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Back to School

This Year’s BACK to SCHOOL Fashions Make the Grade

By Matt Stringer

Comfort and style don’t have to clash and neither should children’s clothes this school year. Your children can feel great without sacrificing the hip factor. New styles and brands for children are growing faster than kids themselves. So your children have a lengthy selection of dresses, pants, shirts and all kinds of other funky, fashionable items to choose from this fall.

"When things are stylish, it’s easier for kids to wear them," said Lisa Hayes, an instructor of fashion design at Drexel University in Philadelphia.

The big question: what are the season’s colors? "This year, it’s all about plaid. Red is the big solid. Red Jackets, red shirts," Hayes said.

Hayes also said brown and camel are the other big colors and any plaid with the three colors of the season will be a hit for your children. For girls, faux fur and jackets lined with the fake stuff will come in to their own this year. This season, it’s also about layering.

"The most forward thing is kids being layered up. This season is certainly about allowing forms to happen and shape around your body," Hayes said.

You’ll also want to stock up on plenty of leggings and socks. "It’s all about socks. The kids market is taking cues from the grown-up market," Hayes said.

Denim is coming back in a big way to this season in all forms: jackets, pants, skirts, purses, you name it, it’s coming in denim. Shopping for her teenage daughter, who knows what she wants, isn’t a problem, but picking out clothes for a boy can be more of a problem.

"My 12-year-old couldn’t care less; My 9-year-old is very specific," Hayes said. "Boys are hard. It’s hard to find stuff that’s interesting."

This year, the emphasis on outerwear might make boys a little more interested. Aviator jackets are big. And they’re cool. There’s other jackets too that are causing a stir.

"The number one item for boys is the motorcycle jacket," Hayes said.

An Overview Of What To Expect

Here’s a sampling of the kinds of looks you’ll see in the stores. Mix and match your child’s outfits and make it fun.

for girls...

BARBIE LOVES BENETTON

Berlin

For the girl who wants to be a little more edgy, slip on this outfit. The Berlin collection is all punk rock and uses layers of different fabrics and colors. It compliments the renewed flavor of Eastern Europe without being gloomy while still incorporating fresh colors for the little rocker in your punk princess. It also comes with a skirt to wear over the pants and a pink top to don with the super fashionable faux fur-trimmed jacket.

Moscow

For the more girlie-girl, try out their Moscow collection. This line is all about layers with plenty of floral designs and a feminine shawl perfect for the coming season--even if you aren’t gong to Moscow! Both these collections will be in United Colors of Benetton stores starting in September.

BEJEWELED

Hoodie

Clothes encrusted with jewels are the latest craze in Hollywood among the most fashionable celebrities: Reese Witherspoon, Courtney Cox, and Jennifer Aniston. "Little girls are always emulating their mothers and celebs," said Susan Fixel, who originally designed the collection for women but realized its potential for girls. This hoodie would be perfect for any girl who loves a little bling bling.

Shirt

Lined with jewels around the logo, this long-sleeved shirt will light up the room. It’s available in pink and white as well. Pair it with jeans or a skirt—maybe both, layers are the flavor of the season!

J. CREW

Girls’ grosgrain-placket cotton cardigan

This red knit cardigan is good all year long, and she’ll be the envy of well-dressed kids everywhere. It’s all about knits this year, and this sweater is perfect for a daughter who embodies the typical girl next door.

Frayed Edge Denim Mini-Skirt

It’s already worn-in just how she likes it, and if she adds a new pair of fun leggings or knee-highs to the mix, she’ll definitely make the grade this school year. The skirt is great for any girl whether she’s preppy or punk.

for boys...

J. CREW

Boys’ Vintage Fleece Hoodie

Hoodies are always in style and when they’re made of fleece, they’re uber-comfortable, too—so much so that he’ll wear it all the time. The great thing about a hoodie like this is it’s great for everyone, and he can wear it with a button- down shirt or his favorite, ratty band tee—or both!

Boys’ vintage denim jeans

With denim being all the rage this year, get your son a pair of these jeans for the school year. They won’t restrict his movement so he won’t even have to break them in—though you know he’ll have grass stains on them within a week. Plus, with denim, he can wear them with any shirt, no matter what his fashion sense.

Aviator Jacket

Help your little boy lift off to a great start this new school year with a kids’ aviator jacket. Make him want to get up and head off to school in style rather than having a dog fight with him about what to wear. You’ll be happy; he’ll be hip! You can buy one on the Web at lcflight.com or try one of your local army navy stores.

Matt Stringer is the editor of Curious Parents. Additional reporting by Elyse Ettin.