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Original poster

Large man sized 16 year old boy with very long hair - wedding outfit!

103 replies

WaxOnFeckOff · 26/08/2017 18:56

Struggling to find something for DS2 to wear to a wedding next weekend. Proper wedding and all day invite.

We've been unsuccessfully trying suits and are now running out of time.

He's 6'1" solid built with large thighs and hair that comes down past his shoulders which he will neither cut or tie back (Rock/Metal style). he has however agreed to shave off the face fungus.

Suits so far have not fitted and also look ridiculous. Tight budget as everyone needs kitted out. he has no suitable shoes either. The fashion is obviously for slim fit/tailored style - he can't get them on or they won't meet. I've tried regular fit but they seem to be really old fashioned looking, are still too tight and he looks awful.

So far we've tried Moss bros, Next, Burtons and Debenhams. Mostly on-line since in typical teenage boy fashion, he doesn't like shopping (and neither do I).

Any ideas?

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TheDuckSaysMoo · 26/08/2017 20:34

This guy with his short out looks smart enough for a 16 year old. Screenshot from front page of Debenhams men's section.

Large man sized 16 year old boy with very long hair - wedding outfit!
scruffmacduff · 26/08/2017 20:34

Another vote for Slater's - definitely go to the shop! Hope you find something suitable OP

TheDuckSaysMoo · 26/08/2017 20:34

*shirt not short!

girlsnames · 26/08/2017 20:37

Have you tried jackamo?

thenightsky · 26/08/2017 20:41

Hmm. I've got a similar 6ft 3in with almost waist length curly hair. For smart events he wears black trousers (36 inside leg) from Lands End, with a white shirt, narrow tie and gorgeous jacket he found in an M&S outlet (part of a suit that was missing) for £19 that I changed the buttons on.

He wears his hair in a neat plait for weddings/funerals etc.

thetwocultures · 26/08/2017 20:42

I think it would be good to just dedicate a day or morning/afternoon and go shopping.
It's ok ordering online and trying them on but it will be a different ballgame when you have someone who knows their suits round up the best possible fits for your DS and let him try them. He might even get convinced to tuck his shirt in!

I'm only saying this as today at 25 weeks pg I finally relented and went to a maternity store where the lovely lady helped me find THE most comfortable maternity jeans and a bra that doesn't give me backache! And it took some suggestions, trying on and adjusting - something I wouldn't have bothered with if I was shopping myself or ordering on the Internet.

thenightsky · 26/08/2017 20:44

Oh... meant to add... he also has a lovely dark trench coat that he got in H&M for about £30. It looks very smart and works for events that require standing around outside in the cold etc.

RubyGoat · 26/08/2017 20:45

My DH is 6'4" & similarly built (he looks like your typical Viking; naturally heavily muscled despite being a total couch potato. And he has a bit of a gut too). He got a suit from Suits Direct. Not sure re: your budget, they seem to have a reasonable range.

Original poster
WaxOnFeckOff · 26/08/2017 20:46

Not tried jackamo - will have a look, there was nothing in Joe Browns. That outfit in the photo isn't smart enough and short sleeve shirts are a no no. Sorry, not trying to be awkward. :) I think if you have a young looking 16 year old you can probably get away with more as people think of them as still a child. DS looks about 20 though he only just turned 16.

This image is similar except his hair is generally hanging over his face

Large man sized 16 year old boy with very long hair - wedding outfit!
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Original poster
WaxOnFeckOff · 26/08/2017 20:49

I think it would be good to just dedicate a day or morning/afternoon and go shopping.

Unfortunately we don't have that time. He wont be home from DofE until tomorrow night, and except for late night shopping on Thursday, we would have about half an hour between getting home from school and the shops shutting.

The wedding is Saturday coming and is a 1.5 - 2 hour drive, I plan on getting my hair done on Saturday morning and nothing else :)

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Original poster
WaxOnFeckOff · 26/08/2017 20:50

I'm looking at all your suggestions :) Thanks you all for taking the time, I really appreciate it even if it's not quite right Flowers

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theancientmarinader · 26/08/2017 20:50

Similar to thenightsky - ds1 is 15 and over 6ft. He has ridiculously broad shoulders and rugby thighs. I refuse to buy him a suit at this point as I don't have that much cash to spare for a once worn item! For a similar event recently he found a pair of black trousers he was comfortable with, then a shirt, and he also found a 'not matching' jacket. He has worn the shirt both in and out (I made him tuck it in for the formal photos lol) and we found a bargainous pair of dress shoes.

In all honesty - I had very little success dictating, and everyone knows that boys at this point are still growing. As long as he is clean and has made some effort, all good.

Ttbb · 26/08/2017 20:52

Ted baker works really well on tall men-tk maxx stocks a lot of it, maybe worth checking how much they sell it for. M&S also do decent suits sometimes.

Original poster
WaxOnFeckOff · 26/08/2017 20:53

Hmm would a jacket, trousers and a plain t-shirt look less odd with the hair than a shirt and tie?

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Original poster
WaxOnFeckOff · 26/08/2017 20:55

I'm thinking he may be near full grown so was thinking if it was a relatively plain suit he could use it for other weddings, funerals, interviews etc. probably deluded though.

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NC4now · 26/08/2017 20:59

Give Slaters a go if you can get in there. The staff are really well trained and they have quite a bit to choose from.

theancientmarinader · 26/08/2017 21:01

He'd rock an open neck shirt with a jacket.
I don't like t shirts for formal...

theancientmarinader · 26/08/2017 21:03

We know ds has a lot of growing to do - he's ended up with two unfortunate x Ray requirements (bastarding basketball) and so conveniently the consultant checks his growth plates lol...

Original poster
WaxOnFeckOff · 26/08/2017 21:05

He wont do open necked as his chest is still very scarred as are his cheeks and back. He'll need plastic surgery they think once his spots are completely gone and his skin has a chance to heal.

Poor bugger.

DS1 is just a year older and has same skin issues but has now cut his hair as his skin has improved so much. he is happy just to wear a plain suit and shirt and tie. He's chosen a grey shirt and tie to go with a medium grey suit. The tailored fit suits him fine and his school shoes are sufficiently smart so he's all good.

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TheDuckSaysMoo · 26/08/2017 21:06

That would be fine as long as he doesnt take the jacket off.

Original poster
WaxOnFeckOff · 26/08/2017 21:07

Ds1 is 6'3" at 17 and doesn't seem to have grown much. DS2 was 5'11 this time last year so thinking he might not get much above 6'1. he started puberty before DS1 and I mean in real time not just at an earlier age compared to DS1 so should stop growing earlier - I think.

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PacificDogwod · 26/08/2017 21:08

Aw, WaxOn, I feel for you and your DS!

My DS1 is just off Roaccutane and DS3 is huge for his age.

Does your DS have an official role at this wedding?
Could you make a trip to one of the larger shopping centres on Thursday night?

Where about in Scotland are you?

Sorry, lots of questions.
Would you/he consider hiring an outfit?

Original poster
WaxOnFeckOff · 26/08/2017 21:12

Okay, current plan is, suit from Asda due to arrive on Tuesday. If I see anything else that can arrive before Thursday then I'll order that too. If nothing works out of that lot then we will put all our hopes in a shopping trip on Thursday evening. We have Slaters, M&S, Debenhams, H&M, Next, Topman and Primark and not a lot else. All above stores are very small versions so isn't as good as it looks. The Next only has about the same space for men's stuff as my small living room.

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Original poster
WaxOnFeckOff · 26/08/2017 21:16

Thanks Pacific, both boys are 3 months in and spots really mostly gone - still have very red complexion and lots of scarring. DS1s spots were more t-zone so the skin seems to have been more robust. DS2 had his mostly on his forehead and cheeks so the skin has scarred really badly.

No-one has a role but we will be seeing family that we haven't seen for many years.

We are in Stirling - not really time to get to Edinburgh or Glasgow.

I know there is a hire place but probably just do kilts?

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PacificDogwod · 26/08/2017 21:32

Most hire places also do suits - well worth a phone call.

My DS1 is 14 and had a horrid time on Roaccutane but bore it stoically.
He stopped about 6 weeks ago, his lips no longer peel off in strips, the redness has settled and lot of his scars (yes, he will have scars forever) are much less noticeable. He is very happy to have taken it (although he may need to take it again in the future - his huge deep acne cysts were just awful).

Anyway, sounds like a good event. Hope you have fun seeing lots of family.

IMO, clean and smart should do for kids including teenagers at a family wedding.