Aug. 9--Where else to be on a hot, hot, hot Tuesday afternoon than in the air-conditioning, shopping? That was me, glad to escape August in the metro-east for a few hours of blissful chilling out.

Typically a quiet shopping day, clothing retailers in Fairview Heights, especially St. Clair Square, were bustling Tuesday with the back-to-school crowd, particularly moms and daughters.

At the mall, AE (American Eagle Outfitters) looked to be the busiest, offering not-outlandish prices.

Newly arrived Hollister (more expensive) gets my award for the best storefront, which looks like an upscale Bermuda beach cottage. It also has the darkest retail clothing space I've ever been in. Flashlight, please.

Still, there are two cool distractions inside when not looking for clothes: A great sound system and two walls with live-feed views of the surfers and swimmers at Hamilton Beach, Calif. (It was only 78 degrees there!)

And, if there aren't enough retailers catering to young women who must have the latest stuff, here comes another: Charlotte Russe will open soon at the mall, carrying the same stuff as the two retailers mentioned above. Yawn.

So, what are junior sizes being asked to buy this fall? Here's a sample of the eye candy I saw as I window-shopped:

Denim mini skirts

Logo tees

More logo hoodies

Tights, leggings and knee-high socks

Argyles and plaids

Stovepipe jeans in dark wash

High-waisted, wide-legged pants/jeans

More platform footwear and ballet flats

Menswear-style vests

Long "boyfriend" cardigans

Short jackets/cropped sweaters

Blouses with cap sleeves and/or ruffles

Thigh- and knee-length trench coats

Try these retailers for the fashion-conscious under-21ers:

DEliA*s has a great deal going on through Sept. 3: Try on a pair of jeans and get a $10 gift card toward any purchase in the store. It's that simple, really.

Rue 21 has knit leg warmers for $5.99 to go over boots, but for now you can wear the $9.99 tees promoting two favorite summer songs: "I Kissed a Girl and I Liked It" and "Singin' Sweet Home Alabama All Summer Long."

Journeys has the funkiest footwear! For $69.99 you will definitely stand out in Converse knee-high Chucks in red or black. Evidently, high-tops just weren't high enough.

Hollister's logo hoodie -- if you need to let everyone know where you shop -- is $49.50.

Macy's has YNQ wide-leg jeans with a double-buttoned high waist for juniors on sale for about $40.

Target didn't surprise me with its wide assortment of leggings (including footless) and over-the-knee styles in bold colors, houndstooth and leopard patterns for $6.99. But, I was amused to see a big supply of retro knee socks (and crew style) in stripes, solids and argyle patterns for $4.99. And, if you need a pretty ruffled blouse with puffy sleeves, look for new arrivals in wine and gray for $16.99.

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Story Source: Belleville News-Democrat (Belleville, Ill.)