Another good place online to order several, try on, and then return: JCPenney.

My not-so-into-dresses/likes to be comfortable kid usually prefers "skater" style dresses.

https://www.jcpenney.com/g/baby-kids/dresses-jumpsuits?girls_age_group=big+girls+7-16&item_type=skater+dresses&occasion=party&id=cat11100000098&productGridView=medium&activeFacetId=5

GAP has some options too. You can filter for linen and gauze to get really summery.

https://www.gap.com/browse/girls/dresses?cid=6300&nav=meganav%3AGirls%3ACategories%3ADresses#style=1022857&fabricMaterial=3125,1943&facetOrder=style:1022857,fabricMaterial:3125,fabricMaterial:1943

For girls going from tees and shorts to dresses, one tip I have is to try to keep necklines and shoulders she is comfortable with on tees/tanks/tops the same as the dress.

It could be more comfortable.

(I’m not saying you have to; it’s just one way to go about it).

I just bought a few items from Zara for my DD9 and she loves this skirt and top combo:

https://www.zara.com/us/en/beaded-floral-knit-skirt-p05987605.html?v1=441807959&v2=2426216

Amazon

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Another Abercrombie one https://www.abercrombie.com/shop/us/kids/p/emerson-puff-sleeve-mini-dress-56419823?categoryId=6316546&faceout=prod&seq=02

I also recommend browsing Nordstrom in store.

That one looks babyish for a 9 yr old.

Funny, the Emerson is one of Abercrombie's (not kids) big items: https://www.abercrombie.com/shop/us/womens-emerson-collection-dresses-and-jumpsuits

Anonymous wrote:Another Abercrombie one https://www.abercrombie.com/shop/us/kids/p/emerson-puff-sleeve-mini-dress-56419823?categoryId=6316546&faceout=prod&seq=02

I also recommend browsing Nordstrom in store.

That one looks babyish for a 9 yr old.

My 10 year old likes Hayden Girls (online only, weird return policy for a certain $ amount of orders so not great for buying a lot of stuff with the intent to return) and Zara for this kind of thing. It’s a hard age to shop for and there isn’t a lot between casual and poofy fancy party dresses that skew babyish.

Not sure what colors she likes - Next has some pretty things: https://www.next.us/en/shop/girls/clothing/dresses/f/size-910years?p=2#1278.828125

Also try crewcuts for more preppy or Zara if she likes more trendy.

joy folie

Another Abercrombie one https://www.abercrombie.com/shop/us/kids/p/emerson-puff-sleeve-mini-dress-56419823?categoryId=6316546&faceout=prod&seq=02

I also recommend browsing Nordstrom in store.

Abercrombie has some girls dresses that are not frou frou but have some “grown up” styling/details. Example: https://www.abercrombie.com/shop/us/kids/p/drop-waist-bubble-hem-mini-dress-59502974?faceout=prod&seq=01&pagefm=navigation-swatch&prodvm=navigation-swatch

Children’s Place

I just pulled up dresses in her size on Macys.com and we picked a bunch out that she liked. Then we ordered them and tried them on. Then we returned them all . Macys had NOTHING in the store, so don't try to go in person.

We ended up finding a dress at Nordstrom Rack, but there was only ONE in her size. She liked it though! So that was a win. Amazon seemed to have some options too, but we didn't need to try there.

She might also like a jumpsuit, so keep that in mind.

I would try J Crew.

Sometimes "junior bridesmaid" is a good search term if you want something more formal.

My 9 year old daughter isn’t super into dresses but she wants to wear one to a family friend’s upcoming bar mitzvah. The bar mitzvah is mid June and during the day. Since I haven bought her a dress in a long time, I don’t have “usual” spots to shop. She’s no help—she says she just wants something “not babyish.”

If you have favorite dresses for this sort of occasion, please comment with links. All suggestions appreciated. I know I could just look at websites, but I’m overwhelmed by the options and thought maybe a fashionable online stranger would enjoy suggesting a dress for a 9 year old!