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Black tie or similar for 12yo boy?

5 replies

OurLadyOfLeisure · 05/07/2026 12:30

Wedding evening reception in August, we are all invited, including 12 year old DS.
Invitation says the dress code (black tie) applies to over 16s but DS wants to join in.

I don’t want to spend loads because he’s still growing - and we have to travel internationally for the wedding, so want to save where we can.

My plan is to buy new school trousers (he can have black or grey) and new school shoes, and then maybe a contrasting nice jacket with bow tie in a matching colour or black.

DS likes clothes and enjoys dressing smartly for an occasion. So maybe a more luxurious fabric for the jacket, silky, velvety etc, maybe a deep green or navy or something. I don’t want it to look like we tried to match the trousers, it needs to be a more deliberate contrast.

Ideally we’d try something on in the shops, but don’t really know where to look - I’d thought Next or John Lewis, but they don’t really have anything in like I had in mind. He’s an average height 12 year old and would be swamped by stuff from the men’s section.

OP posts:
WibbleWob · 05/07/2026 13:06

You could hire from moss bross or similar- might work out cheaper?

Geneticsbunny · 05/07/2026 15:35

H and m often have tuxedos for kids. Or try vinted?

HappyMuma · 05/07/2026 16:31

https://www.rococlothing.co.uk/boys/boys-suits/?_bc_fsnf=1&filter_colour%5B0%5D=Blue&filter_colour%5B1%5D=Burgundy&page=2

Our son chose something from here and then we got it used on eBay. We have another event coming up and are looking on Vinted, I don’t think I could swallow paying full price for a teenage boy who doesn’t seem to stay in the same size clothes for more than 6 months!!

Also, I love the black trousers with contrasting jacket idea!!

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