Monday, October 10, 2011

Pls help me find a Jr. Bridesmaid's Dress!


Dear ESB,

I've asked my 13yr old cousin to be in my wedding. She's a really sweet kid who is super excited to be included, but she is in the unfortunate position of having a mom who has been wearing the same clothes since 1982, not only because she has no style, but because she's an extreme cheap-ass. I'm all for thrift but she takes it to another level. I've always tried to get my little cuz nice clothes for her birthday and Christmas and my aunt inevitably returns them. It's annoying. 

So now it's wedding time and if I want her to look decent I have to pick out the dress and probably pay for it, which is totally fine. The problem here is, I have no idea where to find something stylish for a 13yr old. When I say stylish I mean not some satin, bubble-skirt, homecoming dress nightmare. She doesn't want to look like a little kid, but I don't want her to look like some skanky suburban high school girl, either.

For the record, she's not a super skinny kid, she would be like a size 16 in girls possibly getting into junior's sizes. The wedding is in the fall, so fall-ish colors would be ideal (all the girls are picking out their own dresses, I don't have set colors, but all the dresses will be short) and I'd like to keep it around $100. 

I recognize this isn't the usual demographic that you shop for, but any help would be appreciated.

*****

First of all, YOUR AUNT SUCKS. You must immediately start SNEAKING CLOTHES to the poor kid behind her mom's back.

2. I thought I'd throw this one out to the readers and then put my faves up for a vote. I'm running around Vancouver for movie screenings + blah, and anyway what could be more perfect to celebrate All Ages than a Jr. Bridesmaid's contest??

Winner gets a postcard from CANADA. Or something.

Joana by Mafalda Silva via Girls on Film
Posted by esb at 6:00 AM
Labels: , , , ,

29 comments:

  1. AnonymousOctober 10, 2011 at 6:32 AM

    Maybe one of these:

    http://www.jcrew.com/girls_category/dresses/party/PRDOVR~70515/70515.jsp

    http://www.jcrew.com/girls_category/dresses/party/PRDOVR~48583/48583.jsp

    http://www.jcrew.com/girls_category/dresses/party/PRDOVR~48586/48586.jsp

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousOctober 10, 2011 at 6:33 AM

    This is cute too.

    http://www.jcrew.com/girls_category/dresses/party/PRDOVR~36878/36878.jsp

    ReplyDelete
  3. JESSICA DEFINEOctober 10, 2011 at 7:01 AM

    ($73) http://www.modcloth.com/Modcloth/Womens/Dresses/-Opal-a-Day-Dress

    ReplyDelete
  4. JESSICA DEFINEOctober 10, 2011 at 7:05 AM

    Sorry, my comment form isn't letting me submit working links, when I got married we found both of my 11 year old sister's dresses @modcloth:

    ($30) http://www.modcloth.com/Modcloth/Last+Hurrah+Sale+2011/-Observatory-Story-Dress

    ReplyDelete
  5. rodjsrOctober 10, 2011 at 7:20 AM

    Fire Ruched Chiffon Dress
    Picture Show Slip (this one will need a slip)
    FP ONE Princess Smocking Slip (also needs slip)

    Would this be too much? Sparkle and Span Dress

    ReplyDelete
  6. rodjsrOctober 10, 2011 at 7:23 AM

    Oops...didn't see the price constraint. Scratch the last one.

    Also, my two cents: I think you should really pick a general color scheme for the dresses, because otherwise it can become a mad house. I also let my bridesmaids pick their own dresses. But I did ask they'd be short, have some type of lace (could be eyelet, or crochet, too) and be on the ivory, cream family of colors.

    ReplyDelete
  7. AnonymousOctober 10, 2011 at 7:48 AM

    i'm absolutely no help for what to wear, but when you sneak clothes to your cousin, cut off the tags and don't say where they are from... then your aunt can't return them.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Emily ElizabethOctober 10, 2011 at 7:55 AM

    I saw one on pinterest earlier that is pretty great, though not in the "autumnal colors" category:
    http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/lush-colorblock-pleated-dress-juniors/3205729?origin=category

    ReplyDelete
  9. rachelOctober 10, 2011 at 8:01 AM

    Excuse my lack of ability in the posting links category. Here are two cute ones.

    http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/united-colors-of-benetton-wool-blend-dress-big-girls/3212095?origin=category&resultback=4543

    http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/blush-by-us-angels-brocade-tank-dress-big-girls/3227813?origin=related-3227813-0-0-1-1

    ReplyDelete
  10. nicoleOctober 10, 2011 at 8:05 AM

    I like this pleated dress in orange ($70).

    Or this simple belted dress in red ($100).

    Good luck! xo.

    ReplyDelete
  11. 17 beats.October 10, 2011 at 8:16 AM

    I'm not good at Shopping For Others, but I want to say that this a good cause. Helping young teenage girls feel confident, accepted, and fashionable does great things for your karma, folks !

    ReplyDelete
  12. LPCOctober 10, 2011 at 8:19 AM

    Here's a purple dress. http://bit.ly/r8qW5w. I don't actually think it should be hard to find something. In fact, I think you can constrain the problem a bit. Would she look best in a smock, or waisted dress? Sleeves or no sleeves? I suspect what you REALLY want is the ineffable esb style imprimatur, but it's awfully fun to help out.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Fine PersecutionOctober 10, 2011 at 8:21 AM

    I think Asos has some reasonably priced, junior appropriate options. This in mustard or black is cute and mod and age appropriate. This one and this one have a lovely simplicity. And the longer sleeves on this one are nice for fall.

    ReplyDelete
  14. elwingOctober 10, 2011 at 8:28 AM

    I think this silhouette is more sophisticated than A-line children's clothes, without being too clingy or sexy. Pair it with a cool belt and you're set.

    There's also this one...it comes in small and has a removable sash that you can tighten or loosen however you see fit.

    Good luck!

    ReplyDelete
  15. JohnnaOctober 10, 2011 at 8:32 AM

    Miss Me Dress
    On sale for $32

    ReplyDelete
  16. Emily GreeneOctober 10, 2011 at 8:49 AM

    How about:

    this dress

    this belt in yellow

    these tights in wine

    these flats in black

    ReplyDelete
  17. Never A Plain JaneOctober 10, 2011 at 8:55 AM

    I tote adore this trapeze number from us Angels: http://www.usangels.com/collection_detail_3539-16.jsp
    How awesome would it look with some ballet flats and a tailored jacket?

    If not, what about ordering up (or making) one of these ruffle skirt numbers in the color of your choice: http://www.rufflefabric.com/product/girls-pre-teen-ruffle-fabric-skirt-with-elastic-waistband, pair it with a great top, throw on a belt and some awesome boots?

    ReplyDelete
  18. AngelinaOctober 10, 2011 at 11:17 AM

    I know J. Crew's not an ESB fave, but for what it's worth, my 14 year-old niece wore a J. Crew "Sophia" dress in size 0 and it worked perfectly. Also anything from Urban Outfitters, Anthropologie (and their new wedding line) or Francesca's Collection stores tend to be cut smaller.

    ReplyDelete
  19. HalfPintOctober 10, 2011 at 11:19 AM

    As much as I pseudo can't stand Forever 21, the prices are right and they've got some pretty great styles like
    This dusty pink number with an elasticized waistband for $37.80

    This reddish dress for $24.80

    This fit-and-flare knit dress in rust for $19.80

    Macy's also can come in pretty handy.
    This in royal blue for $20.99

    ReplyDelete
  20. laurenOctober 10, 2011 at 11:21 AM

    might you shop with said minimaid prior to the wedding? thirteen-year-old girls come in even more shapes and sizes than women do, if that's possible; finding something for the mini sight unseen could be trouble, and i'm sure she'd love the attention. if an actual trip is impossible, maybe sending her a few options and letting her chose between them could work?

    ReplyDelete
  21. laurenOctober 10, 2011 at 11:22 AM

    choose between them, even.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Kaitlyn KochanyOctober 10, 2011 at 11:36 AM

    Oh man! Thirteen is such a tough age, and having a controlling mother isn't going to help AT ALL. Yes to sneaking the young miss some clothes, for sure.

    What I might recommend is getting her a skirt made in the colour or pattern of your choice, and then pairing that with a crisp white collared shirt. She'll feel sophisticated, and it'll keep your costs down. Pair it with a cardigan and a wreath of flowers for her hairs and she'll feel confident and look great.

    ReplyDelete
  23. HalfPintOctober 10, 2011 at 11:55 AM

    @ Lauren: Minimaid!!! I struggled with what to call my little cuz when she was in my wedding. Damn.

    ReplyDelete
  24. stefOctober 10, 2011 at 12:13 PM

    As someone who was certainly “not skinny” at 13, I’d offer to let her wear a cardigan, if she’d like. I was painfully shy about my chubby knees and arms at that age.

    I don’t really know how juniors sizes work, but this seems age appropriate.

    I guess it'd have to be hemmed though?

    ReplyDelete
  25. LaurenFOctober 10, 2011 at 1:27 PM

    I think asos would be a great place to look because they have reasonable prices and free shipping both ways, which would allow you to order lots of dresses, try them on, and then keep just one. I got a little carried away and found bunches of autumn-colored dresses. Maybe one will work.

    ReplyDelete
  26. AnonymousOctober 10, 2011 at 4:02 PM

    Omg. That sounds like me (and my mom) at that age, and what I wouldn't have given to have somebody sneak me some fashionable clothes, or you know just generally tell me what to wear and what to throw out. You sound like a hero.

    But, since you actually need help, maybe I should find something.

    I like this skirt: http://www.francescascollections.com/product/accordion+skirt.do?sortby=ourPicks

    To be continued.

    ReplyDelete
  27. AnnaOctober 10, 2011 at 5:17 PM

    Ok. I think this is lovely for a jr. lady.

    get her started on the 100% silk road early.

    ReplyDelete
  28. ColleenOctober 11, 2011 at 2:07 PM

    That is a great idea about taking the tags off and not giving up where they come from. Your aunt has got to STOP doing that to you and her daughter. It's rude and obtrusive in a horrid way. You have to find a way to tell her so!

    ReplyDelete
  29. AnnaOctober 12, 2011 at 4:45 AM

    Also, tell her about Tavi.
    http://rookiemag.com/
    http://www.thestylerookie.com/

    ReplyDelete

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