The teen mags and retailers will tell you that colored jeans, animal prints and neon brights are the big back-to-school fashion trends this year.
And yes, we saw some of that on kids in the first week of school at Raytown High, Shawnee Mission East in Prairie Village and Oak Park in the Northland.
But more, we found kids dressing to the beat of their own fashion drummer, mixing up pieces from the cool stores at the mall with great finds from vintage and secondhand stores.
And accessories? How about DIY bracelets made of colorful parachute cords and earrings fashioned from thumbtacks?
Who’s your fashion icon, we asked.
Me, said most of them.
That’s an A+.
Molly Pratt
15, sophomore, Shawnee Mission East
Wearing: 7 for All Mankind jeans, a boho-chic Free People blouse, Steve Madden boots. Her Kate Spade bag, striped in neon pink and orange, adds pop.
Never without: Her jewelry — wrap bracelets, silver rings, pearl earrings and the cross necklace she got for her birthday.
Her look: “Usually preppy.” Except for her Free People clothes.
Go-to place: J. Crew. “I will buy anything there.”
Erica Bess
17, senior, Raytown High
Wearing: Tribal-patterned short-sleeve sweater, black tank top, cargo shorts with a shadow pinstripe.
Her look: “I guess most people would describe it as neo-soul.”
Savvy shopping: “I don’t really go to the trendy places like Hollister and Forever 21. You usually catch me in all the outlet stores, thrift stores, Walmart.”
Style icon: Erykah Badu.
Johnathan Carter (pictured above)
15, freshman, Oak Park High
Wearing: Spider-Man shirt given to him by a friend, black slacks.
Color his world: Even his book bags are flashy, one bright red, one bright blue.
Fashion purveyor: Both wrists are wrapped in bright bracelets he makes out of parachute cording from local military supply stores.
Never without: His fedora hat.