Like many students, Spencer McNeill has his own style, and it can't be found in large retail stores. His relaxed, anything-goes look requires that he search small specialty stores for the latest in clothes, music and posters.

The large diversity of students at the University allows more freedom of expression, said McNeill (senior-recreation and park management), adding that there are few rules when it comes to fashion.

"You can get away with anything," he said.

Whatever the style, students are selective about where they shop. And stores that carry the latest trends remain popular among students shoppers. But keeping up with the latest trends isn't easy. Area businesses constantly strive to stay up-to-date with the latest trends and customer wants.

Businesses such as Rude Boyz, Artifax and The Apple Tree rely mainly on owner and manager judgment in deciding what merchandise to carry.

Gary Filkins, owner of Rude Boyz, 200 W. College Ave., and New World, 118 S. Pugh St., said if he likes the product and thinks it will sell, he will carry it. Rude Boyz and New World stock clothing for both men and women. Men's brands such as Yaga and Quicksilver and women's brands such as Shok and NC-17 are currently popular, Filkins said.

Other considerations are popularity and value. Filkins, who said the retro look remains popular, cites magazines such as Details and Spin as good resources for the latest fashions. He also attends fashion trade shows regularly to find the current trends and good values.

Other business owners rely on other people's input when deciding what to carry. John Keyser, manager of Artifax, 323 E. Calder Way, said he listens to the customers to find out what is in demand.

"Anything goes in this town," Keyser said in reference to customer requests.

Employee input can also be helpful. Bruce Shamma, owner of Blue Train Compact Disc, 418 E. College Ave., said his employees give suggestions about the music he should carry. In many cases, employees learn about bands by watching MTV or by reading magazines, he said, adding that bands such as 10,000 Maniacs, Alice in Chains and Nirvana are popular.

Shamma also test-markets music. Depending on the popularity of the musician, he said he will order from one to a few hundred compact discs.

Sales representatives are also valuable resources when looking for the current trends. Artifax, The Apple Tree, 136 E. College Ave., and Blue Train have sales representatives who visit frequently, bringing lists of top-selling items, Keyser said.

But keeping up with the latest trends does have its risks -- people are either too fickle or too clueless to pick up the trends.

"Ren and Stimpy" shirts were popular two years ago. Now, they are all but forgotten, said Earle Harner, The Apple Tree owner, adding that all of his store's short-sleeve shirts are not selling well.

Filkins said he has made the mistake of getting clothes that are too far ahead of local trends, such as when he stocked the Banded Collar. It is a women's collarless shirt that never became popular in State College. Rude Boyz's clothes are usually too far ahead of the local trends rather than behind, he added. But he said he is not afraid to take risks and try new things.