What do boys wear at university these days? Need help shopping for DS18 please

[SpinkleBit]

DS18 is (hopefully) off to uni in the autumn. He has ASD and has zero interest in fashion, but I think it might really help him socially if he looks like he "fits in." But I just don't know what kind of stuff teenage boys wear now.
He likes his clothes to be comfortable and neutral-looking (no bright colours or anything that stands out). He is very tall and skinny.
So far he has:

• neutral hoodies from Next
• neutral plain T shirts from Next
• mid blue slim fit jeans from Levis
• navy and white trainers from Nike
• some manky trainers which should probably be binned
• a dark grey raincoat from Decathlon

I'm thinking he probably needs some more formal or semi-formal clothes and shoes? Some shoes/boots for when it rains? Something for if he goes to a club or on a date? I literally have no idea. Any advice would be very welcome. P.S. Our budget is quite big, but he wouldn't want any clothes that looked too obviously expensive.

Only bit of advice I have (from 16 years working at university and 3 years previously as a student) no one cares,anything goes. It is so not like school.

The ones into sport or societies will wear their teams hoodies, some will be wearing what they wore the night before (occasionally without shoes 😬😂 yes i had students in my office like that), some will spend their student loan on the latest trends, some will give Jon Bon Jovi a run for his money in skinny jeans and rocker look (he was actually a really nice lad).

I hope he has a really good time!

Mine is quite quirky and is learning to be clean and well presented. As well as Jeans he’s got quite a few pairs of combats/cargos. Quite a few hoodies and a parka coat. He’s into hi top trainers and has Nike, vans and converse. He’s chosen a range of t shorts of ASOS. A few plain but a few puma/vans T shirts.

Shouldn't he be choosing his own clothes by now?

Take him to TKMaxx and Uniqlo, you'll be able to pick up everything in those two shops that suits a boy who likes plain and unfussy but also needs to take a step up into more "adult" clothes.
If I were you I'd spend the biggest portion of the budget on footwear. Vans and / or Converse, some Nike Air Force Ones. One pair of formal shoes will be useful (again TKMaxx will be great for this). I went to York and we had Christmas and Summer balls that we all dressed up for.

You sound like a lovely mum!

Did you read the OP? I'm sure his mum is going to just help point him in the right direction

ASD teen too. You need to find the top/trousers they like and then buy in every colour they will wear…. Mine won’t wear jeans. He really doesn’t care what he wears and hates logos. Feels no peer pressure. I go shopping with him at times but he hates it so mostly online. I wouldn’t think he will need any formal wear at uni unless at oxbridge.

My DS is in his 4th University year , it's jeans, training shoes, hoodie and Tshirt with a rucksack.
Nike training shoes are popular here

He has a very nice and plain Trespass waterproof .

Zipped pockets are a huge plus , DS has lost a phone on a bus and theyll have assorted random keys,cards,money,ear-phones or Apple iPod type praphanalia .

Get him used to doing laundry before he goes ,

@jontymcjont

He's going away to uni

Are you implying that if he's smart enough to get a university place then his clothing choices will be a doddle ?

Do you go onto threads where someone posts "Help, I've been a SAHM for the past 10 years , I've got a new job in a smart office and I'm clueless I'm a legging and long top type"
Do you write "Well you managed to get a job " .....

My DS is clueless . He doesn't know brands . He doesn't care what he puts on his back . Only that its comfortable and clean.
He winces at spending money (though he'll spend mine or allow it to be spent on him)
He is also showing hoarder tendancies that I had a load of hassel dealing with my Mum . If I try to recycle something too small , damaged, never worn he's "but I wear that"
No you don't young man.

Sometimes his sister will suggest something (she's far more clued up) but I'm quite happy really that he isn't spending £££ on the latest trends

Apart from one pair of 'funeral' shoes, my two DSs only own trainers. They wear them everywhere, every occasion in every type of weather.

This thread has been a real goldmine of suggestions for me. Brilliant ideas on what to get and where to get it. I'm going to do some searching online and shortlist things for DS to look at and tell me whether he would wear it (his birthday is coming up, so it's a good opportunity to get him stuff).

Also laughing at the "hoodie hairdryer" technique, and the policy of finding something he likes and then buying it in every acceptable colour - these are EXACTLY the things that happen in our house! I feel seen!

I truly appreciate all the posters who have helped us out here. I'm really proud that DS is planning to go and live independently at uni. But with his ASD, he's going to need support with some things (big and little), and I'm trying to get that put into place where I can. Because I do worry.

I know this post is only about clothes, and they aren't/shouldn't be very important... but for somebody who struggles socially then I think it can make a big difference. When he's trying to cope with a new environment and new people, then feeling like he "fits in" will give him a lot more confidence. And his appearance also affects the way other people respond to him (even if it shouldn't). Altogether this is a bigger deal for us than it might look like at first. So... thank you.

I would suggest that everything not be brand new as it looks a bit stiff. So maybe he could break some of it over the Summer so he is relaxed in it by September. A bit worn looks better.
Maybe a jacket from a charity shop or one he has already .
Can't go wrong either with a pile of black tshirts if my 2 ds are anything to go by.

I know when my DS was applyong they had an Open Day and a day for those who'd been accepted , so I had a good chance to snoop.

Lots of Uniqlo too .

You can get waterproof Converse boots, Ds has them. He is at uni, he lives in black jeans, Skechers trainers, mostly plain t shirts from Next and hoodies from gigs he has been to plus plain ones. Wears joggers when not out for comfort.

Don't forget coats especially a warm winter one as he is likely walking a lot and outside. Ds has a Mountain Warehouse one I think, an every day black puffer jacket and a waterproof black coat. Also hats, gloves and scarves.

https://www.converse.com/uk/en/products/all/the-winter-shop/weatherised

York is a great choice, one of my DC is there. It is very welcoming and inclusive.

Essential kit for living in halls are a pair of sliders (Nike/Adidas) to be worn around the accommodation, often with white sports socks.

DC is in a catered college and reports that pyjamas are regularly worn by some at breakfast! So I would add some pj bottoms to be worn with T-shirt and hoody. Not sure if boys go in for dressing gowns (one of mine does, one doesn't).

He can get a college hoody during freshers.

These type of trousers are comfortable but a bit smarter than baggy joggers and not naff like chinos www.hollisterco.com/shop/uk/p/skinny-jogger-pants-45992475?categoryId=166324&faceout=model&seq=06

Think about laundry - get stuff that can all be washed together and tumble dried. If using Colour catchers get a mesh laundry bag to put them in. Also laundry bags are handy for keeping track of socks. Oh, and a laundry bag or ikea bag or similar that can be easily hauled to the laundry room.

Oh and please make sure he has a big stack of respectable pants

Mine is 19.

Anything from urban outfitters and stupidly expensive trainers.

He wouldn’t be seen dead in an over shirt, as that’s his 55 year old dad’s uniform.

Some wear pyjamas! Frightening.

I like Divebar's link. I'd just generally get him more black clothes - jeans, t shirts, whatever he is happy to wear. The most important thing is that he is comfortable. I wouldn't get him any sports logo tops as that wouldn't suit his aesthetic at all, but Nike or Addidas trainers would prob be ok.
I'd look at H&M for tops and possibly jogging bottoms if he wants any.

Uni lecturer here. I guess it depends on the course, but most of the students I see wear quite neutral baggy casual clothes. Those that are in uni sports teams wear the t-shirts and sweatshirts of their team. I don't really see anyone flashing expensive brands.

My thought as a mum would be send him with enough changes of t-shirts etc that he has plenty of clean options to wear!

DS2 is similar - tall and skinny and neurodiverse. Had no idea about clothes before uni and he got a lot of DS1's hand-me-downs and never had any money of his own to buy any!

I'd second everything suggested so far. If he's tall and skinny then Next is a good fit. DS went to a few formals and wore his 6th form suit with an open necked blue shirt. Also wore a 'smart' small-checked shirt with black jeans for anything smart casual.
As well as the trainers and sliders he had a pair of smart black shoes and also a pair of chunky-soled leather boots which would be good in York (think snow!).
Also a warm coat/ puffa and hat/ scarf/ gloves etc.
A big fluffy dressing gown is useful too - especially in 2nd year when they can't afford their heating! 😩
Recommend at least two weeks worth of underwear!

Academic here at similar university. Students are wearing t-shirts/long sleeve t-shirts, hoodies, jeans or tidyish joggers, Converse, Vans, overshirts, shackets - that sort of thing. Hollister, H&M, and Superdry are popular brands but in reality most of them don’t care that much. Priorities are warmth and comfort for most of them.

A pair of Docs can be really handy when it rains. I agree about the Vans / Converse too.

DS is 18 and he went to uni in September. He says the students on different courses wear different things. He is a studying Anthropology and says they have the best dress sense, if his clothes are anything to go by, this is a mix of charity shop retro, cords, t-shirts with pastel colours and knackered trainers. The economists wear suits but they all have linked in accounts and internships at Goldman Sachs, the history students wear drab colours and boring clothes... his words.

He does have a couple of suits he had for school graduation which he wears to away sports matches on a Wednesday and sports club 'formal' dinners.

We are not a family that spends a lot on clothes but we do like a visit to a good second hand shop so he does have a fairly eclectic wardrobe and unfashionable role models!!

Ds is not interested in clothes particularly but doesn't want to stand out.
He wears mostly H&M which I think is cooler than Next, and mostly unbranded hoodies and T-shirts.
He liked Rapanui T-shirts and also Marine Conservation Society ones, they have ocean or animal images on them rather than bands( so less chance of getting it wrong).
He wears jeans or cargo pants or trackies, never anything smarter, but then there are no smart do's at his university.
I'd send your DS with casual basics and if it turns out that he needs something smarter for a particular event then he can buy it at the time.