Between jean jackets and spiked smoking flats, there is a lot of old and a lot of new trending in back-to-school fashions this fall.
While color blocking (the pairing of different colors) was in for spring and summer, pattern blocking is the new fall trend, said Michael Muratore, co-owner of Rose & Eye, a women’s boutique in the West End.
“Oxblood burgundy will be the color of the season,” he said.
While high-low dresses will remain the style throughout the fall, leggings and boots will make great additions as the weather cools, said Muratore, who also advises students not to put their maxi skirts and dresses in storage just yet because they are wearable with some extra layers.
Denim is all the rage as jackets and vests made of the material are back from the 1980s and ’90s. An alternative to the classic denim jacket is the denim or chambray shirts. Patterned jeans, particularly skulls and floral prints, are another look gaining traction.
Salvage Chic, a vintage store on East Park Avenue, may be perfect for the student on a budget but who still wants to look fashionable. Many outfits can easily be put together for under $50, said co-owner Stephanie Thornton. “A Nettle and Daphne small messenger, with foldout pad, is a functional but creative accessory for the artsy student on the go,” she said.
Alexander McQueen made skull prints popular again and they are appearing at different shops in Long Beach. To purchase skull apparel and accessories, one can shop at Rose & Eye and Cover Girl Fashion on East Park.
Meanwhile, bold graphic prints inspired by Versace, from blouses to dresses to skirts, can be seen virtually anywhere, and wrap dresses are always in style and great for teachers. A new take on the wrap this season is mixed prints.
Ooh La La Boutique, a boutique on East Park, is another establishment where girls can find new fall looks. They’ll find bird prints, which celebrities have recently been sporting, and unique shoes can be found there at a reasonable price. Both the Jeffrey Campbell high heel bootie and a more affordable version by Shoe Replica are in stock. Another fun shoe is the spiked smoking flat, a loafer adorned with spikes.
There are options in Long Beach for boys as well, including NY Threads on East Park Avenue. “Long Beach is notorious for wearing shorts and flip-flops through winter, so we carry both until November,” owner Carlos Ferreiro said.
Buffalo and Cult of Individuality jeans are popular his customers, and Graphic T-shirts and hooded sweatshirts are always good basics for everyday wear, said Ferreiro, who noted that contrast polos are a new trend among teens.
Any Long Beach student with a student ID receives a 20 percent discount at NY Threads in addition to other deals available to teens.
Down the block, UnsoOund Surf carries more than just surf gear. DC sneakers, Nixon headphones, Roxy backpacks and the shop’s surf apparel are back to school items with a boarder’s touch. There are a variety of watches available at Unsound Surf, a helpful item for getting students to class on time.
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As far as high-tech devices go, the AT&T store on West Park Avenue offers suggestions for cell phones according to each student’s needs. The store manager there said the cell phone most in demand remains the iPhone.
Other popular smart phones available are the Android Samsung Galaxy S3 at $200 and the Pantech Burst, both of which can be purchased for just 99 cents with a two-year contract.
More basic phones for those on a budget are the Samsung Evergreen and the LG Xpression, equipped with keyboards that are perfect for the avid texter. Wireless chargers are convenient since students can charge their phone right in their backpacks. Decorative phone cases are also available to meet everyone’s individual taste.
