How to dress a 13 year old girl for a Bar Mitzvah?

[tammymacb]

My DD ( 13 ) has been invited to a Bar Mitzvah for an ,apparently, very wealthy boy. She needs two dresses.

The boys parents have rented the Charleston Harbor Resort and Marina and are turning it into a carnival, bringing in rides, games, food etc. A semi well known band, Plain Jane will also be playing. This is to happen after the ceremony.

I've honestly never been to one before, and I was told the ceremony part is "cocktail" and then a more "fun" dress for the carnival.

What should I buy for her to wear? Exactly how formal is formal for 13 year olds?

I guess I should be happy that I'm only buying two dresses and not paying for this party...

Oh, and the service starts at 11 AM and the concerts end at 11 PM that evening...

 

[padams]

Dressy dress, with shoulders covered, for the service. Think "fancy" party or Christmas dress. She doesn't need a ball gown or long dress. For the carnival part, if it is warm enough, a casual sundress will be fine (or she could wear one of those little sweaters over a sundress).

DSs 12 and 14 have attended Bar Mitzvahs, and I always like to check out the girl fashion. Living vicariously.

DS12 has a Bar Mitzvah to attend in a couple of weeks that ends at 11pm. It's a casino themed party in the evening. I know I will be begging DH to pick up DS from that one. I just don't stay out that late anymore.

 

[tammymacb]

Thanks about the shoulders covered part. I didn't know that.

We're in Charleston, so it will still be hot.

 

[NotUrsula]

The ceremony is a religious service, so the dress should be modest; the sort of thing you would wear to church. Depending on whether the family is Reform or Conservative, covered shoulders might not be modest enough. For a religious occasion Conservative Jewish women will normally cover their upper arms and avoid shorter skirts.

The safest choice for the religious service is a dress with short (not cap) sleeves that is knee-length. You can have her wear a little jacket or sweater at the service to accomplish the covered shoulders.

 

[tammymacb]

I don't know if they are conservative or not, honestly.

The "Ticket" they had printed up and mailed with the formal invitation simply states: Cocktail Attire.

 

[chloelovesdisney]

I don't know if they are conservative or not, honestly.

The "Ticket" they had printed up and mailed with the formal invitation simply states: Cocktail Attire.

I'm sure any party dress will be fine. I go to several a year, the teenage girls wear your typical prom like type dress for the most part. If he was from a more conservative/orthodox backround you would know and they wouldn't put cocktail dress on the invitation. A cocktail dress is often shorter in length and sleeveless. As long as she has a wrap or cardigan to wear, any party dress will be fine.

 

[Cindy B]

Any typical juniors party dress should be fine. My daughter chooses things that are not super short, super tight or plunge front (note all parents DO NOT follow these guidelines). If you follow this you should be fine.

Some temples have a dress code/modesty on either their website or included in ithe invitation. Some will state stockings pantyhose and some wont. My daughter usually wears a type of dress and has a sheer type scarf that she covers her shoulders with.--most of her dresses are --Note she does not wear strapless.

I hear you about the two dresses. If she has a few for like church or other events she should be fine. I went to JC penney yesterday and I found some great dresses and a fantastic price in the jrs dept. You may get lucky and find some prom dress season close outs or if it closer to homecoming time get a great price.

My son basically wore just black dress pants, white button down shirt and a tie. (with dress shoes!) He was asked to wear a yarmulke during the service though.

 

[Longsx3]

DD wore a short, not too short, Jessica McClintock Dress last year. It was a light green with black accents, it was sleeveless so she wore a black jacket for the ceremony. Similar to this http://www1.macys.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=484345&CategoryID=26682

Her friends all wore similar.

 

[Cindy B]

Here's some more hints:

http://www1.macys.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=484335&CategoryID=26682

My daughter had this is a deep green and she gots tons of compliments on it

http://www4.jcpenney.com/jcp/X6.asp...5&cattyp=RLE&Nao=21&PSO=0&CmCatId=71275|71302

http://www1.macys.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=286467&CategoryID=26682

Here would be a what "not to wear"

http://www1.macys.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=470978&CategoryID=26682

We've had great luck at Macy's, JC Penney and even Boscov's. We've never paid more than $30 for a dress and she does wear them multiple times so she has gotten quite a bit of wear for them.

 

[mjkacmom]

I agree with the idea of a cocktail dresses, like the pictures posted. My dd14 has some dresses from JCPenny, and Delia's.

 

[Floridagal23]

If the service is a traditional saturday morning service, anything she would wear for church is fine. If the party is later in the day (like a cocktail hour beginning around 5), then just have her change into a party dress later on.

If the party is right after the temple service, she can wear the same thing to both - just make sure her shoulders are covered and she isn't in anything too revealing.

 

[tammymacb]

DD wore a short, not too short, Jessica McClintock Dress last year. It was a light green with black accents, it was sleeveless so she wore a black jacket for the ceremony. Similar to this http://www1.macys.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=484345&CategoryID=26682

Her friends all wore similar.

LOVE this dress! Thanks for the ideas folks!