S/O Where do you shop for your preteen boy?

[Mirzam]

I have a 10 year old who is very much into clothes. I guess they are all different, but this desire to look "cool" is very much self-directed, none of his friends (a very small private school) are in the least bit bothered about their appearance or what they wear.

So, I am curious if anyone else has a son like this? And if so, where do you shop for him? Or more accurately let him shop! I have just placed an order with Johnnie B (the new Boden teen line) but the clothes are expensive and I will need to add to this to see him through the summer.

[34me]

I shop for my 11 yo on his brothers side of the closet. Ds1 sound like a 13 yo version of your son. He has always been particular about his clothes and been careful of them. When he was that age I shopped at a combination of Gap, Old Navy and Target. If he was that age now I would probably also look at sales at the kids version of American Eagle. He knows that because he is particular about his clothing he gets fewer items than his siblings and they need to last the season. He also asks for gift cards for his birthday and holidays so he can add items himself. Kohls would also be good. We were able to find several pairs of "acceptable" shorts on sale there so that he can spend more of his share of the clothing budget on other things.

[Drummer's Wife]

I was going to suggest Boden (my DS is only 7, so he wears mini-boden and loves it), but you just ordered. . Hey, for next time, if you don't already know this - the code MN20 gives you 20% off the order and free shipping.

Does he like anything from Gap? Also, Old Navy has 30% off this weekend - not sure if they sell anything he'd wear, but there are some good deals on summer stuff.

[moonyoungi]

Thrift store??
All the real cool kids shop at thrift store...

I also like getting some unique pieces from street fair, like tie dye shirts for a dollar, etc.

Or...
Etsy?

Or...
I like Paul Frank, Naartjie, Tea Collection, and Boden on the more expensive end.

[Mirzam]

Originally Posted by moonyoungi

Thrift store??
All the real cool kids shop at thrift store...

I also like getting some unique pieces from street fair, like tie dye shirts for a dollar, etc.

Or...
Etsy?

Or...
I like Paul Frank, Naartjie, Tea Collection, and Boden on the more expensive end.

Well... I don't think he has the imagination for thrift stores, and he isn't really into tie die and the artsy look. He is too big for Naartjie now, but I will check out Paul Frank and Tea Collection and see if they resonate. I have been shopping for him at Boden for many years, but he is really outgrowing that look, hence I ordered from Johnnie B instead which is quite a bit more $$$.

[karne]

I'll be interested to hear what you think of the Johnnie B line. I just got the catalog, and it's definitely pricey, but dd likes some of the skirts. It seems like they are starting out w/a few looks to see if this line will fly.

We do some consignment shopping, and for the girls it's definitely the cool, "green" thing to be doing. But everytime I've seen a preteen/teen boy in the consignment store they look like they are having teeth pulled. It didn't seem like they were having the fun the girls were, lol.

[Mirzam]

Originally Posted by karne

I'll be interested to hear what you think of the Johnnie B line. I just got the catalog, and it's definitely pricey, but dd likes some of the skirts. It seems like they are starting out w/a few looks to see if this line will fly.

We do some consignment shopping, and for the girls it's definitely the cool, "green" thing to be doing. But everytime I've seen a preteen/teen boy in the consignment store they look like they are having teeth pulled. It didn't seem like they were having the fun the girls were, lol.

I certainly will let you know. DD (12) liked a bikini in the catalog but they had sold out of her size, and she really didn't have the patience to look at the rest of the clothes in detail and announced to me she would rather go to a store and pick out her clothes. I got DS a pair of skinny jeans, jean shorts, three t's and some board shorts. Generally, I have been very happy with Boden so I am hopeful!

I agree thrift stores seem to be much more of a girl thing, at least DS wouldn't really be into it. He went to Macy's with DH and DD yesterday and came back with shorts and a few more t's so he is happy, and it was much cheaper!