Merchants keeping up with latest school fashions

Kenneth Ma

Going back to school means participating in the annual ritual of

keeping up with the latest trends.

What was worn last year is probably being used for pajamas or table

rags this year, as the world of fashion is constantly changing. August is

traditionally a busy time for merchants because of back-to-school

shoppers.

And merchants had a lot to say about this year’s trends.

Gary Farley, manager of the Electric Chair in Huntington Beach, said

tighter clothes are a hit with students this season. Other popular

outfits include rock ‘n’ roll garb, such as leather and vinyl pants, punk

clothes, such as bondage pants and punk band shirts, and old denim

jackets and Levi’s jeans, said Farley, whose store also sells compact

discs, shoes and jewelry.

At The Closet in Huntington Beach, a clothing store that also sells

skateboarding and snowboarding equipment, Assistant Manager Stacy

McDonnell said T-shirts and casual wear are a hit for boys and girls. But

apparel with skate and snowboarding logos are especially popular with the

guys, she added. The girls are attracted to clothing from the 1960s,

1970s and 1980s, she said.

McDonnell said many kids follow the fashion trends they see on

television.

Chris Garrett, store manager of Jack’s Surf Boards in Huntington

Beach, said the latest fashions for boys include clothing with added

features, such as pockets, zippers and hidden pockets; zip-off pants that

convert into shorts; brightly colored clothing; and anything with brand

names.

Teenage shoppers at Jack’s Girls in Huntington Beach, a clothing store

that sells women’s apparel, have put quarter-length and denim skirts,

tank tops, T-shirts, fury jackets, faded jeans and cropped, hip-hugging

pants at the top of their priority lists, Manager Kei Tamura said.