could you please help my son to dress well?

[areyoureadytobestrong]

My lovely 16 year old has the curse of being the boy that all the girls' mothers want to be their daughter's boyfriend. He is the nice boy!

I know he wants to try to get a girlfriend.

My husband and I both dress badly. So my son does too. This is the first time he has become interested in clothes.

He is skinny, about 5 ft 8/9, with long legs and slim shoulders. He has had poor posture but is working to correct it. Everyone likes him.

He said he'd like some help with his wardrobe for 6th form ("smart-casual")

I wondered where well-dressed 16 year old boys shop? It doesn't need to be designer or anything. And if anyone has tips on how he can keep his clothes looking good and suiting him (are there good sites for teenage males trying to learn this stuff?).

Thank you oh well dressed ones! or mothers of well dressed ones!

Still pondering the novel concept of choosing clothes for fit......

mc?

Actually, that’s a point: what kind of girl do I want to be attracted to him.....

(We’d better edit this bit....)

As a mum of two teen boys, I say let him find his own style.

My 16 yr old is defiantly uncool and wears tracky bots, band t-shirts (metal, rock) and socks in crocs . His mates and girls take the mickey out of him, but that just makes him laugh. He says fashion is not his thing, so I don't push it

Let him be him, just choose some stuff from Asos/Topman/Surfdome with him, but let him choose

Oh yes, uniqlo do very comfy skinny jeans

Yes really (to those who asked re my earlier post about roadmen). It completely baffles me too and I guess it may be an area dependent thing! I don’t really understand it at all!

Whenever I hear the term roadmen I too always think of people who work in high vis on the roads!

Some of these suggestions are hilarious. Marks and Spencer chinos and a pool for a 17 year old?! I think that will result in him beaten up! It's really not hard... Nice jeans and a slim fit t-shirt with cool trainers and a decent haircut. Don't over think it.

Aurocorrect pool > meant polo

@Doodleoodleday depends where you live. Where I am, most of the teenage boys are wearing Hollister (or similar) polos and jeans. But then it's an affluent area.

If they walked around wearing this 'Roadman' get up that I've only just discovered, people round here would cross the street to avoid them...

Nice polo shirts and chinos or raw denims. Some smart trainers. Simple coloir palette so it's easy to combine all separate pieces into outfits - red, navy, white, beige and black are all sensible choices. Although it depends what he wants to achieve with his appearance. Whose style does he admire? What job does he hope for in the future?

Topman, boohoo, river island and asos
Well fitting jeans with plain t shirts always look good

My son lives in jeans and t shirts, usually from Topman, asos with a bit of Hugo boss, Timberland, armani thrown in
Shoes he wears black Nike air force one's or Timberland boots

The 6th form boys (“chaps”) I guest taught last term all looked a bit Prince Harry; slim jeans or chinos, a polo shirt or well fitting shirt with top 3 buttons undone; tucked in with a smart belt and brown boots! Trendy watch and the occasional set of beads or stringy bracelets...
Talk about a uniform!

There is a point between Prince Harry and Stormzy where most teenagers reside 😅

This thread is so funny, it shows how different areas are so different!

If a teenage boy turned up to sixth form in a polo shirt and chinos here he’d be the only one like that and stand out an absolute mile!

Definitely more Prince Harry than Roadman here (though not jeans at school - tweed three piece was de rigueur!)

Polo shirts and chinos are not "cool" though, are they? Only see it here on teens from pearl-wearing tory-voting mums

It's the sort of thing Will from Inbetweeners would have worn

He doesn't have to dress a particular way to get a girlfriend. The right girlfriend will like how he dresses when he's being himself- if it even registers in her head!

Just point him in the direction of the nearest shopping centre and tell him to pick what he thinks looks nice on him, sod what anyone else might think :)

Ps my eldest ds is 14, same shape and size as your ds. His mates all wear tracky bottoms and grey/black 11° hoodies- he has his own style and lives in Primark skinny jeans (only ones we can find that fit properly) or turn up chino shorts and plain coloured Hugo boss t-shirts, his current fave hoodie being a delightful peach coloured monstrosity 😂

He has his own uniform, entirely his own deciding and even when his mates tease him good naturedly for being so set in his ways already he doesn't give a stuff!

Ok we are ruling out chinos and polo shirts.....

I think for starters this would do (based on my teenage brother's uni shopping spree!)...

3-4 plain casual t-shirts (slim fit)
2-3 casual cotton shirts (slim fit)
2 pairs decent jeans (skinny)
2 woolly jumpers in plain colour
1 hoody
1 coat (waterproof with hood - parka style)
1 jacket (puffer or bomber style)
1 pair cool trainers
1 pair boots/timberlands/desert boots
Backpack
New socks and underwear
Nice smelling deodorant/aftershave
Decent haircut and hair products
New showergel/shaving soap/moisturiser etc
Leather belt
Decent hat, scarf and gloves

ASOS, H&M, Uniqlo and TopMan for most things. TK Maxx can be good for things like shirts and jumpers. Gap or Levis for jeans. Nike or sports brands for trainers/hoodies/bags etc. Sometimes outdoor brands/shops can do great jackets and coats - North Face etc.

Well this was our starting point!

PS It helps that my brother suits/likes a small range of colours (navy, deep purple, dark green, browns) so buying everything in the same palette meant everything matches already!

I can assure you that the “prince harry” uniform white wash was not quite what I was expecting at this particular 6th form; I knew their uniform was smart casual but there we go!