Appropriate clothing for 10th grade boy?

[lelei]

Out of curiosity, what would you consider appropriate clothing for a boy in 10th grade?

We live in a typical middle class area and our schools don't require uniforms, and my son prefers to wear t-shirts and jeans to school. The shirts are clean and not torn or faded or worn out and don't have rude or obscene messages on them and I think he looks fine. For example, today he wore an angry birds shirt. My boyfriend says that he needs to start dressing better and wear polo shirts and not t-shirts.

What do your boys around this age wear? Am I out of touch by thinking t-shirts and jeans are ok school-wear?

 

[RhondaL]

That's what my son wears! He will wear short sleeve t-shirts all winter!

 

[abdmom]

Out of curiosity, what would you consider appropriate clothing for a boy in 10th grade?

We live in a typical middle class area and our schools don't require uniforms, and my son prefers to wear t-shirts and jeans to school. The shirts are clean and not torn or faded or worn out and don't have rude or obscene messages on them and I think he looks fine. For example, today he wore an angry birds shirt. My boyfriend says that he needs to start dressing better and wear polo shirts and not t-shirts.

What do your boys around this age wear? Am I out of touch by thinking t-shirts and jeans are ok school-wear?

I'm a single mom too. My son was wearing similar clothing in 9th grade. In the summer between 9th and 10th, he went to visit his older (male) cousins for 5 weeks. They gave him a wardrobe makeover. Now he wears dress shirts and more fitted jeans. He is entering 11th grade now and is often mistaken for someone much older. He used to wear clothes from Old Navy, now its American Eagle.

 

[emer95]

I only have girls, but in my opinion, what he is wearing sounds completely fine. He needs to be allowed to choose what he is wearing. I can see having nice clothes like polos and khakis for dress-up occasions, but for school he should wear what he is comfortable in.

 

[HM]

Sounds like the majority of kids in our HS. My son didn't decide polo or button down shirts were OK for everyday wear until he got to college. It was shorts and t-shirts or jeans and t-shirts.

 

[Pigeon]

I don't think I've ever seen a kid at my dd's high school wear anything but t-shirts and jeans.

Your boyfriend is the one who is out of touch here.

 

[Eeyore'sthebest]

I don't have a 10th grade boy but please allow him to dress the way he wants. He isn't hurting anyone. His clothes sound fairly typical for a teenage boy. Your boyfriend needs to mind his own business to be honest or he will definitely cause a rift between the two of them. I'm a stepmom of girls and the only rule was that the clothes needed to be clean and non-offensive (they lived with us). My one DSD went through a teenage gothic phase with everything black from her hair (was beautiful blonde) to her toenails. You know what, she is now 24 years old, a nurse (graduated with honors) and working in a top-notch ER doing what she loves. She is neat, clean and dresses like an adult. She went through her sloppy stage as a teenager.

Don't change your kid to appease your boyfriend. I know you didn't say you would but as a stepmom I'm somewhat sensitive.

 

[kamik86]

As someone that wears, jeans, polos, and sneakers to work.... what he is where is fine.

What you described is also what most people wore to college, except if they had a big presentation or an interview.

 

[jakenjess]

My 16 YO son's entire school wardrobe consists of jeans, t-shirts (with various logos, funny sayings, etc.) and Converse sneakers. I think that's pretty typical. I can't say I've seen many (or any!) high school boys wearing polo shirts to school, except of course the private schools that have a dress code!

 

[mombrontrent]

What he is wearing is perfectly fine. My son is 13 and that is what he always wears. Add a hoody in cooler weather. He does like certain brands though. A polo shirt and kahkis would certainly not be his style.

 

[Becky2005]

That's what my son wears! He will wear short sleeve t-shirts all winter!

I'm laughing because my little guy is totally opposite & lives in the long sleeved shirts even in 100 degree weather! I think he is insane & I'm sure the teacher this year is thinking "that is odd" but he is the MOST modest kid known on the planet and frankly, I'm just happy I convinced him to give up the light jacket he wore constantly last year toward the end of the year (so here it is 80 - 90 weather, my kid in a long sleeve shirt and a thin spring jacket (I will say in his head the jacket was his "red power ranger" costume whenever I would ask him why in the world he would be wearing it when it definitely wasn't needed!). It just isn't a battle I am willing to fight and he certainly isn't breaking any dress code.

Jeans/T-shirts are typical wear around here....I know some do wear Polo's, etc... but I would say it is about 50/50...then again we count the polo's as the nicer/church wear here.

 

[Coconut36]

I only have girls, but in my opinion, what he is wearing sounds completely fine. He needs to be allowed to choose what he is wearing. I can see having nice clothes like polos and khakis for dress-up occasions, but for school he should wear what he is comfortable in.

I agree.

 

[Mkrop]

My DS14 wears a uniform but most of the kids around here wear tshirts, jeans and basketball shorts.

DH went to public school as a kid and his parents would not allow them to wear jeans, he had to wear khakis. You would think he would rebel as an adult...NOPE, he dresses extremely conservative. He is constantly thinking DSs are underdressed. I try to make him look around and see what the kids are wearing, sometimes it is about compromise. He is turning into his dad more and more everyday LOL

So it might be a factored of how your BF grew up?

 

[Becc1]

My DS is in the 12th grade and all he has worn in the past few years is Under Armour/Nike/Adidas t-shirts and athletic shorts, occasionally he will wear cargo shorts. I used to try and get him to dress a little nicer (polos and khakis) but when I took a look at all of the other kids in his school I realized that is how they all dress. Even in the winter it has to be absolutely freezing for them to put on jeans and forget about a coat. I've seen most of the girls wear cute North Face jackets but the boys mostly wear hoodies. The only time my DS will wear a coat is if he is going skiing.

 

[PUZZLDY5]

I am the mom of a tenth grade boy. My son wears jeans and polos but that doesn't mean anything. His attire is his choice. As long as your sons clothes are clean and not obscene and he is comfortable leave him alone. Choose your battles.

 

[shortbun]

Hmmm, my son's wardrobe is eclectic. He prefers basketball shorts and t-shirts right now. He often wears kahki shorts and t-shirts or plaid shorts and t-shirts(these are regular leave the house wear). For dress up-ish, his best shorts and a golf or dress shirt(if the shorts are plain, the shirt is plaid and visa versa). He rarely wears jeans until the ravages of winter force him to cover his legs and he has a high tolerance for cold. Last winter he rarely wore long pants. He has two pair of long kahkis. I think he owns maybe two long sleeved shirts but I'm not sure they even fit. He's almost always in a hoodie in winter but has one good heavy coat...he may never wear it. Shoes are usually basketball shoes, no matter what. He has 4 or 5 pair and one of those is black-those are his formal wear, lol! He does have a pair of leather, brown, lace up shoes in case there's a wedding or funeral. He's always clean and co-ordinated but never preppy unless his mother insists.

It is my opinion that grownups should allow children to dress as they like after they are about 1. Yep, my son started picking his clothing when he was 1. He's always looked great and listens to me when it's important-big family event or family pictures. Tell your BF to leave the boy alone.

 

[MUFFYCAT]

I have girls but all the boys I see wear t-shirts like that.

 

[Praying Colonel]

Jeans/t shirts: most guys that age wear that.

 

[kimmar067]

Out of curiosity, what would you consider appropriate clothing for a boy in 10th grade?

.....we don't have that problem here, since the school district requires students to wear a uniform - it takes all the guesswork out of what to wear every day.....of course, my youngest DS just graduated HS in June, so it's a non-issue, and rather bittersweet.... Personally, jeans (not TOO baggy) and a T-shirt (as long as it doesn't have anything offensive on it) is okay, and as long as they aren't 'ratty' looking...I do like the 'khaki shorts' look too, with a polo shirt....

 

[ckay87]

Sounds like your boyfriend is really out of touch with teenagers, your son's wardrobe is completely normal. Have him stroll around the mall or park outside the high school one day and just look. No offense to anyone whose kids wear them, but polos are somewhat geeky for kids to wear around here unless they're going to church, etc.