The recent drops in temperature and start of classes means summer is on the way out. Along with the disappearance of sunshine-filled days, summer clothes are also replaced by new fall trends.

While students are busy preparing for the next semester, stores downtown are prepared for the new styles that come along with it.

The major focus of female styles this fall includes leggings, wide belts and dark-wash skinny jeans. These styles have appeared in many stores downtown.

Leggings, especially paired with skirts, went out of style more than a decade ago but have suddenly come back with a vengeance.

"Leggings -- like you wore when you were a kid -- are in," said Abbey Zembower (senior-psychology), employee of Connections, 130 S. Allen St. "You can get them anywhere."

Leggings are also sold in many different styles at Metro, 320 E. College Ave., and Mr. Charles, 228 E. College Ave.

"Leggings are still in, just not the sheer kind anymore," said Nicole Huckabee, assistant manager of Metro. "We have them in patterns and everything."

Metro also carries another trend appearing on the streets of State College -- wide belts worn over an outfit. They can be worn either higher up on the waist or slightly above the hips. All belts are being worn this way, whether they are cloth, leather or braided rope. The material doesn't matter, just the width of the belt.

"The ones that are in are just big ones, no specific style or anything," Huckabee said. "As far as accessories go, I'd say belts and headbands [are the most popular]."

Mr. Charles also carries this kind of belt.

"These belts are really trendy," Mr. Charles employee Kendra Taylor said. "People put them around their waists with a long shirt or something."

The owner of Mr. Charles, Charlene Rosen, said the belts have been a high seller so far this semester.

"We've sold over 100 belts for $20 each," Rosen said. "As soon as we get them, we sell out."

Many people have been buying dresses at Mr. Charles, as well. Dresses have appeared in several other shop windows downtown. They're not just for warm weather anymore and can be combined with other clothes that allow them to be more suitable for the fall.

"We have sold a ton of dresses," Rosen said. "Kids are going to layer them with turtlenecks and T-shirts in the fall. Wrap dresses are good, or any other kind."

Even though dresses have been big sellers, that doesn't mean jeans are no longer in style. Taylor said certain types of denim -- mostly straight-leg skinny jeans -- are hot buys for the fall.

"Really dark-wash, really straight-leg, really simple jeans are popular," she said. "So are gray and black jeans."

These types of jeans are easily recognizable by their tight fit and tapered leg.

Huckabee said this style has replaced the more popular styles in the past.

"We don't even have flares anymore," she said.

Unfortunately, because of the cut and style of skinny jeans, there are few people that actually look good wearing them. They are not the most flattering denim style for everyone and should be worn with caution.

Other notable trends for the fall include Kimono-style tops, dresses with big sleeves and big bags used as purses.

Clothing this fall will mostly be a flashback to earlier times. Styles from 20 years ago are returning so take notice -- campus may be full of D. J. Tanner look-a-likes this semester.