You know you're getting old when your children and their friends are following the same fads that you wished you could follow when you were a kid--but Mom wouldn't let you.  striped-socks

Suddenly, young athletes are running around in short shorts and tall socks--with big colorful stripes just below the knee.  Remember those?  You could get them with red, royal blue or black stripes.  If they happened to match your basketball uniform, lucky you--otherwise, it was OK to clash.

The "floaty Bohemian" skirts and tops are back.  I always wanted skirts like that, but since I wasn't the one buying, I had to settle for kilts and plaid dresses with a bow in the back.  I looked like a '70s version of Laura Ingalls even before that look became popular.  (Sorry, I'm not as courageous as Andrew.  There won't be any pictures.)

And I've been noticing some '80s boots coming back into fashion, along with the skinny jeans tucked inside.  (This after my daughter got outfitted in enough boot-cut jeans to keep a girl fashionably dressed for a week.)  I'm wishing I'd saved those stacked-heel short boots with the built-in wrinkles at the ankle, but then again, I don't have any skinny jeans I'd dare leave the house in.  rascals

I am mystified by the new trend in shorts for boys, though.  When I was growing up, shorts were SHORT, unless they were Bermudas.  In all cases, though, shorts ended above the knee.  Now my teenager thinks that if the shorts are knee-length or shorter, they are TOO SHORT.  And then there are the "skater shorts" which, when I was in school, were better known as "Flood Pants."  But if you go far enough back, you can find a style match for anything.  Clearly the boys of today are channeling the "Little Rascals."

COUPON TIME

With the right attitude (and accessories) it seems that you can carry off just about any look today and still be in style.  These coupons can help you fill in those wardrobe gaps.

Free Shipping on orders over $100 at PacSun
Valid through: January 31, 2009

$10 off a purchase of $60 or more at Fashion Bug
Valid online only. Use this link to get the coupon code and view terms of the offer.
Valid through: January 29, 2009 11:59pm PT

10% off an online order of $50 or more
15% off an online order of $75 or more
20% off an online order of $100 or more at OneHanesPlace
Use promo code 471565 or 470802. Valid through: January 31, 2009
Cannot be combined with other coupons or offers such free shipping. Not valid on previous purchases or in Outlet Stores.

Online Winter Savings:  40% (or more) off select Women's Apparel, Shoes, Handbags and Accessories at Nordstrom.com
Valid through: January 12, 2009
Online only.

$10 off an order of $75 or more
$20 off an order of $100 or more
$40 off an order of $150 or more at Frederick's of Hollywood
Use this link to activate the discount code.
Valid through: February 16, 2009 11:59pm PT

PAY WITH YOUR VISA CARD AND GET:
Free shipping on orders over $49 at JCPenney
Use this link to activate the promotion code and get all the details.
Checkout with the "checkout + promo code" option and make sure the code visafree is in the promotion code box.
Valid through: January 31, 2009