Tween school clothes shopping?

[stitchlovestink]

My DD12 will also be in 7th grade.

Also, if your DD will have to change for Gym- underwear matters. I'm sorry to say that I have overheard converstions about someone who, "OMG- wears little girl panties."

Yeah, I had kinda forgotten about that part. Even if she doesn't need a bra, get her a least a couple of the sport style for the coverage. That was a bigger deal than the undies (flowerie ones are not cool BTW ). Oh yeah and the shortie (well that's what we call 'em) sox, not the cuff over kind. I think the Hanes ones are called 'no show's, where you're not supposed to see them above the top of the shoe (or very very miniably visible). The extra undergarments can be as much as the outer garments.

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

First of all, thanks for not flaming me and understanding what I was saying about this.

Second, WOW, I am totally out of it!! And I am guilty of buying DD a flower bra . Thank-you for the advice. I don't know yet what school DD will be in, DH is still looking for a job (he's getting out of the Army), but it will be in the Southeast so warm weather clothes for a little while. I'm being careful with the summer things I buy, nothing sleeveless, long shorts or capris, that kind of thing. And no flip-flops, she finds them uncomfortable.

Another question, the stores like Hollister, AE and the others mentioned, are they all junior sizes? DD doesn't quite fit those yet, she's a 14/16 in girls for most things. She can wear junior shirts, but not bottoms. And I can't believe I'm asking this, but what would be "acceptable" panties? Like bikinis? Nothing with bows?

About the boxers, DS has already noticed, he asked for some last year because his friend that sleeps over alot wears them. We do have a Steve & Berry's in an outlet mall near us. Oh, is Gap okay for him, too? Their clothes fit him well and they have an outlet near us, too.

 

[disfan07]

i'm 19 adn where i live, AE is actually the really big name brand around here....
it goes like AE, Abercrombie adn than Hollister
Ive bought clothes at all 3 stores adn i find that the clothes from AE last the longest....i didnt have to buy anything for this summer b/c evereything that i bought last summer still looks brand new and 99% of it is from AE

I think Abercrombie is overrated adn absolutely ridiculous in price adn i htink the clothes form hollister are junk.....but thast JMO

 

[SunKat]

my DD13 loves Aero, AE, Hollister, & Abercrombie. That is where 90% of the kids clothes come from.

Same here.

and to the OP, some more tips for ya!

I know it's also cool not to look cool on the first day of middle school. Even though all the kids have new outfits, it's supposed to look like you just picked some random tee and shorts out of your closet.

Most middle schools have the "finger tip" rule for shirts/shorts. With your arms down at your sides, your skirt/shorts must be longer than where your fingertips reach.

Also, regular backpacks were not cool. Everyone had a A&F, Hollister, Aero etc. book bag instead. That was LAST year. Who knows what will be cool this year. Maybe they'll carry their books in garbage bags.

 

[Stacerita]

DD will be going to jr high but in fall but will be wearing a uniform to school. But one of her fave stores to shop at is Tilly's.

 

[sk!mom]

And I can't believe I'm asking this, but what would be "acceptable" panties? Like bikinis? Nothing with bows?

Victoria's Secret Pink collection or American Eagle. If you want to spend less, check those out and then look for less expensive similar styles.

 

[ama4889]

Same here.

and to the OP, some more tips for ya!

I know it's also cool not to look cool on the first day of middle school. Even though all the kids have new outfits, it's supposed to look like you just picked some random tee and shorts out of your closet.

Most middle schools have the "finger tip" rule for shirts/shorts. With your arms down at your sides, your skirt/shorts must be longer than where your fingertips reach.

Also, regular backpacks were not cool. Everyone had a A&F, Hollister, Aero etc. book bag instead. That was LAST year. Who knows what will be cool this year. Maybe they'll carry their books in garbage bags.

I actually remember a period of about six months when I was in jr high that EVERY girl was carrying these inflatable bubble purses. I can't even find a picture of these things, but think of one of those floating pool 'beds', but in neon colored purse form! All the dollar stores around the area started carrying them

Also, about the backpacks - it's all about Jansport around here. Everyone will think I work for TJ Maxx - but I just saw some cute ones there for 15. They retail about 40. The nice thing about the Jansport bags is that they will last forever and ever.

 

[MoniqueU]

I have a 10 year old and a 11 year old, 5th and 6th grades. My older one loves to shop. She likes tillys, a local skate shop called banned, hollister(of course) and pac sun for their skinny jeans. She also let me buy her one pair of LTD2 skinny jeans for her. Both my girls will not wear anything that looks like a running shoe. They usually buy vans in slip ons or some that tie up. My oldest daughter is really really weird about some of the kids at her school having the same clothes as her. Apparently one girl as soon as she sees what my oldest daughter is wearing goes out and gets the same thing in the same color and buys other colors. This drives my daughter nuts. She would not be forced into aeropostal,american eagle, gap, old navy or anything like that. We live in a super hot area where at the start of the school year it is well over 100 degrees. My girls rarely wear shorts though and the oldest will not wear bermudas or capris. The youngest one will wear them but mostly it is jeans and a t shirt. Uggs are very popular here in the winter even though it doesn't get that cold and hoodies are popular here instead of jackets but not huge hoodies they must be the correct size.

My youngest daughter who admittedly is young for her age will still wear stuff from LTD2 but I would think that would be more then out by the time Jr high starts. They are however having a great sale on right now where if you spent 50 dollars you get 80 in bonus cards back. I would try that for your daughter for at least basics like jeans and stuff you can't tell is LTD2.

My son goes to catholic school so wears a uniform but will not wear skate shoes. He really likes the surf t shirts like billabong, hurley and ***********. He won't wear any what he calls emo clothes from places like ambercrobie and won't wear old navy or gap shirts but will wear their jeans. I pick up most of his T shirts at costco for cheap.

And definetly NO CROCS.

We also can't have spaghetti straps here so there is alot of layering of things going on. I have never heard of a shorts restriction but then my girls aren't that in to shorts and for sure not that into skirts.

 

[ELLE-TN]

I'm glad someone pointed out the underwear thing. Definitely boys love boxes. My youngest son has been wearing them exclusively since he was 6 he got the idea from my oldest who was 12 at the time. And yes even socks are important definitely go for the no-show. Of course my DD12 wears flip-flops 99% of the time year round. Have to fight her over it when it snows. LOL

 

[clh2]

And yes even socks are important definitely go for the no-show. Of course my DD12 wears flip-flops 99% of the time year round. Have to fight her over it when it snows. LOL

We live in Wisconsin, had close to 100 of inches of snow last winter...I guess if my biggest arguments with DD, then 13YO were those darn flip-flops...life isn't too bad. I could just swear that she would try to get out of the house EVERY day in flipflops, i.e. maybe I wouldn't notice

 

[momto2inKC]

First of all, thanks for not flaming me and understanding what I was saying about this.

Another question, the stores like Hollister, AE and the others mentioned, are they all junior sizes? DD doesn't quite fit those yet, she's a 14/16 in girls for most things. She can wear junior shirts, but not bottoms. And I can't believe I'm asking this, but what would be "acceptable" panties? Like bikinis? Nothing with bows?

.

My daughter also wears a girls 14 and we just found out that she can wear a juniors size 1. So you would definitely be able to find her stuff at Hollister, AE, etc.... I'm going to repeat what a couple of others have said- TJMaxx (or Marshalls) and Platos Closet are great places to look. I get most of my kids shirts at TJMaxx for school. My daughter loves shopping for Limited Too stuff there. I can get her shirts for $5! I got my son a ton of Abercrombie t's there last spring for under $10 each.

 

[IDoDis]

DD (12) has to wear uniform polos & pants. For her polos she wears Hollister and Gap for the pants. Shorts I can pick up anywhere as long as they are a solid color w/out flaps on the back pockets and fingertip length. They get one dress-down day a month and the kids all show up in Hollister and American Eagle.

The girls wear Hollister hoodies in the winter, so unless you are in a cold region, don't invest in a heavy winter jacket. The kids would rather freeze at this age than look like Randy (I can't put my arms down) from "A Christmas Story." I was lucky to find a really cute fitted and not real heavy jacket on clearance at Abercrombie last spring for $29.00 that I hope DD will wear this year.

Shoes -- Hollister, Old Navy and Reef flip-flops until the weather cools off. For gym shoes and fall/winter wear DD wears Etnies, DC's, and Nike.

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

I'm excited now, I looked up Plato's Closet and found one reasonably close to me so I'm going to check that out. We have TJ Maxx and Marshalls, I haven't been in TJ Maxx, but I wasn't impressed with our Marshalls.

 

[BostonTink85]

TJMaxx and Marshalls, both vary with what they carry depending on the day. So even if you weren't impressed with Marshalls one time, I wouldn't write it off forever. Be careful of Aeropostale....I feel like those clothes shrink easily/aren't made as well and if you're spending money you might as well get American Eagle or Abercrombie which may cost more but last much longer.

Also, for backpacks....LL Bean is what everyone uses up here in my area.

 

[mudman]

For those who have shopped at Plato's Closet.
Please tell me a bit about it. I've looked it up and found that there is one 2hrs away. Is it worth a trip there?
My daughter usually frowns on used clothing that I've picked up yard sales she thinks its weird but I've gotten some great Abercrombie clothes for her this way. Does this store have the "feel" of a thrift store??

 

[Cindy B]

I have a soon to be 8th grade boy and 6th grade girl.

Justice is still sort of acceptable in 6th grade. Tshirts, shorts and cami's,yes. You may be also able to do jeans.

No GAP, Children's Place, Gymboree, please! (I know there are some TINY girls/guys but that would not work)

Old Navy is ok for Tshirts and shorts. My son will still wear his shorts from Old Navy since they are just plain and to the knees.

We've also had good luck at Kohl's. My son likes the Tony Hawk and Vans stuff there. He is really hard on his shoes so he wears Vans shoes as well. He also wears some flip flops around the house. He's actually pretty easy about clothes. He actually will wear stuff from Goodwill as well. (I've found element and Quick silver stuff there). According to him, guys don't wear Aeropostale or Abercrombie-- only certain guys do and it certainly isn't him. On the whole, he's pretty easy to get clothes for. He's still tiny in the waist at almost 14, so he can wear a boys 16 or 18 still.

My soon to be 6th grade daughter is well different. She's a 14/16 size (tall!) and some tops are big on top so this year and clothes shopping has been difficult. She can fit into juniors 0 or 1 so that does give us other options but she's been resiistant to that-- she hates the jump to ladies size for some reason. We've had great luck at Kohls as well for her. She likes Aeropostale also. The stuff at American Eagle is a little too mature for her (straps too thin or too low cut) but she likes it. She went into Hollister once and it was only ok. She has no desire right now to go to Abercrombie. She will still wear justice shorts/camis. Limited 2 has been out since 5th grade or so. If she gets a gift card as a gift, she usually buys accessories or beauty lotions.

 

[Cindy B]

For those who have shopped at Plato's Closet.
Please tell me a bit about it. I've looked it up and found that there is one 2hrs away. Is it worth a trip there?
My daughter usually frowns on used clothing that I've picked up yard sales she thinks its weird but I've gotten some great Abercrombie clothes for her this way. Does this store have the "feel" of a thrift store??

We have a new one opening next month. it hasn't opened but it looks likes it is more upscale.

 

[shortbun]

I have one tip and that is : wait to shop, kids this age grow fast all of a sudden. Also, styles change like the wind. A few acceptable outfits and then buy after theyv'e gone to school for a week or so. They'll know what they want.

 

[powellrj]

For those who have shopped at Plato's Closet.
Please tell me a bit about it. I've looked it up and found that there is one 2hrs away. Is it worth a trip there?
My daughter usually frowns on used clothing that I've picked up yard sales she thinks its weird but I've gotten some great Abercrombie clothes for her this way. Does this store have the "feel" of a thrift store??

I wouldn't make a 2 hour trip. We have only found one top there in several visits and their prices are more than what you pay if you shop the sales. We were in American Eagle a few weeks ago and they had a nice selection of tee shirts for under $10.

I stopped buying things at Aeroapostal because I think they shrink and lose their shape after a few washings. We pretty much stick with Hollister, Abercombie and AE and really try to hit the sales.

 

[mjkacmom]

As for the underwear/bra issue, I buy dd11 bikinis or hiphuggers, jersey material, and some colored bras, because they wear them with tank tops (layered usually), and they show. Kids bras these days crack me up - they are SO padded! You are buying the ****ies along with a bra!