t completely write them off.
- Knit shorts are great for that transition period when growth happens. The stretchy waist is comfortable when worn on the hips or waist.
- A few longer t-shirts can be worn as they are or knotted to create a crop style. Having a few tees with length means they are appropriate for free dress days at school.
- A denim jacket is a classic piece all tweens and teens should have as part of their wardrobe to layer over dresses in winter.
1. Dotti Tee in Winter Mustard, 2. Ally Fashion Boho Print Skater Skirt, 3. Ally Fashion Cropped Denim Jacket, 4. Kmart Senior Casual Shoe, 5. Raffia Cross Body Bag
- Always look at the returns policy when shopping online for your tween. You may need to return some items and get a refund or exchange for something different. I have found Ally and Best and Less brilliant with their returns and exchanges when I’ve purchased online.
- Tweens and teens can be fussy about what they will wear. Get them to look at Pinterest or peruse online shops to get an idea of what their style is.
- Tiered style dresses are on trend and can be purchased in summer and winter styles. Team with a pair of sneakers/sandals for summer and layer with tights, boots and jacket for winter.
- Tie dye and twin sets are also big trends with this age group. Jay Jays and Sportsgirl have had these options available.
- Kmart is great for shoes and accessories. Their feet can grow so quickly, so I usually will invest in a pair of sandals and flat sneakers to be worn with outfits.
- If your tween is reluctant to try clothes on, a stylist can help them discover what works for them. It’s money and time well spent. Your tween may learn a thing or two about putting outfits together which is actually a learned skill that even some adults struggle with.
Where have you gone to buy clothes for your tween girl?
Disclosure: There are affiliate links on this post. Should you choose to purchase an item, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost.