All tips on sales, supplies and other queries welcome in this thread but I have a question to kick off.
DS is 11. He's 5'2 and expected to grow at least four inches this year. How the hell do I clothe him? What do I buy for fall? Where do you shop for teens and should I just move to men's sizes? All the size charts for L or XL or whatever are so crazy - like he'll be popping out of a GAP shirt and a shirt int he same size at Target will be down to his knees.
ETA: He's very preppy/opposed to athleleisure but I'm opposed to buying pants every two months, so I think we're going to have to come to an agreement.
Post by starburst604 on Aug 3, 2022 10:39:31 GMT -5
I have sort of the same issue with DD, going into 2nd grade - she's busting out of some 7/8/medium clothes and others fit fine, while most 10/12/Large is too big on her waist but could fit her lengthwise bc she's tall. I've kind of resigned myself to having to take her school shopping in person for once, which I don't think either of us will enjoy. But I'd rather not buy things that JUST fit and also she can veto stuff she doesn't like off the bat, because we're at that place now! If she has her way it will be alllll athleisure.
David's 5'5 and 13, and just fully in men's clothes now.
I asked the same question here regarding clothing at this age. The last few years have been....difficult. There's really no in-between sizes for boys, no "junior" sizes for them. Athletic wear is super easy, most boys sizes fit him for a long time, some still do. But for his uniforms last year, it was such a pain. I took him to a million different stores to see how things fit and ended up with some things in Mens, some in Boys. The Sonoma brand at Kohls is great because the Men's sizes run small and last year he needed the smallest sizes in Mens and they are super hard to find but I managed to find a few pairs of shorts. I'm sticking with the Sonoma brand this year. Shoes were the same way. For a year David had to wear Women's shoes because Boys and Mens didn't fit him, lol.
I have sort of the same issue with DD, going into 2nd grade - she's busting out of some 7/8/medium clothes and others fit fine, while most 10/12/Large is too big on her waist but could fit her lengthwise bc she's tall. I've kind of resigned myself to having to take her school shopping in person for once, which I don't think either of us will enjoy. But I'd rather not buy things that JUST fit and also she can veto stuff she doesn't like off the bat, because we're at that place now! If she has her way it will be alllll athleisure.
She is close to being able to wear American Eagle jeggings in 000. We went this route to get enough length. Pricier than what we had been getting at Old Navy, but at least she isn't in high waders, so throwing it out there.
I have sort of the same issue with DD, going into 2nd grade - she's busting out of some 7/8/medium clothes and others fit fine, while most 10/12/Large is too big on her waist but could fit her lengthwise bc she's tall. I've kind of resigned myself to having to take her school shopping in person for once, which I don't think either of us will enjoy. But I'd rather not buy things that JUST fit and also she can veto stuff she doesn't like off the bat, because we're at that place now! If she has her way it will be alllll athleisure.
She is close to being able to wear American Eagle jeggings in 000. We went this route to get enough length. Pricier than what we had been getting at Old Navy, but at least she isn't in high waders, so throwing it out there.
Good to know! Maybe we'll go to an actual mall to shop. It's been so long between Covid and my aversion to in-person shopping that I'm not sure she remembers malls! One good thing is I'm able to snag some good summer clearance in 10/12 since she'll def be wearing that by next summer I think. She's also been expressing that she likes cropped tops. Pleassseee do not make me have this negotiation with my 7 year old!
Is this just clothes related? If not, if your child carries a laptop back and forth do they put it in a backpack? Or do they have a separate carrying case? I need advice on what to get. Last year his backpack was completely full and so heavy. I'm going to get a bigger one for him but even if the laptop would fit I don't know if it should go in with all his books.
I had to buy him a new laptop, so if anyone is looking I can link to the one we got.
starburst604, I suggest you go out shopping alone and pre-shop so when you take your DD you know what stores actually care the sizes you need. I did this last weekend with my mom and not a single store in our mall carries OO jeans or pants. I legit just asked associates if they carried that size and almost every single one said no and a couple said yes but only online. So now I don't have to drag DD shopping as she hates it.
dochas, I'm hoping to convince the school that DD needs to just check out a laptop for the school year. Her IEP states she can type/voice type all assignments/work. They said she needs to as each individual teacher for a computer when she walks into class which I think is a huge waste of time and just calls out that she needs something extra. She has a separate pouch in her backpack that is designed as a laptop case. We were also told no books would be coming home other than library as all textbooks have an electronic copy available.
Is this just clothes related? If not, if your child carries a laptop back and forth do they put it in a backpack? Or do they have a separate carrying case? I need advice on what to get. Last year his backpack was completely full and so heavy. I'm going to get a bigger one for him but even if the laptop would fit I don't know if it should go in with all his books.
I had to buy him a new laptop, so if anyone is looking I can link to the one we got.
When DD1 was carrying her iPad back and forth, it just went in her backpack. She was only in first and second grade, and she stuffed her backpack impossibly full, but it still fit, so I rolled with it. Another carrying case is, IMO, something else to accidentally leave behind.
You can probably get a backpack with a padded slot for the laptop, but if you're concerned about him hurting himself, that's another story. Are there any kids out there who don't carry more than necessary and stuff their bags to the limit? I was always like that and now DD1 (8, going into 3rd) is following in my footsteps, despite my protests!
All tips on sales, supplies and other queries welcome in this thread but I have a question to kick off.
DS is 11. He's 5'2 and expected to grow at least four inches this year. How the hell do I clothe him? What do I buy for fall? Where do you shop for teens and should I just move to men's sizes? All the size charts for L or XL or whatever are so crazy - like he'll be popping out of a GAP shirt and a shirt int he same size at Target will be down to his knees.
ETA: He's very preppy/opposed to athleleisure but I'm opposed to buying pants every two months, so I think we're going to have to come to an agreement.
My ds only wears shorts year round then you don't have to worry so much about length. I still did cheaper things like Old Navy, Target or sales/Tjmaxx type places at that age. I always rather have it to big than too small. If it is big, you can keep it and wear it later. Luckily, mine wears a uniform so it is a lot easier.
orval, Good point. I'm not sure moving back to a subtropical environment is on the table right now, but it would make clothing shopping much easier at this stage, lol.
dochas, as the host of this thread, I say any back-to-school shopping questions are welcome.
Post by pierogigirl on Aug 3, 2022 11:42:24 GMT -5
Land's End carries smaller waist sizes and has customizable lengths for men's khakis. That's what I had to buy when DS1 needed nicer pants for a band concert. He's 5'6".
Carhartt also has jeans with smaller waist sizes and your choice of inseams. They have nice belts, too.
DS1 only wears these types of clothes when he has to (concerts, funerals, etc), otherwise we can shop at Dicks Sporting Goods.
Shopping for pre-teens sucks. Nothing is made for them. Then if you do find something they like it may or may not be dress code compliant!! We spent about eleventy billion dollars on clothes this year for 6th grade. Slight exaggeration but DD only has athletic shorts and those aren’t allowed. She outgrew her shoes, too, so those were needed.
DD and I wandered the mall one day to get a sense of what she likes and then went back once she narrowed down stores. It was painful but now that we know sizes I can just order online. She will mostly be wearing jeans/leggings/oversized tees to start. She liked Hollister and AE and I like that they come in so many sizes. I am going to stay mad about the dress code for awhile. The only shorts allowed are Bermuda shorts/knee length and DD is not a fan. What the heck is so distracting about a leg? Surely schools have more to worry about.
Anyways. Orientation is tomorrow. 6th grade is basically here! Crazy.
Is this just clothes related? If not, if your child carries a laptop back and forth do they put it in a backpack? Or do they have a separate carrying case? I need advice on what to get. Last year his backpack was completely full and so heavy. I'm going to get a bigger one for him but even if the laptop would fit I don't know if it should go in with all his books.
I had to buy him a new laptop, so if anyone is looking I can link to the one we got.
DD’s school requires them to carry their laptops in a separate special case. Their backpacks are too full anyways since there are no lockers.
Our school provides chrome books and a sleeve type case with a long strap. Some kids carry the chrome book separately and some fit it into their backpacks. I like that the style of carrying case makes it easy for kids to do whatever they prefer. My kids usually put theirs in their backpacks so they don't have yet another thing to carry or forget.
Post by tarzanswife on Aug 3, 2022 13:18:52 GMT -5
I hate to say it but don't buy too much now. DS grew 4 inches over the last year. At the beginning of the last school year I got him Levi's that were 30x29. Then he really stretched out and is now in a 27x32. He also grew out of his "new shoes" within 3 weeks of me buying them. He is now a men's 10.5 shoe and a men's small in everything else. I took all of his old shorts that were size 30 waist and put them away and had to buy him skinnier stuff as he is a bean pole now and was chunkier before the growth spurt. I would just focus on a few items and then re evaluate in a few months. He is super into surf and skate clothes so I don't have any recommendations on stores but if I need something with a collar for him I always have good luck with Macy's.
I stocked up on uniforms for both kids on prime day.. and still have not convinced either kid to try them on and make sure I actually got the right sizes. Both kids still need shoes.
We get our supply lists about 6 minutes before the first day of school, after Target has already sold out of most of their back to school stuff, so I just bought off a prior year's list already, so their teachers will have to be good with that.
Is this just clothes related? If not, if your child carries a laptop back and forth do they put it in a backpack? Or do they have a separate carrying case? I need advice on what to get. Last year his backpack was completely full and so heavy. I'm going to get a bigger one for him but even if the laptop would fit I don't know if it should go in with all his books.
I had to buy him a new laptop, so if anyone is looking I can link to the one we got.
We bought DD an LL Bean Deluxe backpack when she started MS and this year DS starts MS and we got him a similar one. It has a divider in the main backpack compartment to slide the Chromebook in. DD's backpack has held up well and she is going to HS this year and can still use the same backpack.
Is this just clothes related? If not, if your child carries a laptop back and forth do they put it in a backpack? Or do they have a separate carrying case? I need advice on what to get. Last year his backpack was completely full and so heavy. I'm going to get a bigger one for him but even if the laptop would fit I don't know if it should go in with all his books.
I had to buy him a new laptop, so if anyone is looking I can link to the one we got.
DS1 carries his laptop in his backpack, in a protective sleeve. He never signed up for a locker last year so just carries everything back and forth each day. Even without using textbooks his bag is crazy heavy, plus he has his track bag. It’s about a mile walk and he still didn’t bother to get a locker so I guess he doesn’t care lol
It’s a hard age - DS1 is 15 and 6 feet now, but super skinny. Pants are impossible. Gee in mens large shirts and who knows for pants. Thank goodness he only wants to west athleisure so he’s ok in basketball shorts most of the time. He’s basically spent the last 3 years looking ridiculous in too short shirts/high water pants. He’s also very particular about t shirt brands - I get mostly Champion, Nike, vans, and vineyard vines and shop sales/outlets.
The worst are sneakers. Mens sneakers are so expensive. He’s a size 11 and still growing plus HARD on his shoes. I have to replace them plus get new running shoes every few months. It’s painful.
I hate to say it but don't buy too much now. DS grew 4 inches over the last year. At the beginning of the last school year I got him Levi's that were 30x29. Then he really stretched out and is now in a 27x32. He also grew out of his "new shoes" within 3 weeks of me buying them. He is now a men's 10.5 shoe and a men's small in everything else. I took all of his old shorts that were size 30 waist and put them away and had to buy him skinnier stuff as he is a bean pole now and was chunkier before the growth spurt. I would just focus on a few items and then re evaluate in a few months. He is super into surf and skate clothes so I don't have any recommendations on stores but if I need something with a collar for him I always have good luck with Macy's.
Isn't that wild? DS will do that too. He thickens up and then shoots up and is super skinny. I cannot believe I produced this child who is now the size of an adult woman. He'll pass me up in height this year and we can share shoes, sweatpants and we're about to be the same size in shirts. At least I can keep some of the stuff he grows out of? LOL.
My boys grew ridiculous amounts between age 11-15. One year they grew six inches. They topped out at 6'3" They have stretch marks all over their backs. During their first growth spurts we shopped at Macy's a lot because I could find adjustable pants there in the kids section. They were growing taller but not wider and we had trouble getting their pants to stay on. We bought a lot of Levis. We typically go for the slim fits. They also wore a lot of jogger style pants because those don't look quite as ridiculous if they are a little short. It just looks like you pulled them up and it's on purpose. High tops can also help bridge the divide. Once they could fit into teen clothes, we started shopping at Hollister, American Eagle, Abercrombie, H&M, Pac Sun, Tillys, etc. Sometimes Aeropostale has good pants and they are cheap. Now that my kids are older, we go where tall athletic fit pants are offered.
My 13 SS is 5’2 and 85lbs. He lives in anything with an elastic waistband. I buy him cheap stuff from Target and ON bc he won’t be in the size long. He’s in 12-14 although his waist is still an 8.
My 15 SD is 5’1 and a size 2/4. She just had all her pants taken to a seamstress to be hemmed and taken in. It isn’t the cheapest option, but she thrifts a lot of her clothes, so they were cheap. She is done growing, so putting money into tailoring felt ok. She will get Much more use out of them because they fit better now.
I hate to say it but don't buy too much now. DS grew 4 inches over the last year. At the beginning of the last school year I got him Levi's that were 30x29. Then he really stretched out and is now in a 27x32. He also grew out of his "new shoes" within 3 weeks of me buying them. He is now a men's 10.5 shoe and a men's small in everything else. I took all of his old shorts that were size 30 waist and put them away and had to buy him skinnier stuff as he is a bean pole now and was chunkier before the growth spurt. I would just focus on a few items and then re evaluate in a few months. He is super into surf and skate clothes so I don't have any recommendations on stores but if I need something with a collar for him I always have good luck with Macy's.
Isn't that wild? DS will do that too. He thickens up and then shoots up and is super skinny. I cannot believe I produced this child who is now the size of an adult woman. He'll pass me up in height this year and we can share shoes, sweatpants and we're about to be the same size in shirts. At least I can keep some of the stuff he grows out of? LOL.
I've turned a few pairs of his jeans that don't fit anymore into jean shorts for me! I also have taken over all of his old flip flops and vans that he barely wore before they were to small. He gets a kick out of the fact that I can raid HIS closet now. We just measured today and he has me now by a solid 1/2". I can only imagine how much taller he will be by the end of this school year! My dad is over 6'2' so I don't see him slowing down anytime soon and he is now a solid 5'8"!
Post by jordancatalano4ever on Aug 3, 2022 17:18:42 GMT -5
As a middle school teacher I recommend not overbuying. Maybe 2-3 pairs of jeans and 6-8 shirts. I’ve watched sixth graders grow from 4’0 to 6’0 in the span of three years. It’s hard to predict their growth spurts. Some of my poor boys will sport high waters partway through the year because they have clearly outgrown what they have and their parents can’t get them new.
What are good stores for tween girls? I took mine to Tillys the other day and it was clear they didn’t cater to her size but I know DD has outgrown carters.