Layers Rule For Back To School

With less than two weeks before the start of school, it is crunch time for those trying to find just the right clothes, shoes, backpacks, and those pricey gadgets for kids returning to school. 

Most kids want to look their best, especially that first day, and even more so if they are starting in a new building like middle school, high school, or as is the case in Saline, Heritage school, the bridge between elementary and middle school. 

Jamie Westcott is the owner of the Resale Boutique in Saline, and says the trend for this year comes down to one word. Layers.

“Layering basics is what has been very popular, you can add a few basic pieces to your wardrobe to mix and match with things you already have to create a whole new look on a budget,” Westcott said. 

Money is tight for some families, so getting the most out of what you have can be easily done with a few items. 

“I’m noticing parents are giving their kids a budget for school shopping,” Westcott said. “They are buying cardigans, tees (as always), jeans and scarves.”

Anne Brandon is the owner of The Bling Thing in downtown Saline.  She is the expert when it comes to accessorizing the perfect outfit for girls. 

“The feathers are very hot, feather necklaces and earrings,” she said.  “The hippy cross-body purses are everywhere.” 

Brandon talked about the fall preview line she saw in February and said leggings, blousy tops  and longer tunics will play a big role this year, paired with Sperry shoes, or boots. Again, layering.

Teenage boys can be just as particular about what they wear. Many boys want the brand names like Aeropostale, American Eagle, Gap and Old Navy, but admit jeans can be bought pretty much anywhere. You’ll see hooded sweatshirts and jackets over one or two tees at a time, grounded by a pair of Nikes, DC’s, Reebok Zigs, or VANS sneakers.

Fashion isn’t just for teens.  Kids as young as fourth grade are taking time to really think about how they want to look.

One Saline mom said this about her fourth-grade son. 

“My nine year old wants basketball sneakers. This is the first year he’s actually cared about what he is wearing,” she said.  

Young kids want to emulate what they see their older siblings or neighbors wearing, like jeans with graphics on the leg, brand logos on their tee shirts, and again, a baggier, layered look. Sporty styles are always popular at this age, as well as graphic tee shirts with favorite characters on the front.

The trend to dress “up” can be troubling for some parents, especially parents of young girls. Many elementary school girls love stores like Justice, the blingy, pink and sparkly store at any given mall. There seems to be a fine line between what clothes are age appropriate and which styles go too far, too fast. Stores like Justice offer a lot of popular options, again layering sweaters over sparkly, embellished tee shirts, and skirts over leggings.

Layers are as practical as they are cool, especially for the younger kids who still have recess and are in and out of different temperatures.  Bold stripes and polka dots are also making a comeback.

Jill Fair of New Hairizon Salon is seeing a lot of kids getting ready for school.  Nothing tops off fashion like the right haircut.

Girls are looking for side swept bangs, loose waves and feather extensions. Hot nail polish colors are purples, blues, bronze and asphalt. 

Boys are keeping clean cut, flat top and spiky, too.

As far as gadgets go, laptops and iPhones seem to top the wish lists of most teens, with the younger set asking for the iPod touches. Older kids are looking for backpacks with one strap instead of two, and little kids want fun erasers. 

Remember last year’s “Squeaky” eraser craze? If you had a child in elementary school, it was hard to miss. 

There are still a lot of kids who really don’t care what they wear or have for school. Some like to wait it out, see what is trending once school starts and then shop in October. This could be a smart move for little kids who don’t wear their new jeans until cooler temperatures in late fall, only to find their August bargains to be an inch too short.