$$: Dec 2 — Clothing the Boy

Eddie Bauer -- $62.65

Will this boy ever stop growing?  I don't really mean that, of course, but good night!  Keeping The Son in clothing is a full time job.

As has long been our tradition, a few days ago I sent The Son into his room to try on all of his long sleeve shirts and evaluate which ones would need to be replaced and which ones might fit through the long cold-weather season ahead of us.  The results were exactly what I had expected -- all of last year's LL Bean long-sleeve tees and turtlenecks were too small.  In addition, most of the long-sleeved thrift-store-purchased buttondowns (bought just after his broke his collarbone) were too short in the sleeve and tight in the shoulders.

Happily, I'd already anticipated that his turtlenecks and long sleeved tees would need to be replaced and I had already done some of the replacing this summer (a couple of Eddie Bauer turtlenecks purchased during my summer posting hiatus).  I'd also purchased a couple of replacement buttondowns (here and here).

All of that meant that The Son really only needed a couple of long-sleeve tees and one more turtleneck.

So on Tuesday morning on the way to class, I asked The Son if he'd be willing to run by the mall on the way home from school later in the day.  I explained that I'd already done some research online and in the stores and I thought the Eddie Bauer outlet was his best bet.  Amazingly enough, and much to my relief, he agreed.

[In case you're interested, the results of my advance shopping were thus:  LL Bean isn't carrying the same long-sleeve cotton tee that I bought last year.  This year's offerings include a "carefree" shirt that "won't shrink or stain."  I'm all for pre-shrunk clothing but I have absolutely no interest in exposure to fabric that's been "treated" with some sort of horrible chemical.  If I were into chemicals, I'd just buy polyester.  LL Bean is also offering a "basic cotton tee" but the sleeves are hemmed, not cuffs.  No thanks.]

[I also checked Old Navy for long sleeve cotton tees but they're still into the "fitted" look and The Son, with his Asperger's-induced heightened sensory issues, wants nothing to do with "fitted" clothing.  The Gap's tees are too expensive and also tend toward the "fitted" style.]

Anyway, long story longer, we went home via the mall and were most successful at the Eddie Bauer outlet.  The Son chose three long sleeve cotton tees for $14.99/ea. (not organic, of course, but just regular old breathable cotton in a classic fit and with cuffed sleeves).  He also found one more turtleneck to round out his turtleneck wardrobe.  He chose a handsome grey color and, oh happy day, the turtleneck was on sale for $12.99.

The best part of all of this is that once The Son outgrows this latest round of shirts (all men's size Medium), he'll be able to hand them down to me!

Related posts:

1. $$: Health & Clothing
2. $$: More Clothes, More Food, and Some Returns
3. Day 202: Jackhammer, Handyman, Easter, and a Plain Black Tee
4. Day 185: BIG Expenses Today
5. Day 203: Duct Tape, Parking, Food, Easter, Clothes