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Secondary education

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Original poster

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

42 replies

sydenhamhiller · 26/05/2020 17:41

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?

OP posts:
JustHereWithMyPopcorn · 26/05/2020 17:47

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.

JustHereWithMyPopcorn · 26/05/2020 17:47

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

clary · 26/05/2020 18:11

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

SeasonFinale · 26/05/2020 19:06

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

oohnicevase · 26/05/2020 19:15

Next do skinny fit and go down to teen sizes .

Darbs76 · 26/05/2020 21:42

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

SpringFan · 26/05/2020 21:49

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

choirmumoftwo · 26/05/2020 21:52

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

merryhouse · 26/05/2020 21:55

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.

getdownonit · 26/05/2020 21:56

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

JustHereWithMyPopcorn · 26/05/2020 22:01

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

JustHereWithMyPopcorn · 26/05/2020 22:02

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.

LIZS · 26/05/2020 22:02

next and Topman

TawnyPippit · 26/05/2020 22:03

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.

TawnyPippit · 26/05/2020 22:05

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

cantkeepawayforever · 26/05/2020 22:06

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.

ExpletiveDelighted · 26/05/2020 22:06

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.

JustHereWithMyPopcorn · 26/05/2020 22:12

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

BackforGood · 26/05/2020 22:15

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 Hmm
Disappointing to say the least.

BackforGood · 26/05/2020 22:16

Oh, so Matalan is another option.

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

cantkeepawayforever · 26/05/2020 22:18

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.

yikesanotherbooboo · 26/05/2020 22:20

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.

JustHereWithMyPopcorn · 26/05/2020 22:25

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

ExpletiveDelighted · 26/05/2020 22:33

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.

GreenGreenGrassofSloane · 27/05/2020 12:09

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.