With the first day of school quickly approaching, many high schoolers have some important business to take care of.
No, it’s not paying for school supplies. Many students likely want to know what they should wear this fall that will turn heads without breaking the bank.
But it might not be as hard as you may think to find the perfect look.
“A lot of the things that were hot last year will be popular this year,” said Sara Rogers, a trends specialist at Minnesota’s Mall of America. “Skinny jeans are still in style.”
Rogers said that students should look at their current wardrobe and figure out how to make improvements. For instance, if there are already skinny jeans in your closet, find bargains at stores such as Forever 21, Akira, Charlotte Russe or J.C. Penney for this fall’s fashion-must have: plaids.
“It’s all about plaids, plaids, plaids,” said Jon Cotay, owner and buyer for Akira Chicago.
Plaids are making a major comeback with teens because they come in many varieties. Also, according to Cotay, the material used to make plaids is cheaper than some other materials so it can be sold at lower prices.
If you visit sites such as forever21.com, there are ruffled plaid tops for under $20, which can be paired with skinny jeans. Wearing something loose-fitting on top looks great with something tighter on the bottom, Rogers said. There are also plaid dresses, skirts and belts.
Guys who want to look good without spending a lot of money can also find deals at stores such as Forever21 with its Heritage1981 line made for males. Some jeans cost less than $30 while knit tops with plaid prints are priced around $20. These items can be found both online and in stores.
But what if you are a guy who’s not into plaid? Cotay suggests going for a clean and simple shirt with a crazy, washed-denim pant.
“(It’s) all about the cleaner look but matching it with distressed pants because the shirt is so clean and simple,” he said.
Meanwhile, for those planning to do budget back-to-school shopping, Rogers suggests shopping during sales for items on clearance.
