Cotillion Clothes Ideas for Middle School Girls and Boys

Shopping for cotillion clothes (or any type of formal clothes) for middle school boys and girls is no easy task! I know what most tweens and teens are comfortable wearing at cotillion and also what outfits and shoes are best for dancing. I have searched through Amazon, read reviews, and included links below to some of my top picks for clothes that would be appropriate for cotillion.

I hope this gives you inspiration and a jumping off point to start shopping! Or, at the very least, just scroll through these with your child to get a feel for styles they like or don’t like. Keep in mind, at Sydney Dunn Etiquette cotillions, we have three dressy casual classes and two semi-formal events (the instructional dinner and the ball).

GIRLS
Dressy Casual Dresses and Rompers
Semi-Formal Dresses and Jumpsuits
Shoes

BOYS
Dress Shirts and Dress Pants
Blazers/Sport Coats
Suits
Ties, Belts, and Shoes

I also recommend checking out Macy’s, Land’s End, Belk, Dillard’s, J. Crew, Ralph Lauren, and Belk And don’t forget, if you decide to purchase anything from those stores online, be sure you have Rakuten activated. I know that Macy’s regularly offers 3-10% cash back if you click through the Rakuten site before you checkout. So easy!

Girls Dressy Casual Dresses and Rompers

Polo Ralph Lauren- Big Girls Denim Cotton Shirtdress (Macy’s)
I want one of these in my size!

Juniors’ Belted Cable-Knit Sweater Dress (Macy’s)
A good option for our winter classes. I would pair with ankle booties!

Women’s Spot Printed Wrap Front Jumpsuit (Macy’s)
How fun and practical is this?!

Cotton V Neck Button Down A Line Casual Dress with Pockets (Amazon)

Polo Ralph Lauren – Big Girls Cotton Chino Shirtdress (Macy’s)
She can start with her sleeves down and just roll them up if she gets warm while dancing!

City Studios – Juniors’ Print Long-Sleeve Midi Dress (Macy’s)
Modest and flowy. I like it.

City Studios – Juniors’ Lace-Top Dress (Macy’s)

Juniors’ Smocked Tiered Dress (Macy’s)
It looks a tad short in the photo, I’d pair with opaque tights.

CeCe – A-Line Bow Dress (Macy’s)
This dances on the line of dressy casual and semi-formal. I think it could go either way depending on shoes and jewelry.

Girls Semi-Formal Dresses and Jumpsuits

Vintage Square Neck Floral Lace 2/3 Sleeve Cocktail Swing Dress (Amazon)
I love this unique neckline.

Metallic Bell-Sleeve Dress (Macy’s)
Sparkles? Yes please.

Calvin Klein – Chiffon Bell Sleeve Sheath Dress (Macy’s)
Very sleek. I love the length and the sleeves.

Floral Vintage Dress Elegant Midi Evening Dress 3/4 Sleeves (Amazon)
Probably my most favorite dress in this list. A fit and flare is hard to beat.

Elegant Belted 3 4 Sleeve Fit Flare Cocktail Scallop Dress (Amazon)
The scalloping adds so much to this.

Michael Kors – Puff-Sleeve Ruffle-Trim Dress (Macy’s)
Fun and every-so-slightly edgy.

Lace Chiffon Bridesmaid Dress Hi-Lo Swing Party Dress (Amazon)
I see a lot of girls wear hi-lo dresses to the ball. They twirl so pretty!

Sleeveless Ruffle High Waist Wide Leg Romper Formal Long Jumpsuit with Belt (Amazon)
This makes me wish I had more jumpsuits in my closet.

Girls Shoes

Steve Madden – Women’s Irenee Two-Piece Block-Heel Sandals (Macy’s)
I have two pairs of the slightly taller version of this shoe- one in black and one in burgundy. I love them!

Jewel Badgley Mischka – Women’s James Dress Sandals (Macy’s)
DARLING!

Style & Co – Angelynn Flats (Macy’s)
Flats (without straps) aren’t the easiest shoes to dance in, but a lot of girls feel comfortable in them. And that means a lot!

Amiga Women’s Low Wedge Flats Shoes (Amazon)

Womens Pointed Toe Ankle Strap T-Strap D’Orsay Dress Flats Shoes (Amazon)

Style & Co – Masrinaa Ankle Booties (Macy’s)
I don’t think these would work with a semi-formal dress, but they’d be great for the dressy casual classes in January and February.

Journee Collection – Women’s Tessa Booties (Macy’s)
Love that detail.

Boys Dress Shirts and Dress Pants

Tommy Hilfiger Boys Oxford Long Sleeve Dress Shirt, Regular Fit (Amazon)
If he doesn’t have a good white dress shirt, he needs one!

Calvin Klein Boys’ Long Sleeve Patterned Button-down Dress Shirt (Amazon)

Calvin Klein – Big Boys Slim-Fit Stretch Logo Dot-Print Dress Shirt (Macy’s)
I’m a big fan of subtle patterns.

Lauren Ralph Lauren – Pink Dress Shirt, Big Boy (Macy’s)

Tommy Hilfiger – Pinpoint Oxford Shirt, Big Boys (Macy’s)
Dress up these solid shirts with a patterned tie or bow tie!

Tommy Hilfiger – Flat Front Twill Blend Boys Dress Pants in Khaki (Amazon)
Khaki pants are my favorite option for the boys in cotillion classes.

Tommy Hilfiger – Flat Front Twill Blend Boys Dress Pants in Navy (Amazon)

The Children’s Place – Boys’ Chino Pants (Amazon)
Husky sizes available.

Calvin Klein – Boys’ Bi-Stretch Flat Front Dress Pant in Black (Amazon)

Boys Blazers/Sport Coats

Lauren Ralph Lauren – Big Boys Solid Suit Jacket (Macy’s)
A solid choice from a reliable brand.

Lauren Ralph Lauren – Solid Blazer (Macy’s)
Husky sizes.

Tommy Hilfiger – Boys’ Alexander Blazer, Single Breasted with Pocket Square (Amazon)
A more affordable option.

Boys Suits

Nautica – Big Boys Micro Texture Suit, 2 Piece Set (Macy’s)
A suit isn’t required for cotillion, but would definitely be appropriate for the semi-formal events.

Nautica – Big Boys Heather Twill Suit, 2 Piece Set (Macy’s)
I envision this with a sharp white shirt and a bold tie or bow tie!

Calvin Klein – Boys’ 2-Piece Formal Suit Set, Available in Black and Blue (Amazon)

Boys Ties, Belts, and Shoes

Jacob Alexander – Boy’s Self Tie Solid Color Necktie (Amazon)
Tons of colors (all solid).

Wembley – Boys’ Big Grenoble Check Tie (Amazon)

Dockers – Boys’ Reversible Dress and Casual Belts (Amazon)
I love a reversible belt. Reversible anything, really.

Tommy Hilfiger- Big Boys Reversible Stretch Belt (Macy’s)
Stretch belts may be a good option for boys who complain about belts being uncomfortable.

Mens Woven Self Tie Bowties, available in Stripes, Dots, or Solids (Amazon)
Up for a challenge?! Try a self-tie bow tie!

Lauren Ralph Lauren – Boys Classic Bow Tie (Macy’s)
Remember that gray suit above?! This would pair well!

Lauren Ralph Lauren – Boys Classic Bow Tie (Macy’s)
This would look great against a navy blazer.

Lauren Ralph Lauren – Boys’ Solid Crest Tie (Macy’s)
Super traditional. And I love it.

Lauren Ralph Lauren – Boys Classic Bow Tie (Macy’s)
I probably wouldn’t wear this with a navy blazer, perhaps with a gray or khaki suit (or no jacket at all!)

Kenneth Cole REACTION Men’s Desert Sun Chukka Boot (Amazon)
My husband isn’t a fan of shoes, but when it’s time to dress up, he always goes for his chukkas.

Big Boy Supacush Plain Toe Oxford (Macy’s)
For smaller sizes (4-7)

Sperry Men’s Authentic Original 2-Eye Boat Shoe
Men have been shag dancing in these shoes for decades!

Men’s Dress Shoes Modern Oxford Wingtip Shoes (Amazon)

Sperry – Newman Oxford Leather (Amazon)
I see this as a good option for the guy who is too cool for dress shoes. Ha!

Cody James – Boys’ Black Canyon Tan Cowboy Boots, Square Toe (Shepler’s)
Don’t forget dress boots as an option for the gentleman who is most comfortable in boots! Remember, slick soles are easier to dance in than rubber.