Clothes packing list for boy going to school in Boston?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Winter coat - Peter Glenn sold ski parka, LL Bean, etc.
Winter casual waterproof boots - Sorel, Wolverine
1 puffer coat
1 light rain jacket
1 pr waterproof school shoes/Keen Targhee style
Sneakers per habit
4-6 pairs jeans (per taste, could be grey, black, blue)
All the khakis & best polos from uniformed senior year
7 Casual long-sleeve jersey or cotton shirts
3 dressier casual shirts for parties
1 business suit/very formal outfit
2 dress shirts
3 sweaters if worn, or sweatshirts (heavier tops)
2 long-sleeve winter pajama sets or substitute idea
Lightweight pajamas per taste
Athleticwear per taste

Buy more warm tops in Boston if needed. New England is a better place to buy sweaters than the DMV.

Above is the outline of a refresh of my inbound freshman's wardrobe for college. His senior year wardrobe is almost worn out - not exaggerating. He will be walking a lot at college so hopefully won't gain weight and outgrow these things. This core wardrobe should be good for 2 years minimum for temperate and cold seasons.

I don’t know any boys that wear jeans. I think it is more of a west coast thing. I would wait until he gets to school before buying any jeans! My DS doesn’t even own one pair of jeans and I have never seen his friends wear them either.

PP. That's my list. I live in Michigan. My kids wear jeans year round. They do not favor the slouchy sweatpants look. It's their choice. Most of their classmates do a lot of athleisure (especially sweats) but if you go to normal stores for teen boys like American Eagle and Old Navy there are huge quantities of jeans. It's not rare.

I don't see boys wearing jeans that more either. What are some sweat shirts that boys can wear to classes without looking they rolled out of bed? Thanks

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Winter coat - Peter Glenn sold ski parka, LL Bean, etc.
Winter casual waterproof boots - Sorel, Wolverine
1 puffer coat
1 light rain jacket
1 pr waterproof school shoes/Keen Targhee style
Sneakers per habit
4-6 pairs jeans (per taste, could be grey, black, blue)
All the khakis & best polos from uniformed senior year
7 Casual long-sleeve jersey or cotton shirts
3 dressier casual shirts for parties
1 business suit/very formal outfit
2 dress shirts
3 sweaters if worn, or sweatshirts (heavier tops)
2 long-sleeve winter pajama sets or substitute idea
Lightweight pajamas per taste
Athleticwear per taste

Buy more warm tops in Boston if needed. New England is a better place to buy sweaters than the DMV.

Above is the outline of a refresh of my inbound freshman's wardrobe for college. His senior year wardrobe is almost worn out - not exaggerating. He will be walking a lot at college so hopefully won't gain weight and outgrow these things. This core wardrobe should be good for 2 years minimum for temperate and cold seasons.

I don’t know any boys that wear jeans. I think it is more of a west coast thing. I would wait until he gets to school before buying any jeans! My DS doesn’t even own one pair of jeans and I have never seen his friends wear them either.

PP. That's my list. I live in Michigan. My kids wear jeans year round. They do not favor the slouchy sweatpants look. It's their choice. Most of their classmates do a lot of athleisure (especially sweats) but if you go to normal stores for teen boys like American Eagle and Old Navy there are huge quantities of jeans. It's not rare.

I don't see boys wearing jeans that more either. What are some sweat pant brands that boys can wear to classes without looking they rolled out of bed? Thanks

[Anonymous]

They have a uniqlo and gap etc in Boston. Sure, I'd buy a couple new shirts etc but I'd let my kid have some empty hangers to fill when he gets there. Make room for growth - even in style.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Winter coat - Peter Glenn sold ski parka, LL Bean, etc.
Winter casual waterproof boots - Sorel, Wolverine
1 puffer coat
1 light rain jacket
1 pr waterproof school shoes/Keen Targhee style
Sneakers per habit
4-6 pairs jeans (per taste, could be grey, black, blue)
All the khakis & best polos from uniformed senior year
7 Casual long-sleeve jersey or cotton shirts
3 dressier casual shirts for parties
1 business suit/very formal outfit
2 dress shirts
3 sweaters if worn, or sweatshirts (heavier tops)
2 long-sleeve winter pajama sets or substitute idea
Lightweight pajamas per taste
Athleticwear per taste

Buy more warm tops in Boston if needed. New England is a better place to buy sweaters than the DMV.

Above is the outline of a refresh of my inbound freshman's wardrobe for college. His senior year wardrobe is almost worn out - not exaggerating. He will be walking a lot at college so hopefully won't gain weight and outgrow these things. This core wardrobe should be good for 2 years minimum for temperate and cold seasons.

Even if he does not put on fat, men keep growing wider through their early to mid-20s; if he didn’t gain weight in college, that would be a problem.

I'm not sure all this would fit in either of my kids freshman closet, which both were closer in size to an armoire. My kids both took 1-2 pair jeans and a puffer and no heavier winter coat. That would cut down on some closet space. And they took a blazer but not a suit. And they haven't worn boots since forever.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Winter coat - Peter Glenn sold ski parka, LL Bean, etc.
Winter casual waterproof boots - Sorel, Wolverine
1 puffer coat
1 light rain jacket
1 pr waterproof school shoes/Keen Targhee style
Sneakers per habit
4-6 pairs jeans (per taste, could be grey, black, blue)
All the khakis & best polos from uniformed senior year
7 Casual long-sleeve jersey or cotton shirts
3 dressier casual shirts for parties
1 business suit/very formal outfit
2 dress shirts
3 sweaters if worn, or sweatshirts (heavier tops)
2 long-sleeve winter pajama sets or substitute idea
Lightweight pajamas per taste
Athleticwear per taste

Buy more warm tops in Boston if needed. New England is a better place to buy sweaters than the DMV.

Above is the outline of a refresh of my inbound freshman's wardrobe for college. His senior year wardrobe is almost worn out - not exaggerating. He will be walking a lot at college so hopefully won't gain weight and outgrow these things. This core wardrobe should be good for 2 years minimum for temperate and cold seasons.

Even if he does not put on fat, men keep growing wider through their early to mid-20s; if he didn’t gain weight in college, that would be a problem.

I'm not sure all this would fit in either of my kids freshman closet, which both were closer in size to an armoire. My kids both took 1-2 pair jeans and a puffer and no heavier winter coat. That would cut down on some closet space. And they took a blazer but not a suit. And they haven't worn boots since forever.

PP. One shelf with stacks can hold a lot of jeans and shirts. From my school years in Midwest climates, most people did have underbed plastic bins for less-used bulky stuff (like snow boots and sweaters) and coat hooks near or on the door that would hold parkas. Or you hung coats on the desk chair.

Of course, it's always appropriate to buy less and see what is truly needed. And most cold-weather nice-to-haves can wait until December break. At this time, I am kitting out my kid to move out of the house, probably permanently. So, we are getting basics that with luck will last through college. I'll also be real frank in stating that I expect my kid will be more social in college and therefore he will need to dress nicer. Men's fashion is predictable enough, and his college is in our region, so the choices we shopped for shouldn't be off-trend. The suits he has were bought for HS ECs and prom and will last as long as they fit.

Finally, reflecting on my own college experiences, unless shops are right in your face, students don't make time to clothing shop in college. That's why a lot of kids live in school logo wear. I don't expect my kid would bother to ride a bus to a specialty store or mall.

[Anonymous]

Buy winter gear in Boston. It's a different warmth level then we get in our stores.

[Anonymous]

He will definitely need a north face or a warm jacket before thanksgiving break. If he needs more winter gear after that, boots, winter coat, he can bring it back after the break.

I went to school in Boston and never used long johns, that's a bit much.

[Anonymous]

I have a teen boy in Boston who wears a hoodie to commute to hs unless it’s 0 degree and then he uses a mid weight puffer.

This is kid dependent.

[Anonymous]

My boys roommate came to college with a TRUNK of clothes plus rollers. He asked if he could use my kids under-bed space since “you’re not using it”. Every suitcase in storage was full of clothes so if he went away he unpacked all that shit onto his desk and left it for a week


All to say, some of this depends on your comfort for clutter

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:He will definitely need a north face or a warm jacket before thanksgiving break. If he needs more winter gear after that, boots, winter coat, he can bring it back after the break.

I went to school in Boston and never used long johns, that's a bit much.

In my experience, people from warm weather states notice the cold more and "need" more extreme solutions. Southern Californians going to school in areas that get cold rain and snow, especially.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Buy winter gear in Boston. It's a different warmth level then we get in our stores.

This is not entirely true. REI is REI.

But I agree. Let him get his own winter jacket in a couple months.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
I don't see boys wearing jeans that more either. What are some sweat shirts that boys can wear to classes without looking they rolled out of bed? Thanks

NP.

https://www.next.us/en/style/st130074/u41851#u41851

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Winter coat - Peter Glenn sold ski parka, LL Bean, etc.
Winter casual waterproof boots - Sorel, Wolverine
1 puffer coat
1 light rain jacket
1 pr waterproof school shoes/Keen Targhee style
Sneakers per habit
4-6 pairs jeans (per taste, could be grey, black, blue)
All the khakis & best polos from uniformed senior year
7 Casual long-sleeve jersey or cotton shirts
3 dressier casual shirts for parties
1 business suit/very formal outfit
2 dress shirts
3 sweaters if worn, or sweatshirts (heavier tops)
2 long-sleeve winter pajama sets or substitute idea
Lightweight pajamas per taste
Athleticwear per taste

Buy more warm tops in Boston if needed. New England is a better place to buy sweaters than the DMV.

Above is the outline of a refresh of my inbound freshman's wardrobe for college. His senior year wardrobe is almost worn out - not exaggerating. He will be walking a lot at college so hopefully won't gain weight and outgrow these things. This core wardrobe should be good for 2 years minimum for temperate and cold seasons.

I don’t know any boys that wear jeans. I think it is more of a west coast thing. I would wait until he gets to school before buying any jeans! My DS doesn’t even own one pair of jeans and I have never seen his friends wear them either.

PP. That's my list. I live in Michigan. My kids wear jeans year round. They do not favor the slouchy sweatpants look. It's their choice. Most of their classmates do a lot of athleisure (especially sweats) but if you go to normal stores for teen boys like American Eagle and Old Navy there are huge quantities of jeans. It's not rare.

We are in DC and my son and his friends all wear khakis, not jeans. I do think it is regional.

We are in the mid-Atlantic and my son wore khakis and UA sweats. He went to college in Maine and pretty quickly switched to mostly wearing jeans. So, yes, I agree that it is regional and even urban vs rural.

[Anonymous]

It’s good for him to learn how to identify what he needs, source and buy his own clothes at this point. Don’t do it for him. Think of all the useless husbands complained about on this website. Have him do it himself.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s good for him to learn how to identify what he needs, source and buy his own clothes at this point. Don’t do it for him. Think of all the useless husbands complained about on this website. Have him do it himself.

There’s a difference between helping and “doing it for him.” Some kids are interested in clothes and would be happy to be given a credit card and sent shopping and some are not. My rising Junior is finally expressing some opinions about clothes (hooray!) but, as a freshman, after 13 years of wearing school uniforms, he had zero idea about what kinds of clothes he’d want or need for college (and didn’t care). I had to almost physically drag him to stores. He will shop himself now, but it took some work to get there. Even so, some parental guidance was required when shopping for dress clothes for his summer internship. Very few kids would know what’s appropriate and why wouldn’t we share that knowledge with him when first impressions are so important in the job world?