How to Buy Teen Boys' Clothes

By Nicholas Pell

There are more choices than ever before when it comes to buying teen boys' clothes. While teenage boys are a notoriously difficult breed to satisfy, pleasing your teenager is easier once you have a sense of the brand names and styles.

Teen Boys' Clothing Shopping Tips

Every teenage boy wants to be cool, and you may need some tips when it comes to what qualifies as cool these days. That's why it's important to ask your teenager what he likes and what he wants to wear. It may be baggy shorts and a t-shirt, or it may be jeans and a polo shirt. When you are with him and you see teen boys' clothes, ask him what he thinks of a particular style or fashion.

Parental Limits

You may not agree with the choices your son makes when it comes to what he wants to wear. That's why it is not only important to ask him what he likes, but also to know what you are willing to purchase. You may not like ultra-baggy pants or white t-shirts that are not tucked in. It is your money, after all, so inform him of your limits. It is better for him to know what you are willing to buy before the shopping begins.

Budgeting

Have a budget in mind. When buying clothes, teenage boys may want everything in the store, especially when they aren't the ones buying. Having a set limit on the amount of money that you plan to spend in mind before you head down to the shop will help prevent the teenager from taking control of the situation -- and your purse.

Shopping Day

Ask other parents of teen boys where they shop for clothes. You will find out about retailers you weren't aware of before, as well as how other parents set limits on what kind of teen boys' clothes they let their kids wear. You might even make some suggestions that the teenage boy hadn't thought of previously, allowing you to get him some new clothes and win brownie points all at once.

Take your teenage boy with you when you go shopping. He may not want to go, but he'll be happy he did when he has a new wardrobe. He will be able to influence your purchases, and you will be able to influence his style choices. Neither of you may win on every point, but at least a compromise between too casual and too formal can be reached.

Caution

Make sure the teen boys' clothes you buy can be washed regularly. Read the tags and ask the salespeople about the durability of the clothes and whether they will shrink after the first wash. Keeping the clothes clean, after all, is not a teenager's first priority.

Places to Shop

You can buy clothes for teenage boys at just about any local mall or shopping center. Some popular places to buy clothes for teenage boys that have both physical and online presence include:

Gap has the advantage of offering Gap Kids brands for younger teens, and men's sizes for older teen boys. Enjoy the casual and more formal selections.
Urban Outfitters will dress your teenager in teen boys' clothes that are stylish and cool with an urban edge befitting the company's name. You can also find accessories here.
Old Navy has a big selection of teen boys' clothes perfect for school and hanging out. And the prices are more than reasonable.
Hot Topic is the place to shop for clothes for the teenage boy who is into punk, goth, emo and heavy subculture.
Pacific Sunwear has clothes for skaters and surfers or those who just wish they were. For a more laid back, west coast look, this is the place to shop.

A New Wardrobe

Teenage boys grow quickly and use their clothing hard, meaning that you are probably going to have to take a teenage boy shopping at least once a year, if not more. However, setting clear boundaries about what kind of clothes are acceptable and how much you are willing to spend will establish limits you can live with. Getting input from him on what he wants to wear will take some of the guesswork out. Bringing him along will make sure that everything fits properly. These are the key components to a painless clothes shopping trip with the teenage boy in your life.