Talk to your teen about where the dress is to be worn. For instance if the dress if for the high school prom with all of your teen's friends, maybe your daughter could also wear the dress to a family event, like their cousin's wedding. When you and your teen know where the dress is going to be used, you can make more informed decisions about it. And if the dress will be worn to more than one event, you can probably allow her more leeway in the budget.
Have your teen show you what types of teen dresses she likes before you go out shopping. Teen magazines, catalogs and the internet have tons of examples of teen dresses. Ask her about the colors and styles she prefers. Talk about skirt lengths, how short is too short in your opinion? Give your teenage daughter a clear message by getting out the measuring tape and showing her. On a side note, the it is a school event that your daughter is buying her dress for, you'll want to know what they're rules on skirt length is before you pay for a dress that you may not be able to return. Call their high school guidance office for help with that.
Talk to your teen about any particular style they are interested in wearing. For instance, some teens enjoy wearing vintage style clothing or the like the shear and shimmery. No matter what her choice is, having an idea of what she is looking for will help you not waste time on the complete opposite style - saves on the stress as well.
Go over the budget for the dress with your teen and give them the amount you are willing to spend. If they want to add to that amount with money they have already earned, allow it. Be sure to let them know what the budget entails. Is it for just the dress, or is that the full amount they have to spend on shoes and accessories as well? Forewarned with a doable budget is forearmed for dress sales. Teens are excellent at finding sales for dresses and working within a budget when they understand how much you are going to spend.
If your budget can stand it, research the locations of smaller dress shops for teen dresses. They will be able to fit your teen's dress to their size and will be more knowledgeable about styles that look good for your teen's body type. They can also let down or take up a hem of a dress for you if necessary.
Take your daughter's measurements before leaving home and write them down. Many times dresses aren't standard sizes, so you will need to know her hip and chest measurements along with her waist to knee measurement for the length of the dress. Also, allow the dress consultant or store clerk to take measurements if they offer. Having professional measurements is always a positive. Keep in mind that you can change the look of a dress with accessories. Leggings under the skirt or a sweater will give a Sunday dress a causal look that your teen daughter can enjoy wearing to school. Layered shirts underneath a sundress can change its season. Have your teen look in the fashion magazines for more ideas.
Have your teen try on her choices and be sure to try one or two things that are different from your teen's choices. Widen your teen's ideas by seeing how something will look on them. Your daughter may like the new look, or not, you don't have to buy if you just try it. And if she totally hates it, she'll know to steer clear of that style the next time she goes shopping.
End your dress shopping trip with you teen with a trip to somewhere that serves good snacks, desserts or ice cream. Enjoy your teen daughter's excitement about the dresses she saw and purchased. Use this one-on-one time to strengthen your relationship and make good memories.
Places to look for teen dresses online:
