Ask Fashion Girl

Dear Melina,

Here are some of the hottest must-have (and timeless) items for back-to-school and beyond:

Everything new is old again: Denim has been a sure trend bet for several seasons now and is only getting stronger. The key to fall’s coolest denim is the aging process. As crazy as it seems to parents who flinch at some of the high price tags, the more worn the denim looks, the better. Antiqued denim gets burnished with gold or copper paint details up the sides and on the pockets. Coated denim gets the reverse treatment by making the usually shiny surface look dull (matte) and faded. Low-slung jeans look adorable with super-thick belts worn just below the waist. Also look for distressed denim jackets, dresses, skirts, oversized backpacks, and purses.

The basics get funkified: When you think fall, think plaid. This year, cute little pleated plaid skirts are your best bet. Wear them with your tees and eighties tops from summer. When the temperature starts to drop, prep up the plaid-n-tee ensemble with a vintage blazer in corduroy, ultrasuede, or velveteen. Faux fur collars or big fluffy scarves add a chic touch. Tights are especially nice this year in patterns like stripes and lace. The good old sweater is another hit-the-books wardrobe basic. There’s nothing better than a big, oversized sweater on a day when you just don’t know what to wear. Find a few in open-weave or fuzzy knits to throw over dresses or pair with jeans and skirts. Sweaters are great for carrying summer clothes over into fall.

Give summer the boot: Like denim, boots aren’t walking anywhere but out of the closet this fall. They are back with a vengeance, in all sorts of fun materials and shapes. Brocade, burlap, and velvet along with neat touches like sculpted heels, lace-up sides, and pointed toes give you lots of fun choices. Now a fashion staple, knee-high black boots go with everything from your plaid mini to your most distressed denim skirt. Ankle-high black boots are hot with your hipster jeans. You should be able to find some really funky boots even in discount stores like Payless and Ross.

By combining some of these basics, you can create many great outfits to last throughout the school year until spring. For your first day of school, you want to be comfortable and feel confident. Don’t wear something that is way over-the-top or super funky, but at the same time, don’t be plain Jane. Use a Polaroid or digital camera to photograph each outfit you are considering and see what really looks best (a friend’s advice works just as well)! Also remember that you will find the best sales right after school starts. To save money and get a sense of what everyone at school is wearing, just buy a few new items to get you through the first week of school. Then spend that first weekend shopping the awesome sale racks!.

Sincerely, Fashion Girl