Checklist for a Teen Girl's Wardrobe

If your teen has outgrown most of the clothes in her closet, it's probably time to clean it out and replenish the closet with a brand new, updated and properly-fitting wardrobe. While at first it might seem like an extraordinary task, you don't have to drain your savings account or your teen's college fund to provide her with enough mix-and-match clothing to stay fashionable throughout the year. Start with the basics and encourage your teen to use extra money from chores, gifts and extra jobs to add a few more irresistible pieces to her wardrobe later.

  1. Underneath it All

    • Before you help your teen start coordinating and accessorizing outfits, worry about the fundamentals. You'll want at least 14 to 21 pairs of underwear -- so there's a few extra even if your teen stashes laundry under the bed. Try to incorporate a few different types of undies, such as bikinis, hipsters and boy shorts. Include at least a few seamless pairs to prevent the unfashionable panty line from showing.

      Help your teen stock up on bras, too. She'll likely need a few sports bras, comfortable everyday bras and one or two convertible or strapless bras for special occasions or unique shirts. Fill a drawer with different types of socks, including athletic, comfortable and dress socks, and a few unique pairs, such as fluffy socks and glove socks. Toss a handful of stockings into your teen daughter's drawer, too, and complete this set of basics with some ordinary tank tops and camisoles to wear beneath sheer or low-cut shirts.

    Jeans, Pants and Skirts

    • Denim is a fashion staple; it goes with just about everything and can be dressed up or down to suit a wide variety of occasions. If your teenager has a particular favorite type of jean, such as flares or skinnies, make these the foundation of her denim collection by picking up at least a few pairs. Include a few boot-cut or regular fit jeans in her wardrobe, too, since these are less trend-dependent.

      A few pairs of yoga or athletic pants will get her ready for the gym or just lounging; leggings can be worn on their own or under clothing as a cold-weather layer, and two to three pairs of denim or colored shorts will keep your teen cool in summer. Pick up a few skirts, too, for when your teen feels like dressing up. When choosing the length of the skirts and shorts, keep the school's dress code in mind, or make a detachable ruffle to lengthen the skirt hem for school.

    Torso Trimmings

    • By the teen years, most kids have developed their own sense of style and you can use it to help you figure out what types of tops your teen needs to fill her wardrobe. Long sweaters in the winter and tunic-style tops in warm weather complement a pair of jeggings or leggings if your teen likes skinny pants, whereas shorter tees work well with bootleg and flare jeans.

      Try to include a variety of shirts when you're stocking your teen's closet, such as two or three long-sleeve shirts, two or three sweaters, a few dressy shirts and four or five casual tees. Some teens will wear dresses, but for others dresses become a back-of-the-closet accessory. Use your teen's preferences to decide whether dresses are a worthwhile investment. If so, pick up a dress or two for formal wear and maybe a few sundresses for more casual occasions.

      Make sure she has a lightweight fabric or denim jacket for cool weather and a coat for winter wear.

    Accessories and Extras

    • Shoes are a fashion staple for some teens while others are happy with a comfortable pair of sneakers. Make sure your teen has a good pair of sneakers for gym class and other sports, flip-flops or sandals for the summer and a pair of winter boots for cold weather. If your teen is a shoe-loving fashionista, you can expand her shoe inventory with classy pumps, dress boots and strappy dress sandals.

      Pick up at least one bathing suit, but consult with your teen to agree on a style that make both of you comfortable.

      A belt or two can help to accent a variety of outfits by cinching tunic tops or embellishing an ordinary pair of jeans, and a few fashion scarves can dress up a casual outfit or provide some chest coverage for a low-cut top. A hat and a cozy pair of gloves will help keep your teen warm in the winter and a fashionable sunhat or visor will help to protect her skin in the summer.

      Complete your teen's wardrobe with one or two pairs of pajamas so she's ready for slumber parties.

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