shorts on kids

[aliwas]

I've seen alot of discussion about shorts for adults, but what about kids? My DS doesn't have enough long summer pants to bring, I was thinking about nice khaki shorts, would this be appropriate for the dining rooms? Thanks, Alisa

 

[Karel]

Technically, no. Maybe on tropical night.

How old is your son? I could see it on little guys around 2 or 3 but notmuch older. You can probably get away with only three pairs - tan, black for formal, and navy blue. You may be able to get by on two. Do you have an Old Navy near you? I get great pants on sale all the time at mine.

You'll get a lot of different answers on this one. What are summer pants anyway? My guys have cargos or plain cotton, which they wear all year round.

 

[trishy]

Which ship? How old is your son? I wouldn't see a problem with a child under about ... 5. Especially on the Wonder. Be prepared for this thread to get looooong.

 

[aliwas]

He's 8, so it sounds as though long pants are the way to go. We were planning on nice pants for formal and semi-formal nights, and unsure about other nights. Yes, we do have an Old Navy nearby so I'll check out getting some more long khaki's. Thanks for the quick reponse.

 

[Beezle2]

Originally posted by aliwas
I've seen alot of discussion about shorts for adults, but what about kids? My DS doesn't have enough long summer pants to bring, I was thinking about nice khaki shorts, would this be appropriate for the dining rooms? Thanks, Alisa

No comments to add about the shorts, just wanted to say "Hi!" to another Alisa I don't often see someone I share exact spelling with. Have fun on your trip!

alisa

 

[ksumom]

You could have him wear the pants more than one night. Pray for no spills, then take them off as soon as dinner is over.

Just an idea.

 

[DISNEYFAMILYOFFOUR]

Hmmm.....I am sure this is going to start another interesting debate.

My son will just be turning five when we sail on the Western. To be honest, I have not made a decision yet on his cruise dinner attire. He will definitely wear pants on the two formal nights, but I am not sure about the other nights. I am certainly not going to have him wear day time play shorts, but I am leaning on dressy shorts for boys. Again, I have not made up my mind yet.

 

[Mary Anne]

I'm sure someone will flame me for this but I've been cruising with my boys since they were small. This will be their 4th cruise this summer. They are 13 and 16 now. Easily up to age 10 or so, they wore nice dress shorts to dinner on nights that were not formal.

I've been on many cruises far more fancy - (meaning dressing up far more formal) then Disney and they were never out of place.

 

[rjones69]

My 6-year old wore khaki, pleated short with a belt and a button up collared shirt. He looked fine to me. I do not feel that it would "stand out". The only time someone "stands out" at the dinner is if they are obviously dressed down. Otherwise it will pass.

 

[mandymouse]

Hi there

I'm going with Mary Anne, I don't have any boys, but if I did they would wear smart shorts and shirts (I've seen other boys dressed like this). I can't see what the problem is, especially when you see the state of what some of the adults turn up in (like clothing straight from sunbathing to the restaurants - I mean no effort at all).

mandymouse

 

[TheWog]

My DS6 wore nice khaki shorts, belt and polo shorts at least 3 or 4 nights (not formal or semi). Rest were casual pants. He's 6 (or 8 in your case) and on vacation. Have fun. As long as he is clean and presentable you will be fine.

 

[tkd lisa]

My suggestions are suggestions only, and based on what we chose to do. If you choose to do differently, it's fine. Your child, your decision.

We did bring about 4-5 pairs of docker style pants for our son (8 and 9 on our two cruises), and he wore some of them a couple of times.

There is also the option of the zip off pants, which saves them from having to go back to the room to change after dinner. My experience is that most of the shorts for older boys aren't the nicely pressed ones that they make for the size 6 and under. And if you can find those types of shorts, they probably cost about the same as khaki style pants from old navy (around $20). I have good luck with Land's End overstocks, for around $12 per pair, and then we have nice pants for church.

 

[tksbaskets]

Before our cruise we purchased 2 pair of docker-type pants for each of the boys (11 at the time). Tan and Black for both boys. They worked great with the nice polo shirts all from Land's end and dress shoes. They wore a white dress shirt and tie with the black pants on formal night and looked most handsome.

Of course, both boys changed quickly after dinner into their shorts

Hope this helps.

 

[aliwas]

Thanks for ya'lls great reply's . I have learned so much from this board!!

 

[kajohn]

Here is what we do - I bring 2 to 3 pair of khaki type pants per boy. They wear them each night for dinner and then change after. We don't have a need for more than that many in everyday life, so my philosophy is if they spill anything on them, I send them to be cleaned. We paid $3.50 to have one pair cleaned during our last trip. That is much cheaper than buying more pants that will get outgrown before the next cruise.

 

[Greysword]

Of course there is Ross Dress for Less and TJ Maxx stores to get inexpensive clothing items. I buy quite a few items (especially pants) from these establishments.

 

[aliwas]

I love TJ Maxx!! We are heading there to shop tomorrow and going to Old Navy. Hopefully can find some great deals.

 

[FredS]

Personally, I think that a boy wearing shorts in a "dressier" type situation who is older than about six just makes me think of Little Lord Fauntleroy. It is cute, like at Easter, when a little boy wears dressy shorts, shirt, belt, maybe even a jacket, along with nice socks and shoes. I think that an older boy may well feel a little uncomfortable with that, and might prefer to wear khakis, which take some of the attention away from the legs/socks/shoes area and not make them seem so "little boy"ish. We have some nice, yet inexpensive, lightweight pants from LL Bean which my son wore to dinner. I think he looked neat and presentable and met the dress code, without any real expense or discomfort.