Packing for teenage boys in London and Paris
Feb 8th, 2011, 07:26 AM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Packing for teenage boys in London and Paris
Our 16 year old grandsons will be spending the summer with us, and my husband and I are taking them to London and Paris in June as a late birthday gift. I've read some of the other comments here about packing for teens, but I have a few questions. The boys are both always nicely dressed to begin with (no baggy or ripped jeans, etc.) but when I mentioned that they'll need to start thinking about what they want to pack in the next few months, they asked for advice. I have to admit I've never really paid really close attention to teens there, plus it's been quite awhile since we've been there ourselves. This will be their first trip. Their standard wardrobe in the summer is usually long khaki shorts and dressier logo tee shirts (they shop quite a bit at American Eagle and Hollister) or a polo, and vans--I occasionally take them shopping, so I have a little bit of an idea. I know we need to plan for the possibility of much cooler weather than home. Most of our trip will be casual/sightseeing, but we will have some evenings where nicer dress is appropriate. We'll also do some shopping for fun during the trip. Any suggestions?
Feb 8th, 2011, 08:45 AM
#2
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 34,858
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
YOur thoughts are correct, teens there dress pretty much the same as anywhere and their usual clothing will be fine. It can be much cooler, sure, so make sure they have some kind of lightweight jacket or pullover or something, and some long pants (jeans would be good).
It really depends what you are meaning by some evenings with nicer dress -- is that just a decent restaurant or concert or theatre, or some top-end place? Expected dress varies a lot depending on what you are planning. In most of those places, just some decent twill pants will do, rather than jeans. I suppose khakis are okay, but they aren't worn that much over there, although some guys do wear them, also, if that is their only decent pair of pants (rather than a dress suit). At least it will be summer, so that will work.
It really depends what you are meaning by some evenings with nicer dress -- is that just a decent restaurant or concert or theatre, or some top-end place? Expected dress varies a lot depending on what you are planning. In most of those places, just some decent twill pants will do, rather than jeans. I suppose khakis are okay, but they aren't worn that much over there, although some guys do wear them, also, if that is their only decent pair of pants (rather than a dress suit). At least it will be summer, so that will work.
Feb 8th, 2011, 09:34 AM
#5
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 4,248
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I wouldn't worry much about day-to-day sightseeing clothing - no point in buying a whole new wardrobe. They do need long pants (jeans or whatever they usually wear in cooler weather) and decent shoes for walking, along with a rain jacket.
Khaki in general isn't worn nearly as much in the UK as it is in the US. If they're worried about blending in, they might lean more toward jeans. My younger UK friends all like Abercrombie shirts and the like, so they should be good there. But honestly, they'll stick out as tourists anyway, so whatever they would wear in the same circumstances at home would be fine.
If you're going to the theatre, a nice button-down shirt and either a nice dark pair of jeans or dress pants (and non-Van shoes
) would be good. You'll see people dressed in all sorts of ways.
Khaki in general isn't worn nearly as much in the UK as it is in the US. If they're worried about blending in, they might lean more toward jeans. My younger UK friends all like Abercrombie shirts and the like, so they should be good there. But honestly, they'll stick out as tourists anyway, so whatever they would wear in the same circumstances at home would be fine.
If you're going to the theatre, a nice button-down shirt and either a nice dark pair of jeans or dress pants (and non-Van shoes
) would be good. You'll see people dressed in all sorts of ways.
Feb 8th, 2011, 10:08 AM
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thank you so much.
Since we're traveling with the boys, we're going to keep things casual, but we will be taking them to the theater in London and to decent restaurants at night. If they take nicer dark jeans, dark twill pants, and shorts, with a nice looking fleece jacket or dressier hoodies, would that work? If khaki isn't common with younger people, would darker shorts (like olive or brown twill cargo shorts) be appropriate as well? I know they wear those here. I've never had to worry about the dress requirements for churches before--should they have a pair of those zip off pants just in case they need long pants there if the weather is warm?
I think they'll be fine dressing exactly like they do at home, but they might be uncomfortable if they stand out a great deal from local kids. It's better to ask than not know. This is very helpful.
Since we're traveling with the boys, we're going to keep things casual, but we will be taking them to the theater in London and to decent restaurants at night. If they take nicer dark jeans, dark twill pants, and shorts, with a nice looking fleece jacket or dressier hoodies, would that work? If khaki isn't common with younger people, would darker shorts (like olive or brown twill cargo shorts) be appropriate as well? I know they wear those here. I've never had to worry about the dress requirements for churches before--should they have a pair of those zip off pants just in case they need long pants there if the weather is warm?
I think they'll be fine dressing exactly like they do at home, but they might be uncomfortable if they stand out a great deal from local kids. It's better to ask than not know. This is very helpful.
Feb 8th, 2011, 10:35 AM
#8
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 556
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My boys are now 16 and 22. They have traveled to Europe with me for about the past 5 years. Both wear khaki pants and neither wear shorts over there. Regarding the shorts- we are usually not there in very hot weather (mid-June being the latest). One packs a light brown courdoroy jacket that looks very nice with jeans. The other has a blue blazer that looks good with polo shirts and khakis.
Local kids do dress like kids at home, lots of jeans. However, for decent restuarants I don't like shorts.
Both bring long sleeve nice-button down shirts. These are perfect for dinner or theater.
Local kids do dress like kids at home, lots of jeans. However, for decent restuarants I don't like shorts.
Both bring long sleeve nice-button down shirts. These are perfect for dinner or theater.
Feb 8th, 2011, 10:39 AM
#9
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,321
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Definitely khakis or darker shorts are fine!
At the theeatre you will get all types - from jeans (some not so nice) and tshirts, to suits, to tuxes and more. They will be fine in nice jeans and shirts, or even nice shorts. If they want to dress up a bit a shirt and khakis would be more than acceptable.
At the theeatre you will get all types - from jeans (some not so nice) and tshirts, to suits, to tuxes and more. They will be fine in nice jeans and shirts, or even nice shorts. If they want to dress up a bit a shirt and khakis would be more than acceptable.
Feb 8th, 2011, 10:51 AM
#12
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 4,248
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Depending on how long you'll be gone, I'd have them pack a couple pairs of jeans, a pair or two of shorts, and a nicer pair of trousers. Check the weather before you go to decide on the shorts-to-jeans ratio. Some t-shirts, a couple polos and a couple of button-down shirts will do nicely, plus a jacket (I wouldn't worry about how nice it is) and good shoes.
If they do want to fit in, they can buy some football (soccer) gear when they're there or whatever else they see. I don't think my brothers would have cared when they were 16, but they didn't turn into fashion icons till they got to college.
If they do want to fit in, they can buy some football (soccer) gear when they're there or whatever else they see. I don't think my brothers would have cared when they were 16, but they didn't turn into fashion icons till they got to college.
Feb 8th, 2011, 11:21 AM
#13
I would tell them to bring an absolute minimum of items and buy a few more when they arrive. Nothing is cooler than foreign gear, and even if things are more expensive in Europe, there will always be reasonable t-shirts and other such items.
Feb 8th, 2011, 11:58 AM
#15
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,784
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Leave the hoodies at home. They carry a poor reputation in London, quite accurately when you consider what "hoodie" derives from.
A day or two before departure, get the guys to pack their bags, then insist they carry them around a couple of blocks. It's the best argument for lightening up.
A day or two before departure, get the guys to pack their bags, then insist they carry them around a couple of blocks. It's the best argument for lightening up.
Feb 8th, 2011, 12:35 PM
#19
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 513
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
