It’s Answerland, our weekly Q+A video series. Send us your questions on fashion, lifestyle, and more by clicking here. Watch past episodes of Answerland here. This week, we’re helping a Mom outfit her plus size teen. Star asked:
My son is a big kid at 5’4 and 175lbs. Where can I shop for him that doesn’t result in huge neck holes and clothes that hang off him like most big men’s clothing does?
It’s as difficult to find clothes for big and tall teens as it is for adults. You have options, but it depends on what your teen is interested in. We’ll kick things off with some resources you probably already know about:
Shop the Husky Department
Most of us remember shopping with our parents in the Husky section of the department store. Husky, if you’re unfamiliar, is the boy’s equivalent of the big & tall section. If you’re a plump kid like I was, you’re relegated to the Husky section. No, no one loves the name Husky, but it has been the standard for big and tall boy’s clothing for years.
The good thing is that there are more options for Husky teens than there were when I was a kid. A LOT of retailers offer a Husky section, meaning you can find several styles of clothing for your guy if he fits into these sizes. Here are a few you should consider:
Gap Husky Boys Clothing: Sizes to XXL/18
Target Boys Husky Clothes: Sizes to XXL/18 Husky
JCPenney Boys Husky Clothing: Sizes to XXL/20 Husky
Land’s End Husky Boys Clothing: Sizes to XL/20 Husky
Kohl’s Husky Clothing for Boys: Sizes to XL/20 Husky
Amazon Husky Department: Sizes to 20 Husky
Big & Tall Teen Clothing Options
Maybe your teen has outgrown the Husky department and needs something different. There are options out there, but depending on his build, alterations might be in order. The list below is more style-forward, so if your kid is thinking about that kind of thing, these could be options for him.
Original Use Big & Tall
Original Use is Target’s streetwear-inspired brand that focuses on style and comfort. You’ll find sizes to 5X & 50 there and a variety of fun options that will work well for a teen or younger guy. Shop here.
American Eagle Extended Sizes
American Eagle offers extended size options to 3X and 48 waist, with a variety of fun prints and modern fits. I highly recommend taking a lot at AE for their jeans – I have a few pairs I swear by because of the fit and the stretch fabric. Plus, the prices aren’t too shabby either. Shop AE new arrivals here.
ASOS Men’s Plus Size Clothing
ASOS Men’s plus size clothing is trend forward, with sizes to 6X and 48 waist. If style is super important to your teen, you’ll be able to get him into looks he’ll love without having to spend a ton of money. There are hundreds in their online shop to choose from. Keep in mind that ASOS carries a variety of brands so not everything will fit identically. Shop ASOS here.
Aeropostale Teen Big & Tall Clothing
This brand will take you back to your days shopping the mall as a teen. Aeropostale offers an extended size selection with clothing available to 3X and 42 waist. You’ll come across lots of graphic tees here, and button-down shirts, tees and hoodies. While the styles aren’t as trendy as other brands, there’s a good selection here, especially for a younger teen. Shop Aeropostale plus size men’s clothing here.
