I’ve been trying to get my kids to use washcloths for years. Glad I’m not the only failure. 
Agree with not overestimating teenage boy’s desire for clean bedding and towels. Extra pillowcases may be used more than extra sheets. My son has a duvet with washable cover, and I also got him a flannel “sheet blanket” for winter (Vermont Country Store, if you’re wondering) and a fleece throw.
DS sleeps in a t shirt. Pajamas stay in the drawer.
Fwiw, a dermatologist advised against washcloths because they harbor bacteria. Which was good because it meant no charge in routine.
Mine has 2 sets of sheets, an extra pillowcase, 2 bath towels, 2 hand towels and 1 washcloth (that he rarely uses). Weekly laundry and he sends sheets/towels out regularly. He hangs the towel after showering. He is not a comforter kid, so has 2 blankets for his bed (to rotate). He brings them home to wash. Sent them to laundry a few times but they charge a lot. His dorms have been warm in the winter.
1 Blazer had been plenty for my son.
@suzyQ7 at a formal dress school???
Korab1. Yes. Formal dress school
1-2. Since it’s a formal dress code, I would go with 2, with only 1 being navy. (unless the school requires navy, then only 1 is needed)
He may change his mind after the first cold snap. 
Then he will not be out of place at a BS. That’s pretty normal. Pajamas are a rarity.
This is really helpful! Especially to hear what other kids typically wear/use. DS has already said he’ll be bringing old shorts and t-shirts to sleep in (he owns one pair of PJ pants; I gave up long ago). Good idea about having him take old towels and getting us new ones, though I probably won’t make him take the OLD ones that have his name embroidered on them and cute little motifs, which are still floating around at home.
After being at revisit day in the pouring rain, I also know that I am not buying expensive blazers and shoes (for formal dress) – I don’t think I saw a single kid with an umbrella or anything waterproof, and maybe a few were wearing boots.
@sadieshadow, DS also is allowed to wear sweaters in the winter but he doesn’t wear sweaters (and also will have to get over the fact that he doesn’t wear long sleeves). I have noticed at Salisbury that the boys will wear shirt and tie and then a light fleece or 3/4 zip pullover under their blazers when it’s cold (so no coat needed either).
As for sleepwear, I want to put a vote in for night shirts, union suits, and crisp (Sea Island cotton) PJs…be “that guy”. 
Union suits with the little trap door on the behind!
Guskid has 3 or 4 blazers, with one being a (faux) leather one which, apparently, the girls like to pet. 2 quarter zip sweaters and a quarter zip fleece, which he swiped from my closet. One comforter which gets washed over the summer. 2 sets of sheets which get changed maybe once a year. Sleeps in whatever the male equivalent of yoga pants is. 3 towels, I think. An afghan that his great grandma made…I don’t think he really uses it but it’s more for “comfort”. about a gazillion ties, various pillows including a decorative throw that reminds him to “call your mom.”
Sadly, a lot of these purchases won’t make it back home at the end of the year… 
And the stuff that does make it home you’ll want to torch. Less is definitely more…because even with the best mom/dad intentions of wanting them to look nice and have everything they’ll need ( which is always a good thing ) , it’s costly and pointless to go overboard. Something I learned the hard way early on with three kids JBS-SS.
FWIW- Hit the winter online sales now for great deals on coats, sweaters, etc. In the Fall, hit the summer sales for Spring. Remember that the best selection for twin bedding ( especially Twin XL ) in Brick and Mortar stores happens around mid- late July and you’ll be competing with college families for the best/pretty stuff - especially if you favor stores like Home Goods . This has actually become a blood sport in recent years …
Rule #1 : Your kid will not wear or use half the stuff you buy and they’ll be totally fine. You, however, will not be fine!
Rule #2 : Amazon Prime is your new BFF, but you already knew that.
Rule #3 : And this is just a page from my unpublished guide to Passive -Aggressive Parenting: Photocopy at least five Tuition Agreements ( which clearly outline the unholy financial aspect of this extravaganza ) and place them neatly into a file with envelopes already stamped and addressed to your child.
As a parent, it really doesn’t matter how much or how little money you have. You are going way above and beyond with this whole BS thing. If, for any reason, your child loses sight of this, or trounces your goodwill- these little “reminders” will definitely come in handy. ( HT to PhotoDad ).
If there’s a really bad grade, bad term, or a “behavioral issue” that needs an immediate “Shock and Awe” response : I highly recommend going to a local fast food restaurant and picking up a job application and using that instead.
OK I love this advice. As far as ties—which brands are popular . . other than Vineyard Vines??
All brands work… Lots of Vineyard Vines, RL, Brooks Brothers, J.Crew, Nautica- all the usual suspects. The fave is usually a classic stripe or fun motif. Thankfully, our large extended family had a blazer and tie exchange going for a very longtime.
Also- All formal dress schools will hit you up for the $85.00 Vineyard Vines school tie … so brace yourself for that one. They usually come in different colors, too!
Never heard of Vineyard Vines until CC. Kid still hasn’t heard of it.
TBH, I am not a huge fan of (nor owner of any) Vineyard Vines gear. I’m old enough to know of a time before this company existed…and while I salute their success, to me, it’s sort of a knock-off of older brands (I’m thinking of Hermès in particular) with actual heritage. Heck, even J. Crew has a 10 year head start on them, and that’s not counting its history as Popular Club! Yeah, I guess I’m a traditionalist…
For a teen boy, especially one just getting into the wearing of ties on a regular basis) I would not spend much more than $25/tie…and would definitely look at picking up sale ties (regardless of brand) at the usual suspects. I’d err toward poly (over silk), TBH.
I would do 2 blazers, one well-constructed blue (your choice of cloth, but “hopsack” feels like the most 3 season/durable to me) and then one patterned or other “fun” alternate to the blue blazer. For a long time, I only had a blue blazer and a glen plaid variant and those got me through most occasions.
I would strongly caution against $25 poly ties. There are places to scrimp and places you don’t. The neck tie is one of the most visible and noticed aspects of a boy’s wardrobe - everything else is a sea of khaki, navy, charcoal, and sperry brown. Spring for some colorful, fun ties that will grab the girls’ attention. When they flip it over, as they inevitably will, please don’t let it say “Made by Sears - 100% polyester”.
BB is having a sale on ties now - 3 for $120 - which is a really good price on a well made 100% silk tie that will last longer than anything else is his wardrobe (assuming he can avoid the gravy at sit down dinner).
Or, Classic old school Gap ties, too! The best!!
If you hit Marshall’s or TJ Maxx at the right time, you can find amazing brandname ties for $15.00 or less. High end online stores sell nice ties in their outlet/ sale category, too. You can also find Classic RL blazers at both TJ’s and Marshall’s for $99.00 or less.
This way you won’t cry when they look like they’ve just been dragged down a dirt road behind a car, or stomped on. K2 had an actual footprint on his back one Parents Weekend… I couldn’t believe it.
Oddly, the one tie request that used to drive me nuts was the Christmas Tie! My boys loved Christmas ties for some reason. Do you have any idea how hard it is to find a decent Christmas tie that isn’t total c*** ? I do!! That’s the only time I shot the lock off the wallet.
I’m still trying to decipher c*** in reference to a Christmas tie.
Edit after 5 minutes of racking my brain: My bad. close to crud, right? yes, most Christmas ties are cheap poop - what’s up with that???
Until such time as the kid ties a tie, rather than loosening it over his head and hanging it on the doorknob, not impressing a girl with a 100% poly tie is the least of his problems.
@korab1: Having soldiered through a uniform-mandatory middle & high school and a great number of college events in a poly tie (red and blue repp, hurrah), I respectfully disagree. Takes very little food to basically ruin a silk tie (even if you send it to a experienced cleaner), and teen boys like their food.