Springing into the Fashion World: The Top Trends for Your Tween

You’ve chosen her outfits for years now: Sweet baby doll dresses, bows in her hair, and socks with grips on the bottom so that she doesn’t slip while running around the house. But suddenly you don’t have a baby girl anymore, or a kid who’s too preoccupied with playing to care about what they’re wearing.

You have a tween in the house, one who suddenly cares about how she looks. In this time of transition, it can be challenging to find clothes she feels confident in while still looking her age. But together, you can find clothes that are fun for her to wear and are affordable for you.

Jeans and Leggings

The staples that make up your closet may now take hold in your daughters. While jeans and leggings have been seen as incredibly casual in the past, they can be dressed up or down depending on their wash and with what they’re paired.

If there’s a big presentation in school and she wants to feel like she’s put together, find her dark-wash skinnies, a peasant shirt in a pastel or jewel tone (depending on her complexion and hair color), and ankle boots. That way she’s comfortable so she can move around, but not so dressed up as too look like she’s the world’s youngest CEO.

Leggings are perfect for girls this age because they’re so versatile and come in so many colors. Maybe one day she just wants to lay around the house; cotton leggings in a solid color are basic and comfy and perfect with a sweatshirt. Or she wants to wear a dress in the dead of winter; find her a set that complements that style and color of her dress, and throw on some sneakers.

She’s still a kid, and if the mood strikes for roughhousing or tag, she’ll be able to move around as much as she wants without worrying about what she’s wearing.

Tops

Tween girls clothing can be tricky to master. You don’t want her to look older than she is, but she also wants to express herself and not be infantilized. You also have to keep in mind that she’s growing like a weed, so something that fits her today may not next week.

Because of that, you not only have to make sure you’re spending your money on something that can last for at least a little while, you also have to pay attention to the cut of necklines and lengths of the shirt as a whole. One inch taller and that v-neck becomes a scoop neck, or more annoyingly, a crop top.

Combat this with layers. Find corresponding tank tops that can make up the difference between a shirt that’s just a little too short and her jeans, in a variety of colors. Have fun playing with patterns. A polka dot tank peeking out from beneath a floral blouse is a fun, age-appropriate outfit that she’ll love.

Accessories

Last but not least, accessories can make an outfit stand out from the rest of her peers. Earrings, real or clip-on, can add sparkle to a fun family dinner. A top knot with a headband that matches her tank top or leggings can create a fun theme. Layer necklaces or different fabrics create depth and give texture to a fun but thin graphic tee.

Play with socks whose ankles show to give a workout outfit a fun pop of color when she has gym class. Add a glow stick necklace to her ensemble for the next birthday party, making sure to send her off with enough for all her friends.

Fashion doesn’t have to be stressful or break the bank. Give your daughter the room to play with different styles while she’s figuring out who she is. This way she’ll be confident, and you’ll get to learn even more about the person she’s becoming.