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Teenagers

Parenting teenagers has its ups and downs. Get advice from Mumsnetters here.

Where to shop for my 13 year old DS

10 replies

BrisaOtonal · 12/09/2018 11:45

Just that really.

I have noticed that my DH and sons are really scruffy. I am talking 20 T shirts in the drawer, the odd pair of jeans and some hoodies. My DS13 is not fashion conscious but I would like him to look a bit smarter. I am thinking shirt under a crew neck and jeans when we go out.

We are also going to a wedding in Jan so need to look smart. I don't want to buy him a suit. What would you recommend for a winter wedding for a teenager?

If you DC are smart casual where do you shop?

OP posts:
JiltedJohnsJulie · 12/09/2018 16:12

Mine defintely isn’t into smart casual but does like a River Island.

BrisaOtonal · 13/09/2018 06:34

Do they do mens clothes?

OP posts:
BrisaOtonal · 13/09/2018 06:35

Sorry, quick google shows me they do.

OP posts:
Fairylea · 13/09/2018 06:39

Hmmm I think you might struggle to get a 13 year old ds to go too smart! Fashion at the moment is more grunge / casual, but I do understand you want something for a wedding. I would try Topman, and H and m men’s sections. Their sizes come up small. Also Next online older boys have some smarter bits.

Fairylea · 13/09/2018 06:39

(H and M online is MUCH better than in store for men’s stuff).

TamiTayorismyparentingguru · 13/09/2018 07:04

My 13yr old DS dresses relatively smart-casual I guess. (Skinny jeans, shirts, t-shirts, the odd hoody - rather than tracksuit bottoms and sportswear which is what most of his peers seem to live in.)

Pull & bear has quite a bit of stuff in their men’s section which comes up small.

Zara is also good - their stuff comes up really long and slim so suits my DS perfectly, but it depends on your son’s shape/build.

H&M can be a bit hit or miss - we have got a few decent things in there for DS, but the reality is that most of the time we go in, find nothing for him but DDs come out with armfuls of stuff!

New Look also have some decent men’s stuff in xs which might work.

Topman is a good shout for sure - they do a smallish range in xxs. My DS has a few things in xxs and a few in xs and they fit him well. For a recent wedding he got men’s skinny fit navy suit trousers, an xxs pink shirt, a skinny navy tie. He wore his converse on his feet. It was a summer wedding so he had his shirt sleeves partially rolled up which kept it a bit more casual, and of course no jacket also made it look more casual. For winter you could do similar but a nice jacket instead of an actual suit jacket - a pea coat or military jacket maybe. Something like this from New Look would work.

I will say that while my son dresses generally smarter than most of his peers, he doesn’t go around looking preppy in crew necks and shirts all the time. He’ll often wear something like skinny jeans, white t-shirt and then an open shirt over the top. He still looks smart (and isn’t in sports gear!) but isn’t preppy.

When we lived in the US we did shop a lot for him in Abercrombie which is a good mix of smart, but not overly preppy, but it’s too expensive here to buy unless in the sale. He has also outgrown his age 15-16 a&f jeans (he is all leg) but unfortunately the men’s xs are still too big on him.

Anyway - that was a bit of an essay, but I hope it goes you some ideas - I know how hard this age is to buy for.

BrisaOtonal · 13/09/2018 12:05

Tami

I know those brands would instantly make him look smarter. I too used to live overseas and used to buy my boys Ralph Lauren, Abercrombie and Tommy Hilfiger at a fraction of the price. It is way too expensive here.

I will look at the other shops. Thanks so much for all the suggestions.

OP posts:
BrisaOtonal · 13/09/2018 12:08

I noticed on my European travels this summer that the males seem to look so much smarter. I was a bit embarrassed. They seem to wear polo tops a lot which instantly look a lot smarter whereas my DH and boys looked so scruffy in T shirts. I felt like I was married to Onslow from Keeping Up Appearances!

OP posts:
wizzler · 15/09/2018 08:44

DS is 14 and has suddenly got brand conscious. I check out TK Max and pick up Lyle and Scott shirts a lot cheaper then normal retail price

dontknowwhattodo80 · 15/09/2018 13:23

My DS ( nearly 15) likes ASOS. It's easy ( online!) and very easy to send back

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