Casual Clothing for Boys Buying Guide

Let's be honest, boys are messy.  For most little dudes, puddles are pure heaven and trees are meant to climb.  These bundles of energy need clothing that can keep up with the demands of busy little boys.  If you shop carefully, it's possible to find casual clothes for boys that are cool enough to wear to school and sturdy enough to withstand recess.  From jeans  to swimtrunks,  this guide will help keep your boy well outfitted.

Boys' Tops

Popular styles include:

• Layered Looks: A cool vintage rock-n-roll tee  worn over a long-sleeve waffle weave tee-shirt.
• Sports Teams: It's always popular to "wear" your favorite sports team. Right now international soccer jerseys  are all the rage. On MSN shopping, the Adidas NewCastle United Away Jersey  is the best seller. NBA jerseys are also popular. According to shopping.com the top selling NBA jerseys are Shaquille ONeal  (The Miami Heat) and Kevin Garnett  (The Minnesota Timberwolves).
• Long-sleeve styles: rugbys,  hoodies,  henleys  and waffle weave tops are all important styles.
• According to Target.com, it's all about the S's Superman,  Spider-man  and Spongebob.  These are the most popular characters for boys tops.

T-shirts  About.com's picks:Crib Rock Couture,  Glamajama.  Polo shirts  (with collar) are a more polished and great for school. Tye-dying tees  can be a fun summer activity.	Long-Sleeve Tops  Turtlenecks  are warm and look great under sweaters. Button-down shirts  are often included in school uniforms. Rugbys  are colorful and collared.	Sports Jersey  Choose from a range of professional sports teams, international jerseys are very cool. Football,  soccer,  basketball,  hockey,  baseball  are all sports with jerseys.	Sweaters  Zip-front Cardigans  can provide ventilation. Crewnecks  may bother boys who don't like things worn close to their necks. Cotton sweaters  can go through the wash--a big plus.	Pullover Tops  Fleece  pullovers are fuzzy and cozy. Hoodies  are still cool, the style still seems to be wearing these oversized.

Boys' Bottoms

Popular styles include:

• Cargo : This style has been around for a while. It's popularity stems from the copious pockets and relaxed styling. If this is all your son will wear try to find a dark wool version --it'll look a little less rough-and-tumble.
• Denim : Lean rocker-style jeans are making a comeback. Think of the Clash and other British punk bands and you'll get the idea. Black jeans are severe for little dudes, so if they must wear this style opt for dark indigo.

Shorts  Longer shorts (Dress Shorts ) can be appropriate for school. Shorter lengths should be reserved for outdoor play.	Jeans  Designers such as Diesel,  offer name brands for the kiddies. These can cost more than $100. Have at least a pair or two of inexpensive Gap  or Levis  on hand for muddy days.	Khaki Pants  Great for everyday school wear. Remember to wash all cotton pants before hemming them! Otherwise they'll end up as floods.	Casual Pants  Track pants  with stripes on the side are very trendy. Cotton sweatpants  are cozy for lounging in after school and make good pajamas. Probably too casual for school.	Cargo Pants  These come in a variety of colors and fabrics. Kids love them for the relaxed style and all the pockets.

Feeling Sporty

Now you know what's appropriate for most school days.  After school, your little man is going to need to burn off some calories.  Why not get him involved in a sport? According to the  National Federation of State High School Associations, these are the top ten sports for boys:

1. Football
2. Basketball
3. Track & Field
4. Baseball
5. Soccer
6. Wrestling
7. Cross Country
8. Golf
9. Tennis
10. Swimming & Diving

If none of these seem like a good match for little Billy and you're still stumped for ways to get your son away from the Playstation and outside, read the CDC guide.  Their article suggests ways to get the whole family in great shape--it all starts with setting a good example, so parents you may want to buy your own pair of running shoes or inline skates. Below we've listed some general athletic gear for boys:

Soccer Shorts  While they may be meant for the soccer field, these shorts are also fine for street hockey, basketball and other outdoor sports. Boys love the comfort and the appealing colors.	Swimsuits  Surfing  style swimsuits are always cool. Vilebrequin  makes identical swimsuits (in appropriate sizes) for boys and dads. If your son is on the swim team, he'll need a speedo.  Don't forget goggles  and a swim cap.	Sweat Suits  Warmups are needed in just about any sport: Runners can put them on over running shorts  and basketball players can pull them on over their jerseys  before tip off. Track suits  can be made of a blend of synthetic fibers or cotton.	Sneakers  Basketball shoes  tend to have ankle support. Running shoes  are lightweight and may offer arch support. Soccer cleats  help grip the turf. Tennis shoes  provide lateral support.

External Links

• The American Diabetes Organization has some great ideas for getting your son active--even if he doesn't like sports.
• Action for Healthy Kids: A nonprofit organization hoping to address the problem of overweight and sedentary youths by working with local school systems.