Some are saving for Nike
”
Shockers,
”
some will settle for preppy Dockers and others are looking for
funny new stickers for their lockers. From sassy to sophisticated,
and everything in between, the 2004 back-to-school fashion line-up
has something to fit every student’s style.
Some are saving for Nike “Shockers,” some will settle for preppy Dockers and others are looking for funny new stickers for their lockers. From sassy to sophisticated, and everything in between, the 2004 back-to-school fashion line-up has something to fit every student’s style.
Dave Ismael, manager of Foot Locker in Gilroy, said the color pink is really popular for fall, and surprisingly, it’s not the girls buying it.
“For some reason it’s really popular with the guys right now,” he said. “Big diamond earrings and pink jerseys and shirts.”
While the color pink is something new, Ismael said throw back jerseys and retro shoes from the 80’s, are still very popular among high school guys.
“I think most of the time, people buy these shoes for looks,” he said. Even if they’re not athletic, high school students are running out in hoards to buy Nike Shocks running shoes, also known by the teens as “shockers,” for $99.
“I think they’re cute and comfortable,” Gilroy High Student Kristen Campos said.
Campos is a golfer and plays basketball, but said all her friends, athletes or not, dig these shoes.
“I think a lot of them just like the way they look,” she said.
Another sporty trend popping up in schools every where, are Lance Armstrong Livestrong Bands. The yellow plastic bands are a fundraiser for the Lance Armstrong Foundation, raising money for cancer research.
“I wear one because I think he is the last true hero of sports, and it supports cancer research,” 16-year-old Dominic Jackson of Gilroy said.
The wrist bands can be bought at www.wearyellow.com .
Girls who wear the Livestrong bands are pairing them with dress tube tops and sweat skirts, according to Charlotte Russe Associate Manager Melissa McDonald.
“Those are our top two sellers right now,” she said.
Because the weather stays hot in this area until November, McDonald said, most girls buy summer clothes for school, instead of the typical sweaters and slacks that come out in the fall. T-shirts, tube tops and tanks can be found in every color of the rainbow, offering girls a casual style, and an opportunity to upgrade their look.
Gilroy High School student Sara Griffis said many teen girls are taking their causal collections and sprucing them up with glitzy accessories.
“You can take anything basic and turn it into something trendy,” she said. “You could take a simple top and match it with high heels, big glasses and chandelier earrings, to add a little pep in your step.”
While the big kids are sporting relaxed gear, the elementary school kids are going more preppy and personalized.
Gap Outlet shopper Lindsay Miller was buying argyle sweaters for her second-grade twin boys. The boys’ and girls’ section at the Gap was filled with the classic pattern, most commonly found on golf socks.
“They look so preppy and fun,” she said. “The boys will look so studious in them.”
Along with patterns, polo shirts are also popular in a plethora of colors. Target stores, located in Hollister, Gilroy and Morgan Hill, have polos in pink, white, red and other colors, and also offer ways for students to personalize their look. Backpacks, notebooks and key chains are all available with letters “A” through “Z” on them to let students express themselves.
While shopping at Target in Morgan Hill, Linda Garcia bought her daughters a “C” and a “L” backpack for school.
“Everything has to have their initial on it these days,” she said. “It’s the biggest hit with all their friends, and I think it’s a way of them being able to identify themselves outside of the group.”