Ok, so I admit it, I'm totally not into fashion, never have been, probably never will be. Problem is, my son is 12, going into middle school and I don't want him to be a total dweeb walking in the door And, he is at an age where he's definitely noticing things like that. He hasn't demanded, asked for, or hinted for truly outrageous stuff (yet). Anyway, I'd like for him to be somewhat well and fashionably dressed and don't know where to start. He's always been just a jeans and t-shirt kind of kid.

For anyone out there with boys my son's age (or girls who would know), what are the fashion "must-haves" or the coolest stores going this year? I can't afford to spend a fortune, but was thinking a couple of things would be nice, then maybe we could see what's hot and get them somewhere not as expensive.

Thanks for any suggestions!

Suz

suz, as the father of 3 grown men. my advice for you is to take him shopping and let him pick out what he wants, that worked very well with my boys. as always use a little parentel judgement, and if he goes crazy just slow him down with the facts about affordability

With me I did'nt go with the latest trend when my kids where
growing up...
I just made sure they where clean and dressed nicely...

If your son is a jeans and t-shirt kid... get him some more nice
jeans and t-shirts. Take him with you to see what he might like.
Goodluck...

I just got done shopping with my two kids for back to school (that never sounded so good when I was in school) clothes, there are some things that I have learned. Let them be comfortable enough to tell you that they don't like this or that.
Let them pick out what clothes they like, but DON"T let them break the bank doing it.

If they don't like it then it will sit in the bottom of their closet and you would have wasted that money.

Oh and be patient!!!!!!!!

God luck sweetie.

Suz....

The problem with shopping is that my sons were totally different when it came to clothes. My one son didn't care as long as it looked nice and was HUGE on him. I never understood why the clothes needed to HANG off of him. My other son had more of a fashion sense, anything I picked out he hated. Just take him shopping and let him get what he wants...within reason. Nothing like a $80 pair of jeans, when all you wanted to spend was $25.

In conclusion...I'm just thankful in a way that I didn't have a daughter...talk about clothes decisions, would have been a NIGHTMARE!!!!

As MsTeddy said....Good luck!!!

From my weekly rounds to the mall (I look at everything, even though I have no children) and from the fact that I'm going to school for fashion design..
I know that brighter colors seem to be the "in" thing for young men this year. I saw a LOT of bright tees and button down shirts in golf styles (which might not be right for your son since he's 12.. but still...)
Hope that little bit helps!

Thanks all. I am going to be taking him shopping with me, he's basically been picking out his own clothes since he was 3, and he probably has a better eye than I do. I just remember what it was like at that age and I don't want him going through what I went through, not having the "right" stuff. I'm a single mom, there's definitely a budget (and he knows that only too well) but I'm hoping to treat him a little. It's a big year, after all

I know that the only way my sister and I got the "cool" clothes is if we bought it ourselves, which meant a whole lot of babysitting in those days. It certainly didn't kill us but I would like to spare him a little, if I can.

And, yeah, it's moments like this when I'm glad I don't have a girl either

I have a 13 year old daughter, would you like to take her shopping with you????


PLEASE????????????

Yeah, shopping with a girl!!!!!!!!!! You have to pay, of course :). Actually, I don't even want to go shopping with my son, I'm an anomoly, I hate shopping and I can't even remember the last time I stepped foot in a mall. But, it must be done, he's outgrown a lot and definitely needs some new stuff. Even stuff that fit at the beginning of summer is getting too small. And, let's not even begin to talk about shoes! He's tough on shoes, and lately, his feet have been growing like crazy. Last winter, we wore the same size, now his shoes are bigger than mine (I have a smaller foot, so maybe it doesn't count, but still).

I hate shopping, it's enough to give me an anxiety attack or drive me to drink

Thanks Erin, that does help, a lot. My sister in law checked with one of her co-workers who has a 13 year old and got some store suggestions for me as well. Problem is, most of my friends had their kids really young, so mine is quite a bit younger than theirs, so they're not much help :)

I am thankful that my daughter knows that mom has a budget and she respects that. It wasn't really that hard for me and my daughter to do shopping. And as for the shoes?? Nike lasts a long time, and they are not all that expensive when you consider the price of continually buying the inexpensive shoes time and again, grab the nikes and that is done for a couple of years.

ok, my son just turned 15 and he won't have anything unless they are from West 49 or Island Snow (skateboard stores)....baggy jeans with a belt, t shirts that depict the store logo skate shoes that cost at least $120 but the most important thing is the hoodie...with a zipper in the front.

I don't know what your son is into, but if all you can afford is walmart......get t shirts that are plain.....oversized is best, I noticed when my son was that age he liked big snakes and flames on his tshirts, skull and cross bones were cool or plain t shirts always work. also shorts that hang to their knees is good......

be happy he is this age now.....in a couple of years he won't wear anything from walmart....

Yes, I was informed at the beginning of summer that he needed all new shorts because they were "too short" by about 1/2". I told him he just needed to deal. He likes the t-shirts with snakes and flames too, and the ones with the smart-ass sayings.

I am from california and would guess that our styles here differ from your styles there by some degree. What I do with my three children is give them a budget and a list of the items they must buy. For example: you have $300.00 with which you must purchase 5 shirts, 5 pants, 2 shorts, socks, underwear etc.
I then shop with them to help direct but ultimately it is their choice. My rule of thumb is usually 2 nice in style pairs of pants the rest clearance rack or walmart things like that then through out the year I will buy them clothes as well but that is my way of doing it hope it gives you some kind of insight

Its weird but I only buy a few things for back to school, the rest of the year I buy as he needs them.......since he has sooooo many clothes and buys alot of his own anyways. What I did for his birthday which was last week was give him a gift card to the clothing store of his choice, that way I don't have to pick out his clothes and he is much happier.

Yeah, my son's 12 and growing like a weed, so I rarely buy him a ton of stuff at one time. But, he has outgrown a lot of things since school ended. I buy him clothes as needed, as well. My mom did the give me money thing, though she just gave us the money and told us to spend until it was gone, but that was that (and it was never a lot!). So, my sister and I learned very young to learn to "bargain" shop and to this day, I don't think either one of us has ever paid full price for anything. My general rule, for pretty much everything from cars to cereal, if it's not on sale, I don't buy it!