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 basic etiquette: BACK TO SCHOOLGet an "A" for amazing style with clothes that can be easily pulled together and reflect your personality.
Key pieces for tweens, teens and the college-bound include hoodies, foil embossed T-shirts and sweater tops reminiscent of dance wear. Don't swat what to wear on the bottom, leggings make the grade, but jeans are still at the head of the class.
If this all sounds eerily familiar, like the Eighties, for instance, it is. The Madonna-Flash Dance era is a major reference.
Regardless of its source, styles will not hang together the way you want without some forethought. Take the time to plan out a school wardrobe. A week's worth of looks laid out in your head or on paper goes a long way to getting out the door quickly and making an impression in the classroom.
Think twice -and then once more - before heading out the door in tiny halters and camisoles for girls or muscle T-s for boys. The classroom is not the place to flash your body assets.
Dirt is another no-no in school hallways. Style Reality Check! Jeans can still have that desirable lived-in-look, without actually being dirty. Buy them off the rack from brands like Polo Ralph Lauren and Abercrombie & Fitch or create your own look by rubbing brown dye and grass stains into the fabric. You can still launder the pants. Heavy distress is so yesterday, anyhow. More au courant are understated jeans that fit well - snug for females and a straighter leg for men. In-your-face embellishment including, rips and sequins, is out. |
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From JLO by Jennifer Lopez: falls hottest trends-fur trim, hoodie, horizontal stripes and stove pipe jeans.
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From DKNY: fur trimmed parka, layers, no more baggy pants.
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Skinny jeans are a must and they are everywhere - The Gap, J Jeans, True Religion, Mandees, 7 for All Mankind, and H & M.
Pair these new denims with sweaters with bold horizontal stripes.
Hoodies - with or without graphics - can be worn alone or layered over henleys and T-shirts when weather turns chilly. Glamour gals and guys will choose puff vests trimmed with fur or faux fuzz.
The item that will instantly modernize your wardrobe is the tunic or frock top. These are coolest over slim jeans, leggings - long or short - or short skirts and fabulous shorts. Yes, there are plenty of shorts and a few minis around, better to put them over leggings rather than risk a double exposure in the classroom. Flashing your underwear, no matter how lacy, is another look that's so done you can stick a fork in it. Let this summer be your thong song. Time to cover up.
Jackets with brass buttons epitomize military and marching band style that's high-stepping to its own beat. Dressed up over tailored pants or laid back with flare jeans, they're a snappy way to complete an outfit.
Alternately, add a little camouflage here and there in a T-shirt, utility pants or a messenger bag to keep things interesting.
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| Black is a major color, but it need not be dour. Brighten it with red and white or colorful plaid. Or skip black entirely and choose some of interesting shades of brown, yellow, burgundy and lavender.
Another way to dress up dark clothes is to layer on gold or silver necklaces or colorful beads. Punk it up or channel Madonna with rosaries and pendants shaped like skulls or crosses. And don't forget the hair-band. They've been popping up on celebrities on both coasts from Nicole Richie to former BF Paris Hilton.
Another dance-inspired look: Ballet shoes, an ultra-feminine take on flats. High wedges make an entrance too with cork heels or cheese bottoms. Thank goodness the heat wave is over. Those cheese bottoms would be turning into Velveeta.
Guys can add edge with accessories like hip chains and demi or half gloves.
Brokeback influence is still evident in plaid Western touches, belts with iconic buckles.
Sneakers and boots inspired by the open range will get you around campus. But the shoe that will best finish off most looks for males and females are Chuck Taylor's from Converse. |
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Look at photos of Madonna in the 80's |
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Hang safety pins all over the place |
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Ditto for the movie "Flashdance" |
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Do punk head to toe - even if you know how |
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Think layers - e.g. long sweater over skirt over legging |
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Mix plaids with other prints |
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Have fun with the fashions |
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