Casual Clothing for Boys Buying Guide

Boys' clothes  really need to stand up to a lot and be durable enough to last through playtime and the washing machine.  This might sound like an exaggeration, but really, who are we kidding? Boys like mud and paint and lots of other dirty stain-prone things. Shopping for clothes can be a chore: not only do they need to fit, but they have to fit for more than a few weeks, hopefully mesh with school dress codes, and be comfortable for your child.  When taking taste into account, there are a lot of different places to get Spongebob Squarepants,  Transformers,  Spiderman,  and even Batman  items, which are largely popular with the younger male set. So even if your child has a hard time fitting into clothes for a long time, and even if they test the durability of every outfit they own, luckily there are a lot of options open to you as a parent, many of which will easily fit into your budget. Even if these are just weekend clothes, they still need to be able to put up with most, if not all, situations that boys will put them through. See our helpful tips below and good luck shopping!

Tops

T-shirts  Polo shirts  (with collar) are more polished and great for school. Tye-dying tees  can be a fun summer activity. Fun sayings  can make for cute t-shirts for your child.	Long-Sleeve Tops  Turtlenecks  are warm and look great under sweaters. Button-down shirts  are often included in school uniforms. Rugbys  are colorful and collared.	Sports Jersey  Choose from a range of professional sports teams as well as international jerseys.  Football,  soccer,  basketball,  hockey,  baseball  all offer options for jerseys.	Sweaters  Zip-front cardigans  can provide ventilation. Crewnecks  may bother boys who don't like things worn close to their necks. Cotton sweaters  can go through the wash--a big plus.	Pullover Tops  Fleece  pullovers are fuzzy and cozy. Hoodies  are still cool, and the style for boys is typically oversized.

Bottoms

Shorts  Longer shorts  or dress shorts  can be appropriate for school. Shorter lengths should be reserved for outdoor play.	Jeans  Designers such as Diesel  offer name brands for the kiddies, but watch your wallet: these can cost more than $100. Have at least a pair or two of inexpensive Gap  or Levis  on hand for muddy days.	Khaki Pants  Great for everyday school wear. Remember to wash all cotton pants  before hemming them! (Otherwise they'll end up as floods!)	Casual Pants  Track pants  with stripes on the side are very trendy. Cotton sweatpants  are cozy for lounging and make good pajamas.  Probably too casual for school.	Cargo Pants  These come in a variety of colors and fabrics. Kids love them for the relaxed style  and all the pockets.

Feeling Sporty

Now you know what's appropriate for most school days.  After school, your little man is going to need to burn off some calories, so why not get him involved in a sport? Of course, your child playing a sport means the purchase of some equipment. Make sure your boy has some of the essentials below.

Soccer Shorts  While they may be meant for the soccer field, these shorts are also fine for street hockey,  basketball  and other outdoor sports.  Boys love the comfort and the appealing colors.	Swimsuits  Surfing  style board shorts and swim trunks  are always cool. Vilebrequin  makes identical swimsuits (in appropriate sizes) for boys and dads. If your son is on the swim team, he'll need a Speedo.  Don't forget goggles  and a swim cap.	Sweat Suits  Warmups are needed in just about any sport. Runners can put them on over running shorts  and basketball players can pull them off their jerseys  before tip off. Track suits  can be made of a blend of synthetic fibers or cotton. In addition to sweat suits, consider layering up: long sleeve tees  go well underneath track jackets.	Sneakers  Basketball shoes  tend to have ankle support. Running shoes  are lightweight and may offer arch support. Soccer cleats  help grip the turf. Tennis shoes  provide lateral support. Make sure that whatever pair you buy gives a good fit  but leaves a little bit of room for a growing boy.

 Related Guides

Dress Clothing For Boys	Clothing for Kids	Holiday Clothes For Kids	Sports and Recreation

 

External Links

• The American Diabetes Organization: Great ideas for getting your son to be active, even if he doesn't like sports.
• Action for Healthy Kids: A nonprofit organization hoping to address the problem of overweight and sedentary youths by working with local school systems.