Smart clothes for a 13 yr old boy.

[Rosamunda]

My kids have never owned smart clothes (as in jackets, suits, ties etc), we seem to make do with clean jeans, a decent shirt and shoes that don't look like trainers.

But now my 13 year old (skinny as a rake so could pass for a 12 yr old) needs smart clothes for the summer as we have handful of occasions coming up (these include a graduation party, a bar mitzvah (not his own), an 80th birthday party, a 50th birthday and who knows what else might crop up during the next few months).

Any suggestions? I would prefer not to buy a suit for him (I think suits look odd on young kids) but have done Iso Omena and Tapiola and haven't found any smart casual stuff. Seems like it's either clean jeans (or chinos) or a suit. I can't find any blazers/jackets in boys sizes (he is too skinny for a men's XS). There was a boy's suit in Prisma but it was really awful quality and I know he would hardly ever wear it. Whereas a decent jacket can be worn even with jeans....

Was thinking of going to Sello this afternoon (we need to deal with this before Saturday forward planning was never my strong point). Have only ever been to Sello once before so have NO IDEA what shops to head for....

If Sello is a dead-end then I could possibly make a trip into Helsinki with him after school tomorrow... but apart from the inevitable Stockmann, I can't think of where to go.

Would even consider second-hand but don't have time to go round ALL the UFFs and FIDAs in town.

[EP]

I was in Sello just yesterday. If you didn´t find anything in Tapiola, I don´t think you will find it in Sello either.

I remember those days. My kid just had "straight pants" (suorat housut), meaning pressed "lower part of a suit", a shirt and a tie. It was totally adequate.

[Rosamunda]

Yes, I think I might do the same. I got him a tie today, so need to look for some smart chinos with creases and a shirt. Will probably go straight into town and skip Sello. I don't mind spending more on trousers if I don't have to bother with a jacket.

[raamv]

Hi Penny,
Tarjoustalo has the cheapest suits that you can then throw away..or stash.
Dressman is what you want to go to!! Even with sale, it could cost you a lot as you have 3 different to dress up!!!
Tallin has them way cheaper in Lasten mailma, I found suits for kids..and in Kaubamaaja you get suits for young kids too!!
But if you prefer a Finnish taste, Dressman is your best bet!!
a remote choice could be men's Halonen and H&M's Nuori!!

[Rosamunda]

Does Dressman do kids clothes???? I didn't know that and anyway it's too late.... I have bought jeans, T shirts etc in Tarjoustalo many times (and SaastöPorssi in Karjaa, lots) but the smart stuff just didn't look nice and the sizes are all over the place. So, we went in to Helsinki and found something (or rather he did).
(As for the big two, they are no problem since the eldest wears hand-me-downs from his dad (all the suits that have shrunk ) and the middle one already got a suit as he had to go for an interview and is graduating school in a few weeks' time.)

@cory, we went for the adjustable waist solution.... and that was before I read your post! The trousers are machine washable so I'm pretty sure he will get good wear out of them. In the end he did get a jacket but that is my fault because I gave in to the "every one I know who is going has got a suit ". But it will probably be up on Huuto after the summer

[raamv]

Does Dressman do kids clothes???? I didn't know that and anyway it's too late.... I have bought jeans, T shirts etc in Tarjoustalo many times (and SaastöPorssi in Karjaa, lots) but the smart stuff just didn't look nice and the sizes are all over the place. So, we went in to Helsinki and found something (or rather he did).
(As for the big two, they are no problem since the eldest wears hand-me-downs from his dad (all the suits that have shrunk ) and the middle one already got a suit as he had to go for an interview and is graduating school in a few weeks' time.)

@cory, we went for the adjustable waist solution.... and that was before I read your post! The trousers are machine washable so I'm pretty sure he will get good wear out of them. In the end he did get a jacket but that is my fault because I gave in to the "every one I know who is going has got a suit ". But it will probably be up on Huuto after the summer

Mostly Men's but Teenagers above 150cm clothes are there..
( Our friend's 10 yr old gets their jeans from Dressman )

[Xochiquetzal]

I'd go to Zara. You can get very good upscale clothing there that won't look like a kid in a men's suit. If the occasion warrants, I'd dress him modern and upscale rather than stuffy and old fashioned conservative. Sometimes, a woven cotton button up with some rich cords or wool slacks are a better choice than cheap polyester suit that looks bad and the kid feels like a tool in.

[Rosamunda]

Totally agree. But unfortunately he wants to feel like a "tool" (don't know this expression, is it a typo ???) but I agree with you anyway, I think). Go figure, kids are weird. I didn't know Zara sold boys' clothes. I usually buy their jeans from Prisma or SäästöPorssi and T shirts from the UK or Stadium, or Budget Sport. The boys have some nice shirts but I think they were Cap Horn. Fortunately my kids have never been too bothered about logos, though I have a feeling the youngest is mutating into something trendy. All my fault: I bought him a (almost brand new) Hillfiger anorak from Akseli for 6€ and he struts around in it, like he was born and bred in Grankulla