Short-shorts will make a comeback

by Janice Thiessen

The First Class Bookstore has many exciting and trendy clothes in store and coming in for fall with bright colours and eco-friendly designs.

Every February there is a campus retail trade show held for colleges and universities across Canada. They feature crested merchandise and it lasts two days, said Kim Hamilton who is involved with gift wear and clothing at the First Class Book Store.

"It's progressed over the years and anything you imagine is out there."

All the venders have their own logos, many of which are very fashion forward and traditional with trendy stuff but also standards like sweats, t-shirts, and shorts.

"Bruiser always looks awesome. We carried their line in the fall and we will this fall as well. There's a snowboard theme with gorgeous full zip hoodies."

Renu is coming to Algonquin in the fall. They work with organic cotton and bamboo and other environmentally safe products. Bamboo is a fast growing resource so it doesn't take a century for trees to grow. Also no pesticides and toxic dies are used; just environmentally safe products, said Hamilton.

"The clothes are beautiful, feel and look awesome."

There are also pens for sale that are made with corn husk that you can plant in the ground after they run out of ink and a seed will sprout.

 And as for trends for the upcoming season: "Bright green that's really hot this summer,  watermelon, moss green, creams and chocolates and short shorts. It's gonna be really nice."

Hamilton said full zips have been really big and are gaining popularity over the years. T-shirts in light pink and purple and the yoga wear are really nice. "The colours are really beautiful with green and black tops and pants and little yoga jackets, even yoga Capri's in this spring."

Kurt Goebel, manager of retail operations for the First Class Book Store, said clothing sales have been booming. 

"Approximately $300,000 in clothing was sold last year with 20 per cent in course clothing," said
For most students it depends on where the logo is and the variety of different styles to choose from.
With more and more students the demand keeps getting bigger. "The (campus retail) business is growing a lot in clothing," said Goebel.

Mark McCoy, works at the book store and said the clothes come in a lot of different colours and are a little expensive but worth the money.

Chris Oullette, who also works at the book store said that while clothes are very comfortable, they need more stuff for guys.

Stephanie Desjardins is in events planning and helps organize the orientation fashion shows.  "I think I like all of the items. They're all really cool."

They bring the clothing from the first class book store and show the student's what's available. The book store is contacted in advance and the models are chosen from the SA.

The winter theme is more tuques, scarves and summer is more comfort wear like sweats and t-shirts.
"Students can purchase a lot of cool and really amazing clothes on campus," said Desjardins.