How and where do you find the perfect fit for your husky boys? Here’s a complete resource, from shirt to pants and more.
Lands End has a great Husky selection.
EDITOR’S NOTE: We’ve updated this post since it was first published as the range of products available has grown. We’ve left the comments to the previous version of this post as we think the tips that you offer each other remain helpful.
While you are all reading this I’m praying that my son didn’t go up a size. There are lots of articles out there what to do with an overweight child, and how to stop the epidemic of childhood obesity, but there is absolutely no help in how to shop for such a child. While I understand that dressing an overweight girl is more challenging I, baruch Hashem, only have experience with a husky boy. For those of you who have that challenge, this article will hopefully make that shopping process easier.
I’d like to think that the boys are fine wearing husky sizes; it’s the mothers that have a harder time.
Feel free to add your comments, shopping tips, and ideas in the comments below.
Lands End has a great Husky selection.
Underwear
Knit boxer briefs such as these from the Gap work well, there’s more coverage than with a regular brief. And the leg opening still fits well, even if you have to go up a size. These from the Gap also have elastic in the knit fabric, and there’s no band, making them more comfortable, as they don’t dig into the waist.
Another mom says that these boxer briefs from Abercrombie are also a favorite.
Pants
Since every child carries their weight differently, every company will fit differently on each child. The best thing to do is order from every single option in multiple sizes (sorry!) and try them all on. Once you find pants that fit, order more of them.
Pants must be ordered in “husky,” since sizing up doesn’t work well. Don’t be scared to order skinny husky pants (it sounds like an oxymoron) because most husky pants that aren’t skinny are terribly wide by the ankle (how fat do they think the ankles are?).
Target’s Cat and Jack pants are our value pick. The only color that works for school is black, as the other colors are denims. These pants do feature a thicker fabric, but they have a nice stretch to them. And unlike other lower-priced brands, these do feature a tapered bottom leg.
Lil Legs now has a great husky weekday pant! The pants are super soft, and they come in two versions, with either that slim tapered leg, or the fuller leg, choose whichever suits your son best. There are also dressier pants options for Shabbos.
In the better clothing category, Mofi has really distinguished itself in catering to husky sizes, and the range of pants and fits available is really incredible. Most of their pants range from sizes 8-24. Everyday Pants options include cotton stretch, flex stretch, and chinos. (The stretch and flex stretch can work for Shabbos as well). Their Dress Pants fit and style differ but all have a matching blazer option. Some are more tapered and some have a more relaxed fit. Some have stretch and some don’t. Most also come in short, regular, and tall (short is one inch shorter on the inseam than regular and tall is one inch longer on the inseam than regular). All pants have a 2 inch hem and an adjustable waist. For the most tapered fit, we recommend the short size as it’s a more tapered fit.
T.O. Pants are pricier than the other options, but they have a great fit and wash well. They’re definitely appropriate for an older boy. There’s a few options, and they’re all good. The T.O. Flex Pants are the most popular right now among teenage boys, they’re dressier so they would work as a Shabbos pant for younger boys as well. The T.O Performance Pants are modeled after a popular athletic brand. Finally, the T.O. Casual Stretch Pants are a great everyday option for younger boys. They feature a fabric that’s thicker than the flex.
In the old days, we liked Boys Skinny Chino Pants from Children’s Place but some find that these are too wide/baggy at the ankle. Same goes with The Old Navy Straight Leg Uniform Pants. Like The Children’s Place pants, they have a straight leg, so the leg tends to look baggy on husky sizes. They are still a good pick, but moms today tend to prefer a more tapered bottom.
Polo Shirts
Rugby style polo shirts (with the white color, usually featuring stripes) typically have a boxier, less slim fit, and work better than standard polos.
Crewcuts and Zara polo shirts are usually too narrow for husky kids once they are over 10-years-old. Short-sleeved shirts at Children’s Place, Gap, and Target usually have a looser fit to begin with. For long-sleeved shirts, there are fewer options because the sleeves get too long when you size up.
French Toast Polos come in Husky sizes in a ton of solid colors!
Abercrombie Polos fit nicely. They don’t specifically have Husky sizes but it’s easy to size up and they still fit well.
Polo Ralph Lauren also run a little wider and they have great options in solid colors up to size 18-20.
Brooks Brothers are also not specifically Husky sizing, but they run the widest; size XL (age 15-16) is bigger than RL 18-20
Like mentioned above, Lands End has a great selection, and that includes their long sleeve polos shirts as well. Short sleeve polos are available here.
Button Down Shirts
Shirts usually look better on big guys. They simply look neater, but not all kids are comfortable in them. For many kids, regular shirts fit fine (husky sized button down shirts tend to be very wide) and would be less costly.
Kohl’s has nice button down shirts in Husky sizes. There’s lots of options in colored button downs. You can buy colored button down shirts at Children’s Place, Old Navy, and Gap. Styles will vary with the season and you might not always find a selection that appeals to you. Target also has colored button downs in Husky sizes. Be selective! You’ll find one or two nice prints in the bunch. Once your guy outgrows those brands but isn’t ready for men’s shirts you can try Brooks Brothers or Ralph Lauren. They’re pricier but they run wider and bigger.
For white button-downed Shabbos shirts, Mofi shirts are excellent. Their non iron dress shirts are sizes 10-24W and 10-20W in stretch options. (W-wide size means it’s 2 inches wider on the chest and waist compared to the regular husky size). The non iron shirts are classic but the stretch has a soft comfy feel for the sensory boy who likes feeling comfortable. More dress shirts and fabrics will soon be available.
Sweaters
Please no ribbed, no cable, nor crew neck sweater…it makes them look heavier! V-necks, half-zip, henley or button-down sweaters are better options. Brooks Brothers sweaters run wide so even though they’re not specifically Husky sizing, they will work.
Swimsuits
Surprisingly, this isn’t easy. If you size up the swimming trunks get too long.
But there’s great news!
Gap makes husky trunks and rash guards. Lands End also has husky options which looks great. If these husky sizes are too big for your little guy, Target swim trunks in their regular sizing run wider so they’re a great in between.
If you have a guy that outgrows Gap and Target, you can buy these Old Navy Mens trunks with shorter inseams. They’re a great option because you can get a wider waist without a long trunk. Now that men’s trunks with short inseams are more widely available, you can use this trick when shopping at other brands too, like J.Crew or even lululemon.
Checkout Mofi’s pajama husky line!
|