Hot Looks for Back to High School ‘08

From Shopperati

Shopperati has rounded up some of the latest accessory looks for boys and girls that could make your outfit, ahem, completely and totally perfect!

For the Boys

• Nike is the athletic shoe of choice for most teen boys. The JF12 ($160) combines the design of the Air Force 1 with craftsmanship of the Air Jordan 12, creating a mix of tradition and modern craftsmanship to create a hot new item.

• Converse athletic shoes have made comeback, so your son may like a pair of these hi-top throwbacks ($40, pictured) as he glides down the hall trying to impress the girls. The shoes come in a variety of colors and styles. A slick style statement would be a pair of black suede Adidas from trendy Bluefly. But at $144, they may be the only shoes you get for fall.

• To ratchet up the hotness, check out the square Wayfarer sunglasses ($19.50 on sale for $10) at Aeropostale. And Banana Republic has just come out with a new line of men’s sunglasses. If you’re into labels, you can snag a pair of Mosley Tribes sunglasses at Bluefly.com.

• The multi-puka necklace, also from Aeropostale, will complement many outfits ($10.50), or consider this So Cal braided leather bracelet from Hollister. Understated but hot.

• As long as he’s not wearing it in the halls or in class, baseball caps are an important accessory for any teenager’s outfit. There are a variety styles and colors ($19.50 on sale for $13) at Aeropostale, including the triple layer fitted cap that features an embroidered “A” on the front and worn details. Another baseball cap that’s already been “worn” for you is the Super Tubes ($19.50) from Hollister.

• If you want to stand out a bit, try the driver’s hat from Gap for $19.50 or — even more — the rough straw fedora, $29 (pictured), from Metropark. And if you’re into the Ed Hardy Tattoo look, and you are willing to lay down some money for a hat, you can get it for $55 at Nordstrom.

For the Girls

• You can’t carry your books around in just any big bag. Something like the Elroinde ($45) from Aldo Accessories. The patent finish stands out from the crowd and has multiple zip pockets for your cell phone, iPod and pens. It comes in beige, purple, teal, black patent leather and light yellow. There are several styles of totes to look at from Gap, but this twill one for $45 is casual and will go with everything. This fabulous big bag ($58, pictured) from Urban Outfitters resembles a vintage “tackle bag”  (Teen Vogue showed a model holding a real vintage one if you want to go dig around in grandfather’s lake house shed.)

• Victoria’s Secret’s new Pink line of clothes and accessories is becoming quite a hit, so you might want to look at their messenger bags (or backpacks). Both are $48. Their rugby totes are also cute, come in lots of colors and are only $19.50. If you’re going for a more bohemian look, Free People has an interesting smocked cloth backpack that looks more like a bag, for $98, or stick with a sturdy but stylish slouchy Big Buddha black bag from Piperlime.

• And if it’s just arm candy you want, go with Guess’ bright red leather Greta Dome satchel for $110 or just go all-out girlie with a Juicy Couture Baby Fluffy Ring Bling Bag for a mere $185 (yes, it’s pink and yes, it’s expensive.)

• These Spice T-strap flat shiny faux patent leather ballet flats will go well with skinny jeans. They come in light pink or cream ($19.80). Gap has a whole flock of flats that are reasonably priced. And if you’ve got a bigger budget, the metallic Coach Leona ballet slipper will capture a lot of attention with its buckle front in bronze and gunmetal ($168, pictured).

• And while we’re dreaming of precious little flats, spend a moment gazing at some pleated gold satin ones ($118) and then think you’ve really saved money by buying some wonderful shoes that appear to combine every great trend going: they’re flat, they’re red, they’ve got a little tiny bit of a wedge, they’re peep toe and they have cool big beads as accents. They’re from Anthropologie for $78. If you want to make an ecological statement, then the Simple Toepaz organic cotton flats fit the bill, for $75.

• Coach’s low-heeled Fionna boot ($368) in soft vintage leather will scream style this fall. It comes in black and gray. Urban has a distressed riding boot (don’t forget that preppy touches are in) for $158.

• Let’s not leave the legs out of this: Leggings are still good for long flowing tops or dresses, either capri length or nearly ankle (and black is usually best), like these knit ones for $34.

• Girls will feel like Lindsey Lohan or Nicole Richie in these slick oversized plastic frame sunglasses from Forever 21 for an affordable $5.80. If you’re up for a little more chic, Couture Candy has handmade Jee Vice black and orange shades for $85.

• Wide belts are all the rage. The patent latch belt at Forever 21 will compliment any waistline ($12.80). At Free People, a braided leather ring belt, $68 (pictured), keeps things a bit off-center but still looks great. Of course, just when you think you’ve got a look nailed, the gods of fashion change things up by making skinny little belts that actually can go around your waist (novel concept, eh?), such as a Pellemelle belt from Couture Candy, $56 (right now if you buy one, you get another one free), or an urban looking Diesel belt from Revolve Clothing for $48. And one source of teen fashion wisdom even suggests grabbing one of Dad’s old ties and using that for a belt. (Worth a try, and a lot cheaper.)

• Plastic skinny headbands from Claire ($3.50) hold your hair in place and create a splash of color in green, yellow, blue or red. If a plain headband bores you, consider a cute little black leather headband with a bow on the side from Forever 21 ($4.80) and, well, really you don’t need to look anywhere else for headbands, clips, pins, wraps, bows because Forever 21 has everything you need.

• Did we mention scarves? Every girl must have a scarf — not just any scarf but one that is wrapped loosely at the neck, made of a whispy fringy fabric that looks like you just tossed it on, when in fact you spent a lot of time thinking about how to make it look “tossed.” These are not scarves to keep you warm. In fact, they look best with warm-weather dresses. Check out a rugby stripe gauze scarf at Urban Outfitters ($28, the picture shows you a way of “tossing it on”). Hollister has one that’s also fabulous in a ultra-lightweight floral navy for $29.50. And Gap has a whole bunch of these kinds of scarves to pick from.

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