Back-to-school fashions
By Joanne Fox Journal staff writer | Posted: Sunday, August 10, 2008
Austin Tonner and Erin Lanning model what's new in back-to-school fashions provided by The Buckle at Southern Hills Mall. Tonner is wearing an Affliction shirt and jeans while Erin wears a Sinful T-shirt and Big Star jeans with an 'ement backpack. (Staff photo by Jerry Mennenga)
Montgomery Gentry may bemoan things that are "Gone," but to the delight of most parents, the preppy look has returned for back-to-school fashion.
"Gone like a freight train" are baggy shirts with inappropriate slogans. "Gone like yesterday" are the tops that reveal a bit too much skin. "Gone, and ain't never comin' back," are the low, low, low-rise pants exposing underwear.
Instead girls and guys will be looking for a more tailored look, a more layered look and a more put-together look, said Niki Buss, manager of The Buckle at Southern Hills Mall.
"Layers are really the big thing this season," she explained. "You'll see a tank top under a shirt with a vest over that."
For girls, it goes beyond the clothing, Buss added.
"It's not just a necklace, it's several necklaces," she explained. "It's several rings, several bracelets, several earrings to bring about a much-more put-together look."
Even though a layered look might seem bulky, 17-year-old Erin Lanning -- who offered to model some outfits -- said it was the most comfortable clothing she had worn.
The East High senior added, "And besides, with layers, if it's too hot, you can take something off.
"It's not like you pile clothes on. It's all about matching the colors underneath each other."
Previously a fashion no-no, prints are now mixed with stripes accentuating a person's individuality, Buss said.
"You'll see lots of patterns and florals and stripes combined to form one look," she said. "Anything goes, as long as it's comfortable, yet fashionable."
Now that a pierced ear is far more acceptable, guys will sport an earring, such as the other volunteer model, Austin Tonner, 18, did. But walk through the mall and it's not unusual to see a guy with single chain necklace or bracelet or ring.
Not to mention the attention to belts and buckles -- once a staple of guys who wanted a western look -- that consist of crests, griffins and fleur-de-lis.
"I would wear this," insisted Tonner -- a Sergeant Bluff-Luton graduate who will enter the University of Northern Iowa this fall -- of his dressy black, pin-striped shirt over a T-shirt. "It's comfortable and it looks and feels good."
Popular, bright summer colors will go back in the closet. This season, colors range from rich earthtones to intense jewel tones, Buss said.
"Fabrics follow that trend as well," she said. "Very popular right now is a burnout texture that continues to add that 3D effect to an outfit with a sheer fabric."
Although guys may still rely on that ball cap with a favorite logo or emblem, young women have started donning hair apparel as well, Buss said.
"We started selling hats to girls last year," she said. "The girls like the coffee shop hats, trucker hats and derbies."
Young people are not as influenced by celebrities as one might think, Buss said.
"I'm not saying that they are paying attention to what Paris is wearing, but they are aware," she clarified. "What drives them are brand names."
A "huge status thing," for example, is Ed Hardy, Buss said.
"It's tattooed-inspired art that's really intricate," she said. "Here's where you find your bright colors, rhinestones and studs."
Affliction, the company that sponsors UFC wrestling, has released shirts and jeans, Buss said.
"They will print different names of the fighters on their shirts and we have customers coming in and asking for them," she said.
But even more influential are peers and friends, Buss said.
"Retailers say August is a huge month for buying back-to-school, but many shoppers are waiting until September to buy," Buss said. "Kids are waiting until school starts to see what the 'trend setters' are wearing."
Two years ago, the very long and fall-off-your-butt jeans with all kinds of holes were all the rage. That look has been modified, Buss said to "small destructions" and carefully placed flaws in the material.
"T-shirts with unfinished collars and sleeves are hot right now," she said. "Little holes or bleached white stripes are used to decorate jeans."
But really popular this season is the attention to the pockets and hip area of jeans.
"Whip stitching and detailing is very hot right now," Buss said. "There are a lot of buttons and designs that have been added to jeans pockets."
And no more bell-bottom jeans, Buss stressed.
"It's skinny jeans with a bit of a flare," she said. "They're more fitted, more straight-legged."
Shirts are longer, possibility to accommodate a low-rise jean, Buss mused.
"Principals tell me they really like that," she said with a grin.
Want to know more?
Niki Buss, manager of The Buckle, provided these insights on fashion trends for back-to-school.
Sweaters
Short-sleeves are making a comeback in heavier weights
Length will vary by body-type
Because of these variations, sweaters will be easier to transition from season to season
Outerwear
Chunky plaid wools
Reversible vests and jackets
Detailed trim
Shoes
Shiny materials for a novelty look
Shorter heels
Fur-lined loafers
Jewelry
Mixed metals
Burnished golds and silvers
Chunky chains
"Gone like a freight train" are baggy shirts with inappropriate slogans. "Gone like yesterday" are the tops that reveal a bit too much skin. "Gone, and ain't never comin' back," are the low, low, low-rise pants exposing underwear.
Instead girls and guys will be looking for a more tailored look, a more layered look and a more put-together look, said Niki Buss, manager of The Buckle at Southern Hills Mall.
"Layers are really the big thing this season," she explained. "You'll see a tank top under a shirt with a vest over that."
For girls, it goes beyond the clothing, Buss added.
"It's not just a necklace, it's several necklaces," she explained. "It's several rings, several bracelets, several earrings to bring about a much-more put-together look."
Even though a layered look might seem bulky, 17-year-old Erin Lanning -- who offered to model some outfits -- said it was the most comfortable clothing she had worn.
The East High senior added, "And besides, with layers, if it's too hot, you can take something off.
"It's not like you pile clothes on. It's all about matching the colors underneath each other."
Previously a fashion no-no, prints are now mixed with stripes accentuating a person's individuality, Buss said.
"You'll see lots of patterns and florals and stripes combined to form one look," she said. "Anything goes, as long as it's comfortable, yet fashionable."
Now that a pierced ear is far more acceptable, guys will sport an earring, such as the other volunteer model, Austin Tonner, 18, did. But walk through the mall and it's not unusual to see a guy with single chain necklace or bracelet or ring.
Not to mention the attention to belts and buckles -- once a staple of guys who wanted a western look -- that consist of crests, griffins and fleur-de-lis.
"I would wear this," insisted Tonner -- a Sergeant Bluff-Luton graduate who will enter the University of Northern Iowa this fall -- of his dressy black, pin-striped shirt over a T-shirt. "It's comfortable and it looks and feels good."
Popular, bright summer colors will go back in the closet. This season, colors range from rich earthtones to intense jewel tones, Buss said.
"Fabrics follow that trend as well," she said. "Very popular right now is a burnout texture that continues to add that 3D effect to an outfit with a sheer fabric."
Although guys may still rely on that ball cap with a favorite logo or emblem, young women have started donning hair apparel as well, Buss said.
"We started selling hats to girls last year," she said. "The girls like the coffee shop hats, trucker hats and derbies."
Young people are not as influenced by celebrities as one might think, Buss said.
"I'm not saying that they are paying attention to what Paris is wearing, but they are aware," she clarified. "What drives them are brand names."
A "huge status thing," for example, is Ed Hardy, Buss said.
"It's tattooed-inspired art that's really intricate," she said. "Here's where you find your bright colors, rhinestones and studs."
Affliction, the company that sponsors UFC wrestling, has released shirts and jeans, Buss said.
"They will print different names of the fighters on their shirts and we have customers coming in and asking for them," she said.
But even more influential are peers and friends, Buss said.
"Retailers say August is a huge month for buying back-to-school, but many shoppers are waiting until September to buy," Buss said. "Kids are waiting until school starts to see what the 'trend setters' are wearing."
Two years ago, the very long and fall-off-your-butt jeans with all kinds of holes were all the rage. That look has been modified, Buss said to "small destructions" and carefully placed flaws in the material.
"T-shirts with unfinished collars and sleeves are hot right now," she said. "Little holes or bleached white stripes are used to decorate jeans."
But really popular this season is the attention to the pockets and hip area of jeans.
"Whip stitching and detailing is very hot right now," Buss said. "There are a lot of buttons and designs that have been added to jeans pockets."
And no more bell-bottom jeans, Buss stressed.
"It's skinny jeans with a bit of a flare," she said. "They're more fitted, more straight-legged."
Shirts are longer, possibility to accommodate a low-rise jean, Buss mused.
"Principals tell me they really like that," she said with a grin.
Want to know more?
Niki Buss, manager of The Buckle, provided these insights on fashion trends for back-to-school.
Sweaters
Short-sleeves are making a comeback in heavier weights
Length will vary by body-type
Because of these variations, sweaters will be easier to transition from season to season
Outerwear
Chunky plaid wools
Reversible vests and jackets
Detailed trim
Shoes
Shiny materials for a novelty look
Shorter heels
Fur-lined loafers
Jewelry
Mixed metals
Burnished golds and silvers
Chunky chains
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