THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, July 26, 1996 TAG: 9607260054
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E14 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Teenology
SOURCE: BY PAMELA SARIAN, HIGH SCHOOL CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: 58 lines
WHAT'S IN STYLE for fashion in the summer of '96?
Most teens want to stay in style, look good and keep cool, and local retailers are seeing shoppers look for outfits to help them do just that.
``The hottest sellers for women are short crop tops that are body fitting and straight or wide legs (pants),'' said Scott Hoffman, an employee at County Seat clothing store in Lynnhaven Mall. ``And as for shorts, they're shorter with a three-to-five inch inseam.''
Unlike past summers when longer shorts were popular, this year many teenagers are going for a shorter look. Also popular are ``skorts,'' which look like a wrap-around skirt from the front but are really shorts.
Amanda Garcia, another employee at County Seat, said: ``The shorts now are not too short that it's gross. They're just the right length.''
If this is a fashion trend for women, what about the guys?
``They buy wide legs and zipper polo shirts (shirts with zippers the full length of the shirt) along with baggy T-shirts,'' Hoffman said. ``And to keep cooler, they wear the longer shorts that usually stop at the knee.''
James Oaks, 17, said many guys are more worried about comfort instead of looks.
``I like to wear Polo shirts with long denim shorts or sometimes baggy T-shirts with khaki pants when it's hot out,'' said Oaks, of Virginia Beach.
If you want to go more stylish, Janet Headrick, Tidewater group advertising coordinator of Leggett department stores, has the answer.
``The girls like the retro '60s and '70s look with the pastel or bright neon colors,'' she said.
Loud and bright colors are popular for the retro look, Headrick said, but if you want to be more toned down, wear pales and pastels.
``Also the tops that tie at the waist are one of the best sellers,'' Headrick said.
You don't have to show a lot of skin to be stylish this summer. To really beat the heat, some ladies like to wear long, sleeveless sundresses, jumpers or rompers.
``Sleeveless shirts and dresses are comfortable and also stylish,'' Headrick said.
Jeans, as always, are real popular for both guys and girls, especially the wide leg or loose-fit jeans. Calvin Klein, Boss, Nautica and Tommy Hilfiger, to name a few, are among the best selling name-brand jeans.
However, some jeans, especially the heavy, baggy styles, can get uncomfortable in the heat, said Lerone Banks, 16.
``But I'll wear them anyway,'' said Banks, a rising junior at Indian River High School in Chesapeake.
Of course, keeping in style can take a lot of money. The average cost of an outfit - shirt and pants - can range between $45 and $75.
Also, these sporty, shorter styles may work for the summer, but they'll have to stay in the closet when school opens. Many school districts ban short skirts, halter and off-the-shoulder tops or shirts that expose the midriff.
So have fun - and be stylish - while you can. ILLUSTRATION: Pamela Sarian by CNB