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Suit of the Week: Brooks Brothers

Brooks-Brothers-womens-suitFor busy working women, the suit is often the easiest outfit to throw on in the morning. In general, this feature is not about interview suits for women, which should be as classic and basic as you get — instead, this feature is about the slightly different suit that is fashionable, yet professional. This suit is not for everyone, obviously — but it immediately jumped out to me as a cool, timeless suit for a bold woman. I love the way the black and white pattern gets darker at the bottom of the jacket (and lighter at the bottom of the skirt), and in general the four-button, collarless look is great. I like it as styled, and would try to wear it with black or white — if I wanted to add a pop of color I'd do it with a bold red lip, or a red or pink pump, or a purple bag. (Personally I'm not a fan of the leopard print shoes with the suit, as styled — it's pushing the boundaries for me of a tasteful, professional pattern mix. I'd either want to add a dark brown top to stick with the leopard print shoes, or try another black and white print (dalmatian or the like) instead. (Ladies, what are your thoughts on the leopard print shoes?)   The jacket (Wool Blend Boucle Jacket) is $398, and the skirt (Wool Boucle Pencil Skirt) is $248, both at Brooks Brothers. Here's a similar plus size option, and here's a similar, less expensive option. (This previous plus-size pick has very limited sizes, but is now on sale.) Brooks-Brothers-Black-White-Boucle-Womens-Suit Brooks Brothers' Black and White Boucle Women's Suit | Corporette

Sales of note for 1/1/25 (HAPPY NEW YEAR!):

And some of our latest threadjacks here at Corporette (reader questions and commentary) — see more here!

Some of our latest threadjacks include:

106 Comments

    1. Agreed. But I already have too many black/white combo jackets to wear as separates.

    2. I wouldn’t wear them together for sure…. And I don’t agree on the timeless part.

  3. I like the jacket and would be way more likely to wear it than the full suit.

    1. I’d take the skirt and leave the jacket. I find it too boxy and the neck too high. And no on the leopard shoes with this.
      I’d wear the skirt with a solid color sweater or blouse (jewel tones would work nicely) and black pump. Maybe a little boring but oh well!

      2. Same. The skirt is great but I can’t handle the skirt and jacket together.

  4. Posted this late on the morning thread, so I’ll try again. Does anyone have any recommendations for a dentist in Raleigh, NC?

    (And I agree with Miz Swizz on the jacket. Full suit might be a bit much)

    1. Dr. Martin of Village Dental (so friendly) or any of the Dr. Lane and Associates facilities (especially if you’re into marble floors and fountains). Just note that the Dr. Lane and Associates model is that you get whatever dentist is in that day, so you don’t really have “a” dentist you see each time. They rotate around to the different locations.

    3. Been going to Daniel Makely for years. He does a great job, quick and efficient and reasonable cost.

    5. Late to the discussion here, but I love Nicole Lecann on Six Forks Road. She’s the primary dentist but everyone in the facility is great.

  5. I am a firm believer in bold prints and power clashing and all that, but this is just awful head to toe.

  6. I don’t like this look, but it might look way better in person than on a screen- prints tend to photograph weird.

  7. I think this suit could look awesome one some women and incredibly frumpy on others.

    I also don’t get the appeal of leopard with black and white prints. I don’t think it looks good 90% of the time.

    1. I’m with you. People frequently say that leopard is a “neutral” but, although it does go with a surprising amount of colors, it does not go well with them all or with other prints, so to me it’s not a neutral.

  8. After being told by doctors that it might be hard for me to get pregnant, I just had a positive pregnancy test! (Two in fact, followed by a blood test at the doctor’s to confirm.)

    I’m worried about miscarriage–I’m at a slightly elevated risk because of a medical condition but the doctors have said they’re not even sure if that’s been proven. How can I distract myself long enough to not get my hopes up too high while also planning with a pregnancy in mind? Trying not to stress too much but it’s killing me that I can’t tell anyone (beyond my husband) for a while. I’m only 4.5 wks in–just missed my period this weekend.

    When did others tell their close family members? Right away? Or after a bit of time had passed? I tell my mother and sister everything but I don’t want them to get excited and then be saddened if this doesn’t work out. I was thinking I would tell them after the 8 week ultrasound, assuming it goes well.

    If something were to go wrong, I’d tell them at that point regardless. I just don’t want them to get excited only have to worry for a long period of time as well.

    1. Of course you can tell people! Tell anyone you want. Assuming your mother and sisters are all grown ups, they can handle it.

      Also. Yoga. Meditation. Prayer. Aromatherapy. Whatever you do ordinarily to reduce anxiety. Maybe not tequila.

    2. Congratulations! That’s amazing and good for you! Personally, after discussing with my husband, I would probably tell my mom (and sister if I had one). It’s good to be able to share the exciting news and also good to have someone to talk through the nerves with you. I would assume you would tell your mom/sister in the event of a miscarriage, and knowing that it’s a possibility might prepare them to be able to comfort you better if needed.

    3. We told people on a need-to-know basis as soon as we found out (~5 weeks). It just felt wrong to be misleading people about things (me not drinking at a local cider place, not being able to commit to events, etc.) so we just came clean.

    4. Congrats! How exciting! I’m actually in the same boat. Got pregnant in April and miscarried (not saying you will miscarry – of course not! just saying that’s my analog to your medical condition that slightly elevates my risk – though, with just one mc, it’s also not proven). Didn’t tell anyone about the preg because my DH wanted to have that first trimester as just our private secret before others knew. When I mc’d I wondered whether I wished that at least my mom or best friends knew, so that I would have the support, and I came out where you are — it would have made me feel even sadder to have had them go on that same roller coaster, and I ultimately did share with my friend and I felt just as comforted and supported and loved as I needed to feel, and it made no difference that she didn’t know the whole time. So, for me, I am again not telling anyone we are preg (currently 8w).

      As for how to distract yourself, SHEESH! I’ll look forward to others’ thoughts on that. It’s all I can think of! We’ve been trying for 2 years, and I am just so happy, mixed with anxious, with the standard dose of Type A controlling, I can hardly stand it. It’s a fun time to have with my husband.

      Good luck in your 8w ultrasound. Come back and tell us that everything looked perfect (because it will)!

      1. Thank you so much, this is such a sweet post. It’s really helpful to hear your perspective.

        I’m so sorry about your miscarriage. It’s so common and not enough women talk about it. That’s why it’s important to me to be open about it if that does happen–but I’d hate to tell my mother and have her react with worry. Or to react with excitement and then have her heart broken as well. It’s nice to think of it as a special time between my husband and me, too.

        I really hope your current pregnancy goes well and that you’re soon able to tell the world! And thanks so much again.

    5. Congratulations! We told folks early on–pretty much right when we found out. Of course we were nervous, even though we didn’t have any reason to suspect anything but an uneventful pregnancy. I think that the sentiment of telling a few very close people early on is a good one. That way, like others have said, you can revel in your moments of squeee! and nerves, but you do also have support on your side should something transpire. My sister had a fairly late-term loss (about 16 weeks maybe?) for her second pregnancy. We had known about the pregnancy for a while, and I think it was helpful for her (and her husband) to be able to use us as a sounding board about the loss. On their next try, they told us very early on, but didn’t announce to the world until she was closer to that 16-18 week mark, I believe.

    6. I think the reason not to tell people too soon is more for people that are more casual/periodic contacts, and is not meant for your mom or sister if you have supportive relationships and speak frequently and openly. The rule I think is more to protect you from someone you only see occasionally asking an awkward question later on.

    7. I’m in a similar position – just now at 10 weeks. We started telling people fairly early. I know the downside is that they will all know if I miscarry, but I was too excited to keep it in. Those people who know (some close friends, and immediate family) all knew I was trying to get pregnant, so it seemed natural to tell them I had succeeded!

      I am also constantly concerned I will miscarry. I saw the heartbeat at the 8.5 week appointment and until that point I didn’t really believe I was actually pregnant. I still don’t. I freak out just a little with every cramp and keep an eye out for spotting. I hope I will start to relax at the 12-week mark, but who knows. I also am having minimal symptoms (which is great!) so it’s really hard for me to fully believe that I’m finally pregnant. I’m not quite sure how to fully relax, so if you figure it out, let me know.

      1. Congratulations! I have a feeling the worry never goes away, but I keep telling myself I’ll feel better after the 8 wk ultrasound (which I’ll hopefully make it to!)…and better still at 14 wks.

      2. Ruthnonymous and Anon for This – I don’t want to out any of us, but I would love to talk to you ladies, or similar minded folks! While I am excited about C-Moms, I find that it’s mostly moms and not expectant moms, and I was originally pretty excited about the groups on babycenter or the bump, but without disparaging anyone, I’ll just say that they are *not* corpor*ttes! :) Have you ladies found any forums or other chats with communities as supportive and professionally-minded as this one?

    8. Congrats!

      My husband has always pushed hard that I should tell people whose support I would want if I miscarried. It’s sound advice. When telling them (mainly just my parents) ‘early’, I made it clear that it was still risky, uncertain, and should not be spread.

      GL at the u/s.

  9. I have to say, the workmanship does not look up to par. From the description I thought the fading effect was in the fabric, but it appears to be two different fabrics that are sewn together – without matching up the pattern (quelle horror!)

    1. I was hoping that it was a trick of the pixels, and not actually different fabrics. When you go to the BB s!te and look at the skirt, the plaid isn’t even straight. That is some pretty shoddy workmanship, and for $250.

      1. That’s what I was thinking too. As it is, it just looks like someone made a mistake when sewing the pieces together. Not attractive.

  10. The pattern placement on the skirt looks like sloppy tailoring more typical of a budget brand. I have a bigger problem with this than I do with the leopard shoes.

  11. I’m worried about my mom. She is a lawyer but didn’t practice for a long time because she stayed home with us, before returning to her career a few years ago. She’s really unhappy, to the point where she cries when she talks about work. I think some of her complaints stem from frustration at being lower on the hierarchy than she wants, others show that the career she’s in doesn’t fit her personality, and others suggest the work environment itself is toxic…It’s a bad combo. She’s had a few jobs but none of them have been right.

    I don’t know what to tell her. I’m a lawyer too but am just starting out and don’t have any good advice or really any meaningful perspective. (I also think she sometimes draws parallels between my career so far, and her own, and finds she comes up short) I try to be reassuring and tell her everything will work out, but such platitudes only go so far. I think she’s worried it’s too late to start a new career (she’s in her mid-fifties) — I disagree, but she doesn’t have a lot of money to try things out and I think she’s worried she can’t.

    I live far away and don’t get to see her very much, but we talk frequently. Based on criticism she’s received from her bosses, I’m a little worried she’s going to lose the job she has and be devastated. I know I can’t fix her problems for her, but what would you all want to hear in her situation? How can I be a supportive daughter?

    1. Honestly. If she cries every time she talks about work she should talk to a therapist/psychiatrist. Crying all the time can (sometimes) be easily fixed by low level anti-depressants.

      1. She’s on antidepressants, but maybe she needs to make sure she’s on the right dose

        1. Is she speaking with a therapist regularly? My mom is on antidepressants, but comes from the school of thought that therapists are fine for (literally) everyone else, but not her. So even though she’s on the right meds, she doesn’t have the 3rd party sounding board and other benefits a therapist provides. If this is your mom, good luck. And *hugs*

          1. Thanks 2 Cents. That’s good advice. My mom has really benefited from therapy in the past but I don’t think she’s seeing anyone recently. I’ll suggest it.

            Thanks for the hugs too and thanks everyone else for the comments. It’s hard seeing my mom in this position. I wish I had the connections and the money to help her.

    2. Yay! I love Brook’s Brothers, but do not feel I am edgy enough to wear this as a suit, Kat. It is pretty, probabley for girls a littel younger then me. Mabye 23-30 top’s. But once you hit my age, you have to be VERY carful that peeople take you seriousley, and being to edgy at my age is NOT good. Men will think you are tryeing to look like you are in your 20’s, and older women will resent that you are still abel to try to wear thing’s that would look totally ridiucueluous on them b/c they are natureally more frumpy (like I also will be in a few more year’s).

      As for the OP, HUGS, but you are right. You can NOT fix all of mom’s problem’s. As my dad says, not all of us are realy cut out to be lawyer’s even if we are admitted to the bar. I almost gave up b/f I started b/c men just wanted to hire me to have sex with them, NOT to be a bona fide legal council. I wondered alot of times why I was putting myself thru all the greif of law school when women were so catty to me and the men looked at me as a dumb blond that they should be abel to score with. Little did they know that I was alot more morale then they thought and I had a head on my shoulder’s.

      Even after I gradueated and passed the bar, men who were lookeing to hire were scared to hire me as a lawyer, but did NOT hesitate to ask if I was dateing and serieous with someone, and when they found out I was NOT, they imediately wanted to date (a/k/a sleep with) me. FOOEY on that. For some reason, men think young female blonds like me are so anxious to have sex with them. Nothing like that even crosse’s my mind! DOUBEL FOOEY for them even thinkeing this!

      Anyway, I would tell my mom — if she were your mom — that law is a very tough busness, especialy these days, and mabye she should think of something more pleasent, like doing HR or sales at Lord & Taylor or Macy’s, where peeople actually WANT to buy what they have to sell. If your dad is still in the picture, get him to help out here emotionaly, if not financialy, so that your mom wont keep thinkeing of herself as a looser, even if she is NOT particulearly good at the law she is involved in. Finally, can she move to another type of law position? If she is in litiegation, mabye she should consider corporate or WC or import/export? Good luck you you and mom. You will have your hand’s full! FOOEY!

    3. It sounds like you know what feedback she’s getting on her performance, so maybe you could help her figure out how to address each criticism specifically so that at least, as a first step, she can feel safer in not getting fired? I know it might feel backward to be professionally coaching your mom, but it sounds like she’s trying to benefit from your more current experience in the legal workplace.
      I wonder if career counseling is an option too, for the bigger picture stuff.

    4. We have someone in our office in her position, whom I’ve had the opportunity to talk with a fair amount. Someone she was a summer associate with at our firm is now a partner; she’s a contract doc reviewer. It’s been very hard for her to accept that reality (so hard that she’s admitted that if she knew what staying home would do to her career, she never would have done it). It might help to see if there are any organizations, networking groups, etc. in her city that would offer her the opportunity to talk with others who’ve been through this re-entry – she is far, far from alone in dealing with this situation and these feelings.

  12. Trying to find a gift for a newish boyfriend. What are some of the best-received gifts you’ve given the men in your lives? He’s a goofy, outdoorsy, nerdy, whiskey-loving, book-reading, travel junkie, brilliant tech entrepreneur who flies his single prop plane in his free time, but I’m open to all ideas!

      1. Whiskey rocks, and multiple versions of round ice cube makers. He was on a quest to make the perfect whiskey ice cubes for a while.

        1. How about a shaped ice cube tray? (I’m trying to resist the “titanic ice cub tray” on amazon myself.)

        2. Does he like Star Wars? Does he have a Death Star ice mold?

          We have the Riedel Whiskey glasses and really like them. I think they were about $20 for a pair on Amazon.

          I’ve seen a Johnny Walker sampler set and another whiskey sampler set at a liquor store lately as well, if he’s into trying different things. Otherwise, if you can find a bottle of Stagg, Jr. (it’s just hard to find around here), it’s a really nice barrel-strength bourbon that’s not super common but also not very expensive.

        1. Ha!

          I’d give him good whiskey, honestly. Do you know what he has and what he likes? Armed with that info, go to a good liquor store with a price range and they can help you find something rare or small-batch or indie that would appeal to him.

          Last year, I gave my BIL a DIY Manhattan kit: small-batch bourbon, sweet vermouth, bitters, and fancy Luxardo cherries. It was a huge hit.

    3. Reading comprehension fail “I need to find a newish boyfriend”

      I was wondering why only new-ish and perhaps you were trying to decide between some old ones.

    4. Whiskey always goes over well. There are some great not-so-expensive-as-to-be-weird-at-this-point but still interesting and special whiskeys you can find. Also, along those lines, if he is not a “neat, always” kind of guy, those fancy, big ice cube trays — not sure why but most men seem to love them. You could also do a whiskey tasting experience for the both of you, which might be fun.

      Other successful gifts that could work in a newish relationship: a Tardis Cookie Jar (if he’s into Doctor Who); a Shower iPod/Radio player (huge hit with a tremendously hard-to-shop-for ex); homemade (or store bought, if that’s not your thing) cheesecake/sweet of choice; a puppy (kidding!).

      1. AIMS, what shower ipod/radio player did you get? I am also looking for a gift for a newish guy and this might be the perfect gift!

        1. This was a while ago (like ten years!), but it was something from Sharper Image I think, back when SI still had stores. It was the most thoughtless gift I’d ever gotten, I think I just saw it and grabbed it, but he loved it and when it eventually broke he got a new one the same day. I actually kind of want one for myself now that I think about. It would make shaving my legs in the morning so much more fun!

    6. my husband is getting a whole whisky extravaganza for Christmas this year: whisky rocks and round cube ice makers; decanter and nice glasses; book; bottle of small batch whisky; tickets to tour a local distillery (with me!); some fancy cocktail cherries; and anything else whisky-related I happen to find between now and Christmas :) I should add that the distillery also has various whisky and cocktail classes, which would be a cool gift.

    7. This might be a tad pricey for a new boyfriend, but in case others have whiskey-lovers they need to shop for, I got BF a bourbon of the month club last year and it was a HUGE hit. The excitement of getting his new bourbons lasted the whole year, and surprisingly he was just as excited to open bottle 12 as he had been to open bottle 1.

    8. Appealing to the nerdy side (because that is what I am, know, and love) – go browse ThinkGeek dot com for a bit, and I can practically guarantee you’ll find something he’ll like. They have the forementioned whiskey rocks, other booze-related goodies (shot glasses, home bar kits, glasses shaped like chem-lab beakers…) all sorts of tech gizmos, more TV and book related nerd-merch than you can shake a sonic screwdriver at, a fantastic sense of humor and, in my experience, great customer service.

    10. For whisky-drinker: antique crystal whiskey decanters (I found some slightly blemished ones for $50 at an antique store). Or just new ones. Then get a nice bottle to fill it up.

      1. I have some of these because they are pretty, but I like my scotch too much to put it in there. They don’t seal perfectly and if left out on display the light can damage the booze too. If he’s really into his whiskey, I’d skip this gift.

        On further reflection, I actually have to disagree with the thread above in general. If someone is really into a particular type of booze and you are not as well versed in it, that’s a danger zone for presents. You have a better chance of getting them something that will take up shelf space, unimbibed, rather than something they will love. My husband has never tried to buy me scotch and I love him all the more for that.

        1. I’m pretty familiar with his whiskey tastes, but I’m also a little hesitant to give him a whiskey as a Christmas gift, since he brings me a bottle of bourbon or rye every time he comes to see me (long distance) as a just-because gift.

  13. Kat – help! All my comments are going into moderation! Is this a new thing or could it be that my beloved username is the cause of this? I can’t think what else it could be because it doesn’t matter what I type, it happens every time…

        1. That could be the problem – some s!tes use a combo of known username+email and/or IP. Can you make a throwaway email to use?

    2. This was happening to me for a while. I think it had to do with my office server. Is it possible your IP address is getting blocked (either because of someone else posting from there or some other tech issue)? Try posting from your phone or home computer (if you’re getting blocked from office) and see if it’s still a problem.

  14. I just found out that I will be laid off at the end of the month. This is not a rumor. My bosses told me in a meeting earlier this week. Does anyone have any advice about what I should be doing until then? I already contacted a few people and I am going to take another bar exam in February to expand my job search options since I’m only 2 years out of law school. Any tips or advice is appreciated!

    1. Call out to shots shots shots….

      Seriously, I’m so sorry this is happening to you. Obviously, go over your resume and Linkedin to update with recent experience. Also, not sure if you’re at this point yet, but talk to HR or your manager about severance package.

    2. Is there any way you can get a letter explaining that you are being laid off for economic reasons as opposed to fired? Obviously, if you have a great relationship with your bosses you may be comfortable listing them as a reference for every job you apply to down the line, but if you don’t or if you’re not sure you want to be having to contact them many years from now, a letter like that can be very helpful. At least in the legal profession, I feel like people (stupidly) care about gaps in your resume no matter how old so if it does take you awhile to find a new job, you’ll likely need to explain that gap even many years from now. I did the letter thing and I’ve found it to be so helpful I always recommend people getting laid off ask for one.

    3. All of this advice is caveated with what’s allowed, what’s in good taste, etc.

      Steal _all the precedents_ you can without alarming suspicion, export your contacts, find out if you can keep your mobile device/number (some firms steal your personal number that you’ve had for years if they were paying your bill), set up networking lunches both within and without the firm (especially with law school classmates), get in touch with a good headhunter or four (it’d be great to get your resume out now, while it says you are still working–makes a big difference!), say thank you to your mentors, make sure you have several people behind you for references, take whatever sample work product (writing sample, etc.) is appropriate. I personally don’t think a written reference as to why you were laid off will do anything–you will need to be able to convincingly tell people that you left, and why. [Do not resign as this may affect unemployment benefits.]

      If you have cheap access to Westlaw, Lexis, martindale, etc. try to do some job searching during your down hours. Be prepared for people to treat you awkwardly or pull you off of projects–do not take this personally–they are doing it for client continuity reasons, even if they won’t say that’s why. They may not know that you know already. Think about resources your firm has that will be hard to replicate later and take time to copy/print what you need, if permissible.

      Honestly , also, be kind to yourself. Even when you tell yourself this is not personal, it’s a huge knock to your self-esteem. There is a long period of, “Why me?” and the sooner you can get over that portion and get on to the “It happened, I need to find my next thing” the better. Your mantra needs to be “onward and upward” and
      “I will take the learning from this that I can, but not overanalyze the situation.”

      Also, think about cutting your expenses to the bone–no cable, less meals out, cut back on holiday spending, etc. If you can, try to find out any info regarding severance. Also, if you don’t have a home laptop, get one during the holiday deals so that you can effectively jobsearch.

      Last, find a trusted good friend who can be your cheerleader and sounding board and who will work with you when you are ready to interview. You need to be able to clearly and convincingly explain why you are no longer at XYZ firm, in a neutral, upbeat way. (Check AAM for more on this.) If you are awkward about it, it will affect your jobsearch. Even if it’s ripping you apart inside, you need to project chipper, cheerful and moved on when you are searching. This is way, way harder than it sounds.

      Again, hugs! You have lots of skills. Don’t let this throw you–it’s just a blip in a long and successful career!

      Hugs.

  15. Does the Lady Day coat ever go on sale in normal colors? I bought one (in off-white) at the 30% off Black Friday sale but now am thinking about returning it and waiting for it to go on sale. I live in a warm climate and don’t have any trips to cold places planned so I don’t have an urgent need for it.

    1. The normal colors do go on sale, but the size selection by that point can be pretty dicey. Whether to risk it just depends how much you want the coat, and how disappointed you’ll be if they’re out of your size.

    2. Fwiw, I just bought a lady day coat in the off-white color and thought about doing this too. I decided to keep it, and now I know what my size is and if I find one in a color I just have to have later this season or in the next few years AND they happen to have it in my size, I’ll snatch it up on super sale. I live in the DC area, though, so I do have a need for it.

      1. Only jumping in to say that I bought a lady day coat on sale at least 8-9 years ago (possibly ten?) and I LOVE IT and still wear it all the time. I recently had to get the lining repaired, but otherwise it has held up beautifully. It’s emerald green, one of my favorite colors, and I was just thinking as I got the lining repaired that I would totally have paid full price for it. So I think if you are just super enamored of a color, go for it, if not – J Crew always goes on sale and just wait for a pretty shade in your size! That coat style isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.

  16. I have an interview coming up, and I’m wondering if it’s too much blue to wear a powder blue button down with a navy suit. I also have a really pretty blue button down that’s like cobalt but a little darker. I have a blush one too, but that’s not cut as nicely and I’d be a little concerned about it being too low cut. If I wore either of the blue shirts, would that be too much blue with the navy?

    1. I think pale blue is fine with navy. Pale blue is better than cobalt because of the definite contrast. I’d be concerned that the cobalt would clash.

      1. Ok, thanks. I also have a white button down that’s appropriately professional, but I don’t want to look too cookie cutter-like

        1. Generally speaking, looking cookie-cutter-like on an interview is okay and in some cases encouraged. Nonetheless, I think navy with powder blue would be lovely.

  17. This suit is Cher-Horowitz-Goes-To-BigLaw. Her dad, the scary litigator, would be proud.

  18. Hoping to tap the wisdom of the hive: our local church is doing a Christmas party for our Sunday School kids, most of the kids are picked up from a poverty stricken area near our church, and brought to church. I signed up to bring two gifts: one for a 13 year old girl, and one for a 12 year old boy. The budget for each is $20 (set by the church, not me).

    I need gift ideas. I can probably fumble through for the 13 year old girl, but the 12 year old boy has me stumped. The only reason I mention that it’s a poverty stricken area is because I would usually go with something like an iTunes gift card, or something similar techie. I don’t know if that’s appropriate here, since not all will have access to an iPod, computer, etc.

    1. Maybe a clothing item? I don’t have kids, but is there some “cool” brands that kids are wearing? Or maybe something clothing related to a sports team?

    2. What about books? I don’t usually know what to get for kids so this is my default. I figure that you can’t go wrong with getting them to read, even if they go to the public library it’s always nice to have your own. For that amount you might even be able to get more than one if you are buying from Amazon if you find some good discounted titles.

      Or a sports watch, the Timex 1440 is less than $20 on Amazon.

    3. If you know the size, get a sweatshirt or other sporty clothing item. For $20, you can get Under Armour at Marshall’s. I think a 12 year old boy may be too old for Legos or toys like that.

    6. What about board games? My 12 year old cousin loves the guiness book of world records – it’s pretty much the old book he is willing to read. You could also do sports equipment or something they could use outdoors (eventually, once winter goes away).

    7. Guinness book of world records is a great idea … Also there is a color Ripleys Believe it or not book that is full of gross stuff but my sons have loved.

    8. My office does an Adopt-A-Family project each year at the holidays; we have a bigger budget but usually buy clothes, and for the fun stuff I usually pick one book and one game/puzzle that’s age appropriate and does not require batteries. You could combine the two — how about a paper airplanes book? A 12-year-old may have outgrown legos, but what about a K’Nex set? (I saw a 500+ piece set on Amazon for about $16).

    9. If you think clothes are already being dealt with I would get:
      -Uno (in a tin to keep the cards together)
      -nice soccer, football, basketball (without a team though, you never know what team the kid likes)

      If clothes are not being dealt with I would get them a
      -sweatshirt + something fun like a yo yo

      Think about: finding something that doesn’t have too many parts (like legos) because if they are in and out of shelters its too much to keep track of. Find something that can be enjoyed by lots of kids, because many times siblings are watching siblings and its nice to have something that is good for multiple ages. When I taught in CA, half of my classroom was homeless. We would have to take off tags of clothing or gifts etc or there was a real danger the parents would sell the gift we gave the kid for money. So I advice against gift cards or anything itunes related because the child won’t be able to keep it probably.

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