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

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

My kid was due for a growth soon and i really didn't want to invest in a blazer. I found a decent one on ebay for not much, had it dry cleaned and kid looked great.

[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.

Disagree. Many middle schoolers have dress pants or shoes that they wore
-to friends' bar/bat mitzvahs
-for band/chorus concerts or art shows
-on holidays or special occasions

There are still physical stores where you can go and try on clothes. No need to order and return a ton.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

At our middle school, they girls are WAYYYYYY more dressed up than the boys for the year end semi-formal. PPs are right: Boys wear dress pants & button down shirts. Some wear ties and a few wear blazers. A few go more casual and just wear a polo or golf shirt.

[Anonymous]

I’m the poster that said a lot wore shorts. We are an UMC public. No, my son did not have jeans or pants at that age and I bought golf shorts or pants on Amazon whenever he went golfing with Grandpa, the cheapest I could find.

My daughter is in 8th now and I am sure the girls will be dressier than the boys. My son is in HS and still avoids dress clothes as much as possible.