We are all about outlets and sales. SwimKid was able I get a gorgeous pair of shoes at the Cole Haan outlet for $35! They will last longer than anything I could get at target for the same price. I feel different about blazers (for a non blazer school). We buy cheap while still growing. He had a MK one from Nordstrom rack as an emergency because he forgot his in SwimDad’s car, but the next one came from Primemark!
Agree that if kid is not finished growing, erring on the cheaper side of things is smart. OTOH, my kids were mostly all done growing by the time they hit BS and could use many pieces all 4 years…though 7D1’s J. Crew blazer was definitely looking worse for wear by the time she graduated.
I don’t like leggings either, but lots of women wear yoga pants because they are easy to throw on, black goes with everything and they are comfortable. I hear that Choate now has a much more relaxed dress code this year allowing kids to wear jeans to classes. Andover has had that for awhile. I wonder if Deerfield Academy known for those boys wearing suit jackets and ties will ever go that way.
PEA did away with ties a few years ago. Our son has gotten to senior year owning one black American eagle blazer. Never needed a suit and has borrowed dress shoes the 2x a year he needs them. Of course, I would have loved to buy him nice dress clothes, but he refuses to go shopping and is totally content to do it his way.
As we are doing back to school shopping with our daughter, I keep reminding her that ripped jeans, leggings, spaghetti strap, belly tops are outside dress code. Apparently some teachers do not enforce the dress code- but I am unwilling to budge on spending my $$ on these items.
@SevenDad Canvas was revived last year. https://www.landsend.com/shop/lands-end-canvas-womens
Boden, and JohnnieB have good sales, and wear well. They’re on the more expensive end full price, but I’ve found great stuff on clearance, and also at thrifts, etc. Nice quality, fun twist on classics
Someone needs to start a Thredup just for BS kids. Sorted by dress code, of course.
wait… why would leggings be inappropriate? genuinely curious, because 95% of girls that I know wear them (or jeans) on a daily basis when it’s cold out. they aren’t “revealing” unless you’re wearing a size too small and they become sheer, which applies to most clothing items. I only own two pairs of non-ripped jeans, and it would be a total waste to throw away leggings cos they’re really expensive.
What abt stores like TJ Maxx?
As for the leggings, MX is one of the schools which do not allow them. They consider it athletic wear, therefore not appropriate for classroom dress.
@applejuice007 Leggings are accepted casual wear now in the general public sense, but that hasn’t always been true. They were a fad in the 1980s when I was young, with oversized belted tops, but then were not really common until recently.They’re very form fitting, and if not worn with a longer top, are not really different than wearing spandex shorts.
Likewise, I love black yoga pants. I’m self employed, so if I’m at home or doing The Mom Run of errands and activity drop off, sure. I wouldn’t wear yoga pants out to dinner, to a business meeting, or any other situation where impressions and appearance mattered. I’m a very casual person, and both son and I prefer athletic wear, but it isn’t always advisable.
As a kid who is always coming/going from the pool or dance class, my son’s preferred pants are “skinny leg sweatpants.” Not terribly far from leggings, but I’ve yet to see a BS code listed where boys can wear.
A few of the parents above sum things up well. The analog for guys is athletic shorts or sweat pants…and I don’t consider that appropriate attire for a dress-code boarding school. Personally speaking, I don’t wear sweats or athletic shorts out of the house unless I’m like, you know, doing something athletic. Jeans, Carhartts, and yes…those dreaded "dad cargo shorts, yes. But not athletic gear…just never really appealed to me, even when I was in HS. I mean, where are you going to put your car keys or wallet?
As for TJMaxx/Marshalls…I think any of the discount stores are good, but are more hit or miss depending on inventory of the moment.
We have good luck at outlets, TJMaxx/Marshalls, and sometimes Nordstrom Rack. Also, Stein Mart is great for reasonably priced sports jackets, if you know your size or are near a store (FL). They run coupons and online discounts all the time too.
Stein Mart is big here in AZ, too.
We did a bunch of shopping on Sunday. (And as DS noted, we saw a number of teenage boys out with their Moms, looking like they were being tortured.) Nordstrom Rack is definitely hit or miss. We got a nice looking pair of boat shoes, but the blazer/sport coat selection wasn’t good. DS tried on pants at J. Crew so that I can more easily order from J Crew Factory or at least when they are on sale. He also got a very nice blue blazer from Macy’s – originally $295, paid $88 after various discounts. He is at the low end of men’s sizes and lean with long arms, so nothing fits quite right. I am hoping that a lot of boys at BS are always growing into and out of things, and that everyone else isn’t going to look like they stepped out of a catalog.
I also order pants from Boden (on sale). They’ve held up over the years and are reliable size-wise as I just keep ordering the next size up.
Not many BS students have cars. 
Even so, there are athletic shorts with pockets. Or one can put them in one’s backpack.
But I agree. Athletic wear and loungewear are rarely appropriate dress outside one’s home and the gym/athletic field.
Generally speaking, at most BS, do the students have to be in dress code for WEEKEND meals?
Also, about wallets – where do kids keep their wallets and money (and passport if relevant) in the room? I mean, just in a desk drawer, or do they hide it or ??
At my daughter’s school, most kids leave their doors unlocked and their wallets and valuable wherever they fall. It doesn’t seems to be an issue.
Regarding dress code, it depends on the school I would say. At Deerfield, yes on Sunday evenings students must be in academic dress.
@sunnyschool
There is a small safe in each room at MX… I know a couple other schools that do have accessible safes, whether in-room or not varies. I was concerned for my passport, but in regards to wallets, how much cash do you expect to be carrying around? If there is no safe, I think creative hiding would be common (my dad admitted to taping a small carboard box under a drawer and keeping his ‘valuables’ in there).
DS’s dress code on the web site is very specific as to dress level requirements for specific activities, meals and days: . Jacket and tie for classes, chapel and weekday lunches (I believe including Saturday); collared shirt and pants/Bermuda shorts for certain dinners; and “casual but neat” for other dinners (no tank tops); and casual I believe Saturday evening through Sunday (but never athletic apparel in the dining hall). Since they have morning classes on Saturday, it’s basically treated like a week day until sports obligations. If they didn’t specify it all on the web site, I (and DS) would be clueless!
I am a little unsure about the “casual but neat”; I expect for DS that will end up being Bermuda shorts and a polo shirt or t-shirt/hoodie, since his usual default would be athletic apparel.
Where do they keep them? As @MAandMEmom says, wherever they leave them. Where should they keep them? If the room does not have a lockbox/safe/lockable drawer, there are plenty of options online for a small lockboxes with security cables.