Y11 DS - 6th form suits? Where to shop?

[sydenhamhiller]

I know this is ages away, but as he's not sitting GCSEs he's got little else to occupy his mind.

DS is not particularly interested in fashion, but also feels (understandably, I remember being 16) that anything me or his father recommends/ mentions is social death.

So - oh wise ones - when/ if there comes a time to shop for 6th form suits which can only be grey, black or blue with no pattern - where should he look?

I've bought my DS one from House of Fraser with a spare pair of trousers. There's sales on everywhere so now is a good time to buy one or two.

But otherwise Next, Burtons etc. are all reasonably priced. If Primark open before September I'll be looking for one from there too!

Got ds a nice one from M&S and he even approved! It's washable too which us worth looking out for op.

DS got his in Debenhams with spare trousers. Lots of choice with different leg lengths too

Next do skinny fit and go down to teen sizes .

Thanks for the reminder, I have to order some for my son

First one was a Moss Bros job, real pain as I didn't think about frequent dry cleaning. He had a growth spurt in the Lent term - thank goodness I ignored the request for a £250 one "like his friends".
After that, it was M&S washable wool, with 2 pairs of trousers. They do slim fit and variable leg lengths

Slaters is excellent if you have one nearby. Good range of styles and prices.

We got a Debenhams one (and had to replace it six months later because he grew...). It's black and grey (I think...) and looks great with a black shirt.

Older brother got a blue one by Pierre Cardin, bought at our local outlet mall.

Washable ones from M&S. Two pairs of trousers per jacket.
We managed with two suits for the whole two years

Please stop saying your children grew in six form, DS is already over 6’1” and I thought he must be done by now! 😱

My HoF suit was £50 and a spare pair of trousers for £19. It was a bargain but I have to admit I didn’t check if it could be washed! I need to get another so that will definitely be on the check list.

next and Topman

M&S were brilliant, as others said. We also had proper service from a v helpful and knowledgeable guy with a tape measure round his neck, old school and they had plenty of styles to choose from. He helped DS choose co-ordinating shirts, ties and shoes - think there was a bundle offer with the shoes - but not in a pushy way. Even DS was pretty pleased with himself, plus I was quite surprised at how good both the service and the product was, as I am not a huge M&S fan. Machine washable wool with an extra pair of trousers - job’s a good ‘un.

(And once you know what works/fits at M&S you can just reorder on-line so hassle free!)

Slaters, especially if your child is an unusual size (mine was, and remains, a piece of bamboo in human form).

Head for an older sales assistant, who will instantly produce the only 3 suits in the shop that are available in your son's size.

They also do alterations, trouser length adjustments etc free.

Another vote for Slaters, we had excellent service in ours, the assistant was able to pick out exactly the right size, colour and style in no time.

I’ve never heard of Slaters, are they all over the UK? My DS is also a piece of bamboo!

Agree Slaters are good.
IME though, wherever you can pay very little
I was pretty smug when I bought ds a nice black suit for his prom, thinking it would then do him for the wedding we were going to, any interviews and any funerals, and then on through 6th form.

5 weeks later, he's outgrown it
Disappointing to say the least.

Oh, so Matalan is another option.

Do agree with getting 2x trousers per jacet where you can though (M&S are good for that)

www.slaters.co.uk/

IME, they don't have big shopfronts - our local one occupies the first floor above a range of other shops and just has a small entrance.

M&S had loads of styles and choices. DS1 went to a Burtons off shoot and got 2 suits by different makers made specially for beanpoles! DS2 went to am& S and got a well fitting wool suit with spare trousers. He outgrew it and I bought a suit from Charles Tyrhitt for the last 6 months of school and associated dos '. It was a bit more hard wearing but DS2 is very hard on clothes whereas his brother is a lot more careful.

Just followed that link thanks Can’tkeepawayforever, seems they closed for online and shops during this Covid nightmare.

Ours is the same Cant, maybe the same one. I must have walked past it hundreds of times over the years without realising what it was.

Ds got one in River Island - it was fine but he needs another for Year 12 as his shoulders and hips have widened. It's not a great time to be investing for the two years.