If you have a sixth form boy who has to wear a suit how many does he have?

[bourboncreme]

Ds1 going into sixth form in September,the dress code is sober suit.Just wondered whether he should have one or two suits ,can see him getting bored with just one and also it getting a bit of a hammering.Only had one school blazer obviously but to be honest it didn't look it's best after solid wear !He has been to get a nice blue tailored suit with his Dad was thinking might let him choose a cheaper chain store one as a spare or is that overkill?

DS certainly used more than one suit - and to be honest, we were happy for him to take a pride in his appearance. Was quite a nice change!!!

DS1 has two suits. A better one with 2 pairs of trousers (one a size bigger as he is still growing) and another less expensive suit. He wears this when the other one has to be dry cleaned. Have not tried the washable suits in M & S but they would maybe cut down on getting two.

Yes that's exactely my thoughts,tbh he always looked pretty scruffy in uniform and I am looking forward to seeing in clothes that fit him!

DS went into L6 last September and had two suits, each with 2 pairs of trousers. One was an off the peg from Moss Bros and the other was a beautiful italian cashmere we had made for him (abroad so a bit cheaper)

Was gutted when just after having it made we found out they were only allowed to wear plain black, grey or blue suits in L6 and his had a faint pinstripe. Luckily he started wearing it after the first term and has got away with it.

yes 2prs trous is key

I've bought ds two bourbon. Neither hugely expensive, but I think it's nice to have a choice and if it was me I wouldn't want to wear the same one every day. However, speaking with a friend yesterday, her older ds only ever wore the favorite of his two suits.

Thanks snorkie,dh said they only went for one pair trousers but think I might get a second and also a second suit.can I ask where you went for them?Am only thankful he's not a girl quite frankly as it sounds a nightmare!

I use the washable ones from M&S. They work really well and avoid dry cleaning costs.

Always buy two trousers as they wear out long before the jackets.

Also, if you buy two suits the same you can mix and match without anyone noticing.

Yes bourbon - thank your lucky stars they're not girls - that's a complete nightmare from what I've heard. The same friend with the older ds has a dd going into 6th form and seems to have spent the whole summer trawling the shops for suitable attire and isn't even quite sure that what she's finally chosen (which was way over her original budget but bought in desperation) will pass muster either!

Ds's suits came from [whisper] Tesco, but at the other extreme, one of his friends has bought his from Harrods! Ds isn't at all brand conscious thankfully. I bought him a suit from Tesco a couple of years ago for a wedding (naturally worn just the once & now outgrown) but it fitted perfectly at the time (it's all about the fit across the shoulders imo) & so many people commented on how good it looked I just naturally went back there this time. He tried several on - they mostly looked fine (but not quite as great as the last one unfortunately, but he didn't want to look any further as he shares my dislike of shopping so we got them. His outgrown Tesco suit went to another friend, so he won't be alone in that label. He still needs a new DJ for orchestra though as he's grown out of the old one, so what with all that and dd starting a new school (incredibly with even more expensive uniform) it's proving to be an expensive summer for school clothing.

My sons just have one suit on the go at any time.

We get them from M&S for under £50 - machine washable.

I would be happy to have more than one, but to get a teenager to commit is hard work.

DS1 is pretty much clad in Tesco too as long as its comfortable he doesn't care.He did go on his first shopping trip after the end of term and discovered H and M .Ds2 prefers SAinsburys clothes !!

Re the DJ have you tried the charity shops I know it sounds odd but I can remember there was one completely devoted to evening wear when I was at Uni (years ago of course!)

Second hand is a good idea for DJ. They typically get so little use that they would most likely be nearly new anyway. I have 'till October I think for that conundrum though and the other thing I've just thought of is that dh's might fit him too.

I was just going to buy one for DS, but he is doing art so it won't be an expensive one as it's bound to get covered in paint!

Bought three in Year 12 and didn't have to buy any more for Year 13 (aprt from the DJ). Started off with one for about £170 in Moss Bros - great fit but quickly got very shiny and then he fell over playing football and scraped the knee! Suit 2 from M & S with 2 pairs of trousers (one a waist size up), cost £120-130, still going strong. Suit 3 fab French Connection bought in the sale for about £70 (reduced from over £300), still looks great and jacket could be worn more informally with jeans. Also bought a fab new Moss Bros DJ on eBay for about £30 for the Christmas party and leavers' ball, that should last him for a good few years - much better than hiring.

Well went today to finish off,got a very acceptable blue suit from M and S.Was over budget but he's happy,did splash out a bit on shirts and ties but because my dh is always in double cuffs etc and I am always washing and ironing shirts I think I am a bit fussy.To be honest after having the soubriquet as being scruffiest in the year it is a revelation to see him so interetsed in his appearance.We also got shoes so thats it now ,if he wants anything else it has to come out of his allowance !