Help me dress my son - YouLookFab Forum

Okay, ladies (and any lads reading) I really need help with this one. My son is 19- very high functioning but on the Autism spectrum, and we've just come out of a 5 month nightmare from a medication reaction. (Doctor's office foul up)

Anyway- he's back to enjoying life and part of this- hallelujah- is that he's ready to buy some clothes. The very first time in his life he's been interested in wearing something other than cargo shorts. Which he wears everyday. Every single day. I am so ecstatic he's ready to make a change, I can barely contain myself. We bought some dark wash straightleg Levi's- but I'm clueless about what else. He lives in shorts and t-shirts. Hot or cold- it's shorts and t-shirts.

So please give me some ideas here- for casual everyday, going to a class, what would guys this age wear? Jeans and t-shirt, or ??? For a date?? He's definitely not a preppy kind of guy, and too casual would be better than too dressed up (it's the Northwest). He doesn't know clothes, I don't know... any and all ideas are welcome. On cold days he wears a leather jacket his Dad bought him- looks weird with the shorts, but he's now ready to figure out something else.

He has white tennis shoes- are there other "acceptable" teen boy shoes?
Thanks- I really want to help him while he's interested.

15 years ago

Anonymous

I'm sorry I have no ideas for you, but your enthusiasm is so heartwarming. I can tell from your post how excited you are for this new step in your son's life. Enjoy!

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

Aw that's great Sinead!
My son lives in Converse, skinny jeans, and graphic tees. When it's cold, he layers both under and over- long sleeved tees or thermal shirts, button up shirts and hoodies. We have been finding things for him in the young men's section of Kohl's and Target, Forever 21's men section, American Eagle Outfitters, Urban Outfitters, Aeropostale and you could check Old Navy, Gap and Banana Republic and J. Crew.
Polo shirts are a step up from tees, and look particularly good layered. A long sleeve button down still looks casual when layered partly open over a tee.
My son is the opposite of yours- he wears jeans all year round. Even when it's 105+- he won't wear shorts unless he is in the pool.

Tanya

I am so glad to hear he is feeling much better now! WHat a great place to be at. I am going to suggest a bunch of stuff based on m experience of shopping for my younger brother, but these are just examples, similar things can be found across various price ranges and brands.

For shoes, you could try some fashion sneakers, either Converse or more sporty Pumas, like these:

http://www.zappos.com/product/7567316/color/231048
http://www.zappos.com/puma-dri.....ged-silver

Jeans are definitely much, much better than cargo shorts, and seems that you are of to a great start. A slightly bootcut pair might work too, like this:

http://www.ae.com/web/browse/p.....=0113_2675

On the top, for more casual situations, like school, graphic tees are nice:

http://www.ae.com/web/browse/p.....=0162_3010

For dates, a still casual button-up shirt like this:

http://www.zappos.com/ben-sher.....shark-grey

A nice hybrid are shirts made of jersey, but cut like button-ups:

http://www.zappos.com/j-lindeb.....rsey-white

And even if he is not preppy, there are some polos that do not look preppy at all:

http://www.express.com/piped-m.....8;Mrsavf=*

Finally, if it is too hot for his leather jacket ( great job with that), a simple zip-up sweatshirt works:

http://www.express.com/cotton-.....8;Mrsavf=*

To finish it all off, a nice stylish watch:

http://www.zappos.com/fossil-s.....hite-beige

taylor

Like Sandy, i have no ideas on how to dress a teen...mine are much past. But am so happy your son is felling better and you are both excited to move forward in fashion and make some changes!! Have fun:)

Debora

Sinead, My son will be 16 in August and is just starting to get interested in clothes. We just bought him two pairs of skinny jeans today, one in a dark wash from Pac Sun, and another pair of Levi 511's from Urban outfitters. Up to now, he has been living in tees and madras shorts or athletic gear. He says that polo shirts are still popular at his school.

As for shoes, he recently got a pair of Onitsuka Tigers by Asics and has gotten a ton of compliments on them at school. His are in brown, but they come in a whole slew of colors.

http://www.zappos.com/onitsuka.....ite-orange

We also saw a similar pair in Urban Outfitters this evening in gray.

http://www.urbanoutfitters.com.....oductSize=

High top Converse sneakers are a popular choice to wear with skinny jeans, but the boys don't wear them with shorts.

Some of the preppier boys at his school wear Sperry's with shorts and khakis.

I wish I could tell you more, but like I said, he's only 16 just getting interested in clothes himself. My daughter is in NYC and I can ask her what the 20-something boys are wearing there, but I have a feeling it's the "hipster" look.

sinead

Active Member

San and Taylor- I so appreciate the words of encouragement. He's feeling excited about the future and I'm determined not to let his clothes hold him back.

Khris- that's really helpful to have some stores listed for me to think about. I've been to most of those with my daughter and just never considered shopping in some of them for guys. To be honest, I never even noticed Forever 21 had a guy's section!

Tanya- wow, great links. Thanks so much for that. It will be a huge help because the actual shopping experience is still hard for him, so some of this will have to be done online.

Deborah, I love those shoes, sporty yet cool. There's an UO nearby, so we'll stop in and give them a try. Thanks for posting the links.

You are all wonderful to help me with this- I don't feel as lost about it now and we will have some direction in revamping his style. Many thanks!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Hi Sinead! It's fantastic to see you back on the forum but it's killer that your son is on the mend - and so are you. Bless you both.

I can't add to the fab suggetions which have already been made, but how about a cool haircut?

Angie, thanks for the kind words. And it's good to be back!

As for a haircut- I knew he was on the mend when he went out and got himself a haircut! I nearly fainted- first time in his life he's taken the initiative on that. And it looks fab!

Oh! Happy dance! What a great feeling, Sinead. I'm thrilled for you :0)

Category