A reader question:
Dear Editor,
This is a question for Muffy and the Salt Water New England readers:
Where can one find quality tailored blazers and pants for teenage boys? My son does not fit into children’s clothing anymore, yet does not fit into men’s sized blazers and pants either. What happened to Brooks Brothers, Polo, etc?! We live in Dallas now and it’s impossible to find local stores who carry classic looking clothing for boys. The few items that I’ve come across are either over styled, cheaply made or cost way too much for a kid who will outgrown the items within a year! Someone please help. Where do the prep school kids shop now?
Thank you for posting, Muffy!
This is a question I have had to solve for my own teenage son. I would suggest looking on eBay. It seems like everyone's father is dying and the deceased's classic pieces are all ending up for sale online. Take your son's measurements carefully, and if you shop with some patience and discretion, focusing only on brands you know and trust, you can find most of what you seek. Be prepared to do some cleaning and basic alterations. I have found blazers, tweed jackets, dress shirts, ties, khakis, loafers, and even formal wear for my teenage son, all at reasonable prices for growing boys. Given that my son wears a jacket & tie for school every day, he does get plenty of wear from these clothes. I grew up wearing hand-me-downs, so I have no qualms about wearing quality second hand clothing. Likewise, I have no qualms about passing on everything my son outgrows to a friend with three younger boys. In a way, this is not so different from shopping at the church or school jumble sale a generation or two ago. The format has simply moved online.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Anonymous above. Thrift shops and eBay dress me. I used to teach in boys' schools--day and boarding--and I was very spiffy in a trad sort of way, thanks to eBay and the thrifts.
ReplyDeleteI would imagine The Andover Shop still offers clothing for teenagers, it would be tragic and a disservice to their name if not.
ReplyDeleteI cannot endorse the quality of Brooks Brothers clothing in recent years, however I would imagine they still offer teen sizes.
I don't think The Andover Shop offers clothes specifically for teenagers but their sizes tend to run a little on the small side and their clothes are a little more fitted than most other stores that sell clothes of a similar style, so they would probably work well for a teenager.
DeleteOur son is 28; he tends to get blazers and even suits at places like Uniqlo, J. Crew, Banana Republic, and that has worked for a number of years. Will be interesting to see if that changes, he starts at a large international firm next fall. Looked at Jos. Bank with him once, didn't like how they fit. Department stores like Macys and Nordstrom are worth a look. Todd Snyder and Ralph Lauren (i think they have a store in Dallas) if you're wiling to spend more, but they tend to be oriented toward men, not teens.
ReplyDeleteI think the question is not "where do kids who went to prep schools when they were young shop at right now?" Although that was how I understood the question at first.
DeleteI understood the question to mean that a parent of a young man (teen) is having trouble finding a good sport jacket or related nicer clothing. we've been getting nicer clothes for him at these lower-cost places since he was a teenager. When Brooks Brothers was still decent, we got him a sport jacket there. I don't shop there any more because I'm no longer happy with the quality of their tailored clothing. Each of the places I listed, I believe, has lines of suits and sport jackets for teens. Really low cost, I suspect Marshalls would be an option too. The way teenagers treat blazers, I wouldn't spend much.
DeleteEpiscopal Church thrift shops are your best bets ... specifically those in Alexandria, Richmond and Charlottesville ... collars up !!!
ReplyDeleteBest. Advice. Ever.
DeleteIt's been 20 years, but my son and his Groton mates bought their clothes mostly from JCrew in the wake of the enshittification of good quality classic clothing from the traditional stores and shops. I have bought good tweed jackets from the Andover Shop in the past 10 years or so. The shop has always had lovely stuff, but as students, years ago, we thought it was quite pricey.
ReplyDeleteDon’t you have school outfitters in America ? Shops who stock the blazers, caps, hats, ties & scarves. Plus Cash’s name tags so that clothing is clearly identifiable.
ReplyDeleteTrousers, skirts, socks, shirts can be bought on the High Street.
Department stores and Aldi and Lidl have generic inexpensive ‘back to school’ clothing in late August.
Oh gosh, you can't be serious with Aldi & lidl?...I live in Austria, the surely have lidl here, not sure about the second one, but if the clothes are the same quality as their "food", from this what I hear, so I think I would rather shop on eBay.
DeleteAldi and Lidl are as cheap as chips. Shirts, skirts, trousers etc fit the bill for many schools. The child will not be particularly worried about the fabric. Obviously they don’t stock uniforms for specific schools. You still need the outfitter for that.
DeleteWell, the parents should be worried about the fabric (in terms of health).
DeleteI don't say it should be cashmere or silk, but you surely won't find 100% cotton there. I didn't know they are present in the US, and, that they even sell clothes. These shops are offering the lowest quality in Europe, usually produce of the huge corporations. On the other hand, if we are so much concerned about the quality on this blog, how are our children going to learn about it, if parents buying clothes for them don't teach them.
Isn't it better (and healthier), to find second hand if they grow rapidly and it's no point to spend much for quality? We need to talk about this aspect too, that clothes (shoes, and other personal belonging), not only look well (or not so), but also make us sick.
Teach your children well. My father taught me to look for the Made in USA Union label. This was back in the ‘60’s. The label was often sewn into the seam of the inside the jacket pocket. Check you suits blazers and odd jackets. With a little luck you’ll find some Union labels.
DeleteAs for outgrowing clothes, the trick is to buy the blazer at the last minute in a size the child will grow into. I had a blazer with sleeves down past my knuckles.
ReplyDeleteThe nap wore off, the green became yellowish in places and leather patches were sewn onto the elbows and cuffs. I got three years continuous use out of it though.
Often, a local tailor can alternate (even brand new) clothing for a better fit... After losing some weight, my old, 'oversized' clothing now has a great fit.
ReplyDeleteThe Andover Shop!
ReplyDeleteLands end
ReplyDeleteI haven’t lived in Dallas for many years now, and many of the better stores have sadly come and gone, but have you tried Culwell & Sons? It, as well as Mark Shale (unfortunately closed now), used to be my go-to stores.
ReplyDeleteI am almost certain that you mean well by suggesting Culwell & Sons. After looking at its website for as long as my stomach would allow I can only say that Culwell is as far away from True Prep as Dallas is from New England.
DeleteI really don’t want to spend a lot of money on a blazer that might not even last an entire school year. Lands End is perfect
ReplyDeleteI've noticed the entire "preppy" class dresses so much worse now. The 100 year old menswear store I grew up with is now selling slim fit tech chinos and stretch blazers with brash colors and patterns like you see on sportscasters and Fox News personalities. Awareness of brands like O'Connell's and Mercer & Sons is not common among prep school types. Young people into this style are more likely to be niche hipsters. For example, look up Crowley Vintage in Brooklyn, which sells old Brooks and Ralph at an insane premium. Or check out J. Press's latest pivot with Jack Carlson at the helm.
ReplyDeleteThere are very very few preps left. They are few and far between. There aren’t many who even know what a prep truly is. Prep schools are simply full of young people who’s parents have money and they don’t have a clue about “the thing before prep.
DeleteAgreed ... and Postmodernism is to blame. Collars up !!!
DeleteAgreed, encore. Several times a week I need to stop the car to allow boarding school students to cross the road to get to the temporary cafeteria. Readers who live in the northwest corner may know the location. Among those students, “ain’t nobody wearing any button downs.” However (!) when parents come to visit one does see, among the boys, a measure of crewneck sweaters and khakis lounging about our local auberge.
DeleteThe tide indeed is changing. More emphasis on outdoor and rugged wearable. Note Murray's in Nantucket. I'm not sure what neo-prep really means in the apparel world. But the majority of clothiers have shifted and brought in some interesting brands.
ReplyDeleteI would say the RL Polo line is still stable. I would say J Press is now a joke. J Press now sell T-shirts and not the collegiate ones. They are turning into a Rugby copy brand wise.
Brooks Brothers is a total brand that is inconsistent in size from shirt to shirt.
It's changing!
It’s dead
DeleteSomehow we missed Hunter and Coggins when our children were prep school age. I have heard great things about them and their prices seem to be attractive to growing children. On the good side if your only challenge in raising children is the cost of clothes you are very fortunate! https://hunterandcoggins.com/index.html
ReplyDeleteBrooks Brothers does make boys clothes and they have a store in Plano. https://www.brooksbrothers.com/shop-boys?srsltid=AfmBOoq9C1kWcFpWwLLtxzVJXC3DOH3GWkxLDnkGcnXur8UUIwo1gasg
ReplyDeleteLands End and Tommy Hilfiger
ReplyDeleteHi all, I forgot to check the blog this past week to see if Muffy posted my original question (Thanks Muffy!). We are transplanted New Englanders living in Dallas for a long time now and the offerings for young men are meager down here, as they are in general everywhere. Culwell & Sons will do, but I greatly miss the nicely tailored clothing that my Dad and brother wore as teenagers, from the formerly good Brooks, J. Press and other specialty shops. I guess the market just isn’t there anymore because people will sacrifice craftsmanship for convenience. Also, in general, America has become frightening casual all of the time and teenagers would rather wear dri-fit during the hours not spent in their itchy polyester school uniforms. But, there are occasions when they need to wear smart, appropriate looking clothing! This is where I struggle. I may try eBay for some vintage, nicely made finds. Thank you all for your input! I greatly appreciate this community and enjoy the discussions!
ReplyDeleteSchoolbelles.com Blazers are polyester, but who cares - they dont touch the skin. Traditional style and affordable. Lots of private schools have accounts with Schoolbelles.
ReplyDeleteMy boys are in a Sid Mashburn phase, and I can get on board with that.
ReplyDelete