Back to school fashion

LIMA - Parents and kids, get ready: it's time to stock up for your return to school.

While you're purchasing your notebooks, rulers and other equipment, you might also consider pumping up your son or daughter's wardrobe with this season's stylish must-haves.

After all, what's back-to-school shopping without some fashion flavor?

For elementary kids and pre-teens, consider these style tips:

Overview: in general, younger kids are dressing more and more like their teenage counterparts, with styles that emulate what big brother or big sister will be wearing. The exception to this rule: certain television shows and movie characters are more popular with the younger set.

Colors: girls look super cute in this year's hot color combinations. Shades of pink, purple, black and grey mix it up in color block, patterns and hipster-esque T-shirt designs. However, brighter citrus and blue tones continue to have their place: boys still love their blue graphic T-shirts and denims.

Patterns: Stripes, plaids, checks and houndstooth prints have found their way into fashion for every age, younger kids included. It's all about being bold, with plenty of color contrast to make these patterns pop. For girls, consider a black-and-white houndstooth skirt with pleats, or a vest with subdued blue and black horizontal stripes (more on vests in a minute). For boys, stick to classic: polo or rugby shirts with stripes look polished, but fun.

Pants: Parents rejoice: pants that fit (instead of the baggy trend) are making a comeback. Boys will be eyeing straight-leg jeans in a variety of styles, from dark blue to sand-blasted to distressed. Cargo pants and carpenter jeans continue to remain popular. Girls are loving leggings this year: darker shades like black and charcoal, particularly with hardware like rivets, will be flying off the shelves.

Tops: The popularity of such shows like "Hannah Montana" and movies like "High School Musical" have inspired kids' fashions in a big way. Girls' fashions are imitating the prep school looks of favorite characters with vests over T-shirts or wearing character-themed tops. For boys, graphic shirts and hoodies have yet to decline in popularity.

Extras: Girls' styles in particular will indulge in a little embellishment, provided it's not too flashy (a splash of glitter here, a few sequins there). Skinny ties (for girls to match with vests) and skinny striped scarves are also accessories girls will want to wear.

Sources: Elisabeth Yospur-Daniel, general manager of Elder-Beerman, and Julie Caudill, assistant store manager of soft lines at Sears.