Casual Clothing for Boys Buying Guide

Boys' clothes  need to stand up to a lot and be durable enough to last through playtime and the washing machine . This might sound like an exaggeration, but really, who are we kidding? Boys like mud and paint and lots of other dirty, stain-prone things.  Little fellas will test the durability of every outfit they own, so even if you're just hunting for weekend clothes, they still need to be able to put up with most, if not all, situations that boys will put them through.  Luckily there are a lot of options open to you as a parent, many of which will easily fit into your budget.

When shopping for clothes, you'll mostly want to pay attention to fit: not only do items need to fit comfortably now, but also they have to work for more than a few weeks.  If they mesh with school dress codes, that's all the better.  Taste does play a role, of course, and luckily there are a lot of different places to get affordable Spongebob Squarepants ,Transformers ,Spiderman , and Batman  items, all largely popular with the younger male set.  See our helpful tips below and good luck shopping!

What's Best for Their Age?

Boys grow fast and keeping up with clothes that fit can be tough. Styles also change as they get older; you won't see your teenager caught dead in any styles he wore when he was 12. 

• Toddlers: For toddlers, make sure you get comfortable clothing that's also easy to clean, as kids will get into everything.
• Young boys: Jeans are a great go-to option, especially if your child is into playing in the mud; denim will hold up to wear and tear better than most materials. T-shirts with favorite cartoon characters are a great choice.
• Preteens: This is the age when being cool starts to be really important. Trends that are hot right now are plaids (especially shorts), slim leg jeans, and even button-downs.
• Teenagers: Hopefully he's picking out some of his own outfit, but it's hard to actually get him to go out and buy anything. That's where you come in. Popular shops for teen boys are Pac Sun, Urban Outfitters, and Hollister.

Tops

T-shirts  Polo shirts  (with a collar) are more polished and great for school. Tye-dying tees  can be a fun summer activity. Fun sayings  can make for cute t-shirts for your child. Cartoon, movie and video game characters will keep your little man up-to-date and stylish.	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 as well as international jerseys. You'll be able to find these for Football ,soccer ,basketball ,hockey , and baseball .	Sweaters  Cardigans  provide ventilation. Crewnecks  may bother boys who don't like things worn too close to their necks. Cotton sweaters  can go through the wash--a big plus. Sweater vests work well for school uniforms.	Pullover Tops  Fleece pullovers  are fuzzy and cozy. Hoodies  are still cool, and the style for boys is typically oversized.

Bottoms

Shorts  Longer shorts  or 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, but watch your wallet: these threads can cost more than $100. Have at least a pair or two of inexpensive Gap  or Levis jeans  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 and make good pajamas . Denim knits  are great; they look like jeans but are super soft.	Cargo Pants  These come in a variety  of colors and fabrics. Kids love them for their relaxed style  and all the pockets.

Feeling Sporty

Now you know what's appropriate for most school days.  After school, your little tyke is going to need to burn off some calories, so why not get him involved in a sport? Of course, if your child playing a sport, this means you'll need to purchase some equipment, so check below for the essentials.

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 board shorts  and swim trunks  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. Track and fielders can put them on over running shorts  and basketball players can wear them over jerseys . Track suits  can be made of a blend of synthetic fibers or cotton. In addition to sweat suits, consider layering up: long sleeve tees  go well underneath track jackets.	Sneakers  Basketball shoes  protect ankles as he dashes up and down the court. Running shoes  are lightweight and easy on arches. Soccer cleats  help grip the turf. Tennis shoes  provide lateral support. Make sure that whatever pair you buy gives a good fit  but leaves a little bit of room for a growing boy.

Related Guides

Dress Clothing For Boys	Clothing for Kids	Holiday Clothes For Kids	Sports and Recreation