Students see a colorful fall in the fashion world
By Karen Brainard
Fall is full of color for students heading back to the classroom this month.
While jeans and plaid shirts continue to be popular, bright and vibrant colors, along with fun animal prints, stand out in Ramona retail stores.
The western look is always in, and teenagers can find Ariat and Wrangler jeans in women’s and men’s sizes at Elston’s Hay & Grain, 2220 Main St.
“They’re really popular jeans,” Teresa Elston said of the Ariat brand.
Ariat footwear, and different styles and sizes of boots are also sold at Elston’s.
At Kimi’s Fashions in the Stater Bros. shopping center, owner Martha Torres noted that sparkles and sequins are stylish on jeans. She also carries a variety of colorful tops, girls’ and women’s shoes, jewelry, purses and backpacks.
Skinny jeans and jeggings continue to be trendy and now come in dark reds, blues and purples, said Kmart Fashions Associate Amanda Callihan.
“They’re not just black anymore,” Callihan said of the jeggings.
In Kid’s World at Kmart, Susan Hunter noted that lots of deep purples and pinks are trendy for clothing and hair accessories this fall. Those colors and others are incorporated into animal prints that are popular for younger girls, she added. Some outfits and jackets have peace signs or butterflies mixed in with a colorful leopard-print design.
“The colors are really rich this year, really deep,” said Hunter.
Royal colors are popular for boys, along with the camouflage and military look, she added.
For shoppers searching for a bargain and a variety of styles, Ramona Food and Clothes Closet at 773 Main Street sells clothing in all sizes.
“You can find some good things,” said Assistant Manager Lori Woosley. “We have a huge amount of jeans and all brands.” All women’s jeans are $5.49.
T-shirts, tank tops, dresses, shorts, active wear, jackets, sweatshirts and skirts are just some of the clothing that can be found at the thrift store. For boys and girls, shirts are $1.49 or $2.49, and shorts and pants are $2.49 or $3.49. Children’s shoes are $3.99.
Woosley said they stock the store every day. Clothing is not arranged by size but by style, so she offered this bit of advice:
“When you come, allow yourself enough time to look. Take the time to really shop, because there are some good finds.”
Shoes, accessories and supplies reflect colorful trends
By Karen Brainard
There are many ways, besides clothing, for students to make a fashion statement this fall.
Athletic shoes, backpacks, jewelry, and even folders and notebooks are reflective of today’s colorful, bold trends for students heading back to school.
“It’s a very colorful world out there. Shoes are getting that way as well,” said Jay Williamson, manager of Big 5 Sporting Goods in Ramona.
At the store, rows of athletic shoes sport neon-colored trim of pink, green, blue or purple. Red accents are also available, and the colorful look is for both boys and girls.
Neon colors are also available on backpacks.
“Our backpacks tend to go with more exotic colors today,” Williamson noted.
With such brands as JanSport, Under Armour, Ogio and Dickies, students can choose a backpack at Big 5 in a solid bright color, plaid, bold checks, or a tie-dye look, as well as a dark solids. The store also carries rolling backpacks.
Colorful prints and designs on backpacks and book bags can be found at Kmart. Kimi’s Fashions in the Stater Bros. shopping center also carries backpacks.
At Unicorn Books and Gifts, 780 Main St., owner Stacy Bart has creative tote bags. Made from recycled jeans by the local company Reblu, each denim bag has fun decorations, including western and beach themes.
According to Bart, trends in jewelry are big and colorful.
“All the ‘80s and all the hippie stuff are back,” she said, pointing out tie-dye, neck pouches and “fun and funky” jewelry.
Bart sells scented friendship bracelets by I Scream Bracelets that come in many hues and contain such scents as bubble gum, cotton candy, cupcake and Julian pie.
Bling is still popular, Bart said, noting a display of bling-covered pens. Sara, Bart’s 14-year-old daughter, picks out jewelry for tweens and teens and has a corner display in the store. Long necklaces and earrings, hair feather clips, and big, colorful rings are the rage, Bart said.
“Owls and peacocks are the two things I cannot keep stocked up on,” she added, referring to the ornamental jewelry.
Today’s trends have carried over into school supplies with folders and notebooks printed with tie-dye or camouflage designs.
For bargain hunters, the Ramona Food & Clothes Closet at 773 Main St. has a table of back-to-school supplies, both used and new, depending on the donations, said Assistant Manager Lori Woosley.