It seems that we are all in agreement โ finding age-appropriate clothing for teenage girls and modest clothes for tweens these days can be an incredibly frustrating experience! Fiding interesting clothing for boys is equally difficult!
Finding clothes for teenagers of both sexes is hard
For the teenage girls, parents have telling us that they are resorting to making or upcycling clothing for their daughters themselves due to the extreme lack of quality options at our local stores. Many Brisbane Kids fans with girls are also sourcing clothes from overseas and are willing to pay more and wait longer to get clothes that are considered better quality and more suitable for their age.
For boys it seems difficult to find any options that don’t include a nod to either a skate, surf or football direction and while some of the options below will include these, there are also a number that include more neutral and fun but unthemed clothing for teenage boys.
These are the top places you, our fans, recommend for modest girlsโ clothing for those teenagers and tweens who donโt want to be dressing like 18 year olds and who still love a bit of sparkle and ruffles sometimes.
Department Stores
Larger department stores usually stock ranges of clothing for girls in sizes 1 to 7 for younger girls and 8 to 14 for the bigger girls and teens. Unfortunately, it will still take some searching to find appropriate clothing in some of these stores, but it is out there. Quality is also a major factor, but the general rule is that you get what you pay for.
Department Stores that sell modest clothing for teenagers and tween girls and teen boy clothing include:
Myer โ Look out for Bardot Junior and Myerโs exclusive Milkshake brand clothing.
David Jones – Quality childrenโs clothing in sizes 8 to 14 for girls.
Both Myer and David Jones have regular sales events, so keep an eye out for these opportunities to buy higher quality age-appropriate clothing at more affordable prices.
Department Stores that may require a search to sort through the good from the bad:
Target
Big W
Kmart – Even try the ladies clothing department for more modest basic pieces for teen girls.
Best & Less
Department stores like Target, Big W, Kmart and Best & Less are perfect for stocking up on basics for each season, with regular sales events offering additional discounts on their already low-priced clothing for tweens and teens.
Chain Stores
Many chain stores specialising in childrenโs clothing stock sizes up to 14 (and sometimes 16) and have a greater range of options that are suitable for tweens and teens. Here’s where our fans recommend to shop for age-appropriate clothing for teenage girls and tweens –
Bardot Junior – With a tween girls range from sizes 8 to 16, Bardot Junior has several standalone stores as well as being stocked in larger department stores and in online retailers.
Cotton On/Cotton On Kids/Free by Cotton On – A whole range of clothing to cover every age group, with many โprettierโ items for girls in the tween or teen age group.
Country Road – Country Road has a whole range of kids clothing, including a girls line that goes up to size 12 which is perfect for tweens.
Jay Jays โ Ladies sizing in jeans and basics down to a XXXS (size 4 ladies).
Just Jeans โ Great for jeans and basics in sizes 8 to 14 for girls.
Pavement – Available from their standalone stores as well as online, Pavement deal exclusively in clothing for kids aged 8 to 16 years.
The Kidstore – With several stores in Brisbane, The Kidstore has a range of clothing for girls aged up to 12 years.
Trade Secret Outlet – Trade Secret has a small range of items available online, with several stores throughout Brisbane and stock changing daily.
Urban Angel by Pumpkin Patch โ Sizing from 8 years to 16 years for girls.
Witchery 8fourteen – Witchery’s 8fourteen range covers clothing, shoes and accessories for girls in sizes 8 to 14.
Exclusively Online
Many online retailers offer great deals on delivery and returns these days, making online shopping a convenient and cost-effective way to shop for tween and teen girls clothing.
ASOS – Whilst they don’t have a ‘children’s’ range, ASOS stocks clothing for women from an Australian ladies size 2 and offers free delivery on orders over $30.
eBay – With a bit of searching, you can find some great buys for teen and tween girls on eBay.
Etsy – Specialising in unique goodies from all over the world, Etsy is like a handmade eBay where sellers run their own stores and is great for picking up original and different clothes for girls.
MadeIt – MadeIt is the Australian equivalent of Etsy, stocking handmade goodies made in Australia.
Overseas clothing retailers for teenagers
Many overseas retailers now ship to Australia. Take advantage of the US end of season sales that coincide with the start of our season and stock up for the coming months. It also pays to look into third party shipping companies who will receive your parcel on your behalf within the US and forward all of your purchases on to your when you are ready. This often allows you to take advantage of US only specials and discounts and their free local US delivery and consolidate a few orders from different retailers into one parcel to be sent.
GAP – Combining your orders from GAP, Old Navy, Banana Republic, Piper Lime and Athleta all on the one site means that you can stock up for the whole family. GAP has a great range for girls up to size 18 or XXL.
Justice – (a US store) have a larger kids size range now that is just like the normal kids designs, size 10-20 (US of course).
Next Direct – UK fashion retailer Next has a gorgeous range of clothing for older girls and delivers FREE for all orders over $30, with a returns address in Australia to make it simple to exchange or return if needed.
Target (USA) – Low priced clothing with a massive range for kids – perfect for getting something different to what everyone is wearing here in Australia.
Do you think stores will listen if we stop buying these clothes that are considered โtrashyโ and completely inappropriate for teenage girls? Will they start stocking clothes for girls that are more modest? Will boys start being offered more than a palette of themed clothing which doesn’t necessarily suit boys who are more into computer games and reading books.
Please let us know as you find places to shop for teens so we can add them to our list. You should also check out the collection of activities we are gathering that are just for teenagers under Activities for Brisbane Teens.
Join the conversation