My love affair with H&M boys' clothes in the fall...

It had been a long time since I had gone into an H&M, so I planned a trip to scout out the fall kids' clothes.  I try to go in every fall to see what H&M has cooked up for boys, and to replenish my kids' stripe long-sleeve t-shirt collection.  Plus, as one who has descended from Swedes, I feel a sort of cultural obligation to at least have a peek to appease my late Swedish great-grandmother!  Man, did I see some good things... and thanks to H&M's improved website, I can show you the stock photos of these items and spare you the bad ones I took with my phone.  Please note the following disappointment: H&M's website is still not improved enough to allow online purchases, just window shopping.  You still have to actually go into the store.

I'll just start with the images:

Those striped t-shirts are really the best.  I have owned a fair number of them over the years and I find that they stay new-looking if you air-dry them after washing.  The dryer really seems to speed up fading.  But $5.95, full price!!  What a boon.

The brightly-colored 5-pocket pants are also pretty great.  A million colors to choose from, in a mid-weight twill with a cut that is slim, but not tight at all.  $9.95, full price!!!  These pants also have an adjustable waistband and look great rolled, so don't fear the longish length.

H&M is hot on the heels of Polarn O. Pyret and Hanna Andersson with their new mixed-stripe pajamas.  However, the flashier and trendier younger cousin of the venerable Swedish giants has trounced the competition as far as price is concerned.  $14.95 (rather than $42-$50) gets you either a full pajama set or two pairs of long john bottoms that can be worn with a shirt of your choice.

It is fall, after all, and we must not forget the corduroy pants.  Just look at these lovely shades, each only $9.95 a pair!  The deep teal (petrol) color in the middle is fantastic in person, and the fit is virtually identical to the 5-pocket pants shown above.

And last but not least, these tanks.  I have a thing for keeping my kids in undershirts, and these are the best I have found.  The cut is slim and long, so it is easy to tuck into pants and skirts and does not add any extra bulk under clothing.  They are made from organic cotton, and wash better than much more expensive undershirts I have tried in the past.  Possibly my favorite item at H&M.  $4.95 each.

March yourself into an H&M.  These prices are better than Target... it is like the Ikea of clothing.  Seriously fantastic, but unfortunately no meatballs.