I want to smarten my boys up for Christmas

[Millie1]

How sad is that? Actually, they're not that scruffy but they live in Gap/Boden jeans and Gap/Boden l-sleeved t-shirts. I'm sick of their t-shirts!!!! DH pooh-poohs me but I want to put them in something smart on Christmas Day .... something they can get wear out of again ... and as they're 9 and 7 they have OPINIONS! So, please, give me some ideas - nice shirts, jumpers (? - don't want them to look Little Lord F'roy-ish!) or rugby shirts?

Thanks!

My ds is maybe a little odd (aged 6), he likes the Dr Who look, braces (h&m and very practical imho), waistcoats (Zara/Monsoon do lovely ones, not too smart iykwim) and also a blazer (again Zara - he has a jersey material one which looks smart, but is very comfortable to wear because it is stretchy).

He wears cords/trousers from Zara/h&m/m&s usually quite casual.

His favourite purchase of late is a tux shirt with bow tie and a lurid (imo) check shirt with blue bow tie - both worn with braces... he is way more interested in clothes than my dd, but he loves Dr Who.

He doesn't wear anything that is too matchy - he looks very smart in his kilt, it is my favourite outfit that he has(we are Scottish), he has had it for two years and he is only just growing into it, but he has a sporran, kilt socks and flashes, usually worn with casual shoes/boots and a collar-less shirt and possibly his waistcoat/blazer.

you are being a nob

John Lewis have some lovely v-neck jumpers almswool (I think). Colours are slightly more unusual than the usual sludge - and have contrasting colour edge see page 2www.johnlewis.com/Baby+and+Child/Boyswear/Boys'+Knitwear/Boys'+Knitwear/17735/ProductCategory.aspx#&&/wEXAgURU2VhcmNoRXZlbnRUYXJnZXQFH1NlYXJjaFJlc3VsdHNHcmlkMV9VcGRhdGVQYW5lbDEFE1NlYXJjaEV2ZW50QXJndW1lbnQFWFNSVC9CYWJ5K18yNitDaGlsZC9Cb3lzd2Vhci9Cb3lzJytLbml0d2Vhci9Cb3lzJytLbml0d2Vhci8xNzczNS8yLzAvUHJvZHVjdENhdGVnb3J5LmFzcHiDtIb1nMNSQkNj8vVYJLWJERjp5g==.They also have tank tops but I don't think I'd get away with that for my 11 year old.

lambswool!

I bought ds a black and white block check shirt recently, he looks lovely in it and really likes it. (He's almost 15).

:)

Bought DS who is 7 a a navy small gingham check shirt from M&S Autograph range. It looks lovely on its own or with a jumper over itLike you, I got fed up of his Boden and John Lewis long sleeve Ts

I would say Zara too. DS2 loves Zara, he chooses his own clothes though out of there. I would have never got DS1 at his age near Zara.

Topman, Zara, River Island :)

Will your boys wear the clothes though?

I just have a rule - no t-shirts with writing on and no faded jeans when we are 'going out'. Other than that, anything goes.

Thanks guys! Shall have a look at M&S, Zara - anything I can get online. Don't mean to be a nob but I'm sick of the l/s t's which inevitably have graphics of some sort. Chippy - yep, they'd wear a nice shirt. DS1 got a lovely checked shirt in Gap last year - he loves it but it's 3" too short on the sleeves and the next size up (in Gap sizing) drowns him as he's a skinny giraffe!

Roll the sleeves up?

Try Debenhams too - some of the Designers at Debenhams stuff is ok.

Ooh yes, Debenhams. Duffer, Jasper Conran, Ted Baker.