The Cool & Casual Look is all about being cool, confident and effortlessly stylish. The key to achieving this easy-going look is to choose items that have a vintage feel to them and layer them. When creating his layers, it's ok to pair patterns like plaids and stripes with graphic images; just pick up a dominating color in the graphic print and echo it in the pattern. Wear it with confidence and he'll look cool, hip and casual.
What He'll Need for the Look
Cool Graphic Tees
upandriding.com
Awesome graphic tees for kids are everywhere, so you should have no trouble finding ones your boy likes. Tees featuring clever sayings, brand logos, tattoo-inspired art and 80s cartoon characters are must-haves for boys this season. Other popular vintage-inspired tees sport graphic images advertising real or imagined products, rock inspired images or brand logos. Some tees have a pre-worn look to them, while other employ 70s and 80s retro colors and designs.
Buy Direct: Volcom Embrace Change Tee at upandriding.com
Buy Direct: Volcom Embrace Change Tee at upandriding.com
Casual Button-Up Shirts
77kids.com
As an additional layering piece to a hoody or on its own, a button-up shirt looks great over a tee. Leave the shirt open and untucked for a super-casual look. For added interest, pair a patterned button-up shirt with a graphic tee. Don't shy away from combining button-ups with prints such as plaids, stripes or dots with funky graphic tees. This year, we are seeing bolder, brighter patterns for boys.
Buy Direct: 77 Bright Madras Shirt at 77kids.com
Buy Direct: 77 Bright Madras Shirt at 77kids.com
Track Jackets, Hoodies, Zippies, Blazers and Cardigans
nordstrom.com
Go for they layered look with a track jacket, hoody, zippy, blazer or even a cardigan. This season, boys are sporting fun summer colors and getting quirky with retro-inspired cardigans.
Buy Direct: BC Ethic Jersey Cardigan at nordstrom.com
Buy Direct: BC Ethic Jersey Cardigan at nordstrom.com
Jeans or Cool Pants
nordstrom.com
Choose jeans that have a slightly roomy fit, but are not overly baggy or sloppy. This year, look for a pair that has some wiskering or other subtle details. Premium denim is an excellent choice for The Cool & Casual Look, shop for brands like Diesel, Rock and Republic or True Religion. However, stylish and affordable jeans are everywhere, just look for a pair made from quality, cotton denim.
For spring, be sure his wardrobe includes a pair of flat-front, casual pants.
Buy Direct: Quiksilver Flat Front Pants at nordstrom.com
For spring, be sure his wardrobe includes a pair of flat-front, casual pants.
Buy Direct: Quiksilver Flat Front Pants at nordstrom.com
Shorts
oldnavy.com
Solid shorts in neutral colors such as khaki, navy, black and brown are always popular for boys. But this year, snap up a pair or two of patterned shorts. Especially popular are patchwork plaid shorts in all colors from pastels to brights to neutrals. Camouflage prints also make a comeback this spring.
Buy Direct: Boys Patchwork Shorts at oldnavy.com
Buy Direct: Boys Patchwork Shorts at oldnavy.com
Casual Footwear
zappos.com
Look for skater shoes, sandals, flip-flops, or retro-inspired athletic shoes. Closer to summer, flip-flops will be very popular with boys.
Buy Direct: Born Kids Newman at zappos.com
Buy Direct: Born Kids Newman at zappos.com
