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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

School Means Caps, Backpacks - ‘70s Style

Lynn Gibson Correspondent

Back-to-schoolers can flaunt their individuality this fall with a unique assortment of fashion accessories.

From belts to backpacks, there is a strong ‘70s influence throughout fall fashions, with plenty of traditional looks as well.

“I don’t think we’ll ever see fashion swing completely to one decade,” says Junell Johnson, area sales manager at Lamonts in Spokane. “Fashion pieces this fall are both retro and classic, so you can take the look both ways.”

For girls, chain belts have made a comeback, to wrap around a top or wear through the belt loops of jeans with the top tucked in.

Add a watch or a pair of sunglasses featuring neon green daisies, cartoon characters or a yellow smiley face.

Silver is the metal of choice this season for jewelry - the “Y” necklace and little earrings are an affordable finish to a back-to-school outfit.

Check out new purse designs in silver and bright floral pop-art styles for teens and pre-teens. Mini-bags are also hot, as well as totes in clear vinyl, silver or neon.

Baseball caps remain a must-have for boys. “This year, boys will find head-to-toe dressing and accessorizing within a name brand or sports team,” says Johnson.

“Backpacks are the quintessential necessity for school,” says Jennifer Petersen, spokeswoman for Mervyn’s, “but for fall ‘96, the styles can be anything but routine, available in everything from nylon to fake fur in fun colors.”

For creativity, says Petersen, add embroidered patches to backpacks, jeans and sweat shirts or pick up a Herbie Love Bug key chain reminiscent of two decades past.

Grunge is out, hip-hop styles are in, yet with a ‘70s flair. This fall, fashion accessories are definitely feelin’ groovy.

Save those school memories

The school year flies by and memories are fleeting. Save your child’s school photos and mementos in the “Readin’ Writin’ and Recess” album/organizer from Struzart Ltd.

Organized into eight sections covering preschool through sixth grade, the jumbo album has room to record special events of the year, magnetic photo album pages for preserving class and individual photos, and large bound-in envelopes for report cards, drawings and awards.

The durable, brightly colored album is $19.95 and can be personalized with the child’s name on the front cover. To order, call (800) 853-9353.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Drawing

MEMO: The Family Track is a weekly column of notes and information for families. Send items to Lynn Gibson, Features Department, P.O. Box 2160, Spokane, WA 99210-1615, or fax (509) 459-5098.

The Family Track is a weekly column of notes and information for families. Send items to Lynn Gibson, Features Department, P.O. Box 2160, Spokane, WA 99210-1615, or fax (509) 459-5098.