Back to School Fashions 

By Cece Feinberg
Columnist

School started this week and according to kids in the know, the most important back-to-school decision they’ll make is—you guessed it—what to wear. So don’t be surprised if your kids drag you to the mall this weekend – new trends are popping up on the fashion front faster than you can say, “Charge it!” Instead, be aware and astonish your mini-fashionista by having the 411 on this season’s latest trends.  

First, learn to recognize your child’s fashion type. Is she a casual, sporty chick who’s cut out for velour and terry sweatsuits and colorful vintage sneaks? A girlie-girl, obsessed with all things ribbon and lace? Is she into the sk8er girl/punk look, or was she born to wear glittery, glamorous pieces? Here’s the Fall 2003 breakdown – style by style. 

For your very own Sporty Spice who tends to choose comfort over style, you’ll need versatile pieces that she can wear to class and then throw over her uniform after practice. This look is influenced by some of today's biggest teen celebs. It teams sport-oriented pieces with casual street choices. Invest in a sweatsuit or two in a bright color and fun material (terrycloth, velour, and satin are all top picks), and add a cute mesh or graphic tee underneath for a sporty, layered look. Pair striped legwarmers with sneakers and a mini, and add a polo shirt for a preppy twist. Look out for cute, drawstring skirts made out of a combination of mesh, sweat material, and cotton, featuring sporty logos and numbers. Also check out old-school Converse All-Stars hi-top sneakers, which look adorable with jeans, cords, and skirts (don’t forget to unlace the tops a little bit!). 

As an unofficial goddess of glam, your princess has a particular affinity for all things sparkly. This season, be prepared to purchase an Asian-inspired minidress to wear over jeans, dangling earrings, and lacy camisoles under sporty zip-ups. Bows are big this season, so be sure pick up a few to wear in hair, on wrists, on backpacks, or on clothes for a glam, girly look. Chunky Lucite bracelets with rhinestones are also a must-have, as they give plain outfits a punch of style. 

If Fabulously Funky is your child’s trademark look, and “Dare to be Different” is her motto, then be prepared to forego the mall and head straight to the vintage shops. This fall, tights (brightly colored and opaque or fishnet) are big, and can be paired with a mini skirt and funky tee or jacket. Avril-style patchwork or plaid pants with a wallet chain or studded belt are hot in a punk-rocker kind of way, as are cuff watches in red and black. Also look for cargo pants that are spiced up with loose strings, zippers, ties, and satin materials. 

Hail to the queen of all girlie girls! She loves everything from her t-shirts to her notebooks covered in lace, ribbons, and flowers, and favors the color pink. For fall, she’ll want a flower pin for her hair, jacket, or backpack. She’ll be craving velvet pants, a satin jacket over a lacy camisole, and a little cardigan over a preppy polo shirt. Chunky pearl bracelets and necklaces add a touch of class and sophistication to any outfit – especially if paired with a mod mini. Ballet-style slippers with ribbons lacing up the legs are fabulous with mini skirts and an off-the-shoulder sweater top (the 80’s are back). Black and baby pink is the hottest color combo of the season and polka-dot prints are also super-trendy, so look for those. 

As always, I would love to hear from all of you dedicated fashion fans. For questions, comments or story suggestions, please email me at fashionsunpost@aol.com.