Dress Advice...

[BrattyMeg]

ok I'm a pretty strict parent in what I'll allow my kiddo to wear. She has a homecoming dance coming up (*GASP* can this be happening already??) and we've been looking at homecoming dresses, etc..anyways dad said no tube dress or strapless which I'm in agreement on..but what about this one? It's totally cute and "so her" if that makes any sense. Would you let your 14yr old 9th grader wear it? (DH and I have different thoughts on that one). Ev1 agrees on the 2nd choice but she REALLY likes the first one and of course I want her to be happy...what do you think?

[Lauramarie]

I think the first one is a bit more sexy, because of the bar shoulder, you know. The second one is much more freshman friendly. Can you get the second with a pink bow?

[kscwgirl]

I love the first one and I think it's totally fine for her.

[Misty Cato]

I haven't faced this yet as my kiddos are young, but if I were today, I'd let a 14 year old wear either one. DH would absolutely say 'no' to the first one and wouldn't like the second one, but ummmmm, he's a bit over-the-top protective.

[Kiki]

Okay, well I'm not a mom, but I am an aunt. If my niece wanted the first dress I'd say no go. I find it a bit too sexy for a young girl...maybe too because it's black lace. I think the seond dress is so pretty. And it's classy.

[BrattyMeg]

yeah DH is saying "eh i don't love it" for the first one..I'm totally fine with it..sooooo

I should also say that my kid is very modest and very very shy about what she'll show (which of course we both love lol) She has never asked for any sort of skimpy clothing, etc

[MamaBee]

hmm... I think the first one is perfectly all right... it would be different if there was nothing "holding" the dress up, kwim? Both are really cute... but I do like the second one a bit better... it makes me what to twirl ...

[NeverendingJen]

I wouldn't let my freshman wear the first one, but I totally would let her get the second one. Not looking forward to buying a dress for her first big dance soon!

[Gemma]

Originally Posted by MamaBee

hmm... I think the first one is perfectly all right... it would be different if there was nothing "holding" the dress up, kwim? Both are really cute... but I do like the second one a bit better... it makes me what to twirl ...

Same as this!

[emmasmommy]

i'm with Rebecca too. it's fine. she's a good girl.

[Jengerbread88]

I think the first one is appropriate while still in the line of what students that age want to wear. I think it's a great compromise dress, especially because of the very thick strap. If you want to add a little more modesty, you can ask her to wear a tank top under it- it wouldn't compromise too much of the design at all!

The second one is cute, too, though!

[Traci Reed]

There's no cleavage and it's still cute. Daddy's gonna have to lighten up a little if he wants to get through the teen years without a major fight every dance! LOL

I wore way worse stuff to my dances..

[KyRainbow]

Originally Posted by Traci Reed

There's no cleavage and it's still cute.

I agree with Traci and Rebecca....I think the 1st one is totally fine. The second one is cute too, but if she loves the first one, I'd let her wear it.

[Libby Pritchett]

As the mom of a 7th grader, I would have no problem if Kendra wanted to wear this in a couple of years. I don't think it's inappropriate at all. Now having said that, I actually like the 2nd one better.

[Tracie Stroud]

I'd say no to the 1st one, but I'm very very conservative with clothes.

[becca1976]

Originally Posted by emmasmommy

i'm with Rebecca too. it's fine. she's a good girl.

It's not whether she's a good girl...it's whether she's around good boys...kwim? I don't think you can ever err too far on the side of caution. You want your girls to be happy, but you also want them to be safe. (I probably watch too much csi and criminal minds...)

[emmasmommy]

well, i just meant that i knew she wouldn't pick something crazy sexy because she's not like that. i agree though. boys are bad lol

[maryinaz]

I say the 2nd one. She's only 9th grade and she has plenty of future dances to wear something like the first. HOWEVER, the girls my son took to dances last year (he's 10th grade this year), wore strapless. Guess it's a good thing I don't have girls. I'd be mean.

[luckyme]

I would let my daughter wear either (if she were 14) to a special occasion dance. I am in general far more concerned about the clothes that kids (both girls AND boys) wear on a day-to-day basis.

[Traci Reed]

I guess I'm of the mindset of: If you don't allow them to stretch their wings a bit when they're growing up, they'll rebel when they're no longer under your thumb, as I did. I think a dress like the first is modest, while letting her express herself. She's in that awkward in between stage of not quite full grown and not a kid anymore. Just google "prom dresses" and you'll come up with stuff like this:



Puts things in perspective, no?

[eloise24]

Love the second one- I think it's cute and yet modest. Hope she has fun!

[*Celeste*]

i'd let her wear the first one - but i actually think the second one is nicer.

[lauren grier]

I like the 2nd one more... I wouldn't have been allowed to wear the 1st at 14... I wish I had a picture of the dress my mom made me wear to my freshmen semiformal..... it was horrifying.. I would have killed to have a dress like #2 instead

[lovely1m]

Gosh, I am really torn on it. I don't think its the one shoulder of the first one that gets me as much as the black lace back. I think that's the part that is a bit too sexy. If it has a modesty panel to make it not see through, I would say its great. I don't, however, think its that bad, not like hell, no bad. So I think I would go with the mindset of choosing your battles wisely.

[DeepGirl]

If she were 18 yr, I would allow her to wear No. 1, but I think it is too sexy for 14 yr girl... So I vote for second choice now.

[lisabranka]

as a mom of freshman girl too (homecoming in a couple of weeks) I'd let her wear either. We already have her dress (I shop the after homecoming/prom time and get wicked good deals!).

It's basically strapless, but for the most part about 85% of the dresses out there are! I agree with Traci that you need to let them stretch their wings a bit...I usually take care of the "boys" issue by volunterring to be a chaperone @ the dance! LOL

[Darcy Baldwin]

I like #2 better

[carriesmom]

I think they are both cute and appropriate. Yes #1 has a bare shoulder but if you put the two straps together on #2 it's about the same amount of material. Neither shows cleavage and are about knee length. I say if she loves it, go for it!

[Kjersti]

#1 is a bit sexy for a 14 year old! I'd go with #2.

Can you find an option #3. High neckline, long sleeves, clear to the floor.....maybe made of wool. ROFL. Keep those boys away!!!!!!

[breakingbrie]

Originally Posted by lovely1m

Gosh, I am really torn on it. I don't think its the one shoulder of the first one that gets me as much as the black lace back. I think that's the part that is a bit too sexy. If it has a modesty panel to make it not see through, I would say its great. I don't, however, think its that bad, not like hell, no bad. So I think I would go with the mindset of choosing your battles wisely.

This is exactly what I'm thinking - I think it's the see through lace part in the back that makes it seem to me a bit more mature to me.. I do like the second one best - just my personal preference. I don't know if I'd let my daughters wear that or not, lol, glad I have quite a few more years yet til we get there, but I've seen 14 yr olds in a lot less, and I don't think dress #1 is really bad at all. Has she tried them on, and seen how they look on her yet, or are you ordering out of a catalog/online?

[Stacey42]

I like them both. Having no girls I'm thinking about what I would think if my son's date showed up in either and I would think "What a great dress!" for either of them, as opposed to that prom dress Traci posted where I would be thinking "OMG!"

I wouldn't have been allowed to wear either of them to our freshman formal, not because of my parents, who would have probably gone along with #2, possibly #1, but because the school insisted shoulders be covered.

[Aggie Aviso]

No 2. If only the second option had a pink version! Wouldnt that be nice.
However, it really depends how it would look when your daughter has already tried it on her, kwim? There are certain dresses that just really is perfect for you once you try it on, without coming off as too sexy or too prim.

Goodluck!

[rochelle789]

They're both pretty, but I think #2 is more age-appropriate.

[terrab]

I like both of them but I think I like the first one more. I don't think there is anything wrong with either, but I don't have a teenage girl.

[newfiemountiewife]

If my kid was 14, I'd be ok with her wearing either of them. I REALLY like the 1st one, and I think if Amelia or Rae picked it out, I'd be ok with them wearing it. Their dad would not, but I think that's a given with dads. LOL

[BrattyMeg]

well problem solved...for these 2 lol 1 was really ugly when tried on and they were out of the 2nd one..going to try the second one on at the store closer to church tomorrow

she tried on like 50 dresses

[nun69]

I like them both, but like the 1st one best...and I say let her choose if you guys are both OK with either choice.......if she is modest, she will probably pick the 2nd one...my DD is 17 and fairly modest and this is the dress she wore last year....

she was 16 and a junior


this is what she wore as a sophmore


and as a freshman {she is ont he far right}


and this is what she wore for her 8th grade dance


so I guess I am pretty liberal when it comes to her, but she is a good kid and I know how she acts, so I wasn't too worried.....but that is just me..her dress this year as a Senior is strapless too...nothing fancy, but cute...

[mummytothree]

I'm very strict too....VERY!!! So for my girls....no I would not let them wear #1. Black lace to me says "trashy" no matter who it's on and what color bow it's wrapped up in. Throw in the bare shoulder and it's a double whammy for me. My poor poor girls

I do like the second one though and think it looks more age appropriate!! Good Luck Meg, I don't envy you at all and I dread the day I am in your shoes just a few short months from now!!!

[laurabobaura]

okay- i'll start off by saying that i have my own screwed up reasons for why i wouldn't want my 15yo sister wearing that to her dance. i wouldn't want her wearing a strapless or the #1 '1 shoulder' dress.

NOW. i'll ADD that like traci said, my parents were much more strict on me- i couldn't even wear knee length dresses to my dances til like junior year...and...people that know me know how my teenage years turned out

i'd say it's only for you to judge. if you feel that she's mature enough- go for it. depends on the person and depends on the kid.

*panic attack over sister at homecoming tonight* :P

[Joy2Scrapbook]

I think the 2nd dress is beautiful and very appropriate for a 14 year old. The 1st dress is just a bit too sexy for someone so young.

[breakingbrie]

Aww, darn! lol. Daddy won't have to worry about the first dress now I do hope the 2nd dress looks nice when tried on, that was my fave.

[Jengerbread88]

Originally Posted by Kjersti

Can you find an option #3. High neckline, long sleeves, clear to the floor.....maybe made of wool. ROFL. Keep those boys away!!!!!!

[litabells]

Originally Posted by carriesmom

I think they are both cute and appropriate. Yes #1 has a bare shoulder but if you put the two straps together on #2 it's about the same amount of material. Neither shows cleavage and are about knee length. I say if she loves it, go for it!

I agree completely! They both have around the same amount of material at the back lol

Perhaps a compromise? The first dress, but with her hair down, so it gives a little extra coverage, kwim? Totally depends on the length of her hair of course lol

[Julie Billingsley]

Hope you find the second dress at the store. It's gorgeous!!!

[Sarah8914]

Originally Posted by psalm149

I'd say no to the 1st one, but I'm very very conservative with clothes.

This is us. Actually, we wouldn't even let our daughters go sleeveless--yes, that conservative!

Not all kids rebel with strict parents. I never felt like my parents were "strict" (but I know everyone else would think that!) it was just our way of life and all 6 of us kids still live how we were raised and are raising our children the same! (not necessarily in clothing issues, but you know, in general).


But, I see it's not an issue now and I hope you have much better luck tomorrow!!!

[junebug]

personally i just like the second one better. i think the first one is okay, maybe a bit 'sexy' because of the one shoulder but its not over the top. the second one is classy and sweet i think.

[scrappurple]

I am right here with you. My dd is 15 and I agree 100% with what you are doing. I would let her wear either one of those. Although, I am so strict, I would make her wear shorts under the dress *giggle*. You go mom.

[SmallMoments]

I was thinking something more like this...


or this...


Would she go for that?

Hee hee... I'd for sure be okay with the 2nd. I'm glad you don't have to decide about #1. Hope she finds something she likes! I don't envy you at all!

[NettieB]

sheesh - Meg! ack, to be in your shoes! and then when I think of the hideous gid-ups I wore to dances that I thought were All That - neither choice has a Bow larger than her posterior, or micro mini skirt, and #2 if you can find it is cute and rather classy!

Happy hunting tomorrow. Just hope you can find something she feels comfortable, confident and happy in - show off that pretty soul - she needs to feel as secure as a 14yo can - and dance a have a good time!

[4noisyboys]

I only had boys, but that being said...I think they are both adorable. I actually like #2 better. I see #1 more on a 16 year old. I don't think it's inappropriate at all though.