Clothing for Boys buying guide

Clothing for Boys

Snips and snails and puppy dog tails? Is that really what boys are made of? Probably not, but regardless of what boys are made of, they are going to need clothes. True, your son may prefer to run around in his birthday suit, but he needs jeans and tee shirts at the very least. Beyond the basics, boys will need clothes for parties, sports and playtime. Since most kids (especially boys) hate to shop, this guide is aimed to take the pain out of gathering all the information you need to make quick and easy purchases.

Getting Started

The first thing you'll need to do is determine what clothing items your child needs. There are two guides tailored to specific shopping needs: Casual Clothing for Boys and Dress Clothing for Boys .

After you've made a list, it may be helpful to take a few quick measurements of your child while at home. Whip out your tape measure and get these crucial numbers: height, chest, waist, inseam and seat measurements.

Done? Great. Next, have your son hop on the scale to determine his weight. Now with these figures in hand, you'll taken 90% of the guess work out of your shopping.

Use the size information below to pinpoint the right size.

Size Information

Here is a basic idea of how things break down:

Boys 4-7

In general, these sizes should fit preschoolers, but can span from ages 3-8 years old.
At this age boys and girls will have similar measurements and some styles for example, turtlenecks and overalls are unisex.
Weight will fall between 32 and 54 lbs.
Height will range between 39-48 inches.
Here's how the numbers and letter sizes match up: S=4, M=5, L=6. XL=6x or 7

Boys 8-20

In general, these sizes should fit grade schoolers (roughly ages 7-13).
Height will range between 48-68 inches.
Here's how the numbers and letter sizes match up: S=8 or 9, M=10-12, L=14-16, XL=18-20

Boys Slim

For boys with a small frame and thin body.
Waists are as small as 21" for Boys 8-20.
Available for preschoolers and grade schoolers.

Boys Husky

For boys where the weight is heavier than the proportional height.
Available for preschoolers and grade schoolers.
Sizes will accommodate up to a 35" waist.

Now that you've got the size nailed down, here are two guides to help fill the closet:

Casual Clothing for Boys

Dress Clothing for Boys

Popular Pick

Top-Rated Item!

The North Face Boys's Denali Jacket

The all-purpose favorite of boys everywhere, The North Face Boys's Denali Jacket is fashionable and functional for everything from walking to school on a cold morning to snowboarding over Winter break.

Winter Gear for Boys

Hats

wool

fleece

cotton

Scarves

wool

fleece

Mittens & Gloves

wool

fleece

waterproof

Skiwear

Parkas

Vests

Jackets

Snow Boots

Hiking boots

You also may consider wool socks .

Underneath it All

Underwear

Briefs are usually the underwear staple for young boys.

Older boys might like to try boxers .

Buy in multi-packs for the best prices.

Undershirts

Undershirts provide a nice warm layer under shirts and sweaters.

Prevent itchy fabrics from chaffing delicate skin.

Available in tanks and tees.

Socks

Look for a little Lycra or other synthetic fabric to help cotton athletic socks keep their shape.

Wool and nylon are best worn with loafers and school shoes.

Pajamas

If they don't like pajamas, soft sweatpants and a tee shirt also work.

Flannel pajamas are perfect for chilly nights.

Robes

A nice cozy robe always feels great when put on after a bath.

More of Your Burning Questions Answered

Looking for a Special Size ? Many of the larger retailers offer both slim and husky-sized clothing for boys.

Slim Sizes: Lands' End , Gymboree and Dickies are all brands that offer slim sizes.
Husky Sizes: There are a lot of brands offering plus sizes for boys-- Levis , French Toast and Wrangler Jeans --to name a few.
About.com has a good article about how to dress your plus-sized child.

Need a school uniform ? Read our guide for Back to School .
Want information on how to keep your little guy warm at the first sign of snow? The Guide to Winter Clothes should help you out.
Before dressing your son for the Christmas photo, you may want to read the Holiday Clothes for Kids article.

Footwear Options

Here is a list of the types of shoes available for boys:

Athletic : Can be general or sport specific: basketball , running , tennis , golf , etc.

Sandals: And let's not forget the ever-popular flip-flop .

Dress Shoes : Even for the most rugged little fellow, there should be a pair of penny loafers or oxfords in the closet for special occasions.

Boots : Snow, hiking and cowboy are all available to keep your boy's toes warm.

Loafers: A practical option for school.

Slippers: Nice but not necessary.

Did you know it takes 18 years for a human foot to mature? Before you click "purchase" when shopping online, read the The American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society's Guide to Children's Shoes . Want to know what the hot styles are? According to zappos.com these are the top brands selling to boys:

Heelys (sneakers with built in wheels)

Ugg (fleece lined boots and slippers)

Crocs (slip resistant clogs in fun colors)

External Links

Web sites like Coupon Mountain often lists clothing discounts for online retailers.
Don't make these mistakes: About.com lists the five worst trends in kids fashions.
The Budget Fashionista has tips for saving some cash on kid's clothes.

International Resources

For this resource in your home country, please see:
FR: Vêtements pour enfants

Now that you've got the size nailed down, here are two guides to help fill the closet:

Casual Clothing for Boys	Dress Clothing for Boys