FL MORRIS / FMORRIS@STARBULLETIN.COM Emily Gomes pairs a T&C Girl camisole ($16) with her own denim skirt and jacket.

Haute kids

Self-expression is the style among
the Star-Bulletin's fashion winners

THey're starting early. While a majority of people have been content to go through life happily style-challenged, years of Fashion Television and makeover programming have had their impact on their progeny.

'Tweens and teens know their brands and designers, and many already have a good sense of their own clothing style and are adamant about what they will or will not wear.

But don't blame the media entirely. Winners of our Back-to-School in Style essay contests, geared toward giving young minds a warm-up exercise before hitting the books, revealed they take their fashion cues from their parents, even when their tastes differ.

FL MORRIS / FMORRIS@STARBULLETIN.COM Sophia Hutton, top left, wears a T&C Surf Designs T-shirt ($14) with T&C Girl pant with back pocket detail ($40). Emily Gomes wears a T&C Girl T-shirt with her own denim skirt, paired with a T&C Surf Designs embroidered hibiscus tote bag ($24).

Winners of our Mary-KateandAshley write-in contest -- Nicole Perry, 11, of Kaleiopuu Elementary School, and Natalie Schull, 10, of Punahou School -- described their style, whether rock 'n' roll playful like Mary-Kate Olsen, or classic like Ashley. Both received apparel, accessories and school supplies valued at up to $125.

Entrants in our T&C Surf Designs contest were asked to describe what is most exciting about going back to school. Winner Sophia Hutton, 12, of St. Andrews Priory looks forward to conquering her "archenemy" pre-algebra, and Emily Gomes, 15, of Castle High School, a member of the Castle Knights Student Association, will be encouraging classmates to participate in Knight Pride events. Both received T&C Surf Designs apparel valued at up to $125.

Perry said her mother, Gian Heurich, "thinks I'm wild and out there," due to her love of animal prints and casual denim a la Mary-Kate Olsen.

FL MORRIS / FMORRIS@STARBULLETIN.COM Natalie Schull checks out the books in the Edna Allen Children's Room of the Hawaii State Library in a Mary-KateandAshley cap sleeve-camisole T-shirt, brocade blazer ($18.72) and embroidered jeans ($16.74).

But even at her young age, she's learned from her mom where to draw the line between playfulness and crudeness, and refuses to follow peer pressure to bare her midriff or wear skirts that are too short.

Schull said her classic style of dress reflects her calm personality, as well as her mom Mari-Jo's crisp style. Natalie says she has fun coming up with ensembles that match, while saying, "I don't like rips and tears in jeans or pants."

Meanwhile, wearing a uniform most days means Hutton seizes the opportunity to go casual off campus. When we met, she was wearing a pretty white cotton eyelet skirt over jeans, with a black Ramones T-shirt for a punk princess look.

FL MORRIS / FMORRIS@STARBULLETIN.COM Natalie Schull goes dressy in a Mary-KateandAshley satin top ($8.72) with multi-tiered skirt ($13.72), available at Wal-Mart.

For Gomes, having to buy clothes with her allowance and baby-sitting earnings has honed her practical shopping practices. To maximize her wardrobe, she hunts for bargains and school-appropriate attire in the form of fingertip-length skirts while passing on strapless and halter tops popular with other girls her age.

Aprilyn Baniaga, 17, of Waianae High School won our BeneFit makeup package in another contest. Congratulations to all our winners.

NADINE KAM / NKAM@STARBULLETIN.COM Nicole Perry wears a Mary-KateandAshley denim skirt ($13.74) with a pink cap-sleeve camisole T-shirt ($9.74), plush newsboy hat ($6.82) and leopard-print purse, from Wal-Mart.

Stylish and affordable Style-challenged women could learn a thing or two from Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, who've managed to avoid falling victim to the attention-grabbing skank-diva look so popular with young Hollywood and too many wannabes. The sisters incorporate trends in a classic and tasteful way that manage to fit the season while remaining chic and timeless. For pointers, most items in their fashion line, available at Wal-Mart, come with a booklet defining current trends inspired by vintage fashion and old Hollywood glamour. For fall, that means dressing up a multitiered skirt with a brocade jacket, or swapping the skirt with embroidered jeans for a more casual look. Or throw a denim jacket over a soft satin blouse. Mixing prim and proper styles with casual elements avoids the "trying too hard" or "matchy matchy" traps. Mary-KateandAshley designs come in sizes 4/5 to 14/16 for ages 6 to 12. So, grownups, you're on your own from here.