https://www.jcrew.com/p/girls_category/dresses/partydresses1/girls-gold-fluttersleeve-dress/K7328?color_name=gold

https://www.jcrew.com/p/girls_category/dresses/partydresses1/girls-sequin-dress/K3633?color_name=gold

Check out sally Miller.com

I like TJMax online - return what does not work at the store:

https://tjmaxx.tjx.com/store/jump/product/women-clothing-dresses/Matilda-Tie-Dress/1000457163?colorId=NS1003426&pos=2:8&N=3784554090

https://tjmaxx.tjx.com/store/jump/product/women-clothing-dresses/Lace-Dress/1000415035?colorId=NS1003481&pos=2:142&N=3784554090

https://tjmaxx.tjx.com/store/jump/product/women-clothing-dresses/Vera-Dress/1000403932?colorId=NS1219045&pos=2:171&N=3784554090

https://tjmaxx.tjx.com/store/jump/product/women-clothing-dresses/Flirty-Sleeve-Fit-%26-Flare-Dress/1000470211?colorId=NS1003428&pos=3:114&N=3784554090

https://tjmaxx.tjx.com/store/jump/product/women-clothing-dresses/Sheer-Illusion-Flounce-Sheath-Dress/1000412537?colorId=NS1337918&pos=3:129&N=3784554090

https://tjmaxx.tjx.com/store/jump/product/women-clothing-dresses/Illusion-Lace-Dress/1000460897?colorId=NS1003577&pos=3:180&N=3784554090

I second Francescas. Reasonably priced, and decent and appropriate coverage. We've also had luck with online shopping at Macys and Kohls (the girls can look on line and order a few things and pick what works, return the rest).

brandy melville

Rent the runway is my go to for my daughter. First time I used it for her was for bat mitzvah.

Anonymous wrote:Nordstrom personal shopper (it’s free)

+1. Did this with my very hard to shop for 13 yr old when she needed a dress for a bat mitzvah. I gave the shopper DDs very particular requirements, she pulled a bunch in advance, DD tried on a few, she pulled more with that feedback and that included one DD loved. Spent a bit more than I might have otherwise but it was a pleasant hour instead of a torturous full weekend.

Is she an almost 13 year old tween? Or a 9 year old tween?

A 7th grader can dress a little "older" than an elementary kid.

I bet those Macys junior dresses in real life will not look nearly as mature as they do on the 19 year old models. Your 13 year old does not have curves, a pout, a come hither look and stance, or sexy make up.

Go in person to try things on. You might be very pleasantly surprised by how the dresses look on your daughter.

We have had luck at ASOS and JCrew. Zara is hit or miss.

I got this for DD, 13, for similar occasions. She loves itand it is super cute.

https://www.amazon.com/Kate-Kasin-Sleeveless-Vintage-Dresses/dp/B07L85R7XQ/ref=sr_1_14?keywords=party+dresses+for+girls+7-16&qid=1547937029&s=Clothing&sr=1-14

Nordstrom personal shopper (it’s free)

Sorry you didn't have luck in Macy's juniors section--DD is a similar size and we've gotten many dresses there. Did you go in person? There are daytime dress sections.

Francescas

At that age, we were lucky at the places like Ross, TJMax, etc. nit because I like them, but they often have rack upon rack of dresses and the smaller sizes are very well stocked. Higher necklines helped, too, since the dresses would gap in the front.

My daughter is invited to a bat mitzvah, and we also have a family wedding upcoming. Both are afternoon events that will have dancing and such. She's at the awful size where it's really hard to find anything -- she's about 5'4" and about 90-95 pounds, so thin. Women's size 0 sometimes will work for her. I looked at Macy's Juniors and it mostly looks like stuff that 20-somethings would go clubbing in. Help! She looks better in jewel tones, and I think a fit/flare cut would probably be most flattering, given her body shape, but something with a swooshy skirt would also work.
Thanks for any suggestions!