Spring 2025 Fashions for Teen Boys

Let's be honest: most of our teen sons would be happy wearing the same grungy t-shirt and basketball shorts year 'round, occasionally throwing on a hoodie when the temps drop into the negative numbers. But if they're willing to dress up a little bit every now and then, here are some spring styles they just might consider cool enough to wear. 

The stores I looked into for the guys included Macy's, The Gap, JC Penney, Aeropostale, Target, Abercrombie & Fitch, Hollister, Banana Republic. I've included links to multiple similar styles of some of the items, since teen boys are notoriously picky about their clothes. 

Try to up their t-shirt game with a few colorful striped tees like this Bench DNA Milos striped tee ($16 at Macy's). It'll still work with their basketball shorts, or with a pair of loose-fitting jeans or joggers. Finish the look with a pair of Adidas sneakers, the "in" brand for this year. 

Similar styles: multicolor pocket tee, mint and grey stripes, green and grey pocket tee, everyday stripe tee

If they just won't give up their basic solid tees, maybe they'd be willing to layer one under a short-sleeved cotton button-down, like this linen-cotton shirt ($24 at The Gap) in tea rose (don't tell them that's the color; maybe say it's "anemic blood" or "faded rust").  If you can pry off their basketball shorts, they could wear the utility shorts below.  If you're lucky, they might even consider a "dressy" look of light tan deck pants and a pair of Dr. Scholl's slip-ons. 

Similar styles: Cuban collar, vertical orange stripes, sailboat print, slim cut dress shirt

These practical 7" ripstop utility shorts ($30 at Banana Republic) in pewter gray work with a graphic tee or a hoodie, or with a nice rugby or polo shirt. 

Similar styles: 9" stretch shorts, 9" no-iron shorts, vented hem drawstring shorts, 9.5" loose fit cargo shorts

If they can be convinced to wear long pants, cargo-style joggers like these Klarna relaxed cargo joggers ($60 at Hollister) in khaki might be deemed acceptable. Top with a pale colored crewneck sweatshirt or their favorite pro team jersey and a pair of Adidas sneakers. 

Similar styles: twill cargo joggers, drawstring waist open ankle joggers, fleece cargo joggers, drawstring deck pants

Dressing up can be a battle with a teen boy, but if you can talk him into it (for my son, dinner at a nice steak restaurant will usually do the trick), he'll rock these straight dress pants ($30 at Old Navy) in "in the navy". Pair it with a soft, comfortable v-neck sweater or a subtle plaid dress shirt and a pair of leather-look lace-up shoes and he'll look more than presentable. 

Similar styles: straight fit no-iron chinos, slim fit flat front dress pants, comfort fit pleated-front pants, tailored suit pants

Another new option for a dressier top is this textural stripe zip sweater polo ($51 at Abercrombie & Fitch) in vintage indigo. Wear untucked for a more casual look, or tuck it in and add a leather belt for a dressier look - and don't forget to match the belt to the shoes! Wear a brown belt with these shoes or a black belt with this pair. 

Similar styles: quarter zip ribbed polo, short-sleeve sweater polo, sweater polo with white trim, long sleeve quarter-zip pullover

A quarter-zip sweater adds warmth without sacrificing style (or ego), so check out this Bedford rib quarter-zip sweater ($56 at Lands' End) in light blue sky. It adds a cheerful touch of color to his wardrobe, but still works with his favorite winter sweatpants and shorts. Wear it over a basic white or colored tee, and if it's muddy, maybe he'll wear a pair of sturdy boots instead of soggy sneakers. 

Similar styles: cotton v-neck sweater, ribbed crew neck sweater, color block full zip front sweater, full-zip cotton sweater

If your teen spends a lot of time outdoors, he might like this Xersion water resistant lightweight anorak ($28 at JC Penney) in grey ice print. He can toss it on over his regular t-shirt and shorts or sweats, or pair it with the matching workout shorts and a moisture-wicking tee to help avoid the dread post-workout teen boy funk.  

Similar styles: packable rain jacket, reflective running rain jacket, mesh-lined windbreaker, color block anorak

My final piece of advice is to buy him some of this stuff, then hold his dirty laundry hostage until he runs out of clothes and has no choice but to wear the new clothes. Good luck!