Life

It's almost back-to-school time, and with a sluggish economy and soaring fueling prices, many parents are dreading that annual shopping trip like never before.

But from shopping at thrift and resale shops such as Plato's Closet or Goodwill to hitting the sales racks, there are ways to stretch the dollar.

It all comes down to comprise and setting a budget. Have your children help determine what items you will splurge on and which you will pick up at a big-box discount store such as Meijer or Value City.

Some kids could care less about brand names, but many have to have a few pair of Nike tennis shoes and Hollister jeans or they will feel like an outcast.

But not all name brands will brake the bank. Starbury sneakers, designed by NBA player Stephon Marbury, for instance, are a big hit with adolescent and teen boys. They're sold at Steve & Barry's.

But there are many ways to save. We offer a few tips and discuss some of the trends that will take your children into the new school year in style.

Sierra Stahl (on the cover), Noah Martin, Morgan Hale and Paul Gamber appear courtesy of Roof-Goenner Talent Agency.

Daley Fogle (on the cover), Melanie Yost, Sonia Mehta, Shayna Earley and Raina Olinger appear courtesy of Nouveau Image Models and Talent Agency.

Polished attitude

This year's fashions allow kids to be as dressed up or down as they want. Stretch your dollar with items that can be worn different ways. Paul Gamber, 16, of Lebanon in Union Bay relaxed straight-leg jeans, $29, and graphic T-shirt, $12.99, with MB Studio shirt, $19.99. Shayna Earley, 17, of Northmont High School with Kipling rolling Sausalito backpack, $188 at kipling-usa.com; Gap lightweight flare jeans, $59.50 at Gap and Gap.com; and Charlotte Russe houndstooth jacket, $24.99, and sheer ruffle shirt, $19.99; with Manhattan Hat Company cap, $10.99, and Blu Chick tank, $6.99 at Charlotte Russe.

Floral frenzy

The floral patterns trend will hang on for early fall. Select items in fall colors that can be layered. Melanie Yost, 14, of Springboro in multicolored floral baby-doll top, tank top and just-below-the-waist jeans, respectively $3.29, $3.29 and $3.79 at Goodwill. Book bag, $3.99.

Practical kid stuff

Childhood is one the few times in life when you can get away with wearing a big apple on your chest. Select a few charming pieces for back to school, but be practical. Jenny Martin, mother of model Noah Martin, sought quality clothes that are pre-strunken. She picked pants with adjustable waists and elastic, so her young child can grow into them and thus wear them for a long period of time. Raina Olinger, 7, of Huber Heights in with Lands End character lunch box, $29.50, and in Lands' End soft jade apple sweeter, $25.50, dark cobalt blue, multifloral ruffle shirt, $24.50, field khaki adjustable-waist twill flares, $25.50 at Landsend.com.

Old-school cool

Just because it was popular before they were born, doesn't mean they won't like it. Message T-shirts and vintage-inspired

T-shirts are hot back-to-school items. Authentic vintage shirts often end up at thrift stores. Noah Martin, 6, of Kettering, in "Star Wars" C-3PO and R2-D2 shirt, $11.99, and Falls Creek Army style, adjustable-waist cargo pants, $16.99 at Meijer.

Skinny jeans and ruffles

Wide-leg and bell-bottomish pants are resurfacing, but skinny and straight leg jeans still remain at the top of the wish list of many teenage girls. Ruffled shirts are also among the trends. You can partly appease a label-fiends fixation by mixing in a few name-brand signature pieces with discount clothing. Sonia Mehta, 15, of Centerville in Gap straight leg jeans, $59.50 at Gap and Gap.com; and jacket and ruffle tops, $3.29 at Goodwill.

Self express

While clothing from retailers such as American Eagle Outfitters will continue to be must-haves at many area high schools, this season's fashion offers many ways for self-expression and individuality. The layering trend allows students to experiment with texture, color and print. Key pieces include vests; plaid skirts, jackets and pants of varied colors; graphics tops; and one of model Sonia Mehta's favorite trends, colored jeans. Mehta (left ), 15, of Centerville in Gap white, skinny stretch jeans, $39.50 at Gap; and F.A.N.G vest, $30, Derek Heart pale blue blouse, $30, and Energie aquarium support tank, $18, at Kohl's. Morgan Hale (right), 12, of Centerville in Candie's graphic shirt, $28 at Kohl's; and gray long-sleeve shirt and purple and black plaid pants, $3.29 and $3.79 at Goodwill.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2384 or arobinson@DaytonDailyNews.com.

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