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If you thought shopping for little kids was hard, shopping for tweens and teens can be even trickier — a 13-year-old’s going to have way more opinions on clothing brands than a 1-year-old, and probably more expensive taste, too. Plus, what are you supposed to do when they’re too big for the kids’ section, but “adult” clothes don’t seem quite right either?
Your tween or teen may be telling you exactly where they want to shop, but just in case they’re not — or they’re not sure where to go themselves — here’s a list of 15 brands and stores where we think you’ll find a cart full of options to feel good about.
Looking for more affordable, stylish clothes? Here’s what to wear when working, traveling, and playing — and picks for your kids, too.
While the majority of Athleta’s products fall into the Women’s category, they also have an “Athleta Girl” section with sizes running from XS (6) to XXL (16). What that means in practice is that while of course you can shop the full Athleta lineup, you also have many options designed specifically to appeal to tweens — like this stretchy sweatshirt, this longline bra, and this flare pant.
With a well-stocked kids section that goes through size 17/18 and a trendy adult line, Abercrombie has a lot to offer. For older teens who buy adult sizes, we particularly recommend the Curve Love collection of pants and shorts.
While you have plenty of more affordable activewear options for tweens, when you’re ready to treat your big kid to some Lululemon, we doubt they’ll say no. The same shorts, tank tops, and leggings you love will make long-lasting additions to their closet, and their comfortable but nice-looking men’s pants are perfect for boys seeking a semi-professional look.
Whether you’re shopping in the kids, youth, or adult section, Adidas has the shoes your tween’s been asking for — but also lots of branded athletic wear that’s perfect for sports practice or everyday use. Flare leggings, shorts, pants, and fleeces all make good additions to a high schooler’s wardrobe.
Hollister’s a great source for things like babydoll dresses, baggy jeans, and licensed merchandise — including college-themed shirts and sweats with 58 different schools’ logos. There’s also cute activewear, swim separates, and reliable basics you’ll keep coming back to.
We’re fans of Old Navy for all situations — even occasionwear — and it’s just as practical and reliable for big kids as it is for little ones. In particular, it’s very uniform and dress-code friendly, and has a ton of denim options in sizes ranging 00-30.
For teens with a casual, sporty vibe, Tillys is a good place to shop brands like Levi’s, Nike, Billabong, Roxy, Volcom, Hurley, Von Dutch, and more. It’s also the only place to buy RSQ clothes. Shop the kids’ or men’s and women’s sections for everything from low-rise jeans and casual tops to graphic tees and jorts.
Looking for clothes in tween sizes, but hoping to avoid the more adult-looking styles (and prices)? The Children’s Place has a dedicated Tween section for girls’ clothing in sizes 8-22, with lots of cute options like flare leggings, dresses, and swimwear.
If your tween is ready for their first bra and you have absolutely no idea where to shop, start with Bleuet. A bundle of their bestsellers is a great introduction to a few different styles, and with 60-day free returns and exchanges, you don’t need to worry about ordering the wrong size. If you’d rather skip the bundle and just try one bra first, go with the Bleum.
If Cat & Jack was one of your favorite brands for the toddler years, you’ll probably also love Art Class, Target’s tween brand. It’s just on-trend enough, while staying extremely affordable, so it’s a great source for everything from babydoll camis and cargo pants to starter bras. Wild Fable is another in-house brand to check out, with women’s clothes that are both affordable and inclusive (with sizing up to 4X).
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