FALL INTO FASHION

Walter Lents and Whitney Werner model shoes from Children's Bazaar.

As summer wanes, so do children's shoes, and even a cursory check of what's hanging in the closet typically supports what the calendar already proves.

It's time to shop for school clothes.

Opinions about clothing are often strong, even among the youngest shoppers, and styles reflect that diversity. "There's a little of everything; the tastes are so varied," observed Arlinda McElmurry, manager of All American Kids in Plaza Galleria.

The different looks that can be found make back-to-school shopping easier and a lot more fun.

Especially in boys clothing, McElmurry said, "the very outdoorsy motifs are in."

"The colors are great, the hunter green, the muted colors," said Irmi Niswonger, spokesman for Boys' Corner at the Crossroads.

At All American Kids, knit-wear in many styles and descriptions is showing particular appeal, McElmurry noted. Leggings matched with loose-fitting knit cardigans and vests bring that mix-and-match capability that many parents desire and children enjoy.

A check with several children's-wear shop owners and department managers in Cape Girardeau indicates denim remains on most children's and parents' lists of favorite fabrics for school wear.

"Denim is really big," said Renea Borum, merchandise manager at JCPenney in West Park Mall. "They want to look like the bigger children, so there's a lot of the denim looks, a lot of the hiking boots and socks."

Denim can be found dressed up and dressed down -- in skirts, shirts, vests, shorts, dresses, trousers and jackets -- in short, in any style or form imaginable.

"We have lots of decorated denim," said Diane Newell of the Hansel and Gretel Shop in Town Plaza. "We have got denim with chintz, with roses, denim with feathers, denim with lace -- every kind of denim shirts and jumpers you can think of."

Representatives from other stores explained that denim garments may be mixed effectively with velvets and florals or matched with roomy T-shirts, and, when the weather cools, worn with over-sized tops of many fabrications.

Flannel plaid is another material looking strong for fall. It, too, is often combined with denim in a garment, Newell said.

Kim Kinder of Kidstop in Town Plaza noted that western styles and other denim sets are always among shoppers' favorites for boys and girls.

Beyond denim's popularity there is much more to enjoy on any back-to-school shopping trip.

Two enduring styles enjoying some updating and renewed attention -- plus, both are found in many fabrications -- are the skirt and the jumper.

There's a skirt style out this year tailor made for the young girl who begs to wear shorts under her dress just in case she has the urge to turn cartwheels or hang from the monkey bars.

"The scooter skirts -- the shorts with the skirt flap -- are showing popularity for fall," Kinder observed. "And the plaid and solid, pleated 'skater' miniskirt is also still very favorable for fall."

Plaid jumpers are a popular choice for school, and, particularly for the older girls, over-the-knee socks are often the perfect complement for an outfit, noted Carol Brazel, a department manager at Children's Bazaar at the Crossroads.

Classic sweaters in many styles and lengths, including vests and traditional cardigan designs, are strong for back-to-school, Brazel explained. They may be paired effectively with many pieces, including another style enjoying continued popularity -- the walking short.

Footwear that once was available primarily for the older set has become the rage all the way into the tiny sizes.

Boots that strike at the ankle just keep getting more popular. Susan Leimbach, manager of Children's Bazaar Shoes, said work boots and dress boots are still hot, but the trend is toward the more rugged boot. Plus, color is making inroads in the style that's matched with so many looks.

"Last year, it was more of the work-boot color, the wheat, now they're coming out with the brighter colors, red, floral prints and the denims," she said.

A new brand at Children's Bazaar Shoes features a bulky sole and, Leimbach said, "They're known for the yellow stitching and bright yellow shoelace."

Though they appear bulky, Leimbach said, the boot styles are not heavy and they're flexible.

The newest trend in athletic styles is the soccer shoe, Leimbach said. "It's a suede shoe and it comes in black and navy and chambray."