123mama

For an incoming 9th grade boy, non uniform school?

Trying to figure out the budget, and maybe begin shopping so we aren't slammed in August.

My oldest was a clothes horse, so in some ways, the answer for him was easier--as much as could fit.

SevenDad

When you say "non-uniform school", does that mean non-formal (formal=jacket and tie/no jeans) classroom attire? Your answer will make a big difference in how I respond.

123mama

Non-formal. He'll have to have a few dress clothes, but not that much.

I don't want to send with too much, because I know space is limited, he's still growing every time I blink, and the more he has, the longer he'll wait before doing laundry. OTOH, I know there'll be weeks where he can't get the laundry done when he plans, due to workload, illness, life.

SevenDad

The non-formal thing makes it a bit easier, IMO...because his wardrobe doesn't have to substantially change from his current situation, unless he is a t-shirt/athletic shorts sort of guy.

I don't have a son, but this is what I'd send a boy off to school with in your situation (and again, not knowing exact dress code):

- 4 pairs of all-season pants (khaki/chinos in various shades of tan/stone/blue), 3 pairs of jeans/cords, and 1 pair of "dress" slacks.

- 6 "button down" shirts (2 white, 2 blue, 2 striped)

- 3 "polo" shirts (any brand, but the 2 button, collared, short sleeve variety

- 1 pair of shorts (longer, "Bermuda" style

- 1 pair of casual "cargo" shorts

- 2-3 plaid shirts (more casual style

- 7 undershirts (white or grey)

- 14 pairs of underwear

- 14 pairs of socks (assorted weights and types)

- 2 ties (school tie & 1 lighter colored one)

- Blue Blazer ("hopsack" cloth for 3 season-ability)

- Shoes: 1 pair of "dress" shoes (lace up or slip on, but to be used only for dressier occasions and NOT worn in rain); 2 pairs of casual shoes (boat shoes, nicer Red Wings...these will be his "daily drivers", so he should have at least two pairs to minimize wear on any one set); 1 pair sneakers; 1 pair LL Bean boots (or Hunter "muck" boots...not the Wellingtons, which are more suited to women, IMO); Flipflops; Shower shoes (cheap pair of flip-flops or crocs) [NOTE: Above does not count any specialized sneakers/cleat he may need for sports]

- Optional: Insulated winter boots (like Sorel Sno-pacs)

- 1 sweatshirt

- 1 cotton or wool pullover sweater (for layering)

- 1 fleece jacket

- 1 rain shell and/or Barbour jacket

- Ski-jacket/cold (keep at home until Thanksgiving break)

- Belts: 1 to match dress shoes; 1 brown leather or cloth "all purpose"; 1 cloth "D-ring" (for casual use)

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Again, I don't have a son, but that's what I'd send a kid to school with. The quantities take into account that he may not do laundry as regularly as a parent might like...and that he'll wear pants more than once before washing.

Would love to hear opinions on this list from parents of boys...too little? too much?

classicalmama

Just scrapped my response after reading SevenDad's list, which is really good. My amendments to his list.

Leave the sweatshirt at home because he'll almost certainly want one with the school logo on it, which he will wear incessantly like all the other boys.

3 or 4 t-shirts. We sent our son with more and he's brought most of them home. Might be different in a school with a more casual dress code--but in that case, I'd trade out some of the collared shirts for t-shirts.

Just two pairs of jeans unless he's a really casual kid--I'm finding that prep school is making my kid, well, preppier, and he likes wearing khakis/chinos all the time. I don't think of Exeter as a super preppy school either.

If he's an athlete, you'll of course need lots of exercise clothes/shoes, in addition to the t-shirts. Plan on him working out seven days a week, and send enough stuff that he won't be wearing the same stinky shirt/compression shorts twice. You hope.

Just one pair of everyday shoes, because if he has two, he'll probably lose one pair.

Nix the shower shoes because boys don't wear them despite their mother's warning about fungus and plantars warts. Flip flops for wearing around, however, yes.

Something to sleep in so he doesn't sleep in his clothes.

3-4 pairs of good wool wool socks, like Smartwool, in that sock mix.

kali3000

SevenDad - that's a good list.

123Mama - My son is finishing his third year at Andover. I would increase the amount of undershirts (t-shirts). I would also include other shirts and shorts to wear for sports. Depending on whether or not he will do his own laundry or have a laundry service will also make a difference on the amount of items. Laundry service = less items needed. If he is doing his own laundry = more items because he will probably do laundry less frequently and the boys don't seem to keep up with their stuff. Also include fleece sweat pants and hoodies for lounging purposes.

123mama

Thanks all!
7Dad, great list! This will be a substantial change in his wardrobe, because he's currently at a uniform school. I'm out of the habit of buying so many "casual" clothes.

He will be doing his own laundry, kali3000. What about every day shirts? How many do you send, kali? T-shirts vs long sleeves?

He isn't an athletic guy, but they all have to do athletics, so...

kali3000

123Mama - my son is also non-athletic. He's mostly a jeans, t-shirt, hoodie kid. Both long and short sleeve shirts (definitely think layering). In all honesty, my son has way too many clothes at school (his roommate has more than he does). I would start with at least two weeks worth of shirts (long and short sleeves).

123mama

Thank you so much, really helpful!

PhotographerMom

2 or 3 blazers (one navy)
7-8 button down shirts
5 ties (usually the kids are required to purchase a school tie, so budget 1 or 2)
5 pairs of Khakis
1 or 2 pairs of jeans
3 belts
10 dress socks/ 10 athletic
Top-siders or driving mocs for class, sneakers, any particular sport shoe (soccer, football, etc) flip flops (for fall and spring) Timberland work boots, Merrells or Bean boots for late fall/ winter, slippers (your son will say no, but trust me- everyone wears them in the dorm)
1-2 polo shirts
1-2 nice shorts
Swim trunks
3 T shirts
2 Athletic shorts
(Schools usually hand out athletic clothing for practice after the first week and kids tend to load up on school logo shirts, shorts and sweats at the student store- especially the first year. You have been warned.)
1-2 zip neck sweaters (that fit under a blazer and you can still see a tie)
1 Fleece Jacket (should get you through fall term, but maybe add something warmer)
Rain Jacket ( boys rarely wear them, but at least you tried)
Pajama bottoms

As far as storage goes, I usually bring a long bin that fits under a bed. You can store sheets, towels and extra clothing. I may have forgotten something, but I hope this helps!

123mama

Thank you, PhotographerMom,

It isn't a dress code school, so I think we need to go heavier on casual wear, but the general numbers are still helpful. He's got plenty of ties already

I hadn't heard of schools supplying clothes for sports practice, that would be awesome!

SevenDad

@123mama: My daughter also attended a uniform school through 8th, so we did have to "gear up" as you do...which has the added wrinkle of being a "jacket & tie" classroom dress school. As I've noted elsewhere before, we like Lands End Canvas...which is sort of a cheaper J. Crew-style line.

ChoatieMom

All of these lists are good. I would just emphasize the "less is more" adage. Also, have you seen the closet/wardrobe configurations in your son's dorm? I wish we had seen what we had to work with beforehand because that would have trimmed the list even more. In addition to a very small free-standing wardrobe (probably 6x4x2), the rooms in son's freshman dorm have a short, wooden two-drawer "file cabinet" that DS uses for socks, underwear, etc. That's it; he was able to fit only what he could take to school in one roller bag and one large suitcase. (Don't know how girls do it.) Underbed storage is crucial. However, he found that even the small amount of clothes he took was more than adequate. Next year, he will return to school with almost nothing as he will store all of his clothes/room contents locally and will only bring back with him a few pair of pants that fit (he's taller every time we see him).

So, don't go overboard. Go for basics and allow DS to fill in as he goes. I also second the comment about skipping sweatshirts and too many t-shirts. The kids will buy school logo-wear from the school store for their out-of-class staples. We also love that L.L. Bean ships free. When cold weather arrived and DS needed an extra sweater or two, online purchases were hassle- (and mom-) free.

CKSABS

Check with your son's school about the practice clothing. Neither of my boys' schools provide clothing.

Regardless of a formal or informal school (I have one at each), you need to break it down into four groups; school wear, after class wear, sports wear, and sleep wear. Although many will lump school wear and after class wear together, especially at an informal school, trust me they change into to even more casual clothes for studying. Sleep wear is optional.

My biggest recommendation is shorts, shorts, and more shorts. I don't know about your son, but my boys and their friends wear them most of the year. If it's above 40 degrees, they wear them.

liddyb4

I second CKSABS. My son is a senior - and never wears anything but shorts unless there is 3 feet of snow on the ground. He also goes through at least one complete set of athletic wear every day - so he has at least 10 "sets" of dri-fit type shirts/socks/shorts so extras for lounging are available. Most schools have options to purchase school logo dri-fit stuff through athletics or the bookstore.