Wardrobe Essentials for a Teen Girl

Anne

My 14 year old daughter and I would like to develop a wardrobe for her rather than a collection of wardrobe orphans that languish in a closet. I am not sure how to begin a list of wardrobe essentials for a teen girl. Her style is more tailored and classic. Her favorite stores are Eddie Bauer Boden, and J. Crew. What would you put on the list?

10 years ago

Dressing

6 replies

Latest reply was from anne

Liz

Veteran

I'd start for her the way I would for an adult: make a list of activities that need capsules, how many outfits she needs in each capsule for good variety, and then make the list from there.

Check out this Into Mind how-to post, which has a boden-esque capsule for going off to college. A slight adjustment would make it work well for your daughter.

http://into-mind.com/2015/08/0.....robe-for-c...

10 years ago

ClaraT

Veteran

I think a lot depends on where you live and whether she is quite active and/or if she have to walk a lot? California essentials are probably a lot different than Minnesota essentials.
Here are the things I *see* on teen girls: opaque black leggings; skinny jeans; ripped jeans (maybe too unpolished for your daughter)?; Converse; tall boots; booties; loose tops with decorative tanks/bralets; plaid shirts; denim jackets; scarves. But I'm afraid this is too vague to be useful!
Maybe look through pinterest with her, staring with her favorite orphan e.g. search for blue blazer and you'll get loads of looks. You can use a few favorites as a starting point.

10 years ago

Anne

Active Member

Thanks Clara - we live in the midwest. She would never wear leggings or anything ripped! She does have a J. Crew blue blazer though that is rather orphaned.... off to Pinterest.

Liz (also my daugheter's name) thank you for the link! That is a wonderful start!

Capsules - good thinking! She rows so she needs certain athletic clothes for that. She is homeschooled so she doesn't need a lot of different clothes for school. She likes to have cute outfits for youth group and a little dressier clothes for church.

10 years ago

rachylou

Veteran

I agree that an analysis of activities is the best place to start. Your daughter sounds classic but not preppy (thus the orphan blue blazer). I'd look to Grace Kelly...

10 years ago

ladyjules

Active Member

Do you know Rory Gilmore from The Gilmroe Girls? She immediately came to my mind when I read "tailored". Cardigans, denim jackets and blazers are a nice way to add some style, not sure about blazers since she is so young, though. Of course, simple tailored shirts are also great, and polo shirts add a bti of style as well.
As for bottoms, pleated skirts, corduroys or simple dark blue jeans maybe?
And as far as outerwear is concerned, peacoats look lovely on teens.

10 years ago

anne

Veteran

Love the Gilmore girls...

Anyway, just chiming in to say that this is an interesting thread. I have a 12 year old daughter, but haven't really done anything like this as such - she wears school uniform and gets so many nice handed downs items (and in addition buys the odd thing herself) that I'm reduced to just buying things for any gaps that are left.

I loved Liz's advice.

10 years ago

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