What would you get your 8th grade son for a "semi formal" end of the year party?

[Anonymous]

And where would you go shopping so he can try on these items since you have no idea what size he would be?

[Anonymous]

I seem to remember at my sons, the boys wearing a mix of pants and some even wearing shorts. Like golf shorts. Button down or polo shirts. My son didn’t go but mom friends shared photos. Personally, I would buy on Amazon since they have quick shipping and free returns.

My son occasionally golfs with his grandfather and I would get a similar outfit unless they are doing something with a theme.

[Anonymous]

I’d go to vineyard vines and get a navy blazer and kackis.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’d go to vineyard vines and get a navy blazer and kackis.

I’m the PP and this brings up a good point. You need to check with your kid on the styles of the school, if he knows. This would be way over dressed for our MS and some came in shorts to the semi formal. I can see how it would be the norm at others. Do you have any parents or a FB group to see what is typical at your school?

[Anonymous]

If people are wearing shorts they are not dressing semi formal. You don’t have to go to the very definition of semi formal but at least close.

Button down shirt, pleated pants and shoes are pretty basic and will be fine for a middle school semi formal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:And where would you go shopping so he can try on these items since you have no idea what size he would be?

A white sport coat and a pink carnation.

JK. Just a sport coat and perhaps shoes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If people are wearing shorts they are not dressing semi formal. You don’t have to go to the very definition of semi formal but at least close.

Button down shirt, pleated pants and shoes are pretty basic and will be fine for a middle school semi formal.

Pleated pants??? They are in 8th grade. They don’t have guts.

[Anonymous]

yeah ... no to the pleated pants. flat front only.

[Anonymous]

Really depends what the requirements are?

My 8th grade DS wears chinos (tan or navy), a blue or white long sleeve button down, brown loafers and maybe a tie (if he really has to) to stuff like this. Most of it is hand me downs from older brother because it got little wear the first time around.

[Anonymous]

Tell him to ask his friends about what their moms are making them wear….

Khakis and a button down are probably a safe choice either way at this age, if you are in a middle class or UMC area/school. If a bit underdressed people will chalk it up to “eh teen boys”, and if overdressed it isn’t too bad and he can just say his mom made him wear it. But- if a truly wealthy area or school, I have no idea about that.

[Anonymous]

H&M or Macys for shopping in person. Nicer pants, button down shirt, maybe a tie.

[Anonymous]

Is this a dance? My 8th grade DD and all her friends are wearing the type of dresses that HS girls wear for homecoming. So look at what HS boys wear for homecoming.

[Anonymous]

I know this may make us sound like fuddy duddys (we are) but we always make sure the boys have a navy blazer and khakis that fit and one dress shirt. Generally we also have a pair of grey flannel pants as well, but we don’t always keep those up. You never know when you may have to go to a funeral or other formal-ish occasion, and for kids, navy blazer and a dress shirt and tie will usually suffice.

You could post on your local next door to see if someone has one in your kid’s size that they want to offload. Someone on our group asked for something like this because the kid had to attend a funeral and so about five different people offered one up because our kids grow so fast.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know this may make us sound like fuddy duddys (we are) but we always make sure the boys have a navy blazer and khakis that fit and one dress shirt. Generally we also have a pair of grey flannel pants as well, but we don’t always keep those up. You never know when you may have to go to a funeral or other formal-ish occasion, and for kids, navy blazer and a dress shirt and tie will usually suffice.

You could post on your local next door to see if someone has one in your kid’s size that they want to offload. Someone on our group asked for something like this because the kid had to attend a funeral and so about five different people offered one up because our kids grow so fast.

Not really practical for middle school boys. You would be buying a brand new outfit plus shoes "just in case" every few months.

[Anonymous]

For kids who don't wear uniforms to school, most boys don't even own a pair of jeans or dress pants or dress shoes. I wouldn't even know what size to order my 13 yo as far as waist/height. Would have to order a lot and plan on returning almost everything.