boys clothes inspiration
February 11th, 2013
My youngest has recently decided he wants nothing to do with button pants–anything other than elastic and it’s a fight to get him dressed in the morning. I, on the other hand, want nothing to do with the track pants most boys live in (or “fast pants” as my friend’s sons calls them). Fast pants can be stylish, but are usually not; and they are always made of that slimy, synthetic fabric that gets pill-y and gross when you wash it. Picky mother => picky son.
I haven’t been sewing much lately, but this pants situation has to be remedied somehow. So I’ve been looking for pants I can sew for my sons that are comfortable and stylish. There are surprisingly few clothes out there for boys that fit the bill. I discovered the Japanese brand, mol and they seem to get it right. The pants pictured above are my absolute favorite: a little stripe action, a random patch, some fuzzy pockets, and boom! your pants are awesome.
They also have pants with pockets that look like bear paws, which any kid is going to love. Often times children’s clothes are just a mini version of boring grown up clothes. But kids are hilarious! and they like to wear hilarious clothes, like snake socks and swan dresses and hoods with teeth and hats with whiskers.
I like the idea of a capri length, comfy, elastic waisted pants with cozy leg warmers attached at the bottom. Is that too weird? There is a pattern in Carefree Clothes for Girls which is exactly what I’m talking about: sweatpants with knitted leg warmers sewn to the bottom. The photo above is a lovely version by Sew Nancy from a few years back. I have been meaning to make this pattern for years–how is my to sew list possibly that long? I even have one leg warmer crocheted.
Help me out here people! Are my children going to look like crazy people or the most stylish kids on the block?
i even get why they don’t want to be in jeans all day. i tend to whip into leggings or yoga pants after super myself, and kids more way more than me. fast pants = freedom of movement…also there is that whole i cannot do my fly independently cuz i’m just 4 wiggle up my pants dance
my solution skinny pants out of interlock jersey, nice look on the outside bright colours available, applique neeto stuff easily (like bear paw pockets or our fav race cars). soft yummyness on the inside, easy elastic waist.
I put my kids in jeans since they were babies, so they are used to them! I like it when kids look like they are wearing grown-up clothing, with a crazy fun twist that grown-ups could never get away with. I LOVE the bear paws + style of pants. Go for it!
My soon-to-be 4-yr-old boy has gone through the following clothing phases in the past year:
-wearing costumes every day
-wearing his sister’s dresses (especially for parties when he wants to look special)
-wearing nothing (removing his pants at the first available opportunity)
-changing into different pajamas six times a day.
I say let them wear what makes them happy, so long as they are protected from the elements and from the laws of indecent exposure. The pressure to conform will come over time and it’s important that they express themselves freely while they can. And no, my son did not appear traumatized by the attention he got while wearing dresses.
For comfy pull-on pants that don’t look like sweatpants I like the pattern from Growing Up Sew Liberated. Some nice details and a hip-hugging waistline. When it comes to the elastic waist fabric is, of course, key.
the legwarmer pants are totally in here in portland, OR. Adults and children…not just ballet dancers. I love them. I say go for it!
my 9 yr old son’s favourite is leggings – i buy the cheap girls’ ones from target….
but i have also been making shorts & now trousers from the “sewing for boys” book you reviewed a while back. there is a pattern which even I can manage (just 2 pieces if you don’t make pockets) it’s super fast to sew up… funky fabric (I used some thick flannel stuff) or cool pockets or appliqués would look great. I sewed the seams up french style except for the crotch which i did like jeans – flat. they look a bit like fast pants, or pj’s but because you can choose the fabric, they’re SO much nicer