NYC: Where to shop for "cool boy's clothing"?

I'd take him to Broadway, north of Canal up to about Bleecker. If he likes "cool" t-shirts etc., he'll love Yellow Rat Bastard, 480 Broadway in the heart of SoHo

www.yellowratbastard.com

Also, every 12 year old loves to visit Nike Town on 57th Street.

H&M

yellow rat bastard is cool.

Also, Armani Exchange (A/X) is preppy chic. Think a cool Gap.

Thanks for the ideas. I checked the YRB site -- looks as if they just carry men's and women's clothing (is the physical store different from online?) This quest is for 12-year-old, preteen age: if he came home with a shirt from one of their labels, Porn Star, his mum would have a fit. So would I (course, it may be a women's label. I'm evidently so NOT hip, LOL!)

Niketown might be closer to the mark. Any other ideas?

How about Diesel, they have a line of kids stuff. The store is on Lexington and 60th (they also have another location in Union Square). For less expensive, there's always Old Navy which he won't be able to get in the UK. Don't know how "cool" Old Navy is (I'm not a 12 year old boy) but I think Diesel fits that category ...you can always let him go nuts in the Macy's flagship store, they'll have lots of "cool" brands.

You requested "cool boy's clothing." YRB will have it, as will other stores on Broadway. (YRB is a very large store.)

Nike Town is great, and I suggest it, but most of Nike's clothing can be purchased anywhere. I don't think my 11 year old nephew would consider Nike clothing to be "cool," but he loves YRB.

Good Luck!

Thanks Gekko et al -- it was the YRB website that made me wonder if they carried boy's sizes. Maybe just not online...

I can partially help you, since I am around 12yo's all the time and have nephews in Europe that I shop for regularly. What they all seem to like is anything from the X-Games culture (skateboard, surf, dirt-biking). Brand names would include Quiksilver, Etnies, Ezekiel, Hurley, Split, Hawk, Rusty. Also, Fox Racing and Volcom are big. (That's all I can think of for now, but I'm sure there are more).

I'm don't know where in NYC you would find these things, but there have to be some NYC Fodorites who could help you out.

All the 12 year old boys I know (NYC cool boys) shop at Urban Outfitters and wear the size small (mens) from there - fashionably baggy on most of them. The boys I know aren't into punk or skate culture so much, and UO fits that bill - although they do have some of that look. Gekko, YRB is more for 14 year olds, I think. A crucial 2 year difference. UO can be found on 6th Avenue at W4 and a larger one at 6th and 14th.

H&M is a good suggestion, too although it is a Euro based company. If he wants American clothes, Old Navy may suit his budget, and taste, too. Yes, Gekko they can get that anywhere, but for some 12 year olds, that's exactly the attraction.

I wonder if he's into surfer clothes. There is a surfer shop down the street from YRB, closer to Houston.

I imagine the "cool" factor is relative to this youngster's location/experience. If he lives in the sticks he probably has a different view of "cool" than if he lives in central London.

So he might be satisfied with Old Navy or the other chain stores. But if not, you know where to go . . .

I'll go with mp and say that Urban Outfitters is definitely a place to check out. They have lots of cool stuff for boys, girls and even for moms! Enjoy!

Oneil's in Times Square is a cool Xgames/surfer place to shop. O'neil is a surfboard manufactuer.

Terrific information, and I thank you all. Fodorites are the best! I know Will is sure to find "cool" stuff from all these suggestions.