Back to School: Fashion

Layered Look, More Dressed-Up and Skinny Jeans

Back to school clothing is a big deal, and kids this year are going for more sophisticated, more dressed-up clothes. The layered look is big for both sexes and leggings under short skirts and dresses are what girls want. And the older kids especially are clamoring for skinny jeans.

washingtonpost.com Fashion and Beauty Editor Janet Bennett Kelly answered your questions about what's big this year and what's reasonable.

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washingtonpost.com:

Hi, everyone and thanks for joining us on this lovely late-summer day to talk about back-to-school fashions. What will the kids be wearing? Have you started shopping? What are you finding out there? Let's talk!

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Maryland:

This chat is probably for school-age children. I'll be entering grad school this fall; can I wear the same thing I wore for undergrad? Can I continue to live in jeans?

Janet: Jeans are a great standby. You can dress them up for the evening or dress them down for the library.

Darker washes are more in style this year and so are skinny jeans. Get a pair if they're flattering to your body shape; otherwise, stay away. Good luck in grad school.

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Anonymous:

Hi, Janet, I have a question for you. I would like to know what is the style for people over forty and older? I am tall, with beautiful olive skin, brown eyes, great legs, nice bust line and I would like to compliment all of my good qualities with really nice clothing that fit well. I did some modeling in the '60s. But, times have changed and I am older. Times have changed and so have I. Please help.

Janet: It sounds like you have a great figure, and you can wear almost anything you like. And I think this fall there's going to be a lot for you to like. Tailored suits, for example, are a good look for day, and with a change of blouse, also work for the evening. Low-rise jeans and bare midriffs are pretty much a thing of the past, if that's what you're concerned about having to deal with when you visit the stores.

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Tallahassee, Florida:

What are some of the primary reasons why kids are wearing clothing that is so sexually revealing these past ten years or so? Is it a loosening of attitudes about the body? Or is it the cultural industry of explicit videos, music, and TV? Have parents talked about this in any public forum? Where could one find more practical information?

Janet Bennett Kelly: I'm not a sociologist but kids have been and are influenced by celebrities, football players and the like. So, yes, low-rise jeans and bare midriffs have been very popular in the past, but this fall, the new byword is layering, which means bodies will be much more covered up.

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Washington, D.C.:

For the eco-conscious mother, there is a great organic children's clothing store in Georgetown called Yiro (it's at Wisconsin and P). They have buttery soft, colorful clothing. I heard the owner is launching her own label this fall and all items will be Swiss-made.

Janet Bennett Kelly: I've heard about Yiro and am looking forward to going. Thanks for the info.

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Burke, Va.:

I know the chat is about back-to-school clothes but I'm hoping you'll take a minute to solve one of the biggest fashion mysteries of the modern world. Why is it so hard to find petite clothes, particularly business suits? There's only a handful of places (Talbots, Banana, Ann Taylor) and then they have limited selection at $300 or more. For a 5-foot woman who wears suits everyday, it's incredibly frustrating not to easily find petite clothes. Thoughts?

Janet Bennett Kelly: I think one reason for the dearth of store sections devoted to petites is that people in general are just getting larger. When was the last time you could find a size-5 shoe?

That said, I thought I heard that Saks Fifth Avenue was bringing back its petite department. Hope that's true. I do agree with you that it's frustrating not to be able to find clothes for your proportions. At least Banana, A Taylor and Talbot's still have your size. Know a good tailor?

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Skinny jeans:

I'm horrified by the new tight, skinny jeans with the layered, unflattering tops. I'm in decent shape, but I have thick thighs and prefer to wear skinny tops or cropped jackets with looser "boyfriend" jeans. I'm also short, and the long tops make me look dumpy. What can I do besides wear skirts for the next few years?

Janet Bennett Kelly: Given the unforgiving nature of skinny jeans, I suspect that a lot of people will balk at wearing them. So, go ahead and wear the jeans that look good on you!

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Washington, D.C.: Low rise jeans are a thing of the past? Are the waisted jeans from the 90's coming back?

Janet Bennett Kelly: Clothing always comes back but not exactly in the same way. But, yes, waists on jeans are rising to cover more of the tummy.

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Arlington, Va.:

What do you suggest for plus-size teens? And also, I found that while name brands are important, there are certain ways to squeeze them in such as wearing a Ralph Lauren Polo shirt but not Ralph Lauren jeans. Do you have any other suggestions?

Janet: Anyone have some suggestions for plus-size teens? I think your idea about not wearing everything from one label is right on target. So, by all means, wear your Polo jeans with a Target top or a Juicy Couture shirt with jeans from American Eagle.

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20009:

What brand do you recommend for fun and funky messenger bags?

Janet: One of my fashion-conscious fellow workers likes Brooklyn Industries and Chrome. Also, check out the web site thesatchelpages.com.

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Alexandria, Va.:

Can you suggest a backpack (for a H.S. Teen) that has a cooler attached for taking lunches or a snack?

Janet: Try the website keepyourcooler.com.

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Silver Spring, Md.:

Suggestions for the plus-size teen - I was plus-size in my early twenties and have a few suggestions! Torrid, which has a branch in Montgomery Mall (possibly others in the area as well) has funky "rocker" style clothes. Old Navy carries plus-sizes and will have good back-to-school pricing. New York and Company carries sizes up to 18 misses, and that should fit someone up to (approximately) a 16W. Also, a lot of the designers have their plus-size clothes online if they're not in the stores, so it's always worth checking! I loved looking stylish while always dressing for my size. Hope that helps.

Janet: Thanks, Silver Spring. Those are some great suggestions for the plus-size teen.

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Washington, D.C.:

If you have to drink 8 glasses of water a day, sometimes one bottled water does not cut it. Can you recommend a backpack that has compartments for two waters or perhaps a backpack with a cooler attached?

Janet: Check out the Web for www.keepyourcooler.com.

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Washington, D.C.:

Not really a back-to school question, but I'm a recent college grad here now working in a business casual (law firm) environment. How can I best transition a college wardrobe of sweaters and jeans to a work-appropriate one, without breaking the bank? Thanks.

Janet: You'll have to lose the jeans for the office, but you can certainly pair your college sweaters with work-appropriate skirts. Have you seen Banana Republic's new line of clothing especially for work?

I would take a look there.

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Prince George's County:

How do skinny jeans look on skinny people?

Janet: Well, if Kate Moss is an example of a skinny person, I'd say they look pretty darn great.

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Washington, D.C.:

I am petite and have no hips. Where can I find simple, dark, flattering jeans for under $100?

Janet: I'd look at J. Crew and Old Navy for starters. Land's End carries petite jeans specifically.

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Arlington, Va.:

Hi, I know a lot of my friends and I carry a messenger bag with a purse. Mostly to put makeup in the purse and girly things. Anyway, could you suggest a bag that would have the right compartments for everything a girl needs that will eliminate carrying a purse?

Janet: That's the million-dollar question. We all seem to carry more than one bag. A colleague says she found a messenger bag at the Army/Navy Surplus store that has enough pockets inside and out to accommodate all her needs without carrying a purse as well. So, that's a possibility.

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Skinny jeans and layers:

I have to say, the new look makes girls and women look pregnant-bellied and wide-hipped, no matter how skinny. Is there a more flattering look that's hot right now?

Janet: Within the skinny jean category, there are different styles, some more flattering than others. But if you can't find one that suits your body type, don't wear them. Pencil skirts are in and short skirts with leggings are as well. Think monochromatic for a long and lean look.

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Petite and Perspective!:

Funny, the question about why isn't there more petite clothing made me chuckle. I'm 5'9" (i.e. - not petite!) and I often feel like all there is out there are clothes for petites! I can't tell you how many times I've seen something I really like only to discover it's only in P sizes. I guess the "grass is always greener," as they say!!

Janet: So it seems.

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Re: Messenger Bag and Purse:

Will you please tell chatters that carrying more than one bag is a fashion faux pas? Unless you're going to the airport, everything should go in one bag.

Janet: If only you can find that one all-purpose bag. Lucky you. What do you carry?

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Anonymous:

On a sadder note, have the child beauty pageants that Jon Benet Ramsey attended, and we are now forced to watch on the news, still going on? Is security at those events enhanced? I think they're a form of extreme poor taste. YOUR OPINION?

Janet: I don't know about the continued popularity of child beauty pageants. I for one am not a fan.

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California:

My eleven-year-old boy is starting middle school next week, and I'd like him to make a good first impression on all the new kids/teachers he will meet for the first time. He has no interest in clothes whatsoever and prefers to keep wearing his worn-out shorts and T-shirts. Any suggestions?

Janet: Perhaps peer pressure will make him change his mind about what he wears. When he starts school, he may be surprised to find that his fellow school mates are ditching their old shorts and tees for a more pulled-together look. See what happens.

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Re: Messenger Bag and Purse:

I carry an oversized purse. They're great and fit everything!

Janet: Even your work-related papers, books, etc?

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Rockville, Md.:

Shouldn't we be teaching our kids that it's not our clothes that make who we are but our actions and who we are on the inside that really matter? If more people were to embrace this idea than maybe things could actually start to change in the school systems. Unfortunately you'll probably give a response that says something like "Well you make a good point BUT..."

Janet: What you are saying is absolutely true, but we still have to get dressed in the morning and show ourselves to the world. So, I won't say that what you wear doesn't matter; it does. That doesn't mean you have to invest lots of money and always wear the latest oufit to keep up with your peers. But we all have to think about dressing in a way that shows we have self-respect.

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Re: big bags:

Le Sportsac and Longchamp make big bags that carry my work stuff (papers, a lunch, change of shoes), and purse-things (wallet, cell phone etc.) without looking inappropriately huge.

Janet: For all of you in search of the one purse option, two suggestions.

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Silver Spring, Md.:

Plus-size teen response. With most young people overweight and the average size for woman being 12, as "fashion expert," DO YOU you have any suggestions/help? Or is your advice just for the slim and trim. A minority. Or better still should the plus folks look bad until they become slim. Then you can help?

Janet: There are several sites that cater to plus-size teens. For example, www.sowhatif.com, which also has links to other sites.

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More on the skinny:

I think a few body types can pull them off. Although you see MKA, Kate Moss, Kate Bosworth usually wearing them, there are some "curvy" celebs that wear them, i.e. Beyonce and Rachel Bilson (ok, really skinny but curvy). I'm curvy and thin and they are still flattering to me. I recommend Joe's Jeans and Earnest Sewn.

Janet: Thanks for those suggestions.

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Washington, D.C.:

What would be some good places to shop for a 23-year-old female for casual clothes?

Janet: Lots of places, both chains and independents. J Crew, Anthropologie, All About Jane, Nana, Rugby, just to name a few.

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Silver Spring, Md.:

My son has never been fashion conscious in the least, but now he is starting college and I wonder if the old attitude I remember of "wear whatever you want" has changed any. I'm getting ready to buy him more clothes and can't decide between trying to make him look more "with it" or just keep buying him jeans and shorts and Hawaiian (summer) and flannel (winter) shirts like he has been wearing for the last six years.

Janet: I think that the look has recently changed, and that it's no longer enough to just pull on an old sweatshirt and jeans for every occasion. He may want to think about a more pulled-together look for when he goes out. In any case, a more fitted pair of jeans or corduroy cargo pants and a nice-looking denim jacket over a white shirt. We're not talking black-tie here, just more polished.

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Arlington, Va.:

For the person looking for petite suits that won't break the bank at $300, I believe Filene's Basement in Friendship Heights has several petite suits for under $120.

Janet: For the person in search of petite clothing for work, here's a suggestion. Try Filene's.

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Washington, D.C.:

I love the ruffled and high-necked Victorian-inspired blouses that were around this summer. Are they still in for fall? How to wear them for colder weather?

Janet: Yes, they're still going to be around. For fall, wear them under sweaters or jackets.

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washingtonpost.com:

This has been fun; thanks for all your good questions. Happy back-to-school days!

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