Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Kids Shopping local in London Kentucky

Kids go back to basics as they go back to school

Let's face it: the first day of school is almost all about the outfit. After all, there was nothing quite as slick as that plaid kilt with the knee-high socks. The Beatles T-shirt. The shiny, new Maryjanes. The slouch socks.

This year, kids are equally excited about their new duds, with styles encompassing highlights from several decades to create an entirely new look. We asked owners from Bob's Ready to Wear, Sugar-n-Spice Children's Boutique and Trendy Teens 'N Betweenz to let us in on what's hot this season — and what kids will be wearing when they stream through the school doors Aug. 12.

Shannon Knight, owner of the new store Trendy, said this year's styles are varied, but all make a big statement.

"There's lots of flashy stuff," she said. "There are bold patterns and rips and tears are big in jeans. I've even had shirts that are ripped."

Bedazzled T-shirts inspired by vintage tattoos, made popular by Ed Hardy, are also flying off the racks.

"When somebody starts wearing it, they all want to wear it," Knight said. "There are a lot of celebrities that wear Ed Hardy and they want to emulate."

Plaid is also popular this season.

"The plaids are going to be dip-dyed where they will bleed together," Knight said. "They're pretty color plaids, not just red and black."

Accessories are chunky and big, with everything from rhinestones to leather being incorporated in jewelry. Purses, however, have gone from gargantuan to small thanks to wristlets: wallet-size purses with a wrist strap.

Both Knight and Tiffany Wagner, owner of Sugar-n-Spice, said the 1960s' iconic peace sign is also big this year, popping up on everything from bracelets to schools bags.

Wagner said, while fashion is forward this year, the classic look still very much applies, with traditional patterns and colors being chosen by kids and parents alike.

"We have tons of classic," she said, adding one traditional turn has incorporated an old, wise friend.

"Owls are very big for this fall," Wagner said. "There will be lots of little sets featuring owls with cute little florals and plaids."

Still, Wagner, who specializes in young children's clothing, said classic is having fun too.

Pettiskirts, which are "big, fluffy skirts," are popular.

"And you can wear little tutus over jeans, over striped leggings, with leg warmers," she said. "Leg warmers came back last year and they're coming back again."

That signature 1980s accessory is just one of the ways that decade is weaving into kids cloths. Princess Diana's polka dots are also back.

"Polka dots and stripes will set anything off," Wagner said.

Bobby Parman, owner of Bob's Ready to Wear, agreed the 1980s have resurfaced, as have motifs from other decades.

"You've got a good mix of any age you want to be in," he said. "You can go from the 1970s up. It's a good mixture."

Parman said long tops worn over leggings are big, as is "anything denim with rhinestones." Different shades of denim are also popular.

In terms of hot colors, Knight said teal and amethyst are splashing across magazine pages, while Parman said he's seeing a lot of browns, black, turquoise and deep purple.

"Just about anything someone wants to wear will work," Parman said.

Staff writer Tara Kaprowy can be reached sentinel-echo


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