AIBU to be furious at DS15 over his behaviour and holiday footwear choices?

[TheZanyPanda]

We’ve just landed in Florida for a week-long family holiday. There’s me, DH, DS13 and DS15. We spent a fortune before we came out getting everyone kitted out with new clothes and brand-new trainers—including a lovely pair of Nike Dunks for DS15.

We picked out his travel outfit together: hoodie, baggy joggers, and his box-fresh Dunks with classic white Nike socks. Looked great.

Fast forward to checking into the hotel last night. DS15 is sitting on the armchair, his joggers ride up, and I notice... no socks. (He spent all summer going sockless in old knackered Vans and Astro turf boots which I didn't mind because they were already ruined, but still!). Anyway, I went into their room later and it absolutely reeked. Turns out he wore his brand-new Dunks with no socks for the entire journey here! 🤢

This morning, before heading to the theme parks, we wanted a family photo. DH and DS13 look great in fresh shorts and new trainers with ankle socks. DS15? Sockless again.

I gently pointed out that:

1. He’s going to get horrific blisters in the Florida heat.
2. He’s going to completely ruin his new Dunks in days.
3. The trainer smell is already vile.

He kicked off in front of everyone, telling me to "grow up," "get a life," and "what’s it got to do with me?!"

Later, I popped back to the room for suncream and thought I'd take him a pair of trainer socks just in case. Had a quick nosey in his suitcase... there are literally zero socks in his entire bag. He has actively planned and packed to go sockless for the whole week.

DH says to leave him to it, but we are the ones sharing a room and hire car with his melting, stinking feet! AIBU to be furious with his behaviour and choices!

Seriously?

Really??
When I read the first few words of the Title I thought that OP was going to say he'd been smoking weed,stayed out all night,been arrested etc etc..
But not wearing socks??
If that's all you've got to get worked up about OP, then you are one lucky lady,and a quite controlling one at that.

What's with all the vanity over people looking good in new stuff? You're there to make memories not to take part in an advertising campaign for labels. 'Box fresh' - give me strength - one of those cringe flex terms that just makes people sound ridiculous.

Buy him some Hibiscrub to wash his feet in, and please stop 'agreeing' on travel outfits, you sound like a bag of fun!

He will probably regret it- he’s 15, just learning. Don’t nag him so much he feels he can’t admit he made a mistake - you can buy socks there. To be honest you sound a bit obsessed with projecting “image” with “‘picking out travel clothes “ and looking great in photos rather than enjoying your holiday . He’s 15, you don’t have many years of family holidays left

If you can't see that the real issue isn't his "footwear" but his being allowed to speak so disrespectfully to his parents, than you have a bigger problem than you realize.

Out of respect for living with other humans and in the name of treating his possessions well ( Trainers are expensive.) I would buy three pairs of socks and insist that DS15 wears them.
If not, confiscate the trainers and buy him a pair of Volleys and throw them out after they smell too vile.
Your DH should tell DS15 off for talking to you like he did. Your request to wear socks is reasonable.

You need to give your DS space to breathe.

You seem really superficial and your DCs feel like you care more about how everyone looks than how than how than how they feel.

It's also not about the footwear. He is trying to be independent. In 3 years he will be an adult and you are picking out his outfits for him! Just let him take more responsibility for himself and leave him to it.

Could you both compromise and he agrees to wear one sock?

Yes I understand your frustration. I bet they stink already. Get a plastic bag to keep them in when he’s not wearing them.

It does remind me of a trip I went on to nyc with my mum and dad at 14, December, freezing, my dad said you need a hat and for some reason the only kind of hat I’d even consider was a baseball cap. He wouldn’t buy me one, said it needed to be a warm hat, I refused to choose one so they picked me a furry Russian hat, I refused to wear it. My dad moaned the whole trip while I stuck to my guns and lived with the consequences, being cold. It’s now lore.

Accept defeat and enjoy the holiday

Really weird and you honestly must have nothing else in your life to worry about!