Talk about control issues! I didn't realize how many moms impose their clothing preferences on their school-aged sons. Scary.

BTW, for those who think dressing nicely at school is a sign of respect, I'd remind you that your son's behavior goes much further in that department than his clothes. When I volunteer in my child's class, I see plenty of disruptive and rude boys in collared shirts and athletic clothes, alike. Focus on the insides, not the outsides.

In kindergarten, my son wore whatever I picked out for him - always almost always collared shirts, khaki shorts, jeans, and sneakers. He was always comfortable but looked nice and put together. By the end of first grade, he wanted to wear athletic clothes, sports shirts, Minecraft shirt, etc. - I have to admit that it bothers me sending him to school like that. We have compromised where he wears his "nicer" clothes on days that he does not have PE, and he wears his athletic wear on PE days. Growing up, our school had a very strict dress code and casual clothes simply weren't permitted. Starting in middle school, the boys wore ties, collared shirts, belts, etc. Dressing nicely for school was a sign of respect.

OP, I totally get you, I am also a mother of a boy who could care less what he wears. One thing that I encourage you to do - make sure he wears comfortable shoes. Also, remember that most PE instructors don't allow kids w/o sneakers to participate in class. Safety crap

Anonymous wrote:Those anti-athletic wear moms might change their tunes in a few years.

More likely, we will just deal with it as it comes. It's safe to say that I'm never going to think a character tee and track pants is a good look. Will my kid go to school wearing something like that at some point? Probably.

Anonymous wrote:Remember when you came home from school and the first thing you did was change out of your school clothes? Well, not anymore. Most kids look like they are going to school in pajamas and workout clothes.

No. I never did that. But I never played outside in the dirt. That was completely undesirable to me.

Anonymous wrote:I'm sorry but who the hell cares what they wear to school. My ds loves the workout clothes so he wears them. If there is something he needs to dress up for (pictures, special occasion, etc) he does. I think it is crazy to push expensive clothes on kids.

Nice looking clothes don't have to be expensive. Unless you're sending your kid to school in a t-shirt that came in a three-pack, I guarantee we're paying the same amount of money for things.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Remember when you came home from school and the first thing you did was change out of your school clothes? Well, not anymore. Most kids look like they are going to school in pajamas and workout clothes.

Great! Less laundry.

+1000! Who wants to wash 2-3 sets of clothes per person per day? That is so wasteful.

Those anti-athletic wear moms might change their tunes in a few years.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is wrong with th athletic stuff???

Nothing WHEN the boy is playing athletics. Otherwise is looks sloppy IMO.

I will allow some but on a rare occasion. I think it looks sloppy for every day. I more allow the teeshirts when I get them cheaply.

I'm sorry but who the hell cares what they wear to school. My ds loves the workout clothes so he wears them. If there is something he needs to dress up for (pictures, special occasion, etc) he does. I think it is crazy to push expensive clothes on kids.

Anonymous wrote:Remember when you came home from school and the first thing you did was change out of your school clothes? Well, not anymore. Most kids look like they are going to school in pajamas and workout clothes.

This! I hate that dressing down became the new dressing up. Fast forward from school to exploring the world: you can always pick out the Americans wherever you go because they are the ones wearing giant loose t-shirts and baggy shorts. My DS doesn't care about what he's wearing yet, but I hope that we can find a happy medium between Alex P Keaton and looking like he's ready for the gym.

Anonymous wrote:Remember when you came home from school and the first thing you did was change out of your school clothes? Well, not anymore. Most kids look like they are going to school in pajamas and workout clothes.

Great! Less laundry.

Remember when you came home from school and the first thing you did was change out of your school clothes? Well, not anymore. Most kids look like they are going to school in pajamas and workout clothes.

Solid colored t-shirts or polo shirts and jeans or khakis. Cartoon t-shirts and sweatpants are for play and home - not school. School has to be one step above play clothes. I've done this with all my boys since preschool. None of them cared what they wore.

Anonymous wrote:What is wrong with th athletic stuff???

Nothing WHEN the boy is playing athletics. Otherwise is looks sloppy IMO.