What's cool for school

This season's touches give kids' clothes an in-style feel without branding them "trendy." Expect to see some jeans with zip-off features and colorful designs and rugby-style shirts for both sexes. Detailed stitching pumps up the peasant shirt, while "hoodies" return as the comfortable must-have.

Area students say that having fashionable and comfortable clothes is important but won't make or break their school career.

"It's not the main part of our lives," said Brittany Emmons, 12. She will be attending Central Junior High School in two weeks.

Choosing clothes for the first day of school is important, but a group of soon-to-be junior high students said they haven't really thought about what they'll wear.

Capri pants, jeans and shorts paired with T-shirts seemed to be the most popular. Several of the girls interviewed had already begun shopping for new outfits.

Clothes with names like Aeropostale, Gap, American Eagle and Mudd are most attractive, though not necessarily because of their name-brand recognition. "They just have different kinds of things and more variety," Emmons said.

Here's some of what you'll be seeing on the hippest teenagers this fall:

Return to rugby

Like it as a shirt? Try it as a dress. Girls big and little can function, fashionably, in Old Navy's striped rugby dresses ($14.50 to $20) with pockets. Some models feature two-button collars and matching cuffs, while glittery rhinestone hearts or stars add sparkle to others.

Guys searching for the traditional top will find solid and striped styles, including some with varsity team numbers ($14.50 to $16.50). Shirts for girls ($14.50) are also available, some with rhinestone details. All at Old Navy stores.

Tech support

Packing more than books? Calculators and electronics may benefit from extra protection. L.L. Bean's "Tectonic Pack" ($59) features a reinforced bottom, cushioned side pockets and a padded CD-player compartment, complete with headphone access. Curved shoulder straps and a waist belt help distribute the load. Available in navy, charcoal and burgundy. At L.L. Bean stores or llbean.com

Decorative flare

Jeans have more option than boot-cut or straight-leg. Embellishments such as faded hearts (Gasoline, $22), "whiskers" of color, laced-up legs, tints or dye splatters energize this wardrobe staple. Once again, bell-bottoms are teamed with peasant-style shirts. Stitched cuffs, collars and hems; suede drawstrings; retro patterns; and embroidered designs have put this old favorite in a class by itself.

Convertible cool

Joe Boxer denims unzip to become shorts, for active wear with attitude. Shirt $12.99, pants $19.99, sneakers $14.99 at Kmart stores. Kmart also has Joe Boxer's dark denim and oversized jeans -- complete with wallet chain -- as well as T-shirts and camp shirts.

Foot friendly

The mesh inner sleeve of Nike's Air Prestos slides right on, then snuggles to fit. Some models available in lace-ups or zip seams (models for men, women and children; $46 to $60 for kids' sizes). Available at sporting and footwear stores or www.nike.com.

Slouch or strut

Cotton "hoodies" reign as a comfortable wear-it-anywhere item for boys dressing down, hanging out or whooping things up. Contrasting lining matches the color of the appliqued numbers. At Gap stores, $34.50.