Peace, Patterns, Pizazz All The Rage

The colors are bold, and so are the prints. This year's back-to-school fashions are about making a pattern statement.

Whether you check out the new Target in Swansea, head to Kohls in Seekonk, or stay local with Teddy Bearskins , this year it's about color and comfort, from top to bottom.

Kohls appears to be aiming for future Miss America contestants. Their graphic tees feature peace signs, hearts and puppies. And there are plenty of ruffles to go around in every store, with bold prints and Caribbean colors on dresses and tops.

The big box stores have plenty of graphic tees for boys featuring Phineas and Ferb (and the ever-so-secret agent Perry the Platypus), as well as Star Wars characters, and those not-so-secret Angry Birds.

Pirates are a big player, no matter where you choose to shop, and there are plenty of checks and stripes for both boys and girls, with or without said pirates.

Robin Silva, manager at Teddy Bearskins, said there's a lot of purple and black this year, which may be due to the favorite color of one young pop star with the intials JB (his favorite color is purple, just in case your tween hasn't yet informed you of that.)

While the store carries uniforms for Catholic school students, the public school kids get to have a little more in the way of pizazz, with lots of patterns in lots of colors, and the opportunity for layers.

According to Silva, there's plenty of pink and green for preppy girls, and blue and green for their boy counterparts, with whales making a splash this year alongside their pirate friends.

Comfort is in this year (phew) and boys are able to enjoy elastic waistbands and comfortable rugby shirts in classic colors.

Teddy Bearskins carries velcro tab shoes and sneakers for kids up to size 6, but the big box stores seems to have kicked velcro to the curb, and are focusing instead on lace-ups or slip-ons, be they sneakers, loafers, boat shoes, or skate shoes.

For girls, glitter is what glows this year. Most of the shoes available wherever you shop are going to have at least some sparkle, whether it's the glittery ballet flats, patterned Mary Janes, or light-up sneakers in a rainbow of colors.

When it comes to pants, it looks to be a wash. Medium or dark, that is. The lucky lads have elastic waists, but not to be outdone, the girls are availing themselves of jeggings -- soft fabric jeans that fit as comfortably as leggings.

Women's Merrell Siren Sport Waterproof (7.5 M in ... - Buy Vegan Shoes

I liked previously bought Merrell hiking shoes but these are a HUGE let down! I’ve worn them for 3 hours and the right shoe has bruised and scraped the skin off of the top front of my ankle. The tongue digs in to my ankle and I’ve loosened the laces to where the shoe almost falls off my foot. If I still had the return lable I would definately send these back.

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