How to Purchase Clothes for a Tween Girl

Buying clothes for children can be pretty simple. You just choose from what is on sale, buy it, and most children will wear it. Buying clothes for teens is easy, too. Just give them money, a few guidelines and walk away. Buying for tweens, especially tween girls is a different story altogether.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Sales circulars
• Clothing budget
• Patience
• Strong Will

1. Before you go to the store, discuss rules and expectations. Make it clear with your tween daughter, how much you intend to spend, how many pieces you expect to get (for the amount you intend to spend), and how you expect those items to fit. If your child has a problem with these rules, you may want to forgo the shopping trip until she can agree, or until you can come to a compromise. It is better to have these struggles at home than in the store.

2. Look through sales flyers with your tween daughter. Find out ahead of time where the best deals are. Looking through the sales flyers together will also give you a good idea of what she likes and does not like. This way you can help her pick out her wardrobe pieces quicker. Remember the longer you are in the store, the more money you will spend.

3. Try on clothing before you purchase it. You would be amazed at how different an item will look on your child than on a mannequin or another girl. Let the tween spend about 20 minutes looking through items and then send her to the dressing room with an armful of clothing. As she tries each piece on on, and they are collectively vetoed or approved, hand her new items in different sizes or styles. Do not let her look at the store merchandise again, or you will be spending more time or money than you had planned.

4. Keep moving. Don't waste time trying to force yourself to purchase items in a store where nothing excites you. It will make you both irritable. If you don’t like anything in a store, more on the next one.

Tips & Warnings

• Reward your tween daughter for making good financial decisions.
• Compromise on clothing decisions.
• Choose your battles, don't battle over a difference color choices. Save that battle for a arguments over too revealing items.

[spongysoup]

on 8/14/2009 im 11 and may be a little ahead for my age because i am 5 foot 1. i have a 14 year old sister and a strong desire to not get dresscoded at school. my mom gives me and my sister money and heads toward the massage chairs. its not really that hard if your child is mature and understands how to check if things fit.

[Juvie]

on 11/14/2008 Don't forget that you as the parent still control the purse strings! It is never fun to argue with your child, but you can convey your values and what you think is appropriate (and help them gain self respect) by discussing the styles you see. My customers love our girl's clothing and boy's clothing because parents don't have to fight over it. http://www.juvieshop.com.