Anonymous wrote:Whoever dropped the shoe link- Thank you, those are great!

You're welcome! I think we actually got his shoes at DSW (though I couldn't find them online today) but that's a site worth checking as well. I have noticed that many boys wear a version of the LL BEAN Bluchers --if you're my age, you remember those from the day--so IDK if you care about trends. We don't and DS doesn't so I get comfortable and cheap.

Don't buy yet, OP! Wait until August, or later if you don't have to wear the blazer right off the bat.

These boys grow like weeds. Even dress shirts that fit in May often don't fit by August, esp if your kid discovers the gym.

22:06 here again. These kids are rough on the jackets. They come home with mud, mac & cheese, paint and zero buttons. If the jacket comes home at all.

If you need a blazer for regular family life, just keep the nice one at home.

As for shoes, the link before showed shoes that wouldn't work for our school because of the sole.. I have one kid who wears Sperrys and another who wears the LLBean blucher shoes. Those things are pretty indestructible and their laces can be replaced.

How big is your HS kid? Honestly, check the thrift shops. We get blazers at Unique and Value Village for $5. I take them to Zips to be cleaned and keep a card of replacement buttons at home. (My boys are HARD on blazers.)

Once my oldest got to be larger, we had some luck at Zara, then J Crew Factory. The university line is slim cut if you have a long, tall kid.

We hit the outlets also and follow stores online for sales. JCrew Factory, Vineyard Vines, etc.
My son wears Sperry shoes.