Franchised clothing stores as well as local shops are preparing their stores and windows for the fall season as students arrive back at school to do their fall shopping.

As the summer ends, it becomes time to update wardrobes with the season's latest fashions.

As far as Penn State trends are concerned, however, local stores such as Metro, 320 E. College Ave., and Access 214, 224 E. College Ave., said jeans and "go-out" tops are always big sellers.

"Nothing is seasonal," said Nicole Houze, manager of Metro. "We see girls buying tank tops in the winter and sweaters in the summer."

For fall, however, she said the store is carrying a lot of flowing peasant tops, short-waisted sweaters and sheer shirts with camisoles underneath.

Also, she said low-rise and straight leg jeans are in style and being paired with belts.

"Belts are the number one accessory we are seeing for the fall," Houze said. "Almost every customer that buys a pair of jeans will also get a belt to go with them."

Houze also said another big accessory is utility bags that can serve many purposes.

Access 214 owner Christina Monzillo said her goal when buying clothes for her store is to be different.

She also said go-out tops are the item girls and women are shopping for a lot of the time.

"Students come in looking for something different to wear out at night," she said.

As far as college style for this fall, anything denim seems to be the biggest trend.

"We are seeing a lot of denim for this fall," Monzillo said.

From jean jackets to dresses and skirts, denim is what is hot for fall, according to Style.com, the Web site of Vogue and W magazines.

It also suggests mixing jeans with bright colorful accessories in blues, reds and greens.

According to Style.com, the twist on this timeless item is the "tight streamlined and sleek skinny jeans."

The fall press release from Gap said their collection of jeans for the fall will be focusing on fit and wash.

For women, Gap is showing new fits such as low-rise boot cut, flare, square pocket and long and lean styles.

The store is also showing many of these styles in stretch denim material, as well as new washes like brown tinted and faded.

Gap suggests mixing and matching these jeans with fine-gauge ribbed turtlenecks, v-neck sweaters and short pea coats.

For men, Gap is going for a worker-inspired look for the fall with loose fit, carpenter, and worker-style jeans in rustic and faded washes.

Gap is also selling new carpenter canvas pants in colors like khaki, gray and coffee.

A spokesman for Abercrombie & Fitch said the big items this fall for college-age students, whom they gear their store for, will be corduroy jackets, rip and repair jeans with an already worn look, flare leg jeans, short-sleeved polo shirts and miniskirts for girls.

Flared leg jeans are being shown for the guys as well, along with baggy cargo pants and muscle-fitting shirts, the company said.

Aside from denim, Style.com also predicts a few other choices for top fall trends.

Black is back for the fall, it said, because it goes with everything and is easy to mix and match.

Also another essential for the fall is jackets.

The styles they suggest are military style, fitted, oversized and sporty parkas.

Finally, to top off the look, big bags and boots are in for accessories.

Boots are the single most important accessory for the new season, according to Style.com.