Too often we go shopping for boys’ apparel and then look around only to realize that we have not filled the needs for the required clothing. We find that sometimes we buy an abundance of casual wear, but we forget the formal wear or PJs. We also tend to leave the child out of the planning. Let us explore a little how we can acquire some cool boys’ clothes. After all, their clothes are being replaced so they should be involved from the start and continue every step of the way. Give them a say in all the decisions made on purchases.
Planning To Go Shopping?
Here are a few tips before shopping:
(1) Search closets and drawers and remove grown-out clothes – This is the easiest way of making a determination of what is needed.
(2) Make a note of the categories and sizes removed, eg, dress shirts size 8, jeans size 6, PJs size 8, etc – This will ensure that the correct sizes are selected in each category for replacement. Where a size 8 dress shirt is out-grown, the next purchase is suggested to be 2 or 3 sizes up, (depending on the rate of physical growth) which in this case would be size 10 or 11.
(3) Take note of the season: Is it Spring, Summer, Autumn, or winter? Consider cotton wear for the summer days, it is much cooler and sweaters or long sleeve polos, turtlenecks, etc for the winter days.
(4) Grab a pen and pad and start making a list of clothes to be replaced. With the help of the boy involved, of course. This is where they will air the styles they like or do not like. Do not run the risk of buying more of what is still remaining in the closets or the drawers and forgetting what was removed. Or in the worst-case scenario, something is bought that the child does not like.
(5) Make a budget and stick to it.
Categories
Here are some categories of clothing that may be considered when making purchases:
* Activewear – These are clothes use for active sports such as basketball, football, tennis, rugby, etc, and also for exercise such as jogging, cycling, hiking, swimming, etc.
* Bottoms – This includes pants and shorts. in this category, there are dress slacks or suit pants which are more formal and there are casual pants which include jeans, khaki, etc. There are also regular shorts and there are Bermuda shorts.
* Coordinates – These coordinates may be advertised as a set or matching pieces can be selected, eg, there may be a t-shirt that can be matched with shorts. In that case, both coordinating pieces are bought together. In some cases, there is a t-shirt that requires shorts and vice versa.
* Sportswear – This is more of a casual suit, eg, khaki pants with a polo, or dockers pants with a henley.
* Sleepwear (PJs) – Choose sleepwear that is snug-fitting, preferably made of stretchy cotton or cotton blend that fits closely against a child’s body.
Snug-fitting sleepwear is less likely than loose T-shirts to come into contact with a flame and does not ignite as easily or burn as rapidly because there is little air under the garment to feed a fire.
* Swimwear – Swim trunks or swimming trunks are the type of clothing worn specifically for swimming. As such, they are usually made of material specifically designed for being wet and remaining comfortable and hydrodynamic and not impede the swimmer.
* Tops – (a) Dress Shirts, Jackets, Blazers, Sweaters, and Vest – These may be worn for school (where required) or a more formal occasion.
(b) Knit Tops – T-Shirts, polo, henley, turtleneck, and mock neck
* Underwear – These are worn under clothing – boxers, boxer briefs, briefs, (excludes disposables)A-shirt, crew neck, v-neck.
Shopping For Seasons And Events
One of the most important things to remember before embarking on a shopping trip is the season are we heading into, eg, are we heading into summer in a few weeks, or are we heading into winter and Christmas in a few weeks? This is where the style and type of material most suitable will be chosen. This will also curtail impulse buying.
Reminder
A quick reminder here: Do not forget back-to-school season – this is the busiest time of year for children’s shopping. As this is not only for clothes but for everything else for school. Also, remember to stick with the budget plan and make sure there is value for money.
Conclusion
Here we have a step-by-step plan before shopping, the categories we will be looking at, along with the seasons and events we will be shopping for in order to fill the need for cool boys’ clothing.
If you have any comments, questions, or ideas you would like to share, please let me know in the comments below.