Rock out with this year's school fashions

Weren't we just rocking out to Cindy Lauper and watching that new kid Kevin Bacon in the movie "Footloose"?

The current newspaper ads suggest this year's back-to-school collection is a lot like viewing the popular '80s film "Back to the Future." Everything old is new again.

Layered shirts, applique jeans, leg-warmers and acid-wash denim are just some of the back-to-school clothes filling the aisles of your favorite store.

Along with the '80s look, other "in" styles for school include camouflaged T-shirts, tennis shoes and accessories — and that's just for the girls. (For the record, camouflage is no longer just Army green. It's blue, pink, yellow, teal and orange, too.)

For boys, you can still find some baggie jeans. However, cargo pants and slim-fitting jeans with polo shirts worn with flipped collars are showing up in greater numbers — it's the "preppie look" revival. Screen print T-shirts are also omnipresent.

"For me, jeans are a big issue. I like boot-cut jeans, and I always "pop" the collar on my polo shirts," said Brodee Ripple, 13, an eighth-grader at Centennial Middle School. "I have to go shopping for my own jeans. I don't like them baggie. Everyone has their own style. A lot of boys are getting tighter-fitting jeans and more ragged jeans with holes everywhere."

Ripple said boys at his school are also wearing plaid shorts. The cool hairdo is "surfer" style — long enough to look good while staying out of your eyes. Brand names that are popular are Rue 21, Aeropostale, Hollister, Abercrombie and Fitch and Hot Topic.

For teen girls the layered look or military cut is common. Designer fashions include layered tops, short jeans skirts and knit leggings trimmed in lace with ballerina shoes. A variety of hats and caps accompany necklaces, mini bags, and dangling earrings. Heels with jeans are also stylish.

"I like the way the jeans are, because there are holes in them and they look resewed. Jeans have got to have holes in them," said Preslee Clawson, 16, a sophomore at Orem High. High heels are in and flats with laces, like rubber-toed Converse shoes.

Clawson says she doesn't care too much what the latest fashion is, she wears what fits her style. "I went school shopping and got some button shirts, a hooded shirt and hooded sweater. I just buy what I like. I don't care what's in style."