If there were just one trend you could pinpoint about back-to-school fashion this year, it's that students can express their individuality and personal style.

Sure, there are several "must-have" items this year. Plaid is big. So are '80s-inspired outfits such as leggings, skinny jeans and bright mix-and-match colors.

But students have a lot of options in finding clothing that is unique, yet still in style.

Case in point: The Deseret News took four high school and one junior high student shopping last week for back-to-school clothes. They picked distinctive outfits (without urging) and were confident in knowing what they wanted to wear.

To help you navigate your own back-to-school shopping this year, take a look at what these students had to say about different trends and how they chose their own outfits.

Abbey Muse, 15, Centerville

Within minutes of meeting at The Gateway mall in downtown Salt Lake City, Muse knew exactly where she wanted to go: Anthropologie and Urban Outfitters.

While she doesn't normally visit these stores (only during sales or when she has extra spending money), she said she loves the styles, which are feminine, fun, casual and comfortable.

Muse selected a dress at Anthropologie made with a black silk bottom and cotton-striped top. Later, during a visit to Urban Outfitters, she chose a graphic T-shirt and a blue cardigan to pair with skinny jeans.

"I love how they're so random," Muse said about her T-shirt, which had a print inspired from X-Men on the front. "You can show your personality."

She also mixes up her wardrobe with the occasional dress and loves to wear colors and styles that don't necessarily match. Muse also said she likes to shop for quirky outfits at stores such as Deseret Industries.

Elisa Brown, 16; Elizabeth Brown, 14, Murray

Like Muse, these sisters were fairly confident when it came to knowing where to shop and what styles they liked.

They chose Fashion Place mall in Murray, and the first store they visited was the Gap. Elisa immediately saw a few dresses she loved, while Elizabeth looked at skinny jeans, cardigans and tops.

"I've been really into flower prints lately," Elisa said after trying on a dress with dark blue and purple flowers.

Elizabeth, in turn, said she loves vintage styles and designs that are more simple versus extravagant. After leaving the Gap, where she bought a pair of skinny jeans and a blue cardigan, she and her sister went to Gadzooks, where Elizabeth picked out a white T-shirt with black graphic text.

She paired the shirt with a bright, patterned scarf purchased at Charlotte Russe.