DENIM is the word for back-to-school fashion

By Carol Rolf

LITTLE ROCK — Denim, and more denim - that’s the word in back to school fashion for this fall.

“Tunics and denim jeans,T-shirts and denim jeans, screened tees and denim jeans. That’s what’s ‘in’ for girls this fall,” said Jim Burnett, manager of Belk department store in the Conway Commons. “Also, tees andleggings and skirts and leggings are popular.”

And for boys? “Polos, screened tees and denim jeans,” Burnett said.

Tyra Jobe, manger in training at Belk, said plaid shorts and screened tees are popular with boys as well for the warmer days of fall.

Larry Rogers, owner of EM Jeans in Conway with his wife, Liz Snipan, agrees about the denim. “Denim is again popular for fall, but we’re seeing some ‘rising star’ companies offering jeans for a little less money (than some),” he said.

“Skinny” jeans are a choice for many, Rogers said, as opposed to the “wide, elephant legs” of several years ago. The slim-legged jeans are often worn tucked into knee-high boots. Jeans with a boot cut or flair remain popular as well.

Rogers says he’s also seeing the younger generation “dressing up more” with their choice in what to wear to school. “Dresses are back in,”Rogers said. “Black is always easy; it’s always No. 1.

“Girls are dressing up with their jeans, too,” Rogers said. “They’re wearing jeans with high heels and boots. We’re seeing tons of boots for fall and winter.”

Girls will also be wearing “little short crop sweaters,” he said, some being more fitted than others.

The “in” color for fall seems to be purple. “It’s the hot color,” Rogers said. “It’s awesome.” Young men are buying purple, too, he said, along with brown. “Silver’s still huge, too.”

Guys are buying “lots and lots of polos,” Rogers said. “They’re starting to dress up more, too. They can wear a nice dress shirt, a loose tie and a jacket. But it isn’t what your dad or granddad wore.”

Rogers said men’s jeans are “narrow at the bottom” as well. “There’s not so much of the ‘baggy’ look. And they’re wearing fitted T-shirts, too.”

River Valley Ozark, Pages 137 on 08/10/2008