Top 10 Trends in Back-to-School Style

From Shopperati

Tax-free shopping starts Friday in Texas, and almost every back-to-school item you might need is on the official state list. We won’t see cooler fall temperatures for a while, but some trends transcend the weather. We’ve studied the stores and the styles, and come up with a list of the most popular looks for back-to-school shoppers.

1. Graphic Ts - They’re everywhere, for boys and girls, big and little. These worn-looking T-shirts come under various guises: heritage, rocker, statement, and perhaps the hottest style of all - Ed Hardy’s tattoo-inspired designs that are even showing up on elementary schoolers. Girls like the “girlie” styles and eco-friendly statements are selling well. A variation on the T-shirt style for boys is the layered look: a short-sleeved T atop a plain long-sleeved top.

2. Vests - They’re snug, tailored like menswear for the girls and they’re worn over Ts, long-sleeved lightweight shirts and even dresses. Vests are also style statements for the boys this season, either in the traditional angular look or an argyle patterned pullover.

3. Preppy - Blame it on Gossip Girl, or the Ralph Lauren U.S. Olympic uniforms, or because every trend is  destined to repeat: preppy is back. Go for traditional styles such as polos for boys and girls, short-sleeved or long, striped or solid. Classic Oxford button-downs are good for both sexes, topped with knit cardigans when the weather gets cooler. Longer cardigans with school logos are touted for girls, and the snappy blue blazer will be just right for guys when cooler weather arrives. And just for kicks, Wellies are back — the plastic wading boots are colorful and fun.

4. Denim, denim, denim - You’re not going to escape without picking up several pairs of jeans. Even the pricy lines (7 for All Mankind, Citizens of Humanity) come in kiddie sizes. You don’t have to break the bank, because every store has denim on the racks. There are several styles to pick from for girls: the same low-cut flares we’ve seen for years are fine, but if you didn’t buy skinny jeans last year, you may need some this fall. There are also jeans with higher waists and wider legs, and don’t rule out black or gray. For boys, it’s basic: loose-fit, straight-cut jeans that end in sneakers are be all you need.

5. Two shoes: sneakers and flats - Look for the athletic shoes by Nike, Reebok and other familiar names for boys and girls. Boys may also want some hi-top black Converse sneaks, and girls may gravitate toward the Ed Hardy-designed ones. For the young ladies, there are flats to fit every outfit: shiny, striped, balletic, peep toe, satin, velour or with buckles or bows.

6. Plaid - Perhaps it’s just part of the preppy rebirth, or maybe because it’s being combined with offbeat pieces to make a punk proud, but plaid is everywhere. You’ll find it on dresses, heavy coats, boys casual shirts, skirts, even socks. You can even mix plaids if you are a daring style-maker. Don’t overdo it. A piece or two will be enough, especially one that can do double-duty, such as a nice wool plaid coat.

7. Hoodies - Where have we seen these before? Oh, right - everywhere. Never mind that they’ve been a student staple for several years, there are always new ones to pick from. College logos are big, as are bright colors for the girls and oversized for the boys. Consider a mix of lightweight and midweight to ease your child into winter.

8. One excellent winter coat - Your mother told you, and her mother before: The essential element to back to school shopping is a stylish, classic heavy coat for the winter. The puffy jackets are still big for both sexes, but girls can make a fashion statement in solid or plaid wool coats that hit the thigh with dropped waists. For boys, rumpled lined leather (or faux leather) are still popular. Also, preppy herringbone is hot for the cold.

9. Three trendy accents for girls - The hot hue this fall is purple, especially in lighter shades of violet. It’s on shoes, Ts, dresses and skirts. Another trend likely launched by celebrities in L.A. (think Miley Cyrus) are loosely woven, patterned, ragged, fringed scarves tossed casually around the neck. The third is tights/leggings. Black, brown and other solid colors are fine under dresses and skirts, but go ahead and branch out into more daring brightly colored striped or dotted styles, especially for the younger ones.

10. Backpacks and messenger bags - Of course everyone has them, but you have to have a new one every year because, well, everyone else does, don’t they? Some older girls convert big baggy hobo purses into school carryalls, but messenger bags in bright colors and varied sizes are also trickling down from high school to the underclassmen. And the backpack is a staple. Try them on for size and comfort along with style, and for the little ones, the rolling bag is still just fine (at least until fourth grade).

Want specifics? Check out the back-to-school fashion guides for college, high school, middle school and elementary in Shopperati.