12 year old boys- help me out.

[DowntonTrout]

What do preteen/young teen boys wear these days? It’s my grandson’s birthday and I’d like to send him something. He is 12. My daughter is a single mum and can’t afford branded stuff generally. He is a quiet, sensitive boy who struggles a bit, there are some signs that he may have autism but he is waiting for an assessment.
He has some sensory issues, doesn’t like the feel of jeans for example. I’m thinking sportswear probably and want something that all the other boys will be wearing so that it isn’t another thing that makes him different, if you understand what I mean?
Is Nike still the thing, rather than Adidas? Are there other makes and brands that I could look at? I live rurally, way out in the back of nowhere- there is no shopping here so would need to order online and I generally don’t see any groups of teenagers to see what they’re wearing.
Also sizing- do you generally size up with sweats and hoodies? Thanks.

Can you send money and let him buy himself?

DS is 12 but he may not be the most stylish!
He likes Nike trainers and t shirts from various events and geek stuff eg Warhammer, theme parks, bands like Queen. He wears hoodies or hooded shirts open over the top.
A voucher to buy some Nike trainers would probably go down well.

Most teen boys (I have a 13year old) just wear sports stuff. So your not wrong there but sizes could be anything at that age for example DS is not in small adult and my friends DS is in medium adult, he's very tall. But DS also has some small friends who would still be in kids sizes. So vouchers are probably a good bet as sizing is always a difficult one.

Yes also they change very quickly. At Christmas DS had a bit of a tummy but now he’s gone tall and skinny, it’s as though he’s been stretched! All his jeans are falling down. I buy jeans etc from Next mostly.

Nike seems to be more popular these days than adidas .

I got him black Nike Airforce for Christmas to wear to school. He likes gaming so where could I buy hoodies that reflect that? I don't really want to send vouchers although I appreciate that might be sensible. His mum says age 14/15 would be ok. In Nike that's an older boys size but possibly a small man's would be ok too. I think it's easier with tops- joggers is more difficult. He's quite tall but not overly so- hasn't gone all gangly yet, and is quite solid, not overweight but not wiry like some boys.

What sort of gaming? DS plays Zelda and Hogwarts legacy and loves Zelda merch

I would let him choose his own clothes. I have a ds 11 and ds13 and they much prefer to pick their own stuff. One loves sportswear, the other doesn’t.

That was the age my DS started wanting to chose his own clothes.
Could you give him a budget and ask him to pick something online?
Under Armour is popular with DS and his friends and their clothes are very soft.
https://www.underarmour.co.uk/en

Cross post with MintTwirl!

I'd get him a voucher for JD Sports maybe... My DS ages 11.5, is into sportswear but also has some t shirts he loves from Zara. He's quite into how he looks. Or you could get him some toiletries, eg hair powder...

Ps Mine also likes Vans - I got him a Vans hoodie for Christmas and he really liked it. It's fashionable but not following the crowd as a brand I'd say.

I have 4 boys and my youngest 2 are just turned 13 - last week and 14 so lots of experience with boys and clothes etc they like to choose themselves tbh my 13 and 14 year olds couldn’t be more different in what they like and how they dress, youngest is asd and adhd so likes very soft clothes no jeans but would wear any sports type where my 14 year old has particular brands he will and won’t wear. My older 2 the same they liked different things.

i totally understand you want to buy him something but at this age he needs to choose whatever it is you buy or he has a voucher for jd sports or similar? I’ve made a few expensive mistakes with buying mine things I think they’ll like from say one brand so best to ask him or mum for specific ideas so it’s something he wants. Does take the surprise element away but I prefer that tbh.

My son at that age had zero interest clothes, I would only send clothes if they think of them as a present

Nike Miler t-shirts shirts are very popular. You generally can't go wrong with anything Nike.

Both my teen and preteen boys refuse to wear bright colours, they like greys, blacks and a bit of white. Maybe check if he's hit that phase yet.

@DowntonTrout honestly, just send him a Sports Direct or JD Sports gift card.

This lets him choose and he can even make a day of it by taking a mate. Makes him feel more grown up.

If you really want to buy him instead, go for hoodies and matching jogger bottoms in dark colours but if he is undiagnosed neuro-div, he may not like what you choose due to texture/seams etc causing sensory issues.

A black under armour or north face hoodie or sweatshirt will be a very safe buy.

My DS will be 13 on Thursday. A Nike hoodie would go down very well with him. One without too big a logo. Black by preference. They are soft and well made and hard wearing. Expensive but decent quality. I would go for a small adult size. You might get lucky and find one on Vinted if you look for new with labels on. Though delivery can take a while.

You could just ask him? ‘I’d like to get you some clothes for your birthday, budget around £X’ and ask him to send you links. That’s what my mum’s been doing for my boys from around that age.

Thanks all. Have gone for Nike tech joggers in dark grey, black tech hoodie and grey Miler t shirt all in size 13-15. He will be 11 not 12- I just checked 😂. Hopefully all good but with the promise he can exchange if he wants to.

Excellent choice 👌. Both my dc would be very happy with those. Lucky boy.