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Teenagers

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

Original poster

What do teenage boys wear to weddings?

25 replies

alrightfella · 02/07/2021 22:08

Have a wedding coming up in six weeks or so. Just had a flick through ds13's wardrobe and he has nothing suitable at all. He lives in joggers or jogger shorts, t shirts and hoodies.

Happy to buy him something new but don't know where to start. He hadn't been to a wedding since he was 9. He is no help whatsoever, hates shopping so I will need to order online.

OP posts:
frazzledfragglefromfragglerock · 02/07/2021 22:12

School trousers with new shirt. No point spending a lot as hell not want to wear it again!

UserAtLarge · 02/07/2021 22:14

Would also say school trousers and a new smart shirt. Assuming his school trousers are plain black/grey/navy and not some weird and wonderful pattern or colour.

OnTheBenchOfDoom · 02/07/2021 22:16

Mine are the same re normal wardrobe. I had two sons attend a friend's wedding, teen and preteen. My teen wore a pair of navy trousers from Next, like these and then a casual patterned shirt. I think he wore trainers but nice stylish ones not I am going to the gym ones, also navy. We wanted him to be able to wear it again so he wore it to a few parties/Christmas.

ElephantOfRisk · 02/07/2021 22:17

I guess it depends on what he will wear, but at the end of the day he's a teenage boy guest, not the bride or groom. Skinny trousers or black jeans with a shirt or a nice polo shirt and either school shoes or plain converse or similar. As long as he is clean and smelling fresh hell be fine.

WhatHaveIFound · 03/07/2021 14:08

We're off to one in a few weeks and DS will be wearing skinny black jeans and a flowery short sleeved shirt.

Hellocatshome · 03/07/2021 14:10

Depends how formal the wedding is. Anything from skinny jeans, converse and a casual short sleeved shirt to a full on suit.

TotorosCatBus · 03/07/2021 23:44

Mine would wear school trousers (they are black which helps) and I'd buy a shirt.

londonscalling · 05/07/2021 01:47

School trousers and school shoes.
Then just buy a nice shirt that he may wear again!

Cormoran · 06/07/2021 04:20

We go to many events because of my DH’s work. When they were younger, boys wore good quality chinos ( navy better than black) elegant shirts and shoes such as leather Lacoste in dark colours. When they were around 15 or 16, they would have a blazer as well.
School trousers often look like school trousers and are a bit polyester-y. H&M has nice chinos for very cheap

londonscalling · 06/07/2021 07:06

@Cormoran

We go to many events because of my DH’s work. When they were younger, boys wore good quality chinos ( navy better than black) elegant shirts and shoes such as leather Lacoste in dark colours. When they were around 15 or 16, they would have a blazer as well. School trousers often look like school trousers and are a bit polyester-y. H&M has nice chinos for very cheap
With all due respect, there aren't many boys who would wear an elegant shirt and a blazer!!!!!!
Standrewsschool · 06/07/2021 07:15

Chinos and a smart shirt.

Cormoran · 06/07/2021 08:17

@londonscalling isn't a smart shirt the same thing as an elegant shirt?

The OP's son is 13, I said that for older teens, a blazer is an extra.

ElephantOfRisk · 06/07/2021 08:18

I think we were all assuming that we we weren't talking royal circles here. I'm now picturing Prince William as a teen in chinos and a blazer with gold buttons 😂

At that age my DSs were wearing men's suit trousers in a skinny fit rather than trousers from a uniform shop, so I think it depends on the type of school as to whether trousers worn to school would look like school trousers.

UCOinSteveArnottsPants · 06/07/2021 08:20

I can just picture my ds 14 face if I told him to wear chinos Grin

Mumdiva99 · 06/07/2021 08:22

Trousers (smart or new jeans) and a shirt.
Unless he has another idea....at that age I think allowing them a degree of input helps with compliance on the day....so ifnthey asked fir a waistcoat or tie I would agree.....but never try to force something like that.

(My boys had new trainers for my wedding as there was no point buying them smart shoes they would never wear again.)

PurBal · 06/07/2021 08:40

A suit. Or if not that formal, whatever the adults will be wearing.

mommabear2386 · 06/07/2021 08:56

Skinny black / grey jeans with a nice shirt tie / bow tie depending on his style the jeans have a better chance of getting used again. Depending on the wedding he may even get away with a smart trainer such as converse if you don't try ink you'll get him in a smart shoe.
People understand what teenagers are like :)

ElephantOfRisk · 06/07/2021 09:30

To be fair you do get some nice skinny chino trousers, h&m are good for those.

Original poster
alrightfella · 06/07/2021 09:53

Thank you. DH is wearing a suit and if I thought there was a chance he would wear it again I'd buy one for ds but realistically he'll have grown out if it before any more wears.

I think I'll start with H&M for trousers then, he does have black school trousers but they very much look like school trousers really and he won't be keen to wear them. Although I'm also thinking he won't be keen on chinos or black jeans either but hey ho. I think I'll just buy him a new pair of converse type shoes as suggested. That way they'll probably get worn again and at least be clean and smartish on the day.

OP posts:
ElephantOfRisk · 06/07/2021 10:06

Also look at Next but on-line as they have a decent range for teenagers. I'd not buy anything particularly recognisable though as the age range they do means you might spot a 4 year old in the same patterned shirt! Good for plains though and really good for trousers. My DSs were approaching or at 6 foot at that age so mainly shopped in the adult section. That said, 6'3 and now 21 year old DS is still wearing a pair of age 16 diesel jeans as they are stretchy and long. He's a 34 waist but still wearing age some Next 15/16 pants that I try to bin if I spot them as he'd have had those from age 13! He has plenty adult pants but seems to be attached to those for some reason.

I'm sure your DS will look smart enough in his outfit and as said by pp, everyone knows that a lot of young teens are not interested in clothes and they'll be happy that he's made an effort.

Palavah · 06/07/2021 10:09

Unless it's a very casual wedding it's pretty rude to turn up in trainers as a teen or adult.

Ahwig · 06/07/2021 10:09

My son was 13 when I got remarried. There seemed no point buying a suit that wouldn’t fit him in 6 months as he wouldn’t have another chance to wear it before he grew out of it . We hired one. He choose it ( I think it was a designer one ) so he was happy.

ElephantOfRisk · 06/07/2021 10:40

Do people really care about what a guest at a wedding is wearing? Some people are into that and some aren't. If someone chose to prioritise coming to my wedding to celebrate with me, i wouldn't (and didn't) give a shiney shite what they were wearing, i'd just be glad they came. And especially not for a teenager.

Travielkapelka · 06/07/2021 10:53

They definitely don't wear school trousers. I would say at 13, slim navy chino's, smart shirt and smart trainers / converse. 16+ they might prefer a suit but I don't think that it's obligatory

Thehairbear · 30/05/2025 16:27

My son is 15 years old, 6ft 5" tall. Wasn't going to the expense of buying new trousers (so expensive for his height). So he will be wearing his black school trousers and a new smart navy shirt. And black formal shoes that I managed to get in the sale (as Hel never wear them again). Only spent £20!

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