SMART KIDS READY TO LEARN LESSON IN '70S STYLE WITH; BIG LOOKS ON CAMPUS.

Byline: Barbara De Witt Daily News Fashion Editor

Finally, your style is their style.

Fashion's smartest kids will be bookin' it back to school in the same clothes their parents loved - whether it was San Francisco's Haight-Ashbury hippie days or Jimmy Carter's corduroy reign.

Yep, the '70s still rule. So kids, no kicking and screaming in the aisles. Mom won't insist on frilly dresses and those goody-two-shoes ensembles from the '50s. Or those button-down prepster outfits from the early '60s. And pssst ... the word on the playground is that geek-chic is just plain geek again.

As the '90s wind down, the past revs up, say fashion experts, with earthy colors, wide-wale corduroy, flared jeans, velvet dresses, doubleknit polyester leisure suit jackets, leather (or the fake version called pleather), racing stripes with an athletic edge and sheer nylon blouses layered over tank tops (kids read Vogue, too).

Chris Daniel, trend director for Mervyn's California stores, says, ``The '70s trend has once again redefined itself with boot-leg cut and earthy plaid pants and gauzy embroidered tops.'' And for a really groovy look, he says, kids will want flare-legged jeans with embroidered flower-motif detailing at the hemline.

At Sears they've also turned back the clock. According to fashion director Fran Yoshioka, ``Subtle '70s influences blend with plush, nylon, synthetic and denim fabrics to create a variety of new styles and fashion options ... with icons such as peace signs, smiley faces and flowers.'' And in the true spirit of the Age of Aquarius (and other sun signs) Yoshioka advises parents to look for new-again stretch velvet and lush velour, textured polyester (think doubleknit), bold color-blocking and stripes and plaids - especially in miniskirts (pleated or A-line).

Donna Karan, always showing plenty of street-savvy, has included the '70s trend in her children's collection. According to Karan, kids want lots of options to express every mood, whether it's city girls, home boys, Bond Street chicks or super jocks.

Translation? Carnaby Street-inspired monkey (really fluffy, hairy) furs with slick polyurethane pants, speed racers charged in bold graphics and performance fabrics, athletic playwear mixed with denim, velveteen jumpers, plaid flannel shirts and plenty of French terry fleecewear. Hooded jackets, denim skirts and windbreakers are other items that earn A's on fashion exams.

Shop around, girlfriend, and you'll rediscover fishnet pantyhose (this year, they're respectable) to be paired with chunky-heeled ankle boots and knee-high versions. Otherwise, it's socks with Mary Janes and clogs. And lots of silver jewelry.

For boys, it's always easier. According to Laura Cervone, spokeswoman for T.J. Maxx stores, ``The major influence is extreme sports, including skateboarding, snow boarding, downhill skiing and in-line skating.'' The result? Turbo-charged stripes; zip-front, spread-collared sweater; breakaway pants (snap to bottom on side for easy removal); and jackets that look like Dad's old golf (also called Eisenhower) jacket.

When it comes to T-shirts (they're a classic), buy them in bright white or muddy colors like pond scum, burnt orange or eggplant purple with a V-neck or mock turtleneck to wear with dark blue denim or brown corduroy jeans (which are edgier than last year's khakis).

Fashion report card

This year's class colors

x Brown

x Eggplant

x Burnt orange

x Tomato red

For girls

x Boots, clunky loafers 

x Velvet jumpers

x Embroidered overalls, flares

x Fake-fur coats

x Leatherlike pants

x Suede hobo purses

For guys

x Racing stripes

x Zip-front sweaters

x Golf jackets

x Wide-wale corduroy

x Flare jeans

x Plaid shirts

CAPTION(S):

11 Photos, Box

Photo: (1--Cover--Color) Plaid and striped jumpers for the lunch-box brigade, from Mervyn's California.

Cover design by Lori Valesko

(2--Color) Hippie chicks and denim dudes are part of the '70s campus scene. Her overalls and his jacket are by Dickies.

(3--Color) Plaid and stripes for that mod mood by OshKosh B'Gosh.

(4--Color) Denim, in a work shirt or jeans, from Land's End.

(5--Color) Sporty looks such as stripes and fleece are cool for school, from Land's End.

(6--Color) She wears a vintage cardigan over a Dickie work shirt, and he tops his sweater with Dickie's work jacket.

(7--Color) Classic plaid gets updated with racing-striped sweater by Area Code.

(8--Color) His leisure suit look has resurfaced at Sears.

(9--10--Color) '70s fever rages with his corduroy pants and her flared denim jeans, both from Target.

(11) Back to school fashions can be bold with DKNY's blue fake-fur jacket.

Box: Fashion report card (See Text)