Teenage school trousers continually out of stock

[Flossy71]

My 14 year old son has grown at a ridiculous rate this past year. He was a head below me in September last year, now a head taller than me. I have tried to get new extra long trousers for him, age 15-16 from Marks, George, John Lewis, Next etc but they have all been continually out of stock for the last six months. Anyone else had this problem?

Have you tried a specialist uniform supplier?

https://www.schooluniformshop.co.uk/section.php/155/1/boys-school-trousers

I usually found George at Asda fairly successful. My DS also grew quickly at this age but just up not out so he had the longest possible with hems taken right down to just a teeny bit of hem in an age size smaller

Can't you just get mens trousers?

According to the size guide M&S age 15-16 school trousers are waist 30-32 and the extra long length is a 34 inside leg. You’ll find it easier in the men’s section with those measurements and they also usually do a 28 waist. Eg these are in stock in a 30 long or 32 extra long in black https://www.marksandspencer.com/slim-fit-twill-stretch-suit-trousers/p/clp60716778

Men’s clothes are more expensive as you pay VAT on adult clothes, but not on children’s. I sympathise OP - I’m struggling to get older boys’ shirts for DS but I refuse to pay more for men’s white shirts.

On another note, I am really annoyed that everywhere is selling easy care polycotton shirts these days and hardly anywhere does 100% (and they’re always out of stock - looking at you, M&S).

I struggled with trousers for my 16 year old. He's now 6ft 4in and still growing. Luckily he starts college September where uniform is relaxed so he'll mainly be in shorts or joggers.

@Tygertiger yes the VAT thing is unfair when it comes to teenage clothes.
It's daft really because a pair of "Age 16" trousers will be the same actual size as an adult pair.
That's why clothing manufacturers started putting age sizes on school uniform so no VAT has to be charged on them.
Of course that doesn't help if nowhere stocks them......🙁

I agree, it was a nightmare last year trying to find trousers for 15 yr old nearly 6ft
i havent even started looking this year

with ds1 I did end up buying men’s in the end and he just had to manage with 2 pairs

however I noted in Asda that if he was overweight we’d have had no problem!

My DS wears this size. The difference is they have the waist adjusters and they also have the additional inch hemmed up. Men’s trousers in that size would br far too big. Teen trousers are designed for the skinny tall teen shape!

Op I feel your pain!
I sat down last night to order school clothes, M&S are out of stock of charcoal boys shorts and Slim fit skinny leg trousers.

Seriously English schools haven't even stopped yet, and they aren't doing the 20% discount and they are out of stock already. Not to mention lots of stuff is online only.

They should be restocking again soon for the new school year. I think M&S has already, but not sure about your specific size.

Ha, yeah, my just 14 yr old is I think probably a 26" waist, 34" leg. He's 6 feet tall but weighs I think 10 stone something. We get the ones with a kind of semi elasticated waist. He doesn't seem to mind.

My son is too tall to fit into school uniform trousers that M&S, supermarkets etc stock.
I thought we had no choice but to go into men’s trousers which were a lot more expensive.

However, I discovered that the school shop which stocks all the local schools blazers, PE kits, ties, book bags etc etc also sold school trousers that went beyond the age 16-17.

Your area is bound to have a similar shop. It’s worth looking as they worked out much cheaper than men’s clothing .

Yes - I ended up getting size 16-17 M and S school trousers from Vinted.

I've had this problem all year, OP - no school uniform available in shops anymore apart from the summer "back to school" rush period, and the sizes I need constantly out of stock online.
I resorted to Trutex from Next, but they don't work well on my DS' shape (JL has always been my go-to). I suspect he is about to have a growth spurt again over the summer, so I will be having the same battle again!

My teen is 6.4 and needs 36 length leg. Anyone any ideas as to where I might find some?

We got men’s from primark which weren’t too expensive.
monkhouse also sell older ages online (school uniform supplier).

Not cheap but got trousers in 36 leg from David Luke for my 6ft 4 DS.

As far as I could tell they were never actually in stock, no matter when I tried to buy them. I ended up buying some really expensive ones from a school uniform shop but tbf they lasted really well and had a big hem so could be let down when needed.

https://direct.asda.com/george/men/trousers/black-regular-fit-active-waist-trousers/GEM1125418-23534,default,pd.html?clr=Black

We've bought these from George for our teens for a couple of years now.

They're the EXACT same material as George school trousers (literally identical)...you can wash and tumble the life out of them and they look the same 🙂 Black, navy and grey available.

Basically George school trousers for men-sized kids lol.

Thanks hello hello.
I'll try there.

He's too skinny. I need the sort with adjustable waist.

Thanks for the suggestion but they're out of stock in his size. I have finally managed to get him some M&S extra long trousers but it just annoys me that they're only in stock in August.

Now that M&S extra long are back in stock, you might be able to let down the hem to make it 36.