Back-To-School Fashions: The Cool Factor

This fall, there are loads of must-have fashion items for kids headed back to the classroom. Fashion experts say that, this year, plaid is in, as are mismatched items such as socks and bracelets, and also Converse shoes. Also in style are eye-catching print tops paired with jeans or skirts and detailed vests with ruffles or sequins.

Fortunately, local fashion hounds have lots of options for their back-to-school wardrobe at Montclair stores. Indeed, Patch checked in with a couple of them to see what teens and tweens are buying for the fall season.

At Little Shoebox in Upper Montclair, employees say kids are snapping up Converse shoes in neon colors — especially green and pink — as well as the Ugg-like Emu boots.

Other stores say that Jeggings — a hybrid of leggings and jeans — are also popular this year as well as denim jackets, billowing dresses, and mismatched accessories.

At Blackbird Lane on Glenridge Avenue, owner Maureen Frances said customers are grabbing her vintage short skirts that range from $25 to $35. In another life, the skirts were dowdy 1980s button-front plaids or longer kilted skirts.

Frances had her seamstress shorten them, and now they scream modern.

"My average customer is a hip high school girl or boy from Montclair, Glen Ridge, and Bloomfield who is looking for something different," she said.

Western wear also has been a hot seller for both boy and girls, from authentic 1940s cowgirl boots to mens' colorful snap-front shirts. Oversized sweaters with a belt tight around the waist are this year's sweater dress. She also carries new silk-screen t-shirts with vintage jazz musicians for $20. To carry everything from lunch to books, Japanese anime bags are $10 to $25. And have-to-be-seen-to-be-believed duct-tape wallets by a Portland artists are also flying out the door.

At Hip Chic on Bloomfield Avenue, the teen and tween customer has been buying Jeggings, a tight-legged denim jean for $44. Pair them with a faux fur vest, a menswear -inspired fedora, and a ruffled pink scarf,  and it covers all the trendy sellers for the season. Military inspired clothes have also been selling briskly. A green jacket with a cinched waist and pockets retails for $54. Popular colors for deeper in the fall season are red and purple, according to Hip Chic owner Grace Caravello.