<p>creative1 at SPS are the washing machines in each dorm or in a different facility.</p>
<p>My son has done fine at Exeter with several pairs of Levis jeans and cords from Kohls. Dress shirts were mainly purchased at TJ Maxx and he actually received several ties from friends and family as “going away” presents when he left. Ties have ranged from a banana tie (literally looks like a banana - which he apparently receives many compliments on) to a few of his grandfather’s retro castoffs (which are also apparently “very cool” - who knew?).
He has used his sports coat twice in 2 years.
Exeter also runs the “Exeter Exchange” where kids can turn in clothing they don’t like or fit into and the store resells it. They also host a “frugal fashion show” at least once a year and the kids have no qualms about visiting the store for a $3 pair of designer jeans.
I had one staff member tell me that she buys her winter coat at the exchange as you can get brand new designer things for under $5.
My son has never had any issue about clothing, wears mainly jeans to class and now has the most ecclectic collection of ties that you can imagine and actually searches out wierd, new or interesting ones to add to his collection.</p>
<p>Also not a j crew rep - but… i gave the outlet store my email and now receive printable coupons regularly. They had coupons for I think 15% - 25% off entire bill (inc. sale stuff) so shirts were less than $15 dollars per -I have even gotten pants on the $9.99 rack like the Gap has. Gap also sends me little 25% off cards seasonally. I live very close to an outlet mall so I can take 1/2 hour total to go check out what’s on clearance. I realize not everyone lives down the street from a major outlet center. That said - I agree 100% that clothes really matter very little. To boys or girls. I have met maybe one or two that even mention labels - and in no way would it occur to anyone I’ve met to disparage another student because of a label or brand. I also agree with above poster that many boys love the cool/weird tie thing. My son is not so creative, so sadly he isn’t one of them.
One thing that helps, I have found, is to figure out what does fit them pretty well at home, so your student does not have to accompany you on shopping trips and you aren’t guessing at sizes if you have to send something to them at school.</p>
<p>All east coast schools were modeled after English public schools and in the interests of respecting that heritage and the traditions thereby implied I for one recommend that all boys wear a top hat and tails.</p>
<p>Girls (who should not have a good education anyway) should probably wear dress with petticoats. The neckline should be to the chin so as not to overexcite the boys.</p>
<p>That should cover it.</p>
<p>In each dorm - usually in the basement I believe so it makes it convenient. Definitely a $ saver and if you care about your clothes, as my child does, they will stay in better shape doing them yourself.</p>
<p>And agree with above posters - among the guys it is considered “preppy chic” to wear funky ties, thrift store sportscoats, etc.</p>
<p>emdee - this video isn’t related to the discussion but it does include images of the laundry room in one dorm. 
[YouTube</a> - Risky Business (SPSBC)](<a href=“http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xOW-oZ6Dv34]YouTube”>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xOW-oZ6Dv34)</p>
<p>Thanks watertester - I take that as a compliment.</p>
<p>PA-C, my daughter actually does care about fashion - but not brands so much … but I will admit that she wants to get a summer job so that she can have money to spend at the mall </p>
<p>She also did her own laundry this year and would really like to try the service next year, but we told her she would have to pay for it herself. 14 year olds are not that great at laundry and I did notice when she was home that she kind of wrecked some of her stuff by over drying and washing whites with colors etc. I have a feeling the service wouldn’t do much better with her sweaters though - unless they were dry cleaned. One problem with buying cheap clothes is that they really don’t hold up in the wash.</p>
<p>I would definitely suggest you start having your child do their own laundry now and over the summer prior to going to BS - heck, think of all the time it will save YOU! ;)</p>
<p>What school is that video from?</p>
<p>SPS - the ballet company promoting a dance they were hosting last year.</p>
<p>it was made as a parody of this:
<a href=“http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nHqG0zNBF1U[/url]”>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nHqG0zNBF1U</a></p>
<p>Which is the winning video for the 2008 Green Cup Challenge.</p>
<p>PhotoOp: I meant to say he is more considerate of our financial situation and fine with shopping at inexpensive places: similar to your daughter. I did not mean to insult your dtr, please accept my apology. :(</p>
<p>No apology required!</p>
<p>Pa-C
Brooks Brothers is having a great sale right now. My S loves their no crease pants.
Not sure how big you S is but their boys dept runs up to size 18. Their XL shirts and polos are as big as mens small you you would save $ buying in the boys dept. The Tilton outlet also has a BB store, you could get ties and such there.</p>
<p>Thanks! He’s between a 16 and a men’s small right now depending on the brand so an 18 might work perfectly. He is a little short (5-3) so the boys sizes are probably shorter I would imagine. My only qualm with buying now is that he is growing so fast I am worried it won’t fit in the fall.</p>
<p>Don’t know if you guys have decent thrift stores on the East Coast – but that is just about the only place we shop. His closet is full of J Crew, Abercrombie, Gap, etc – and a shirt or sweater costs me about $3 (which is great --we don’t get concerned when an items goes missing). </p>
<p>I buy jeans from Old Navy when they have their big sale, socks from costco.</p>
<p>And whoever mentioned boxers – yes, the boys wear boxers, not briefs. There was a big thread about this last year.</p>
<p>no dress code at NMH where my son goes --but he does have a collection of ties, from conservative to wild. He has both a suit ($7 for a Hickey Freeman dark gray suit, never worn) and several sport coats ($5 for ralph lauren, nautica and jos.a. banks). I love thrift stores! Just bought him a pair of Johnston and Murphy cordovan dress shoes, never worn, his size for $4!</p>
<p>Wow. My S needs some serious shopping tutoring from you!</p>
<p>We just have some great thrift stores here in Colorado – the best I have ever seen! We go there almost every other week – some weeks there is nothing, other weeks I hit the jackpot (Abercrombie and Fitch Rugby shirt, like new, $2).</p>
<p>I have been instructed by my son to keep my eyes open for a tux.</p>
<p>Also, if you’re looking for a couple of big-ticket “keeping up with the Jones’” items, don’t forget eBay. In the last couple of weeks, I’ve gotten my sons (they are two years apart, but wear the same size) a pair of $19 Brooks Bros. madras plaid shorts, a $12 Vintage Vines tie, and two pair of Vintage Vines shorts ($22 and $25–regularly $85). All were NWT (new with tags). I bid on a cashmere Brooks Bros. sport coat, but lost it by 85 cents, lol. (It sold for around $25). Anyway, you can get ANYTHING on there, but it’s especially great for the big ticket/big name items.</p>
<p>One really good tip (which I share with only my VERY closest friends… :D), there are very few people on eBay on Sunday’s, especially Sunday nights. That’s when I get my best deals. Nobody bids against me!</p>
<p>I remembered that PA-C also asked about sports uniforms. I have only limited experience as my daughter is not a sporty person - but we were charged for her uniform for the JV Swim team - it was around $90 for a swimsuit and two swimcaps. She is now doing prep track but I haven’t seen a charge on her account for a uniform for that yet. I’m hoping that since swimsuits are so personal maybe the other uniforms won’t be charged but I am also watching for the charge whenever we receive her accounting.</p>