Fall is near and most children eagerly anticipate entering the new school year with the latest fashions.
Often this brings conflict as children want the most fashionable clothes while parents pay attention to pricetags.
Possibly helping alleviate that tension will be the tax-free weekend next week when state sales taxes will not be charged to school clothes and supplies.
The first full day of school looms Aug. 13 and 14, depending upon whether students attend Murfreesboro or Rutherford County Schools.
Right before the full start of the school year, the Back to School Celebration will be held from 2-4:30 p.m., Aug. 10 on Murfreesboro’s Public Square. Last year’s event filled Murphy Center to overflowing.
As parents and children seek fall fashions, they will find a wide variety of choices.
The latest fall fashions for girls include graphic T-shirts, canvas handbags, dark-wash denim, puff-sleeved tops, flats and baby doll dresses and tops, according to chiff.com.
Cargo shorts, vintage-washed tees, graphic tees, button-down shirts, fitted jeans; V-neck shirts, woven, organic shirts, and collared, knit shirts are popular for boys.
Target, 1851 Old Fort Pkwy., carries most of these fashions. Vintage tees for $9.99, flutter-sleeve tops for $12.99 and skinny denim jeans (dark wash) for $19.99 might catch your and your child’s attention.
Melissa Taylor, a mother of two, enjoys shopping at Target for her daughters.
“They have really cute clothes for a cheaper price,” Taylor said, who also mentioned Old Navy as a favorite store to shop for her children.
The Rocking Horse, 402 W Northfield Blvd., suite A, is a consignment shop with a wide variety of children’s clothing. With the basics: denim, skirts, shoes and nice shirts, Carol Arrington, a sales associate, doesn’t have to coach very many parents on the styles for fall.
“Most of them (parents) know what they want when they come in,” Arrington said. “They ask more questions about what matches and what sizes will better fit their child.”
Not only are girls worried about the latest fashions, but most boys desire hip styles as well.
Like girls’ fashion, most popular boys’ fashions can be found at Target where golf shirts are $7- 21.99, including the popular enlarged logo on the side of chest. Vintage washed tees are $6.99-11.99; Cargo shorts for $19.99 and woven organic shirts are $13.99-15.39.
Fred’s, 715 S Tennessee Blvd., also has clothes for a bargain. It offers a variety of button down shirts, golf shirts and quality khakis, as well as shoes for the whole family.
A vintage/ bohemian look for both male and females is in. The Goodwill store, located on 710 Memorial Blvd. and 1825 Old Fort Pkwy., features gently used and new items for bargains. With these clothes, kids not only make a statement, they help the environment.
Vintage wear helps reduce your carbon footprint and the need for clothing to be created, according to earth911.org. Also, mixing and matching vintage with contemporary clothing is popular.
According to Styles.com, colors are important when dressing for fall. Earthly hues (olive, chocolate and stone) and jewel tones (deep purple, emerald green and ruby red) are in style. Adding shots of hot colors like red and fuchsia bring flavor to any outfit. Also, black and beige are always acceptable.
Whippersnapper and Lilly’s Club, a unique children’s boutique on 606 S Church St., offers a wide variety of girls and boys clothing. For newborn to size 16 for girls and up to size 10 for boys, younger children can stay in style this fall.
Mary Dickerson, a sales associate at Belks department store, constantly helps parents with back to school styles.
“I usually just tell them what we sale the most of,” Dickerson said when asked about helping parents in need for fall styles.
The most popular items being bought this year are dresses and khakis, and Dickinson notices the same styles are wanted.
“A lot of kids have to wear uniforms, and others have to follow a dress code,” the sales associate said.
Justaformality.com/fall 2008 gives an insight on fall fashions. Dark toned winter floral, plaid, ballet flats, dramatic sleeves, over-sized knits, rusty copper colors and blood-red lips are all in style for fall.
Contrast piping, stripes, knits and denim are also popular according to WWD.com.
With the wide variety of fashions in style, and the many stores open for bargains, shopping this fall might not be such a hassle.
Fallon Boyce, a 17-year-old from Lynchburg, travels with her mom, Debby Boyce, to Murfreesboro for back to school shopping.
“There’s not much to pick from there (Lynchburg),” Fallon said. “Murfreesboro is like a big place for us to go and shop.”
The Boyce family plans to visit Target, TJ Maxx, Old Navy, American Eagle and The Avenue. With all these choices in one day, shopping would seem complicated, but Fallon Boyce makes things simple.
“If I see something I like, I’ll get it,” the young shopper said, admitting not to following any certain fashion.
Debby Boyce, a mother of five, ensures her children are prepared for school.
“If they want or need something, I’ll get it for them, but we don’t just go crazy,” Debbie Boyce said.
As a mother, she lets her children know that buying things is “OK” but to always search for the best prices.
“When I go to a store, I check the clearance rack first,” Fallon Boyce said, keeping a positive atmosphere with her mother.
The atmosphere is not so positive for Melissa Taylor. Her back to school shopping is slightly more complicated due to her daughters, Bailey, 5 and Cameran, 3, having different styles.
“Bailey only wants to wear skirts and dresses, and Cameran only wants to wear pants,” Taylor said.
She has trouble forcing pants on her daughter in the winter, however, when it comes to buying clothes, Taylor knows what to look for.
“I buy them stuff that looks like something I would wear,” she said. |
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