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Cool clothes for 16 year old boy

30 replies

brightbluecast · 18/10/2020 21:37

Hope it's ok to post this here …
My DS (16) has finally/suddenly/recently started being interested in what he looks like. He hates shopping and I'm not in the mood for it at the moment myself, so we'll be shopping online. As he's actually interested for once, he might stand still long enough for me to be able to thoroughly measure him.

He's about 5 '9. Very slim, skinny even. Trousers have always been difficult - need to be an adjustable waistband as he has a very slender waist. Looks great in skinny jeans. Likes Converse, but I'd like to buy him some slightly more substantial casual shoes. Rugby shirts too maybe. Hoodie. Denim jacket.

He's too old for the kids' section but I'm intimated by looking at men's clothes. Where's good for teenagers online?

Typically he decides to do this in the year when we're feeling the pinch a bit so we're looking at budget-end stuff, although he could select some nicer things for his Xmas list and his grandparents might indulge him.

Thanks in advance.

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LizzieMacQueen · 18/10/2020 21:53

Gap do some nice things. I got adjustable waist chino-style trousers there. My boy also likes Next and Carhartt. The Carhartt is expensive (imo) but you can pick up things in their sale section online.

brightbluecast · 18/10/2020 22:38

I've already looked at Gap online and their clothes seem to stop at 13. I used to rely on H&M but they stop at 14+ or something too. Men's clothes are just sooo much more expensive and don't seem to do the adjustable waist thing.

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dontgobaconmyheart · 19/10/2020 13:41

I'd just have him look himself on the likes of Topman, H&M etc. They all run into very small sizing that would be suitable. At his deep behest I tried on my nephews topman jumper recently, I think it was in size XXS and too tight for me as a uk size 8 ladies.

Crockof · 19/10/2020 13:44

You can't buy him children's clothes at 16. H&M do slim fit, primark is surprisingly good for jeans etc lots of skinny styles.

LifeInAHamsterWheel · 19/10/2020 13:48

I agree at 16 he's going to need the men's ranges but you can get XS or even XXS in some places. My teen prefers sports wear he wouldn't put a pair of jeans (skinny or otherwise) near him, or a shirt unless it's for a formal occasion! He likes Superdry, Hollister, Pull & Bear, KWD and actual sports brands like Nike and Adidas and has some bits from Primark, Next and Gap too. All of these brands will have sizes that will fit your DS. You are definitely right to take all his measurements though, an XS in one brand will be totally different size in another so check the size guide on each site before ordering.

BoulangerieBabs · 19/10/2020 13:49

I get my ds some it's from Next, they go up to 16 and their skinnies have elastic pulls in them, he's very skinny too and the same height.

We've also bought bits from TK Maxx, JD Sports and Primark.

brightbluecast · 19/10/2020 14:24

Thanks for the tips.

I've had a look at Top Man and that definitely looks a good bet (just depends on the waist v leg length in the jeans). Price-wise it's ok.

Primark was ok when he was a kid (definitely seemed to cater for the skinnier waists) but they don't do online. I guess I could go without him and take my tape measure but I'm trying to avoid shops myself.

Thought I'd dismissed Next for some reason but can't remember why - will have another look. We got some summer shorts from there and they were ok.

TKMaxx I can't cope with!

He wants to move away from sports wear - that's more or less what he's always worn (not for any particular label, or anything, but just for comfort).

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Rollergirl11 · 19/10/2020 15:21

I always buy DS’ jeans from Next as he is also very skinny and he needs adjustable waist. However he’s 12 so much younger than your DS. But I can thoroughly recommend Next skinny jeans. Great range of colours and always well made. I have just looked at Next and the boys jeans do go up to age 16.

If he doesn’t want to go for anymore sportswear than Hollister and Urban Outfitters are popular but also on the pricey side. DD’s male friends (all 15) are still very much in to the branded sportswear though(Nike, Vans, Champion, North Face, Puma & Nicce) or maybe a Lyle & Scott, Fred Perry or Armani shirts/polos if they’re dressing up (which is rare)

Eaumyword · 19/10/2020 15:37

My nearly 16yr old DS suddenly developed an interest in clothes this year!
JD Sports is a good shout for the more budget end of designer. Mine loves Lacoste, Hugo Boss and Armani for example and they do EA7 which I'm certain is a lower end diffusion range of Armani.
He also likes skater stuff like Thrasher t shirts and hoodies and will only wear Nike Airmax trainers.
He wears Next jeans, which are a nice fit on him, but much to my chagrin, prefers joggers and hoodie. Basically, the look is bank robber chic as I call it.
He's average height/weight but wears a men's medium!

MoltonSilver · 19/10/2020 15:40

Hollister.

teta · 19/10/2020 15:48

My 14 &16 year old like h&m. They used to like Hollister but I think it's a bit too recognisable now. Now they buy plain black or white t shirts & sweats or with a graphic design on. Skinny h&m jeans with a button fly. Suits from Tk Maxx - cracking italian wool ones & the occasional sweatshirt. Online tk Maxx is brilliant.

happilybemused · 19/10/2020 15:54

13 and 16 here.

Jack Wills ( started at mens XS)
Hugo Boss
Ralph Lauren children's shop at Bicester Village
Sunspell

brightbluecast · 19/10/2020 16:04

Sorry - I should have said about budget. Hollister / Lauren etc is out of our reach. Up till now, M&S had been considered a luxury (abandoned now as they have very little of interest).

Didn't realise there's an online TKMaxx - I'll have a look!

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Eaumyword · 19/10/2020 16:08

Don't be deterred - always good to have a look online and I always look for a discount code before buying!
Ebay can be good - I got a lovely Lyle&Scott coat for my DS for £18! You can work out your son's size by looking at the website sizings, then you minimise the risk of getting the wrong size on Ebay.

Gorbie · 19/10/2020 16:11

My lad is 14.5 and very tall and skinny, H&M don't fit anymore so last time we brought skinny jeans from primark and a few T-shirt's in men's small. Or we shop in river island (men's small) or he likes super dry so we tend to ask for vouchers for there for birthday/Christmas as it's quite expensive but the clothes are really nice

Madwomanuptheroad · 19/10/2020 16:19

My son was tall and extremely skinny at that age, the only jeans that fitted him were primarily men's skinny jeans. They still looked slightly baggy but appeared to be the only ones that had a waist 29" in a long leg.
Apart from that m and m is quite good and cheap (but never succeeded in finding jeans that were cut slim enough there).

tortillachipsanddips · 19/10/2020 16:19

My 13 yr old is already in Xs men's.

He wears sports stuff but likes river island jeans as they fit better

Bloomburger · 19/10/2020 16:20

Gym shark do really nice track suits for £50 which is cheap compared to most of the clobber DS asks for. They wash up well and fit nice all of the kids at his school wear them.

tortillachipsanddips · 19/10/2020 16:21

Sorry was also going to add it's worth knowing what size in different shops and looking at face book - eBay. Boys that age grow so ridiculously fast they often barley wear stuff before they out grow it

ChrissyHynde · 19/10/2020 16:30

Try Boohoo. The site allows you to put height and weight and gives you a recommended size. My DS was very much into brands , but I wouldn't let him have a lot of them at £70 a hoodie! But recently got a hoodie and 2 pairs of cargo trousers/trackies for £53, all chosen by him so liked . Result !

TwoBlueFish · 19/10/2020 16:34

I have a super skinny 16 year old. River Island do men’s sizes with a 26” waist, lots of other places start at 28”. He likes hoodies from TopMan, T shirts from Adidas, jeans from ASOS (super skinny). Most of his school clothes (business dress) came from River Island.

doadeer · 19/10/2020 16:35

I always bought my brother clothes from asos. T-shirts in an XS. Jeans from levi or topman, plus some cool trainers and a pair of boots.

TwoBlueFish · 19/10/2020 16:38

If you look on the student Beans website and his school/college is listed he might be able to sign up and get some discounts.

CulturallyAppropriatedName · 19/10/2020 16:42

My 16 year old lad buys himself old band t shirts - radiohead, oasis etc - but he is a quirky guy!

brightbluecast · 19/10/2020 16:51

There are some lovely dedicated Mum-shoppers out there! I obviously need to up my game ...!! The things we do, eh?

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