The Working Closet
with Susan Wagner
The Working Closet is your source for the best of what's hip and fresh in fashion and beauty. Susan Wagner keeps you up-to-date on trends and offers tips and tricks for making everything in your closet truly work for you.
You can also catch Susan over at Friday Playdate.
My husband likes to joke that it’s a good thing we had sons, because if we had had daughters I would have spent their college education on clothes. Or at least shoes. Have you SEEN some of the CUTE shoes for little girls? Target has glittery ballet flats right now that are SO ADORABLE that I just want to …
Oh, wait, we’re talking about boys. Right.
No matter what the fashion magazines say, there are a limited number of choices for boys. For winter, you can go with a sweater or fleece pullover and a turtleneck or long sleeved tee; pair with jeans or corduroys or flannel-lined cargo pants.
Fisherman sweater from L. L. Bean, $34.50
Kingfield sweater, L. L. Bean, $34.50
If you’re really lucky, you might get your little angel to wear a shirt that BUTTONS rather than pulling on over his head, but I wouldn’t hold your breath. Instead, opt for long-sleeved tees in a variety of colors; I prefer the kind with no graphics on the front, because they are appropriate for a wider range of places and events. And honestly, so much of what is printed on kids’ clothing these days is really for the entertainment of their parents, not for the kids. Right now Target has some great long sleeved tees for $5.99, but since winter is FINALLY here, they are selling out fast.
Layering is a great way to add interest to boys’ clothes; layer a polo over a long sleeved tee, or just layer tees (short sleeve over long sleeve). Pair with a sweater or fleece pullover; the look is cute and stylish and warm.
Fleece pullover, Gap, $24.50
Coats are another way to dress up the everyday. A little boy’s pea coat makes even the most basic sweater-and-jeans outfit look a little more polished. Watch stores like Old Navy for less expensive outerwear (they have GREAT “puffy” coats, on sale right now for 50% off — and the store I was in over the weekend had pea coats in little boy sizes). Funky hats are a fun accessory for boys, and older boys can add a scarf (don’t give a toddler anything to wrap around his neck, though). Despite their general resistance to wearing clothes that look nice, boys will often roll with a really crazy hat, which can be a fun way to make a fashion statement.
Finally, consider variations on the basic tennis shoe. Stick with sturdy treads and secure lacing or velcro closures, but look for funkier shapes and colors. These hiking shoes from Sperry are perfect for running and jumping and climbing (and all the other things boys do) AND they look nice enough to wear to church or a restaurant or Grandma’s house for Sunday dinner.
Sperry Top Sider Switchback, Stride Rite, now $24.99
The trick with boys (of all ages, really) is to find the balance between clothing that lets them do Boy Things with ease and clothing with a little bit of style. I tend to steer clear of the skater or surfer looks for my sons, primarily because I don’t really like the attitude that comes with them; instead, think about a more classic preppy or outdoorsy look for boys, one that is comfortable and practical but still neat and tailored.
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(Here is my dirty secret- I think little boy’s clothes are cuter!)
heels | December 11th, 2007 at 4:46 pm
I can’t even begin to imagine how much money I would be spending on clothes and shoes if I had any girls. Great post on boys clothes - I agree with all of it! We think alike.
p.s. Lands’ End is also a great place to get clothes for boys.
Molly | December 12th, 2007 at 5:16 am
*um, I think the boys clothes are cuter, too*
That being said, you’re right about the limited number of combinations available for boys.
It’s just that the girl’s clothes are either kinda trashy/tacky or way too dressy for everyday play.
And just for the record, the cute shoes at Target are terribly uncomfortable for my little girl.
E | December 12th, 2007 at 12:04 pm
I am definitely more of a fan of girls clothes (but then I have three little girls and one boy!). We do find cute clothes for our little man at Gymboree, Gap, L.L. Bean and Lands’ End. That said, he is outgrowing pants so fast that I am tired of spending $40 on them! (And if he doesn’t outgrow them, he puts holes in the knees.) Not a day goes by when Ky doesn’t come home from school covered in mud (seriously!?!?!). Durability and price often have to beat out cuteness… however unfortunate!
Jamie (Yes, Mommy has to work today) | December 12th, 2007 at 2:21 pm
I will say this about little boys and their clothes: there are FAR fewer battles to fight with them about what they wear, because you’re always working with the same essential formula: shirt, pants, jacket, the end. Beyond that, it’s just little things like shirt with or without buttons or a collar, pants in chino fabric or denim, pea coat or fleece pullover.
Now if I could JUST get my kids out of the sweat pants every once in a while …
Susan | December 12th, 2007 at 2:31 pm
I like boys clothes too! I am so happy dressing my two in button downs, jeans and sweaters. Luckily they rarely give me grief about anything I put them in.
Children’s Place, Target and Old Navy are my go-to places but I will shop Gap if I have coupons. For some reason Gymboree never really floats my boat.
Liz | December 12th, 2007 at 3:48 pm
I dressed my littlest guy (1 year old) in a pair of tiny jeans, a plain white turtleneck, and a tiny little red-and-white button-down plaid shirt… he looks like an adorable lumberjack. I don’t know if it’s trendy, but it cracks me up.
Lylah | December 12th, 2007 at 7:16 pm
I always say God didn’t give me girls because he didn’t want me to be bankrupt.
I have fun with the boys’ clothes. I think with a girl and the wonderful dresses and casual clothes and then the shoes and the boots and the hair accesories and great tights and the tiny purses… well, I’d be broke.
ms.carson | December 12th, 2007 at 7:36 pm
I’m in agreement with the Like Boy Clothes-team. I mean, I like them all, but they both have problems. Boys: lack of originality. Girls: um, lack of originality. I mean, I hate all that trashy-looking girl stuff and anything that says “princess” on it. Ugh. But you’re right, the girl stuff sure is more FUN! (Especially for the mommies!)
Diane | December 12th, 2007 at 8:07 pm
I have four boys. I have always hated the selection for boys clothes. Now that my children wear uniforms to school I have not worried so much about how to jazz up their wardrobe, but these are some great tips. I love that these tips are low cost. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!!
Shu Stylz by Mimi | December 12th, 2007 at 9:10 pm
You’re welcome!
And uniforms are the Best Thing EVER. Seriously.
Susan | December 12th, 2007 at 10:10 pm
I think it is funny that I am more likely to match my son than my daughter because I am usually dressed in jeans or khakis with a red or blue shirt or sweater. Unconsciously, I dress my son in a similar outfit, while my daughter runs around in pink and purple.
For boy’s shoes, you just have to check out Vincent shoes online. They wear like iron, and my son is certainly styling in his bright red Stans. They are expensive, but once you buy a pair you get coupons sent to you via email every season. For his clothes, I mostly shop the Target clearance racks, but occasionally indulge in the Lands End or LL Bean clothes that last forever or until your kid grows.
STL Mom | December 13th, 2007 at 1:09 am
I have 6 boys.
6.
Boys.
1 girl.
6.Boys.
The oldest boys do skate, and dress accordingly, but do *not8 have the attitude, because I’d kill them. The local skate shop sells decent looking “nice” skate clothes; however they are way expensive.
Gap, Old Navy and Children’s Place are really my go-to place for nice, cute boy clothes. For some reason, my babies always get sick on their WalMart clothes. I guess the apple really doesn’t fall far from the tree LOL
I do think that the cuteness of boy clothes has improved drastically over the last few years as I find far more clothes I want to buy for the youngest two as I did for even their 9 year old brother.
Kian | December 13th, 2007 at 4:52 pm
Boy clothes have gotten cuter in the last few years. When E was wee (a mere 4 years ago) my choices for patterns were: sports, dogs or dogs playing sports. We’re not a sports themed family, and we have a cat. So, he wore a lot of stripes. Maybe too many. Because now he only chooses shirts with stripes. Or those that look like his dad’s button up shirts.
Catherine | December 14th, 2007 at 8:12 pm
I have a boy and a girl. I find boy’s clothes far, far easier to coordinate, perhaps because the selection is more limited and colours more plain. A cute longsleeve T with a logo and some jeans for casual - a shirt for best. My son looked very cute in the lumberjack shirt I put him in today. Being in the UK all our kids wear uniform when they get to school, so that’s pretty easy, and I find that the GAP outlet store is my friend - there’s always a £2 ($4) bargain on the rails. When I last visited the US I went mad in the GAP outlet over there, and my son is now dressed til age 4!
My daughter’s clothes are another matter. Firstly, the PINK! I have learnt to embrace the pink, but it has never been my colour, and I am a jeans and T girl myself. Dresses for infants drive me insane as they are so impractical and ride up their little bodies. My daughter is so little that trousers just fall off her, so dungarees are the way to go - and I find (again) that GAP lined ones are best. I also find that GAP don’t tend to go too trashy, and anyway - my daughter will wear my son’s passdowns!! Coordinating patterns and different shades of pink is what I find difficult.
If any of you are from / visiting the UK or have relatives here, the Boden sale is great for funky but cute and practical kids clothes. Out of sale they are exorbitant, but in the sale they are very good. Highly recommended! (you may still faint at the prices, but we pay pound for dollar for clothes here!!)
jen | December 20th, 2007 at 9:37 pm