How to Buy Clothes for Hard-to-Fit Tween Girls

Buying clothes for hard-to-fit tween girls can be a nightmare. As if agreeing on clothing styles weren’t hard enough, finding a good fit is near impossible. With most children’s clothes being too small and adult clothes being too big, what is a tween shopper to do?

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Look at half sizes for girls. In the children’s departments of many stores (and especially online), you will find half size clothes for girls. Also known as plus-sized for children, these clothes aren’t necessarily for overweight girls. The do give more room in key areas however for a girl who has started to develop but has not gotten any taller. You can find a great fitting slacks and jeans in half size or plus size sections of girls departments.

2. Look in the petites department. You will find tops and jackets with shorter sleeves and torsos in the petites department when items in the children’s department are too short, but women’s are way too long.

3. Go for skirts. Skirts are a lot more forgiving than pants when it comes to getting the length right. In fact, a skirt that is below the knee at age 9 will look just as good above her knee at 13. Buying skirts will keep items in your tween daughter’s wardrobe longer.

4. Have her clothes altered. Some items will not look good on your tween girl unless you have them altered. Simple bag-like dresses can be taken up at the shoulders and under the arm. Jeans can be cut and shortened. Too short children’s skirts can be lengthened by adding a layer or two of trim. Suit jackets can be taken in at the dry cleaners.

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on 12/11/2007 great article !!! very informative