Dress for a Preteen for the Hunt Ball

[KatherineC]

I need some help here. I have made 2 unsuccessful shopping trips looking for a dress for my 11yo daughter for the hunt ball. We have been to Nordstroms, Macys, Belk etc. The dresses are way to mature for her and many of the selections are down right trashy.

Advise please on where else to look!

[2ndyrgal]

In the Petite section.

Or, look at a bridal store.

You could probably default to a long skirt and a fancy blouse or jacket.

And thank you for not going trashy.

[Highflyer]

How fancy does it need to be? Maybe try somewhere that carries bridesmaid dresses like J Crew or David’s Bridal?

http://www.davidsbridal.com/Browse_Bridal-Party-Bridesmaids-Junior-Bridesmaids

http://www.jcrew.com/wedding/Wedding_Flower_Girl/flowergirl.jsp

(Disclaimer-- I know very little about fashion and have no kids!)

[jawa]

I would suggest going to a bridal shop and looking at the flower girl or junior bridesmaid dresses.

http://www.davidsbridal.com/Browse_Bridal-Party-Bridesmaids-Junior-Bridesmaids__pageSize-all

http://shop.nordstrom.com/c/wedding-bridesmaid-dresses?cm_ven=google&cm_cat=wedding_generic&cm_pla=wedding_bridesmaid_dresses&cm_ite=bridesmaid%20dresses_e&ef_id=TG2okgqoEEMAABmvFQsAAMNV:20120123143928:s

[lcw579]

Are there any specialty boutiques in your area? When my girls were that age I had the best luck at the small shops that specialized in formal wear. It can be pricey but it was worth it to avoid the hoochie mama look.

11 is a tough age to dress because sometimes their body looks much more mature than they really are. It is not fun.

[Hinderella]

In my area there are a number of bridal/special occasion consignment shops, and the younger girls at our barn have had good luck finding special dresses there.

[KatherineC]

Thanks. Great ideas. We will hit the consignment shops this weekend.

Daughter has a shape that is not reflective of her age due to Italian heritage on her fathers side! She did not follow in the footsteps of her mother. I was flat as a board at her age.

[Guin]

Where do you live?

[leilatigress]

JC Penny. I’ve always had fabulous luck with them and always reasonably priced.

[2ndyrgal]

Ok, now I see your problem.

Go with a plain, not full length, “little black dress”. Low heels, pantyhose. Small sweet earrings, delicate necklace. Make sure the dress does not enhance her “enhancements” at all. The dress should be plain, but may be sleeveless. If it has any “scoop” to the neckline, add a pale pink “shrug”.

I’m sure she’s a little bombshell. One of my office girls brought in a “prom dress” catalog. I thought it was for Vegas Showgirls. We had dainty little roses, not sequins and slits.

[KatherineC]

Thanks again all. I have found a few local consignment shops and a few specialty dress shops that we will hit this weekend.

I think the simple black dress is the way to go. I am envisioning something Audrey Hepburn would have worn. Add in a pearl necklace and some ballet flats and we will be ready.

Wish me luck!

[scubed]

I think some at Banana Republic are reasonable: http://www.bananarepublic.com/products/little-black-dress.jsp

Sequins could be fun without being too trashy:
http://www.dillards.com/product/XOXO-Sequin-2Fer-Dress_301_-1_301_502847343?splashlink=header_juniors

[MDPONYMOM]

I have always had very good luck at White House/Black Market for my daughter. They have many, many options there and they are currently having an end-of-season dress sale. www.whbm.com

[2ndyrgal]

I did an Audrey Hepburn Dress

To the Hunt Ball this year. Black, portrait neckline, 3/4 sleeves, calf length with a fitted waist and a fullish skirt with crinoline. Cute low heels, and pearls. I’m 50 and every woman I spoke to complimented me on my dress. I was comfortable and as DH says I had “conservative class”. I confess to having a bit of help from a VS “bombshell” bra.

[phoebetrainer]

One of my hobbies outside riding is sewing. Currently I am sewing vintage dresses - mostly for myself for work. My 12 year old niece saw some of my patterns and has begged me to make her a dress. The pattern she chose is a 1953 girls’ dress pattern. Fitted bodice and full skirt, lightly scooped neckline. Its fabulous! I can’t wait to start on it and see it on her! In appropriate material it would make an awesome ball dress for her age group.

[goodhors]

Make sure she has appropriate undergarments for her lovely dress. Sometimes daily wear just isn’t going to work for dress-up garments. Hope she has a great time.