Story by Tara Cangialosi – Photos by Scott Longfield
Summer fashions are fading like tan lines in December.
As sure as beach days will be replaced by school days and late-night studying, sundresses and white jeans will be packed away until next year, and an updated fall wardrobe for the whole family will be needed.
New shipments of the fall season’s latest trends are crowding the racks of local stores, while end-of-summer blowout sales also are drawing those looking for a last-minute bargain.
That’s the case at stores like Jake’s Surf Shop in Sea Bright, a small beach shop that has gained a reputation for its surf gear and brand-name clothing.
“We have the most business during the summer, and it’s good for people to see what we have,” said Jake O’Donnell, the shop’s manager. “But also, it allows them to see that we have a fall line.”
The shop carries well-known brands like O’Neill and RVCA in men’s, women’s, kids’ and even infant sizes. Both brands offer a selection of clothing ideal for the transition from summer to fall fashion.
On the men’s and boys’ side, a mix of casual and collared, long-sleeved shirts paired with Jake’s selection of O’Neill and RVCA shorts offers a relaxed but put-together style. For women and girls, printed dresses and maxi skirts, layered with light sweaters or long-sleeved T-shirts, represent the perfect combination of summer and fall.
O’Donnell is excited about this fall’s addition at the shop of Patagonia-brand clothing for both men and women.
“We’ll have down jackets, sweaters, vests and fleeces,” he said. “That style has been really big in this area.”
That style has been particularly hot for college- and high school-age teens. Pullover-style fleeces and vests offer the finishing touch for any outfit. They provide warmth, comfort and water-resistance in some cases, traits ideal for battling the elements on any campus.
The fall Patagonia collection not only offers a large array of colors and styles from which to choose, but also a multitude of uses for each piece and fabrics that are made to last. Parents can purchase these for their college-bound son or daughter, or for themselves as a comfortable addition to their closets.
Along these same lines, Brave New World in Little Silver is bringing out their fall collection in the coming weeks.
Though the store, which now has three retail locations, mostly carries surf and skateboard equipment, men’s, women’s and children’s clothing is on the rise.
“I’ve seen a lot of things come full circle,” said Chris Mitchell, a long-time employee. “It’s flannels out, then flannels back in.”
The store recently changed buyers and several of the brands available in the past have been updated for fall.
Brands like Billabong, O’Neill, Rip Curl, Hurley and Quicksilver are represented, offering trends for kids and teens spanning shorts and tank tops to pants and long-sleeved shirts.
Additionally, there is a large selection of backpacks and casual handbags ideal for school.
Jake’s Surf Shop and Brave New World offer a selection for both boys and girls, but Moon Child of Fair Haven focuses specifically on fashions for tween and junior-size girls.
“We have sizes ranging from 7 to 14/16 for girls,” said Jennifer Costa, the store’s manager. “We cater to local girls from Rumson, Little Silver and Fair Haven, but also New York and Pennsylvania through online sales.”
Throughout the spring and early summer, the store sells bathing suits with vibrant colors and playful patterns like palm trees and flamingoes. Shorts, chiffon tops and dresses complete the store’s summer selection.
This fall, however, Costa said that fashion trends have changed in terms of the usual color scheme.
“We have a lot less purple, and more burgundy this year,” she said. “The collections also feature stripes and florals in the tops.”
Tween and junior girls can expect a wide selection of colored jeans, plaid tops and fun details in the basic fall staples, like long-sleeved shirts and sweaters.
As the focal point of any fall outfit, brightly colored jeans can be styled in many ways. At Moon Child, shoppers can find basic tops in complementary colors – or spice up the look with a chic pattern. Flats or boots at any height will complete the trend with ease.
The store’s fall selection and end-of-summer sale items are currently available.
For all of the family’s fall fashion needs back-to-school trends, local stores have it covered.
- Jake’s Surf Shop, 1096 Ocean Ave., Sea Bright, is open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday and Monday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday, and Thursday through Saturday. The shop is closed Wednesdays.
- Brave New World, 61 Oceanport Ave., Little Silver, is open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m Saturday; and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.
- Moon Child, 799 River Road, Fair Haven, is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday; and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday.
