what's "cool" or "in" for middle school girls?

[Anonymous]

NP here:those Bodycon dresses and tops are really streetwalkerish and no way should a MS girl wear them --but otherwise the suggestions here look great!

[Anonymous]

Agree with these suggestions (mom of boy here, but you notice when all the girls seem to be dressed the same!). You are a great and empathetic mom to think of this, so sure you know this, but I'd try to get dd connected with peers via whatever activity/sport/hobby she's into, and hopefully find a similar aged girl in the neighborhood and maybe you can invite the family over for a barbecue.

[Anonymous]

OP here.

Wow! Thanks for all the trademark advice and moral support! This is by far the most helpful set of responses I've had from a board. I'm familiar with some but not all the of the labels, and so will look into them.

We're pretty conservative on clothing from a modesty perspective rather than fashion (I think UGGs are UGLY, but DD loves them ... each generation needs it's own silhouette, and the skinny jeans/UGG/A&F sweatshirt is as good as any, I guess - prob better than the hippy/prairie stuff I was wearing as a teen).

We're also kind of "late adopters" on the tech front and wary of some of teh internet stuff, so our general rule is internet only in the kitchen, and not in the bedroom or on the go. I guess we could still get her a cooler cell phone than the handmedown one she has now and still keep "pay as you go" without including internet.

And finally, thanks for all the "right track" support and other suggestions. I think the school will set us up with a buddy family so that she (and we) will have someone to connect with in advance. She loves reading, tennis and skiing, so with luck will also connect with peers quickly on that front. We'll probably join a local tennis club - that seems "normal" (as opposed to "country club") in the area. She's a pretty outgoing young woman (and so far only moderately interested in boys ...), but she's really unhappy about moving schools - she's been at her current school since she was three - and uncertain about liking the city or the school itself, let along the other kids. Wait until I tell her that A&F and Uggs are "in" - that will make her happy!

Thanks again for all the great advice. See you soon!

[Anonymous]

OP: Good luck and welcome to DC area! All these MS teen girls seem to wear the same uniform. Very happy about it. (Even if we think ....)

[Anonymous]

You daughter seems like a normal middle schooler for this area. We, too, only allow internet downstairs and in common/open areas and DD does not take her phone in her room. It's the guidance schools provide, of course not all parents choose to follow it unfortunately.

[Anonymous]

We too only allow internet in common areas and her phone does not have internet. That will be a privilege in high school. Good Luck. What school is she going to?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:NP here:those Bodycon dresses and tops are really streetwalkerish and no way should a MS girl wear them --but otherwise the suggestions here look great!

Well North Face screams ghetto but that doesn't seem to have stopped the masses from wearing it.

[Anonymous]

OP, our DD moved here last year for 8th grade. She too was unhappy as she'd been at her old school "forever" and had a tight group of friends. It has taken a while for the adjustment, but it's getting better slowly. Since she was coming from a private school with a uniform we needed to get her quite a few clothing items to wear (had the UGGs already, lol). About a week or two into school I took her to the Montgomery Mall to get a few "cool" items she noticed other girls in her grade wearing. This might be a good idea for you and DD. It was sort of a mother daughter bonding expeience for us : ) Best of luck on the transition! I'm hoping a rocky 8th grade will make the transition to high school easier, at least.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NP here:those Bodycon dresses and tops are really streetwalkerish and no way should a MS girl wear them --but otherwise the suggestions here look great!

Well North Face screams ghetto but that doesn't seem to have stopped the masses from wearing it.

Maybe OP should be more worried about the mean (and racist) moms.

[Anonymous]

OP here again - thanks all, and thanks 21:56 - sounds like it's all workable. I like the bonding shopping trip idea, too! Maybe you and your DD would like to join us!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:"Be herself"? Really? What middle school aged kid is confident enough to pull off being herself?

I agree with smartphones, North Face fleece, UGGS, & skinny jeans.

Hopefully a smart girl who is in a good school and surrounds herself with good friends. My daughter wears UGGS and has a flip phone (no Internet) She is in an elite school and her friends range all over from 2 bdrm apartments to mega mansions and they love just being fun girls. They all dress and look different.

Confidence and friendliness is a huge plus in a girl.

And she is not interested in boys in the slightest yet. Maybe next year in 8th but for now, it is not. Perk for all-girl schools I guess.

Mine too. Although she wears high, distressed leather boots, which seem to have replaced Uggs in her crowd. Skinny jeans, H&M and Forever 21 -- the usual stores. Topsiders have been big this year, more so than Toms. Funky t-shirts and bohemian tops. Flouncy skirts. She has a flip phone and complains constantly about not having a smart phone . The most important thing is for any 8th grader is to be herself, and she will find like-minded friends. If your DD is headed to Bullis or St. Andrew's, she'll be fine. Nice kids, all kinds of styles. My DD did, and she is quite shy, but has a great circle of friends. Welcome to DC!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:NP here:those Bodycon dresses and tops are really streetwalkerish and no way should a MS girl wear them --but otherwise the suggestions here look great!

I am HORRIFIED that a mom of a middle school girl would think that's okay!!!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here.

Wow! Thanks for all the trademark advice and moral support! This is by far the most helpful set of responses I've had from a board. I'm familiar with some but not all the of the labels, and so will look into them.

We're pretty conservative on clothing from a modesty perspective rather than fashion (I think UGGs are UGLY, but DD loves them ... each generation needs it's own silhouette, and the skinny jeans/UGG/A&F sweatshirt is as good as any, I guess - prob better than the hippy/prairie stuff I was wearing as a teen).

We're also kind of "late adopters" on the tech front and wary of some of teh internet stuff, so our general rule is internet only in the kitchen, and not in the bedroom or on the go. I guess we could still get her a cooler cell phone than the handmedown one she has now and still keep "pay as you go" without including internet.

And finally, thanks for all the "right track" support and other suggestions. I think the school will set us up with a buddy family so that she (and we) will have someone to connect with in advance. She loves reading, tennis and skiing, so with luck will also connect with peers quickly on that front. We'll probably join a local tennis club - that seems "normal" (as opposed to "country club") in the area. She's a pretty outgoing young woman (and so far only moderately interested in boys ...), but she's really unhappy about moving schools - she's been at her current school since she was three - and uncertain about liking the city or the school itself, let along the other kids. Wait until I tell her that A&F and Uggs are "in" - that will make her happy!

Thanks again for all the great advice. See you soon!

You are way too nice to move here.

[Anonymous]

Skinny jeans, combat boots, riding boots, Converse, H&M, Abercrombie, Urban Outfitters, hoodies w/school logos.

[Anonymous]

For boys can I just buy nike airs and ipad.