Dear boys' clothes designers...

[twotimesblue]

Why must you insist on repeating the same tedious designs every season? Must my 3-year-old be subjected to skulls, teeth-baring sharks, construction vehicles or sports logos, when all he wants is a cute animal design? Must you put slogans like 'Daddy's little devil' or other demeaning, stereotypical phrases on their t-shirts? :mad: Are all boys aggressive, obsessed with destruction and sports? No. Many of them are none of the above. Even with bedding... girls get hundreds of sweet, age-appropriate designs. Boys get Spider-Man, Star Wars or Batman (no, PBK, I won't pay you $200 to introduce superhero commercialism into my toddler's sanctuary of rest).

Even Boden have failed my DS1 this season. We looked at their new designs online and he ran away from the screen when he saw the scary dinosaur and creepy-looking spider and snake. He wanted a shirt with a puppy on it - not too outrageous a request, one would think. He's 3!

It seems that, for boys, once they age out of layette sizes, the 'cute' options evaporate and exclusively shopping on Etsy is not within budget :cry:

[SnuggleBuggles]

Indeed. I do pretty well at H&M at least.

But, I also don't get the inequality of department sizes for boys vs girls at some stores. Boys need clothes too...

[lmh2402]

agreed. having one of each, i'm amazed at how much more selection i have for DD.

[Green_Tea]

I guess I am the outlier. I find the options for DS to be much more fun than what is available for DDs. I love that my palate is navy, brown, and gray. No tights! No sparkly headbands or shoes! Just lots of clothes that match each other regardless of where I buy them. FTR, I shop for DS at Carters, LE, Gap Kids, and Ruum.

[ett]

It's been many years since I've shopped for that size clothes since DS2 mainly gets hand me downs but I've been able to get cute clothes at Gymboree, Janie and Jack, and Tea Collection.

[BabyBearsMom]

At least you can avoid having a washing machine full of glitter. And the princesses. And all of the crap that says "spoiled!" And the princesses. And dealing with tights that get holes in them and are not warm enough but your child demands to wear them when it is 1 degree outside. And the princesses. And all the frakking accessories "no mommy! I can't wear that headband with those shoes." Oh and did i mention the frakking princesses?

[mommylamb]

I wish the selection were greater (sometimes, though it's better for my wallet this way). However, overall, I think the more limited boys clothes are better than the girls clothes that scream pink in some stores. And I don't think all boys stuff is somehow violent. They can have nice things that aren't violent, but aren't cutesy either. Then again, I have no problem with things like dinosaurs or sharks.

[smilequeen]

While there is nothing wrong with my sweet loving little boys who happen to really like superheros and star wars, sports and vehicles like probably 75% of little boys (which is why they sell so much of that stuff)...there are plenty of cute choices. My boys have pretty good closets. What I've figured out with 3 boys is that they sell what sells. Many little boys love this stuff and it sells.

If you can weed out the superhero and truck themes...some cute stuff here http://us.nextdirect.com/en/
It's expensive, but it's soft, organic, and pretty cute...http://www.welovefrugi.com/boys/
The summer Boden is better than spring. I've seen it. But I found winter and spring stuff for my 6 and 3 year olds too.
Tea Collection can be cute, but not in a cute and cuddly animal kind of way.
Gymboree has the most cute and cuddly animals. They REALLY love dogs. Janie and Jack too. Maybe check their Crazy 8 store.
How about CWDkids.com? Some cute stuff, but again, trains, planes, and sports mixed in.

[MontrealMum]

IDK, I don't it's all that awful. Sure, when you go into a kid's store it's about 75% girl and only 25% boy, but a lot of those girl selections are downright awful. Most of my IRL friends are girl moms and I hear a lot about how difficult it is to avoid the hoochie mama look, especially for older elem. girls.

Most of DS' clothes are from Boden this year and they are nearly all animal designs, save one for one robot themed top. Yes, he does have the snake top. But since it's purple, I don't really think it's all that typical boy. He's got a few tops from Hanna and Gymbo too, and they tend to be mostly vehicles of some sort, or animals. He doesn't own any superhero anything, or anything with any sort of writing on it.

Granted, he's older than your DS at 6, but still, I've never had a problem finding him cute clothing. When he was 3, I bought a lot of his clothes at the same 3 stores above, with a bit of Petit Lem, Pumpkin Patch, NextDirect, Talbot's, and LE thrown in here and there. I also absolutely loved Hartstrings when DS was younger.

[Green_Tea]

What I've figured out with 3 boys is that they sell what sells. Many little boys love this stuff and it sells.

Precisely. There's nothing wrong with superheros and dinos not being your style, but they are super popular and not particularly offensive (other than not being the OP's taste.) Clothing manufacturers - wisely - make what sells well. There are plenty of other options.

[MommyAllison]

Indeed. I do pretty well at H&M at least.

Yes, H&M is our go-to for DS now. This is DS' current favorite http://tablet.hm.com/us/product/17741?article=17741-A which may still fall into the scary category due to the teeth, but my 5.5 yr old loves it! Super fun and age appropriate IMO

[hellbennt]

I've found some great ts at thrift stores - also Charlie rocket brand (surf, so not puppies ) & etsy stores like planet pudge


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk (http://tapatalk.com/m?id=1)

[elbenn]

Gymboree has a cute puppy vest. http://www.gymboree.com/shop/dept_item.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=25343743056103 39&PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524446031768&Port=DataFeed&ad=SLI

[WatchingThemGrow]

ITA - DS1 is fearful, and couldn't even look at some of the t-shirt designs the past few years. He decided that airborne vehicles will be safe for him, and sometimes water themes...and probably snow themes since it's a form of snow. But DH says "no words" on shirts, so that makes it even more challenging...

Naartjie has a few cute designs with camping, sometimes some stripes that are nice... On and my DC made me return some HA LJ's that had tiny skulls in the design. They said NO WAY, stripes or safe designs only.

[crl]

I guess I am the outlier. I find the options for DS to be much more fun than what is available for DDs. I love that my palate is navy, brown, and gray. No tights! No sparkly headbands or shoes! Just lots of clothes that match each other regardless of where I buy them. FTR, I shop for DS at Carters, LE, Gap Kids, and Ruum.


I know. I am totally the outlier on this too. I miss boys clothes. I hate all the matchy, matchy, pink, pink, pink, cute, cute, cute stuff that dominates the girl side of stores.

But, OPer I am really sorry you are having a hard time finding boys clothes you like. We didn't like sports (oh has that changed now that ds is baseball obsessed) or skulls or camo either. Thank goodness ds and I both liked plain stuff!

Catherine

ETA. Oh, what about tie dye. I love tie dye for both genders. So colorful and cute. :). LE used to have some for boys and I have seen some at a decent price on Etsy.

[StantonHyde]

I dressed DS in Carters and Le Top at that age. They had lots of cute animal designs.

[Kindra178]

It's been many years since I've shopped for that size clothes since DS2 mainly gets hand me downs but I've been able to get cute clothes at Gymboree, Janie and Jack, and Tea Collection.

Check out Lands End and LL Bean too. As a veteran of the boy preschool clothes era, enjoy it now. Athletic pants will reign supreme in short order. Add sports jerseys and Under Armour, and you will be armed for elementary school. Dick's Sporting Goods will be your home away from home. Don't fight it. So enjoy animals now if that's what you prefer. It's short lived.

[mikala]

Yes, H&M is our go-to for DS now. This is DS' current favorite http://tablet.hm.com/us/product/17741?article=17741-A which may still fall into the scary category due to the teeth, but my 5.5 yr old loves it! Super fun and age appropriate IMO

Ahhh! My 4 year old would love that sweatshirt!!

Op, I hear you on the skulls and ridiculous sayings. Its become a joke with one of my best friends where we send each other cellphone pics of the most ridiculous skull clothing we can find.

[belovedgandp]

I'm not a fan of character clothing on boys or girls and really don't like the boys skulls and camo thing.

After two boys I am having fun with girl clothes.

When my oldest was super little I was excited about some of the cute stuff that could be found. But then you realize it is on a three year rotation and all starts to look the same.

Now that we are in elementary school it is athletic pants and t-shirts (mostly free from camps and sports teams with a few college and school pieces thrown in) every single day. I felt bad about it for a while until you go to school and 80% of the boys are wearing the same thing.

[queenmama]

I have one of each but our kids were born more than a decade apart. I remember pouting when I'd be looking through the boy's racks at Gymbo and glance toward the girl's section.

Then... then... Twelve years later I'm on the opposite side of the store, and I'm finding very few things I want for my daughter! ha!

I love Zara, H&M, Ruum, and Next.

Lara

[Chitowngirl]

I second ruum. I've only been shopping there recently so I don't know if it's always like this, but they have a ton of t shirts and things with stripes, solids, and graphics of things like camping/surfing/cars/ect. The quality seems good and there is always a sale. I bought about 15 things for about $50 - including 2 pair of shoes!

[Meatball Mommie]

Check out Lands End and LL Bean too. As a veteran of the boy preschool clothes era, enjoy it now. Athletic pants will reign supreme in short order. Add sports jerseys and Under Armour, and you will be armed for elementary school. Dick's Sporting Goods will be your home away from home. Don't fight it. So enjoy animals now if that's what you prefer. It's short lived.

Ha! So true!!!! I have 2 boys, 10 and 8, and they wear uniforms to school, but that is their out-of-school "uniform" exactly!!! Under Armour is huge with that age group!

Sorry that you're having a hard time finding clothes you and your DS like...it's never easy!

[mom2binsd]

I have on DS who is almost 8...he has almost exclusively worn sports themed shirts (but ONLY football and hockey) and Adidas, Nike, Under Armor, and actual hockey and football jerseys (which are about often 50-70 dollars). I think there is a lot out there for boys, after about age 3 I didn't put DS in animals and we've never done superhero's etc, DS isn't into any of them. Now DS would love to wear a Minecraft shirt but I vetoed that.

[doberbrat]

At least you can avoid having a washing machine full of glitter. And the princesses. And all of the crap that says "spoiled!" And the princesses. And dealing with tights that get holes in them and are not warm enough but your child demands to wear them when it is 1 degree outside. And the princesses. And all the frakking accessories "no mommy! I can't wear that headband with those shoes." Oh and did i mention the frakking princesses?

:hysterical::hysterical::hysterical: And the dolls .... with THEIR princess dresses!

But OP I've shopped for my nephews and I get where you're coming from. LE seems to have more solids/stripes etc (rather than skulls/trucks/sharks/camo)

[AshleyAnn]

At least you can avoid having a washing machine full of glitter. And the princesses. And all of the crap that says "spoiled!" And the princesses. And dealing with tights that get holes in them and are not warm enough but your child demands to wear them when it is 1 degree outside. And the princesses. And all the frakking accessories "no mommy! I can't wear that headband with those shoes." Oh and did i mention the frakking princesses?

:yeahthat:

You might have a hard time at 3 but just remember you'll never have a 13 yr old trying to sneak out in a short skirt and tank top with WAYYYY too much makeup.

[♥ms.pacman♥]

At least you can avoid having a washing machine full of glitter. And the princesses. And all of the crap that says "spoiled!" And the princesses. And dealing with tights that get holes in them and are not warm enough but your child demands to wear them when it is 1 degree outside. And the princesses. And all the frakking accessories "no mommy! I can't wear that headband with those shoes." Oh and did i mention the frakking princesses?

LOL, with one of each, i get this too. i have banned glitter/sparkles in clothing at our house.

I get what OP is saying though. DS is 4 and thinks most things on boy clothing is "too scary". I hate how all boy clothing has to be a scary looking dinosaur or something baring its teeth. Right now, he mostly has plain striped tops from Hanna, and gymbo/Hanna/boden tops with trains on them. I scour FB and ebay for stuff he might like. I often buy second hand.

I honestly wish they had more girl stuff that had trains and cars on it, and not ALL pink/purple super frilly and only about princesses. I think MiniBoden is the best bet for that, as well has Hanna Playdresses..definitely girl clothing but not over-the-top frilly. Luckily at least with DD, she can wear DS's handme downs (she wears all his outgrown Hanna PJs).

[arivecchi]

Check out Lands End and LL Bean too. As a veteran of the boy preschool clothes era, enjoy it now. Athletic pants will reign supreme in short order. Add sports jerseys and Under Armour, and you will be armed for elementary school. Dick's Sporting Goods will be your home away from home. Don't fight it. So enjoy animals now if that's what you prefer. It's short lived.
:yeahthat: Enjoy that phase while it lasts. DS2 did not wear any cutesy stuff at 3. He was already over it. He was into pirates, dragons and skulls. Now he dresses like his older brother - so it's all LE, LLB and UA.

[twotimesblue]

[QUOTE=♥ms.pacman♥;3934266]
DS is 4 and thinks most things on boy clothing is "too scary". I hate how all boy clothing has to be a scary looking dinosaur or something baring its teeth"

My DS is the same! It's harder for him as he is crazy tall (age 3, but wears a 6T in t-shirts) and most of the cuter designs are only carried in smaller sizes (I could have cried when he no longer fit into Gymbo's 'little boy' range that stops at 5T!) The last time I took him to get his feet measured (huge feet too, poor kid!) he saw a pair of girls' sparkly red Tom's that he LOVED. Seriously begged me for them. The shop assistant showed him the boys' selection available in his size and width - some ugly, clumpy brown sneakers and some super-generic navy blue ones. He didn't want either, unsurprisingly.

I ended up finding some amazing shoes online - he is obsessed with these, and they are great for wide feet! - http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/zooligans-sparky-the-puppy-sneaker-baby-walker-toddler-little-kid/3617706?cm_cat=datafeed&cm_ite=zooligans(tm)_'sparky_the_puppy'_sneaker_(b aby,_walker,_toddler_&_little_kid):980286&cm_pla=shoes:men:sneaker&cm_ven=Google_Product_Ads&mr:referralID=26062881-7969-11e3-beb7-001b2166c2c0 It was a PITA trying to find anything, though (and he won't wear anything else now ; ) )

I just wish that there was a little more originality, y'know? I get that the dinos/camo/skulls is what sells, but couldn't the mainstream stores offer another option? I agree that the glittery stuff would drive me mad, too, but at least there is more to choose from in the girls' section (Zara girls stuff is great! It's all my goddaughter's mom - who hates pink - lets me buy her!)

I just checked out Janie & Jack's website - seriously sweet (but pricy) stuff in the spring line. Maybe if it goes on 75% off clearance at some point!

[BabyBearsMom]

Even a girl's skull t-shirt has sparkles on it: http://www.zara.com/us/en/kids/girl/stock-clearance/skull-t-shirt-with-sparkles-c436578p1544038.html

[BabbyO]

I get frustrated at the limited selection - which often translates to the limited selection of sizes...there is only 3 pair of 3T pants in tan, or 4 shirts like this for boys...but I will say that I generally like Jumping Beans at Kohls. I know some people really hate Kohls, but I can ALWAYS find a solid or striped thermal tee. Yes they do have the sharks and occasional skulls, but they also have firetrucks and robots (that my kiddos love). I find their selection pretty great most of the time (except when I'm trying to get things on clearance for next year or next kiddo!).

[crl]

mething baring its teeth"

The last time I took him to get his feet measured (huge feet, too, poor kid!) he saw a pair of girls' sparkly red Tom's that he LOVED. Seriously begged me for them. The shop assistant showed him the boys' selection available in his size and width - some ugly, clumpy brown sneakers and some super-generic navy blue ones. !

Ds LOVED his red and white checked vans at that age. They were freaking adorable.

Catherine

[Tenasparkl]

Ds LOVED his red and white checked vans at that age. They were freaking adorable.

Catherine

I still love checkerboard vans. So cute.

[fedoragirl]

OP, I can commiserate. I hate that I have to spend a lot of $$ to get decent clothing for my kids. While I love Carter's, most of their clothing has obnoxious sayings on them. I used to take off some of those things. We buy plain, striped, and some construction vehicle stuff as DS loves that. I do not buy skulls, sharks, etc. Swimwear is very difficult to buy because sharks, skulls reign supreme. And I am very careful about girls' stuff too. There may be a lot of it but most of it is junk.
I like Boden (lots of plain tees), Marks and Spencer, Carters for pants, and Hanna. I just found another web site but it's only in Europe. They have nice clothes for boys but the quality is meh.

[bisous]

OP, while I like some skulls, sharks, camo etc. I do think it is hard to find cute boys clothes at a good price point. I recently had my first girl and the first thing that I had to learn is that I need to change my shopping mentality. With a boy, if I saw something cute, well made and affordable, I have learned that I have to snap it up quick or it will be gone! With girls, I started doing that but quickly realized that I can find plentiful sources of cute girls clothes and I don't feel this crazy drive to make sure it doesn't disappear forever and I'm left with zero options. FWIW, my boys would have also loved a shirt with a cute puppy on them. Retailers are missing out by not realizing that there are little boys out there that like sweet things. :) Also, none of my boys are into athletic wear at all. They prefer more "surf" inspired clothes and I think they look really nice but we do live near the beach.

[Green_Tea]

OP, I can commiserate. I hate that I have to spend a lot of $$ to get decent clothing for my kids. While I love Carter's, most of their clothing has obnoxious sayings on them. I used to take off some of those things. We buy plain, striped, and some construction vehicle stuff as DS loves that. I do not buy skulls, sharks, etc. Swimwear is very difficult to buy because sharks, skulls reign supreme. And I am very careful about girls' stuff too. There may be a lot of it but most of it is junk.
I like Boden (lots of plain tees), Marks and Spencer, Carters for pants, and Hanna. I just found another web site but it's only in Europe. They have nice clothes for boys but the quality is meh.

If you are looking for swimwear now, BabyGap, Gymboree, Carters, The Children's Place, Old Navy, and Land's End all have options that do not contain pirates, skulls, or sharks, and for reasonable prices. At all of those places, half of the inventory is quite plain. I guess this is what makes me feel like there are options? DS has never had a bathing suit with sharks or skulls or camo on it unless it was a hand me down, and the majority of his suits come from Gap, Target, and Old Navy. They hold up just fine. We swim daily.

[crl]

LandsEnd has had plain swim trunks and long sleeve rash guards every time I have looked. That's where most of ds' swim stuff comes from (dd's too actually). (Bonus, LE actually had trunks in slim last time I needed trunks for ds!)

Catherine

[crl]

I still love checkerboard vans. So cute.

I was just thinking about getting a pair for dd. . . . I loved those shoes on ds. They were the very first thing he picked out at a store.

Catherine

[MontrealMum]

Swimwear is very difficult to buy because sharks, skulls reign supreme. And I am very careful about girls' stuff too. There may be a lot of it but most of it is junk.


Wow, I don't think I've ever seen any swimwear with skulls on it. At least, not for young boys. Where are you shopping? I have always gotten DS' swimwear at LE, HA, and Gymbo and have had absolutely no trouble finding fun, bright separates....lots of stripes, tropical floral patterns, wave like prints, and non-threatening animals. Well, there was that crab and lobster line from Gymbo one year but I didn't find it particularly scary. When DS was very young we also bought full suits at NoZone (http://www.nozoneclothing.com/). Nothing but solid colors there. We swim frequently and I've never had anything of DS' fall apart from wear.

Now, I haven't looked at any of those stores this year yet so maybe something has changed drastically, but since it's currently -20 out it's not something that's even going to be on my radar until most of the snow is gone from the ground. Which is perfect because most retailers won't be having sales until then anyway.

[Indianamom2]

I can sympathize, but having one of each (9 yr. old girl and 4.5 year old boy) I am enjoying boys clothing a lot more. I won't do skulls or saying that are disrespectful or not fair to little boys (mine is extremely sweet, but loves all things boy!). Otherwise, I'm not too picky. Gymboree has been good for us for boys and girls.

[gymnbomb]

In addition to all of the camo/skulls/words I don't like on boys clothing, I'm quite disappointed in the difference between the girls and boys sides of the store even in baby sizes. I was at Old Navy today and there was one small rack of baby/toddler boy clearance while there was a similar rack plus a whole double hung wall of baby/toddler girl clearance clothes at much better prices. So annoying!

[YouAreTheFocus]

OP, ITA! My DS is 4 and in this house we love cute animals over all else (yes, even DH!). I think I've bought maybe 2 or 3 shirts from Boden since they dropped 3/4 from the Baby line. I really am hard pressed to find anything from Mini. Most likely, IMO, if it's suitable for a 10yo, it's not suitable for a 3-4yo. My kid won't wear anything in the least bit scary or creepy either (no bugs, snakes, angry animals, etc). It takes some effort to find a good amount of tops for him--right now he has a mix of older Boden (from eBay or bought ahead), Next, Gymboree, J&J, Polarn O Pyret, H&M. I always feel like it would be way easier if I had my kid in Europe, their brands allow for cute much older than here. Pants are a bit easier, I am thrilled that bright colored bottoms are in/available for boys, so we can find cute pants pretty cheap to mix with the pricier tops. He has a lifetime of khakis ahead of him, so we'll be doing the bright cute outfits as long as we can :)

[twotimesblue]

In addition to all of the camo/skulls/words I don't like on boys clothing, I'm quite disappointed in the difference between the girls and boys sides of the store even in baby sizes. I was at Old Navy today and there was one small rack of baby/toddler boy clearance while there was a similar rack plus a whole double hung wall of baby/toddler girl clearance clothes at much better prices. So annoying!

I know! It drives me crazy too. Lots of stores that bill themselves as 'kids' boutiques' in my local area don't carry ANY boys clothing whatsoever, or a token rack of ugly plaid shirts hidden behind the 25 rails of lace and frou-frou. Do boys not deserve a similarly wide selection of clothes to choose from? Do they not comprise (slightly over) 50% of the child population? Why not offer some non-stereotypical designs in addition to the skull/camo/slogan stuff that they wheel out every season?

[twotimesblue]

OP, ITA! My DS is 4 and in this house we love cute animals over all else (yes, even DH!). I think I've bought maybe 2 or 3 shirts from Boden since they dropped 3/4 from the Baby line. I really am hard pressed to find anything from Mini. Most likely, IMO, if it's suitable for a 10yo, it's not suitable for a 3-4yo. My kid won't wear anything in the least bit scary or creepy either (no bugs, snakes, angry animals, etc). It takes some effort to find a good amount of tops for him--right now he has a mix of older Boden (from eBay or bought ahead), Next, Gymboree, J&J, Polarn O Pyret, H&M. I always feel like it would be way easier if I had my kid in Europe, their brands allow for cute much older than here. Pants are a bit easier, I am thrilled that bright colored bottoms are in/available for boys, so we can find cute pants pretty cheap to mix with the pricier tops. He has a lifetime of khakis ahead of him, so we'll be doing the bright cute outfits as long as we can :)

I feel exactly the same way! DS1 and I were SO excited when Gap started carrying bright denim for boys. I mean, why not? Surely girls haven't commandeered ALL the fun colors?

ITA about Boden - I asked them to reconsider dropping the age 3-4 from their Baby range. For those of us with tall kiddos, it means they have to wear t-shirts designed with much older kids in mind when they're under 18 months of age! Would I really put my (tall) infant DS2 in a t-shirt with a scary snake on it when he outgrows the cute prints in just a few months' time?

As you said, our boys have a lifetime of limited choices - polos, jeans, chinos - in a boring color palette ahead of them. Why shouldn't they be able to be show their love for giraffes, puppies, cats, stars, rainbows etc on their clothing while they're still so little? Maybe we should start a clothing store :)

[essnce629]

Have you tried Naartjie? I like a lot of their tees for boys and was saddened when DS1 outgrew their largest size this year!!!