What does your 11 old wear to school..need ideas for Dd who is used to strict British uniform

[Anonymous]

Mine is eleven as well, and I haven't really noticed anyone bothering to put much thought or effort into clothes. They wear what they're comfortable in. DD wears soft denim shorts and hoodies (yes, even in summer). Two of her friends seem to prefer wearing capris and Ts. A fourth is the only one that is well coordinated, but in the warm weather, also opts for comfort - shorts and Ts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Good advice to wait to buy most until your daughter starts school and sees what others are wearing, BUT she needs clothes for the first week at least. I have sons but could easily tell you what “many” boys in middle school wear (athletic shorts and T-shirts, cannot go wrong with Nike or Under Armour brands), so I am surprised parents of girls can’t give some initial guidance. Parents of middle school girls, please help this new student fit in!

I do think there's a wider variety of choices for girls in general, and some schools tend to have more variety than others. And for girls, your choice of clothing telegraphs a lot about who you are and who you want to be, a lot more than for boys, I think. So you don't want to worry that you're sending the wrong message on the first day.

But regardless of the school, most middle schoolers aren't very polished or dressed-up most of the time. I'd say you can't go too far wrong with jeans or leggings and shortish, boxy t-shirt with Vans or Converse, at least for the first day or two. Nice and neutral, but still reasonably "in style." I do think super-skinny jeans are less of a thing than they used to be, so maybe a slim fit, or a slight boyfriend cut with some distressing? That's what mine has moved to, but maybe other parents can weigh in. But Vans and Converse sneakers seem to show up pretty much everywhere, even if they're not necessarily the cutting-edge of style.

H&M is a great place to shop for girls who are in between size ranges, because their girls' clothes are reasonably trendy, and if you dig you can find t-shirts without the cute sayings or flip sequins. And they also have a wide range of juniors' styles, too, from very basic to practically club wear. Depending on the location, some stores focus more on women's clothes, so if the one closest to you doesn't have a lot of girls or juniors styles, you can always look online. Also, I gather it involves some digging to find styles appropriate for a 6th grader, but a lot of my DD's friends shop online at Shein. Because their sizing is basically Asian sizing, it's easier to find stylish stuff in super-small sizes.

OP, do also be aware that many US schools have a strict dress code that specifies the length of girls' shorts and skirts, often no longer than fingertip-length. So I wouldn't buy shorts or short skirts for school until you're sure they're allowed. Same for spaghetti-strap tank tops or dresses. The rule at my DD's middle school was that straps had to be at least two fingers wide.

[Anonymous]

Girls wear jeans and shirt. Like 90s style boyfriend jeans or high waisted jeans, lighter color than in recent past. In summer wear shorts and tee. Maybe adidas shorts or else jean shorts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Good advice to wait to buy most until your daughter starts school and sees what others are wearing, BUT she needs clothes for the first week at least. I have sons but could easily tell you what “many” boys in middle school wear (athletic shorts and T-shirts, cannot go wrong with Nike or Under Armour brands), so I am surprised parents of girls can’t give some initial guidance. Parents of middle school girls, please help this new student fit in!

I do think there's a wider variety of choices for girls in general, and some schools tend to have more variety than others. And for girls, your choice of clothing telegraphs a lot about who you are and who you want to be, a lot more than for boys, I think. So you don't want to worry that you're sending the wrong message on the first day.

But regardless of the school, most middle schoolers aren't very polished or dressed-up most of the time. I'd say you can't go too far wrong with jeans or leggings and shortish, boxy t-shirt with Vans or Converse, at least for the first day or two. Nice and neutral, but still reasonably "in style." I do think super-skinny jeans are less of a thing than they used to be, so maybe a slim fit, or a slight boyfriend cut with some distressing? That's what mine has moved to, but maybe other parents can weigh in. But Vans and Converse sneakers seem to show up pretty much everywhere, even if they're not necessarily the cutting-edge of style.

H&M is a great place to shop for girls who are in between size ranges, because their girls' clothes are reasonably trendy, and if you dig you can find t-shirts without the cute sayings or flip sequins. And they also have a wide range of juniors' styles, too, from very basic to practically club wear. Depending on the location, some stores focus more on women's clothes, so if the one closest to you doesn't have a lot of girls or juniors styles, you can always look online. Also, I gather it involves some digging to find styles appropriate for a 6th grader, but a lot of my DD's friends shop online at Shein. Because their sizing is basically Asian sizing, it's easier to find stylish stuff in super-small sizes.

OP, do also be aware that many US schools have a strict dress code that specifies the length of girls' shorts and skirts, often no longer than fingertip-length. So I wouldn't buy shorts or short skirts for school until you're sure they're allowed. Same for spaghetti-strap tank tops or dresses. The rule at my DD's middle school was that straps had to be at least two fingers wide.

OP will know H&M already because it's a European brand and they have stores all over the UK

[Anonymous]

OP, shorts are definitely more common for girls here than in the UK. The 7th grade girls at my son’s school in Montgomery county (private, but not posh) wear very short shorts and hoodies or T-shirts, or high waisted jeans with crop tops. The girls in 5th grade tend to wear more leggings and dresses. Sixth grade is a mix of styles as the girls become more conscious of their appearance.

[Anonymous]

No no no to old navy and target

Try:
Zara kids
Forever 21 (kids section)
H and M (kids section or small in adults)
Hollister
Hot topic (for t shirts and socks)
Maybe try Abercrombie kids but small sizes in adults if possible

Jansport backpack

Not air force ones! They are tending out, try vans or Stan smith shoes

[Anonymous]

Check the district’s dress code policy. My kid doesn’t wear a uniform but the school will make you change if your shorts are too short.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Girls wear jeans and shirt. Like 90s style boyfriend jeans or high waisted jeans, lighter color than in recent past. In summer wear shorts and tee. Maybe adidas shorts or else jean shorts.

Maybe HS but not 11 year olds…

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:First day outfit- boxy tee with Jean shorts and white tennis shoes (like vans).

Tie dye if possible

No to high top black converse

[Anonymous]

My DD just turned 12, didn’t have time to read replies..

Athletic wear is popular (leggings and tees/hoodies etc), jeans, Vans. Sweatpants seems popular too (the ones with a cuff at the bottom) Lots of Old Navy, Target, Abercrombie Kids, Athleta etc. Ugg fuzzy boots or knockoffs are popular in the cold months. UMC public school FWIW.

I would avoid anything very babyish (with cutesy sayings etc) for now, unless that is really what she wants.

Jeans or leggings, boxy tee, hoodie and Vans would likely work well until she figures out what the norm is at her school!

So far, I have not heard of anyone being teased about their clothes at school unless it is something very bizarre. (Like wearing a fancy dress to school, etc)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:First day outfit- boxy tee with Jean shorts and white tennis shoes (like vans).

Yep. I agree. cant really go wrong with that.

[Anonymous]

OP here.Thank you for all the suggestions, for specific stores, will do some online shopping this weekend. Thanks to the Brits who chimed in, I laughed about boys uniform because I also have DS who had to wear white shirt/tie/blazer/cap/black shoes Probably was bizarre to go from those clothes to athletic. Thanks guys, have a good weekend.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DD just turned 12, didn’t have time to read replies..

Athletic wear is popular (leggings and tees/hoodies etc), jeans, Vans. Sweatpants seems popular too (the ones with a cuff at the bottom) Lots of Old Navy, Target, Abercrombie Kids, Athleta etc. Ugg fuzzy boots or knockoffs are popular in the cold months. UMC public school FWIW.

I would avoid anything very babyish (with cutesy sayings etc) for now, unless that is really what she wants.

Jeans or leggings, boxy tee, hoodie and Vans would likely work well until she figures out what the norm is at her school!

So far, I have not heard of anyone being teased about their clothes at school unless it is something very bizarre. (Like wearing a fancy dress to school, etc)

Public schools have been closed around here for more than a year, so no wonder you have not heard of anyone 'being teased out their clothes at school".

[Anonymous]

Jeans and t shirts from Billabong, gap, j crew
Leggings and oversized sweaters with vans
Jean shorts and t shirts
Converse, vans, sandals, boots with tights and denim jumper
Paper bag pants and t shirt tucked in with vans

All of a sudden she is very particular
It used to be leggings and shirts and dresses that I bought for her.
Brands she likes are Francesca’s girl options( but I edit selections so nothing revealing is bought)
She does not wear crop tops or extremely short shorts/skirts and I think it’s awful that stores sell this to this age group. Child porn pushers..,