GETTING FIT FOR SCHOOL IT'S NOT JUST JEANS BUT GADGETS, TOO.

Byline: JULIA M. SCOTT Staff Writer

With back-to-school shopping in high gear, parents may find themselves negotiating with their children not just for age-appropriate clothing, but over what electronic gadgets are a necessity.

Some 36 percent of students will pick out new computers, MP3 players and other gizmos as part of their back-to-school ensembles, according to a report by the International Council of Shopping Centers.

``It's not only the jeans you're wearing but what kind of phone you have and what you can do with it,'' said Mary Goudie, who watches fashion trends at BDS Marketing in Irvine.

On a recent afternoon at the Westfield Topanga mall in Woodland Hills, Dana Eisenring of Chatsworth was less concerned with cutting-edge gadgets than making sure her 14-year-old daughter Juliane was dressed properly.

``Everything is inappropriate,'' Eisenring said as Juliane tried on a mint-green stripped jacket at Forever 21. ``It's really hard to keep them looking age-appropriate.''

At Charlotte Russe in the Northridge Fashion Center, Kathleen Brebes said keeping her 16-year-old daughter Keri dressed appropriately can be pricey.

``In order to be modest you've got to layer,'' said Brebes of Northridge as Keri selected a pair of slim black shorts, a sheer white sleeveless sweater and a tight beige camisole. ``It costs you much more but in the long run you get modesty.''

Clothing standards are a tug-of-war between the designer, who might want to push the envelope and a retailer who wants to make sure the apparel won't be returned for being too risque, Goudie said. Parents often play an active role in determining appropriateness, too.

Many of this season's hot fashions leave room for modesty.

Slim-fit ``skinny'' jeans and big purses are back in style, as are camouflage prints. Earth tones like brown and green are popular but rolling backpacks are out. Vans shoes seem to be doing well.

At the Westfield Topanga, Journeys manager Sean Thompson said he is having a hard time keeping up with the brisk sales of the sneakers.

``We can't keep them in stock,'' Thompson said. ``You get basic colors, they go with everything and they're relatively inexpensive.''

Back-to-school sales are expected to be healthy, with expected growth of 3 percent to 4 percent over last year, according to the ICSC report.

``It's probably going to be moderate, which is what we've seen all year long,'' said Patrice Duker, an ICSC spokeswoman.

Shoppers are waiting longer to hit the stores. August is still the busiest month, but September draws many more customers than July, Duker said.

Customers could be waiting in hopes prices will drop. Price is a factor for 54 percent of shoppers, according to the ICSC report.

More likely, students want to see what their peers are wearing before going shopping.

``The last 10 days make up the bulk of back-to-school shopping,'' Duker said. ``Kids wait to see what styles are in.''

julia.scott(at)dailynews.com

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(color) Keri Brebes, 16, browses a shirt rack at Charlotte Russe at the Northridge Fashion Center. Many students are hitting the malls in search of back-to-school fashion.

Andy Holzman/Staff Photographer