Does your tween????

[jimmymc]

I'll answer for my cousins, who range from 8 to 12.

Crocs are unironically cool now, which is the most baffling to me. I would've been a social outcast for wearing crocs in my own home with nobody else around, let alone to school.

Fades and mullets are the two most popular hairstyles for boys, aside from your standard crew cut. Girls tend to go with straight long hair, but you sometimes see one side shaved.

The basketball shorts and hoodie combo is real. They live in a hot area, but the boys would live in that if given the choice.

Dresses seem to be very popular again. When I was in school, pretty much everyone wore shorts or jeans, rarely dresses or skirts.

Graphic designs are also back. There was a little while where you just wanted small logos on your shirt, but now big designs are cool again.

None of them have reached the "I hate my parents" phase yet, even the 12 year old, so we'll see how it goes if that ever arrives.

 

[MrsPete]

Also, they can't be creased?? What the heck? They are shoes...

Yeah, this is a thing among our young high schoolers. They wear the shoes laced loosely /not tied, and they walk slowly /funny to avoid creasing their new shoes. OR they wear old shoes to school, then change them out for the cool un-creased shoes. It's just not a practical fad.

95 degrees in August when school started, hoodies and shorts everyday because his classrooms were cold. November, 30 degrees, still hoodies and shorts because "I don't get cold mom!"

Yeah, some of our high school boys wear shorts all winter long -- we're in the South, but it does get to 40-50 degrees in the mid-winter.
Hoodies -- especially black hoodies -- are THE THING. Kids wear them in August- September when it's still 90 degrees here, and they whine that the classroom is too hot. No, no, the problem is not the classroom temperature. And they wear them mid-winter.

Let's hope it's a phase.

Oh, it's totally a phase.

My DD insists on white crocs every.single.day

Could an uglier shoe be invented? Doubtful. But loads of my students wear them.

She refuses to wear jeans, period.

Not here. Leggings are pretty much out. Most kids -- boys and girls -- wear jeans every day.

Middle school is the absolute worst for odd clothing choices and hygiene battles

Nothing smells worse than a classroom full of 9th grade boys.

 

[PollyannaMom]

Most of middle school is doing things so people won't tease or pick on you.

It's sad they have to go through that.

And the clean shoe thing isn't just the young kids. My 23-year-old still takes the time to clean his if they get scuffed.

 

[dez1978]

Not here. Leggings are pretty much out. Most kids -- boys and girls -- wear jeans every day.

Really? I can't remember the last time I saw any kid, middle or high school, wearing jeans unless they had been working outside, like brushhogging or something.

 

[NotUrsula]

[snip]
Could an uglier shoe be invented? Doubtful. But loads of my students wear them.
[snip]
Nothing smells worse than a classroom full of 9th grade boys.

Crocs are comfortable and cheap, so in that, the popularity is understandable. Teens today really don't seem to care if shoes are ugly; my DD owns both Doc Martin boots and platform Converse high-tops, and wouldn't be caught dead in a pair of pumps or a ballet flat. (In fact, it's standard here for both boys and girls to wear their Nike AF1's to HS formal dances. I think the girls look *very* odd wearing white sneakers with skin-tight cocktail dresses, but at least they don't get blisters.)

I definitely agree with the strangeness of the whole "no naked feet" thing; my DD will wear sandals at WDW, but nowhere else -- though she's always barefoot at home. According to HuffPost, the reason for it is partly related to the increase in online foot fetish sites: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/why-gen-z-wont-show-their-feet_l_64cd1b52e4b01796c06c0cc4 Still makes no sense to me -- who would recognize just feet on a website anyway?

BTW, not only are standard Crocs banned in K-12 schools here (they count as sandals, which no K-12 school permits in this area), but for the most part, so are hoodies. That started back when schools were trying to ban cell phones, as they claimed that kids were hiding them in their hoods. The phone fight was mostly lost, of course, but the hoodie ban mostly stuck. The Catholic schools also ban boots of all kinds; after 20 years in that system I've still not gotten a solid explanation for why (my best guess was noise in the halls, but they also ban rubber-soled winter boots, which have to be switched out and kept in lockers if you need them to walk to school.)

A friend of ours has taught Freshman chemistry in an un-air-conditioned all-boys school for over 20 years now. Either the woman is a saint, or her sense of smell is completely burned off at this point.

 

[Luv Bunnies]

Ah yes...peer pressure and weird self-imposed rules. It's definitely a tween thing. I work in a classroom with 4th and 5th graders. I hear the little comments: "Why are you wearing a Mickey Mouse Shirt?" Or, "Dude, you won't get a girlfriend with those shoes." Strangely enough, it's the boys who fall victim to those comments more than the girls. The girls tend to wear whatever they like or whatever is comfortable. They don't seem to care if they stand out or don't fit the "norm." The boys in my class are the ones who want to be like "the cool kid" or worry about what other kids think. It's definitely a phase that will continue through middle school. They'll realize as high school freshman that no one really cares anymore. By sophomore year, they're usually over it.

 

[Skippy918]

The PJ-bottoms fashion is really entrenched here in wintertime, because we have so many Catholic schools, and for some reason no Catholic school girl here would be caught dead in the allowed chino uniform pants, no matter hiow cold it is outside. So, they all wear the PJ bottoms under their plaid skirts to and from school, but strip them off in the vestibule entrance to the buildings when they arrive. Dropoff is hilarious, with a gaggle of girls just inside the door all dropping their pants.

In the 90s we wore sweatpants under our uniform skirt in winter.

 

[Skippy918]

My dd12 wears her crocs to school. She says they are more comfortable than her sneakers. She bought the jibbits charms for them as well. I wear my crocs slides in the house with socks.

 

[T.G.I.Friday]

Dd is in 8th grade. The uniform here is Nike Blazers (or Dunks), tall Nike socks and black Lululemon leggings. Every. Single. Day. The only difference is the top and that seems to run the gamut from a band tee to a hoodie to Skims.

Boys seemed to wear those bubble shoes, but I think the are on the way out now. And they all have the long poofy bangs.

 

[tcufrog]

DS12 goes to a K8 private school where uniforms are required. You can wear hoodies and outerwear purchased at the spirit shop in the classrooms though. My son only wants to wear hoodies and in fact, initially bonded with his best friend over their mutual love of hoodies. My son claims they are the same person because they both have long hair and play some sort of unusual instrument. My son plays the electric ukulele and his best friend plays the banjo. His core friend group is a wacky group of 7th and 8th graders who play DND most Sunday afternoons at our house. My DH runs the game.

 

[monsterkitty]

Nothing smells worse than a classroom full of 9th grade boys.

I think the 6th and 7th graders in my old classroom have 9th grade boys beat.

My room was in the center of the building and we had no AC, heat, or windows to open. Air was brought into my room from blowers on the roof, so whatever the temp was on the roof, it was the temp in my room plus 10 degrees from the 45-55 bodies in my room playing instruments.

I had a no hoodie rule in my room if the outside temp was going to be 80 or above. If it was 90 outside it was over 100 in my room, but the hoodie wearers would claim they were "too cold". When parent complained about my rule, I explained why I had it and they supported me.

The students in my school didn't always have easy access to washers and dryers and they would wear the same hoodie every day for weeks. It wasn't pretty. I may have also given out PSA about using soap when you showered and deodorant every morning. Students were given hygiene items at school so soap and deodorant were not an issue.

The best part about the students claiming they were to cold when it was 100 in my room wore shorts in the winter because they were "too hot". In the snow. When it was below 60 in my room. And it did snow in my room through vents.

I loved middle school and would have never thought about teaching any other level.

 

[MrsPete]

Crocs are comfortable and cheap, so in that, the popularity is understandable. Teens today really don't seem to care if shoes are ugly; my DD owns both Doc Martin boots and platform Converse high-tops, and wouldn't be caught dead in a pair of pumps or a ballet flat.

I don't think Crocks are all that cheap.
I'd say kids don't notice Crocs are so ugly because they're more interested in wearing what everyone else is wearing.

They'll realize as high school freshman that no one really cares anymore. By sophomore year, they're usually over it.

Nah, I work with high schoolers. Few of them are truly "over" caring about what others think, especially not the younger students. BUT by the time they get to high school, the true status item isn't clothing: it's the cell phone.

Boys seemed to wear those bubble shoes, but I think the are on the way out now. And they all have the long poofy bangs.

Oh, I forgot about those bubble shoes. Yes, they're secondary to the Crocs -- but still popular.

My son only wants to wear hoodies

Yeah, last Christmas I asked my sister-in-law what my nephew would like for Christmas. She replied, "His self-imposed uniform could use some beefing up." And I answered, "You mean a hoodie?" Yep.

I think the 6th and 7th graders in my old classroom have 9th grade boys beat.

Might be true. I've never taught middle school.

I had a no hoodie rule in my room if the outside temp was going to be 80 or above. If it was 90 outside it was over 100 in my room, but the hoodie wearers would claim they were "too cold".

Good rule. Kids just don't use common sense on this subject.

 

[Pinnochio]

What weird stuff do your tweens do/think?
I have 12 & 9 yr old boys. I was not prepared for the weirdness of middle school boys lol. My 12 yr old will not wear shoes that have white on them bc apparently if your shoes look dirty kids make fun of you. Also, they can't be creased?? What the heck? They are shoes... But while he can't have kids make fun of his shoes being dirty, he is ok with being made fun of for wearing Mickey Mouse shirts/hoodies. For what it's worth, I don't think he probably gets made fun of for it often, or he wouldn't wear them. Meanwhile, my 9 yr old won't wear a Stitch shirt or hoodie because in 2nd grade some kid called him a baby for wearing it. My 12 year old won't go anywhere by himself, but my 9 year old would probably be just fine going to Magic Kingdom all day all by himself ( Id never let him, but have no doubt he'd be fine) Niether of my boys will wear sleeveless shirts or sandals without socks because apparently armpits and toes are weird. 95 degrees in August when school started, hoodies and shorts everyday because his classrooms were cold. November, 30 degrees, still hoodies and shorts because "I don't get cold mom!"

lol....enjoy the ride dez...it goes by fast

 

[LSUmiss]

The PJ-bottoms fashion is really entrenched here in wintertime, because we have so many Catholic schools, and for some reason no Catholic school girl here would be caught dead in the allowed chino uniform pants, no matter hiow cold it is outside. So, they all wear the PJ bottoms under their plaid skirts to and from school, but strip them off in the vestibule entrance to the buildings when they arrive. Dropoff is hilarious, with a gaggle of girls just inside the door all dropping their pants.

I was just thinking thank God DS goes to an all boys Catholic school with a very strict uniform policy. He’s only 5, but I should only have to deal with his middle school weirdness on weekends & holidays!

 

[dez1978]

The best part about the students claiming they were to cold when it was 100 in my room wore shorts in the winter because they were "too hot". In the snow. When it was below 60 in my room. And it did snow in my room through vents.

Yeah, my kid does this. hoodie in the summer bc he's cold, but apparently his legs never get cold lol. Bc shorts all winter long.

Good rule. Kids just don't use common sense on this subject.

Or any subject that I've found yet.. I swear sometimes mine don't have the sense god gave an ant at times. I'm sure my parents felt the same at times.

lol....enjoy the ride dez...it goes by fast

I enjoy many things about my kids. And I know it'll be gone in what seems like the blink of an eye. But there are just some things about parenting that are not enjoyable and I absolutely will never miss lol. Like the 2 yr old temper tantrums or fits about wearing pants when it's zero out lol. But there are other things that I complain about constantly now, that I know I will look back and miss. Like we went to Denver over the weekend. Got up at 3 am to catch a 530 flight home so that my 7th grader could be at school by 11 to wrestle at a tournament last night. Sat there for 3 hours for him to wrestle 4 mins. Had to make arrangements for my other kid to get to wrestling practice and home and all the things that go along with that. Got home at 915. I am exhausted. My back hurt and I complained about the ridiculousness of having both a HS and MS school tournament at the same time and scheduling 125 matches on 1 mat, on a school night. But I know one day there won't be pratices and tournaments and games and I will miss that, no matter how hard it was at the time.

 

[fly girl]

I have a teenage daughter but yeah, she has her quirks. I do remember when I was that age making sure I went along with trends so I get it. It really isn't weird, it is trying your best to fit in when you are at the most awkward stages of your life trying to figure out who you are and where you belong.

As for clothing, the only thing I ever put foot down was shorter skirt with crop top. NO! You pick one. Either the cropped top with baggy jeans (which are now not cool) or a shorter skirt with a full shirt. That was quick phase, thank you Jesus!

Standard non uniform attire: flared legging, concert tee or hoodie. Hoodie > Concert Tee, unless it is super hot and she is going to be outside.

I gave up the fight with the coat a few years back. Have fun freezing your *** off. If you want to be that dumb, it is on you. The fool, I mean my child, learned last Christmas break a coat was necessary in Michigan. My husband gave up his coat for her, I think he was too kind. Nope, not me. I told you to bring the coat and you said no, suffer the consequences. (fwiw, it was only for a quick walk to car from restaurant and the 15 minute ride back home)

Crocs are not big here. No one wears them at her school, but now that I think about it, they have to have closed shoes, and Crocs aren't that. Loads of tennis shoes, mostly all white. And some Hey Dudes. The crease and the immaculately white shoes aren't a trend I know of. Although, I am a founding member of the IWSC (Immaculate White Shoe Club), so I clean both of our shoes on the regular. And how in the world can you walk in AF1's without creases? Thank goodness dd isn't like that with hers.

When people complain about their toddlers and the "terrible twos" I just laugh hysterically. You think 2 is bad? You are in no way prepared for 14! DS is 21 and does now appear to have some appreciation for our efforts. DD is 18 and has a way to go (but WAY better than she was at 14!). Not out of the woods yet; DD #2 is 10 and just starting to get snotty. Not so fast! We've seen this act before!

No wonder bears chase their young up a tree and walk away without turning back when they come of age.

YES! I have definitely had more tantrums at 13-14 than I ever did at 2-3. They revert right back to toddlers when they don't get their way. Good times.

The PJ-bottoms fashion is really entrenched here in wintertime, because we have so many Catholic schools, and for some reason no Catholic school girl here would be caught dead in the allowed chino uniform pants, no matter hiow cold it is outside. So, they all wear the PJ bottoms under their plaid skirts to and from school, but strip them off in the vestibule entrance to the buildings when they arrive. Dropoff is hilarious, with a gaggle of girls just inside the door all dropping their pants.

Too funny! I went to Catholic school too and could totally see myself doing that.

Back in my day we wore sweater tights in the winter to keep out legs warm.

In the 90s we wore sweatpants under our uniform skirt in winter.

So funny, my daughters school is chino pants ONLY! Coed Catholic school. You can wear khaki or navy blue chinos. Nobody wears navy. I guess since you have no skirt option you have to pick one that is not cool, so navy was officially declared not cool. LOL

The all girls Catholic school that a lot of my daughter's friends attend has skirts (and apparently pants, but no girl would be caught dead in pants at that school.) They wear the sweatpants under like @Skippy918 in the winter.

 

[Lumpy1106]

No creases in shoes - I knew I had seen that before! What's old is new again;

 

[Skippy918]

So funny, my daughters school is chino pants ONLY! Coed Catholic school. You can wear khaki or navy blue chinos. Nobody wears navy. I guess since you have no skirt option you have to pick one that is not cool, so navy was officially declared not cool. LOL

The all girls Catholic school that a lot of my daughter's friends attend has skirts (and apparently pants, but no girl would be caught dead in pants at that school.) They wear the sweatpants under like @Skippy918 in the winter.

we didn’t have a pants option back in my day.