Can You Help Update My Son's Wardrobe?

<p>My son will be a freshman at Michigan in the fall. He has never, ever cared about what he wore. Whatever we bought him, was available and clean was fine with him. Now he wants to change that, but doesn't have a clue about what is in fashion, out of fashion, etc. So he comes to me and says, "Dad, can you help me go shopping for clothes before I go off to college?" Me, uh not really.</p>

<p>How about some suggestions?</p>

<p>As background, in school he was voted class genius and most disorganized - you get the picture. His interests are skiing (not snowboarding), music (jazz, not rap) and Italy (ever seen Breaking Away). He's 6' tall, fit (runs) and fairly clean cut.</p>

<p>Can you help - please? Specific suggestions appreciated. Even though we live in a small town, there's always mail order shopping.</p>

<p>Try urbanoutfitters.com. They have clothes from all kinds of designer brands, so you don't have to go looking everywhere. Granted, the prices are expensive, so you may not want to shop there. Just check male apparel, all the stuff there is good.</p>

<p>The Gap is always a safe bet</p>

<p>Yeah, Urban Outfitters is good. I personally love American Eagle. They sell preppier clothes and everything is really comfortable and it's good quality clothing.</p>

<p>Urbanoutfitters is too expensive. Don't bother buying from them. Instead, look at the models and clothing styles they illustrate/advertise on the site, take the ideas, and buy the clothes at the department store or in the mall outlets. For college, where stuff is easily lost/stolen/messed up in the wash, quantity is more important than uber-designer-quality.</p>

<p>Just buying a rainbow assortment of polos and some nice collared shirts + jeans/khakis will work fine if researching Urban Outfitters doesn't interest you lol. Oh, and another thing he can't go wrong with--tons of clothes related to his college! Not from the student store though, way too expensive.</p>

<p>Abercrombie, if you don't mind spending a fortune in clothes.</p>

<p>Otherwise, let him go shop with some girl friends / sister if he has one / whatnot.</p>

<p>let his girl- friends help him... they have mystical powers</p>

<p>i'm not even going to give advice because i live in Europe and so what i wear will seem gay and preppy to most in America. On the other hand all the kids i've seen in America look homeless.</p>

<p>From my America visit i did realise there are nice clothes available there, but it depends who you are, what look you are going for and how much you are willing to pay.</p>

<p>Go into mall, go into all the expensive stores catering to teenage boys. Check out the shoes, accessories, haircuts (hats) and all the pictures on the walls and how they dress the manequins. Go to your regional department store (Kohls, Boscovs, Macy's, Old Navy) and duplicate the look. Don't buy a lot...enough to get him to thanksgiving. Sisters, girl cousins, girl friends all very helpful. </p>

<p>Buy seventeen magazine (caters to older crowd) and check out the ads for the guys. Duplicate.</p>

<p>If all else fails use my sons trick. Find the cutest girl in the store, tell her you are style challenged and ask her to make you look "hot". Done.</p>

<p>well if he is going to Michigan, definetly don't buy alot
spend some of that money on Mich apparel so he won't have to</p>

<p>Try American Eagle</p>

<p>One stop shopping @ Steve and Barry's. Casual/trendy clothes, shoes/accessories, activewear, university spiritwear sold at ridiculously low prices.</p>

<p>It doesn't seem like there is online shopping for Steve and Barry's.</p>

<p>lacoste polos are sure to bring out the prep in any guy :)</p>

<p>also seven jeans, rock and republics, diesel...</p>

<p>what is the budget?</p>

<p>The budget - I've spent about $200 per year on clothes for this kid so I'm willing to splurge - within reason.</p>

<p>Hmm...no online shopping w/Steve & Barry's? Some of the volume discounters don't offer that service. There's probably a store locater...none in your area? Whoa...bannana. Maybe start off a bit slower? Those designer labels will break the bank. ;)</p>

<p>i second the suggestion about jeans & polos.
you cant go wrong with them</p>

<p>Abercrombie & Fitch, American Eagle, Hollister, etc... </p>

<p>I definitely agree, a few polos and jean(s) never go wrong. For the polos, try and get solid colors, if possible. They'll "last" the longest.</p>

<p>Also J.Crew! online and mall/outlet stores.</p>

<p>I complimented a guy friend on his clothes one day and he said, "I went to Gap and bought what was on the mannequin."</p>

<p>Blue Michigan shirt
Yellow Michigan shirt
Michigan football shirt
Michigan football jersey
Another Michigan shirt
Michigan sweatshirt
Another Michigan sweatshirt</p>

<p>For non Michigan stuff, have a few polos, plain solid color t-shirts, a hoodie or two, and other stuff. If he's really nerdy, cafeexpress has some funny nerdy shirts with integrals and other cool stuff.</p>