Figuring out what’s hot and what’s not in back-to-school
items
can be confusing for parents and returning students alike
School shopping used to be simple.
Parents would load their children into the family station wagon
and make a trip to some generic clothing store to purchase a few
pairs of slacks, a couple of skirts, shirts, blouses and of course,
a new pair of shoes. The only supplies needed were a few Pee-Chee
folders, because, back in the day, schools could actually afford to
provide students with pencils, paper and crayons. The closest thing
to a cell phone anyone carried was an
”
emergency
”
dime to use at the nearest pay phone.
Figuring out what’s hot and what’s not in back-to-school items
can be confusing for parents and returning students alike
School shopping used to be simple.
Parents would load their children into the family station wagon and make a trip to some generic clothing store to purchase a few pairs of slacks, a couple of skirts, shirts, blouses and of course, a new pair of shoes. The only supplies needed were a few Pee-Chee folders, because, back in the day, schools could actually afford to provide students with pencils, paper and crayons. The closest thing to a cell phone anyone carried was an “emergency” dime to use at the nearest pay phone.
Today, clothing styles run the gamut from skater dude to preppy chic, and the only students without an iPod are usually found running around the kindergarten playground. Television, videos and the Internet provide constant reminders of just what is hot, and what is not, and because no one wants to seem “different” from their class mates, parents feel pressured to give their child as much as possible.
So what is hot this year in back-to-school items? And more importantly, how many of them are actually necessary?
One certainty – most kids will want to start out the school year with a whole new wardrobe. This can cause a dent in the family budget and a lot of frustration for parents trying to find the right items. Girls are typically harder to dress than boys, who tend to be happy with a pair of jeans and some new T-shirts.
Trendy fashion items for girls in 2007 include babydoll dresses, leggings, embroidered jeans or denim jackets, metallic handbags and ballet flats. Bright, floral prints are in, as are soft fabrics. Skirts are back in a big way, and depending on age, will range from tight fitting short jean skirts to feminine peasant prints in a variety of lengths. And while skinny jeans are still a hot item, tummy-baring tops are out. Think the Disney Channel’s Hannah Montana, not Madonna.
Jewelry must-haves for girls include beaded necklaces and bracelets, hoop earrings, natural stone jewelry and medallion necklaces. Even beaded headbands or barrettes can add a little sparkle to an outfit.
For boys, jeans are always a staple item. A few other hot choices for this year include graphic tees, polo shirts, hoodie sweatshirts, cargo pants and skateboarding shoes. Looks range from beach boy (baggy chinos and T-shirts rather than shorts and Hawaiian print shirts) to rocker (jeans, T-shirt and maybe a chain or two).
Although clothes shopping can be costly, nothing breaks the bank quite like electronics. This year’s hottest technology trends are intended to make a school year easier and study breaks entertaining.
Digital cameras are no longer just for parents. Many students consider digital cameras a “must-have” for field trips and school events. Camcorders are a big back-to-school seller, but this is one item parents tend to purchase for themselves this time of year. Mp3 players are all the rage, with Apple’s iPod the preferred brand (a look at Yahoo’s online suggested shopping list shows both the iPod shuffle and iPod Nano). Cell phones are seen in the hands of students of all grades, but the “coolest” phones are the ones capable of taking pictures and sending text/picture messages. Other techy items on students’ wish lists are portable game systems, such as Sony’s PSP or Nintendo’s DS, and of course, laptop computers. A flash drive is a fairly inexpensive item and handy for when a student starts a computer project in class and needs to work on it at home.
Even shopping for school supplies can put a dent in a parent’s wallet. This year’s hot backpacks feature wheels and handles, multiple storage areas, pockets for cell phones and iPods, a place for a water bottle and ergonomic shoulder straps. Prices range from $20 to more than $100, depending on style and brand. Binders can cost upwards of $20-$25; lunch pails/insulated bags are about $10-$15 each and calculators can cost as much as $150.
Basic school supplies can include: pencils, pens, glue sticks, crayons, washable markers, colored pencils, tissues, red correcting pens, highlighters, scissors, a ruler, protractor, compass, eraser, pencil bag, spiral notebook, paper, pocket folders, calculator, back pack and book covers.
With so many items to choose from, it can be hard for parents to know what is necessary and what is just desired. For example, this year’s fashions vary greatly in color and style, but most are practical, with a trend towards a handful of basic pieces accented with a few “fad” items. A smart shopper should be able to stretch their back-to-school budget by concentrating on the basics in all areas – clothes, electronics and supplies – and avoiding the “flash.”
For more information on back-to-school trends and school supplies, try the following Web sites:
www.schoolsupplies.com
www.about.com
www.chiff.com
www.associatedcontent.com/lifestyles
www.yahoo.com
www.target.com
www.staples.com
