Back-to-School Fashions Echo the ‘80s
by Emily Lambert
It’s all about the ‘80s when it comes to this year’s back-to-school fashion must-haves.
From punk to preppy, expect to find bright colors and funky styles. Strafford, PA-based wholesaler Hartstrings & Kitestrings is shipping out their version of preppy in fairisle-patterned sweaters, embroidered corduroy pants with whales and grosgrain ribbon belts. “The retro ‘80s feel has been big for us,” says merchandiser Megan Updyke.
For boys, the varsity look will take center court, highlighting various sports. Because clothes are sold in collections, children can mix and match to create different outfits out of just a few pieces, says Updyke.
Doreen Burdalski, fashion merchandising program coordinator at Philadelphia University in Philadelphia, says the ‘80s punk look will make an appearance as well. “You’ll see plaids in pink and red and lots of zipper treatments,” she says. Coincidentally, the Britney look is on its way out.
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Shopping Strategies
Where do you find all these totally cool clothes? It depends on what you want — the Delaware Valley has everything from upscale boutiques to bargain discounters. For those shopping for a first, second and maybe even a third user, paying more for quality might save you money in the long run. “We’re on our third generation,” says Carol Harvey, co-owner of Hansel and Gretel, a children’s clothing boutique in Wilmington, DE. If you want bang for your buck instead, you might be pleasantly surprised by the offerings at resale stores. For example, Lee DeStefano, owner of Once Upon A Child and Plato’s Closet in Wilmington, sells gently used clothing with no stains and no holes. “If it hasn’t been out in the stores in the last year, we’re not going to buy it,” she says. Philadelphia University’s Doreen Burdalski suggests purchasing one branded good from a specialty store and then filling in with basics from stores such as Target and Kohl’s. Other tips offered by Drexel University’s Emil DeJohn, include: • Buy one size larger, since children grow so quickly. • Read hang tags to make sure you can wash each garment. • No matter where you shop, “check the sale rack all the time!” |
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Expect flares to get straighter and rises to get higher. “In denim, we’ve been inundated with the low-rise flared look. Bodies for fall will be more basic, washes too,” says Burdalski. Whiskering and bleaching are out; denim will be found in more natural looks, such as stonewash.
The military influence of cargo also continues for both boys and girls, marching into fall with a new flair. “Instead of camouflage prints in dirty, murky colors, you’ll find them in pastels,” says DeJohn.
Teens will pair t-shirts with their pants, no matter the season. (Of course, layering them works best when temperatures really start to dip.) “It used to be you went to long sleeves for winter but for older kids, the short sleeve is going year round,” says Burdalski.
T-shirts might be limited to teens, but many trends stretch into all age groups. “What manufacturers try to do is take elements of trends that juniors are wearing and reinterpret them for tweens to please both parent and child, like taking the belly shirt and making it not so high and not so tight,” says Burdalski.
Jeffrey Mitgang, a vice president of merchandise for Boscov’s Department Stores, headquartered in Reading, PA, notes ponchos, sheer sweaters and fashion-belted jeans are expected to be bestsellers in both girls and juniors.
Pleats and Patterns
If you’re shopping for girls, make sure to include a pleated skirt and some patterned tights, suggests Burdalski. Tights will be in reds and pinks, as well as stripes and polka dots. “Legwarmers are starting to show over the tights,” she says. Burdalski describes legwarmers as “forward,” meaning ahead of the times. Also forward, she says, is wearing skirts over pants.
What completes the ensemble? Carl Barone, owner of Carl’s Shoes in Moorestown, NJ, says 70 percent of the time it’s sneakers —- as in Skechers, New Balance and Nike. Updyke adds Adidas to the list, complementing the varsity look, but for “more of a designer look, Docksiders, going back to the ‘80s, would be the most appropriate,” he says. For girls, a Maryjane type shoe or a simple Keds sneaker will do the trick.
No matter what’s in and what’s not, remember, individuality is important. “It’s definitely cool to have a little bit of everything — trendy, preppy,” says Updyke. “Kids want to be excited,” she says, so make sure to bring them along.
Unlike years past, when parents bought the whole season at once, kids today like to check out their friends’ duds at school before the spending well is dry. “Now it’s little spurts here and there,” says Updyke. However, for denim it’s a good idea to shop early. “Traditionally, August is the big promotional month. That’s when you’ll find the best price on denim,” says Burdalski.
Emily Lambert is a local freelance writer and former retail store buyer.