Teenage dressing

[Piggywaspushed]

Now , I know this isn't an AIBU but I am in a panic and worried I will get everything all wrong. DS1 is 16 next week. He's not really a very typical 16 year old. He's quiet reclusive and sits inside all day. He has already requested a table tennis table and some books about politics (yes, honestly!) but I want to get him the traditional mother's gift in our household of clothing. He lost a Top Man hoody a while back he actually quite liked (as far as his enthusiasm ever goes...)but for a 16th I feel it ought to be a brand. so, the question is, what brand are the boys wearing at the moment? I am a teacher, so you would think I would know but al I see is a sea of sixth formers in identical white t shirts and jeans. I know this is a potential big fail ( I remember once 'forcing' him to wear a GAP t shirt and him having a panic attack). He's not bothered about fashion but won't want to stick out. So, what is ;in' : Holiister still? Jack Wills? I sense Superdry is out...or something else? What about trainers ? What style, brand and colour?
DS2 got teased for wearing beige trousers recently.... who knew??

Please help! I have 24 hours to sort this out!!

I have read No Logo. He might like that... good shout.

I would recommend Uniqlo. www.uniqlo.com/uk/en/home

Hollister will always be acceptable, as will Jack Wills. Adidas clothing is still perfectly "in" here. I didn't know Superdry was out; it's still popular for clothes here if not bags.

For 6th form, Next is great if boys have to wear suits/jackets and trousers.

Ooh yes, I'd forgotten Uniqlo too. Good shout.

My eldest 3 are 23, 21 and 18 and between them have never owned a single item of Jack Wills, Hollister or Superdry (they do have some Adidas and Nike though. Not all youngsters are obsessed with brands.

Jack Wills and Holister are still O.K here. My teenage DS also wears a lot of Vans stuff despite not being a skater. Hope you find something nice!

I know this is off the clothing trend, but I'm wondering if we might also like some good, lighthearted entertainment - maybe some Pratchett appeals to nerds.

[Is glad that the traditional 'clothing present' in our family - in stockings at Christmas - is pants one year, socks the next. for everyone - DS, DSD, DH and me!]

DS sounds very, very similar to yours, OP, down to the interest in Politics and the A-level. Luckily he does have jazz music, from the big band era, as another slightly nerdy hobby!

The only things he cares about, clothing wise, are his Redbubble T-shirts and hoodies, of which he has a selection, some with jazz stuff, some with film quotes and some just with a slogan he likes. His selection of t-shirt for 6th form open morning? 'Sorry, I'm awkward. Sorry.'

Sorry, I totally misread and misunderstood your OP. I thought you were getting him clothes instead of what he asked for. Ignore me.

Mine were not interested in labels either Op.

They refused anything with a logo and only wore black. Easy

I still buy mine ( all adult now) clothes as part of their birthday gift. I would ask x or y, 2 choices is enough for the non bothered I found. They still will not wear labels or deviate from black.

Thanks mary I can get Jack and Jones online from Next so may have a look at that!

Off out now as table tennis table has duly arrived!!

Going to buy cake unless anyone thinks he should get his own?

DS has never owned a branded item of cothing. His sister, on the other hand....

DS's lack of interest is partly driven by the fact he is the type of shape - exceptionally long and exceptionally thin - that clothes aren't manufactured for, so shopping expeditions are an exercise in fruistration.

Jack Wills and Hollister would be pretty safe choices here. The sports brand ones or that adidas one in the photo would be ok for some but is a bit townie/chav round here and I would avoid unless for actual sports.

On different note you can try zara for sixth form.

Clothing (Tracksuits, T-shirts, polo tops and jeans) - EA7, Adidas, Nike, North Face, Tommy Hilfiger, Sik Silk, Gym King, Ralph Lauren, Lacoste

Trainers- Nike Air max 90's, Nike Air max 95's, Adidas Flux, Adidas Superstars, Adidas Gazelles, Lacoste or Ralph Lauren trainers.

I always tend to buy top/ tracksuit and matching trainers for my DP (26) who loves all these brands. Go onto JD sports and have a look as they sell all the brands I've listed

DS2 is a bit actually nerdier and am hoping to get him into a jazz band next year so I will remember the advice on here about that!

Thanks all for your support :)

I have DSs of just turned 17 and almost 16 and your DS sounds like a mixture of them both. DS2 claims not to care about labels but secretly does although he is now into music so likes "band t-shirts". he is still wearing a couple of Superdry hoodies that he's has for a few years. I got him an A&F plain one at Christmas and it's not made it out his drawer yet.

DS1 likes everything to be as plain as possible, he also has a Superdry one that he's worn for years but it's plain navy with only a small logo.

I know it's a birthday and you want to splash out but he'd probably be happy with a non-branded plain-ish one or if you are doing designer then I'd try to get something discrete.

You know your son best OP and it's your money :)

ds's is constantly wearing his The North Face t-shirts and hoodies/zip up hoodies. Then Stone Island or Hugo Boss t-shirts which he got at Xmas.

he also wears Adidas, Nike and has a couple of SuperDry t-shirts (gifts from relatives) but they only get worn when nothing else is clean as they are just "ok".

For smart he wears Hugo Boss polo shirts. I have never seen him or his friends in Hollister or Jack Wills.

I would ask him what he likes, as its an expensive mistake if its not the right brand and he doesn't wear it.

Hollister (wash like a dream)
Jack Wills
Pull and Bear

I might turn him into a communist so I can buy him Che Guevara stuff!

😂😂😂

DS2 is also interested in Politics and History (particularly the Byzantine Empire) he really enjoyed a book about how certain cities were key to the world development - I think it was called something like 10 Cities that made an empire or something like that.

conservative minded DS16 here too:
Adidas Gazelles
Plain( no logo) blue ( no zip) hoody from TopMan
Sports direct t shirts... a bit of not too try hard writing ok eg Adidas/ Nike/Levi Strauss
Levi's ok if suit... jeans
Def not super dry or hollister or jack wills unless branding is invisible
Plain chinos from French Connection
Plain polo shirt
... you may notice a theme 'plain'

Here most boys (13-21+) seem to wear Nike/Adidas sports clothes or, for those in to fitness, Gymshark.
Then it tends to just be plain tops and jeans with Nike/Adidas/Converse shoes.

My DS is 7 next week and I've bought two tracksuits (comfy cotton ones) from Adidas and Nike as well as Nike trainers. Sports Direct is great for those type of things!