can anyone help style my 18 year old DS please?

[mckenzie]

He is about 5ft 10 and quite chunky. He has man boobs and is carrying some extra weight due to liking his food, a sedentary job, not doing any exercise, eating out of boredom maybe, lack of self esteem.

He's going out now a couple of nights a week, to the local pub with his mates which is brilliant; we are really pleased. We want him to get out and socialise and have fun.
The trouble is, he doesn't have a going out wardrobe. The last two nights he's been in trackie bottoms and a t shirt with a bomber style jacket that he had for Christmas about 4 years ago.

He has no interest in clothes and hides inside them, which I guess is understandable as I think he doesn't like his body shape very much. But I think with the right clothes, he could look fabulous which will then increase his confidence and self esteem.

But I'm no style guru and don't know where to start. He does have some black jeans that fit him well and some short sleeve shirts that MIL has bought him for various Christmas and birthday presents but the shirts aren't Friday night local pub wear are they?

Jeans and a hoodie?
jeans and a polo? But nothing tight fitting. Dark colours really suit him.

Anyone care to help me help DS? I love him so much and hate seeing him feel inadequate next to his slim and trendy friends.

TIA

[Taraohara]

Op dont know personally but what about looking on ASOS for ideas? You sound like a lovely mum

[morningdread]

I found man boobs are less noticeable when wearing dark colours & thicker fabrics.

What about jeans, a bright coloured t-shirt just peeking out of a hoodie, with some trainers?

[mckenzie]

thank you taraohara
I'll take a look.

[mckenzie]

thank you morningdread, that's what I'm thinking.
DS is at work now; is it wrong of me to go and remove his thin t shirts from his wardrobe and quickly put in the charity shop bundle?

[morningdread]

maybe just hide them first? do you think it will upset him if you bin them?

[Widowodiw]

Is he bothered by his clothes though? Does he want this intervention?

[mumonthehill]

A well cut pair of jeans, next are great for basic ones. Some nice t shirts, look at tk maxx as they often have larger sizes at a good price. Also ASOS is great, I also get bits from Crew and jack wills in the sale. My ds very similar. Shirts are more difficult to buy for them but see what he likes. Jeans, a shirt and a hoodie is fine for the pub.

[goadyficker]

Does he want your help?

At 18 there is no way I'd let my mother choose my clothes!

[Sadik]

If he's not trendy by nature, I wouldn't try & push it. He'd look much better in clean, well fitting jeans and (for example) a reasonably new/not overly scruffy rugby shirt. Speaking from experience of blokes-I-have-known it won't hamper his love social life!

[Sadik]

Rugby shirts are a good option as they're cut for chunky rugby playing blokes!

[cakeandchampagne]

It is wrong to remove anything from his room without his permission- even if you are trying to help.

[mckenzie]

thank you for the replies and ideas.

I think that although he knows what he likes and doesn't like texture-wise, for everything else he asks me or DD.

He wants to fit in, not stand out; he always wants to do that.

As most of his friends are trendy, cool kids, they wear trendy cool clothes. I'll get him a decent pair of denim jeans if I can find the right texture (the black jeans that he likes are quite soft) and make sure I go for dark denim.
And I'd never thought of rugby shorts before; I'll take a look on line now. Thanks again

[mckenzie]

cake, I thought that too so I've taken three light coloured thin t shirts and put them in the airing cupboard; he NEVER looks in there.

[oreomum]

My 18yo dresses in black skinny jeans and plain longline tops. I think that a cap and the right trainers, watch style and belt can elevate it to trendier. He buys basics from Boohoo and ASOS. He owns about 6 pairs of trainers and 1 pair of Timberlands

[oreomum]

He owns ripped as well as non-ripped jeans.

[DC3dilemma]

I’d get him a few decent heavy weight plaid type shirts which will cover all manner of muffin tops, bellies and moobs. Easy way to dress up jeans or any other casual trouser, with a t-shirt underneath.

My 18 year nephew wears a lot of red plaid-type shirts with black skinny jeans, black DMs, and denim/leather jackets. He looks pretty good to me. Here are some from GAP but there are probably cooler places for 18 year olds to shop these days.

www.gap.co.uk/gap/men/clothing/shirts/

[DC3dilemma]

Only you will know how he’ll feel about being given clothes and a bit of a change of style by mum...my DH is one of those men who doesn’t get clothes at all and he’s perfectly happy with me taking over from his parents on the clothes buying duty!

[mckenzie]

thanks oreo. No way would DS wear skinny jeans (he is most definitely not skinny) and I think he'd shy away from ripped too. Unless I'm wrong and actually skinny jeans work even for chunkier legs. I think he'd feel too self conscious.
What do you mean by a longline top though? (Forgive my ignorance please )

[DC3dilemma]

A nice cord one from white stuff:
www.whitestuff.com/mens/shirts/navy-bowmere-check-cord-shirt/

Take a look at fat face too.


Just avoid any described as slim fit.

[revelsandrose]

Try river island menswear, it's definitely aimed at teen boys and fairly reasonably priced. Some of it is a bit 'out there' but lots of fashionable clothes that will help him to fit in until he gets a sense of his own style.

[Oly4]

Would he like something like this in darker colours? Could look nice with dark denim or black jeans.
Then a plain hoody and some plain decent quality t shirts from places like Next.
www.uniqlo.com/uk/en/men/tops/polo-shirts?quickView=180719
If he likes polo shirts and you have the budget, could you get one from the likes of Ralph Lauren or Lacoste?

[TokyoSushi]

How about some lovely footwear, really nice/cool trainers.

Thars the thing I love about shoes, they always fit whatever your size!

[SymbollocksInteractionism]

My 18 year old is embracing the 90's look.
Apparently skinnies are out now so his trousers are baggier and rolled up at the ankle. He wears trainers or DM shoes.

Slim fitting tops and shirts have gone and he is now wearing baggier styles.
In fact he is wearing a lot of my DH old clothes from the mid nineties. (Checked shirts, polos etc)
His latest pair of trainers are a pair very similar to what my Dad (who is 70!) wears!!

[Miseryisabutterfly]

I bought this shirt recently for my dh and I think it would be flattering and a bit cool for your ds. They have it on Asos too

[Miseryisabutterfly]

Double pockets are good for man boobs