For anyone over the age of 20, the distance between what you think is cool and what high school kids think is cool is canyonesque. I mean, I write about fashion and I never would’ve seen the whole Crocs thing coming.

With that in mind, I decided to consult a panel of experts for this year’s back-to-school ShopGirl extravaganza. These girls are brave. Stylish. One of them is even a bargain hunter like me. Unlike me, they feel comfortable pairing leggings with skirts (been there, done that) and at least one of them isn’t afraid of the new skinny jeans, about which I still have reservations.

Katie Durgin, who goes to Hermon High School, echoes my sentiment. She and a friend were just talking about the resurgence of this ’80s staple, complete with zippered ankles – acid wash can’t be far behind. She says straight-legged jeans seem so “adult” (read: mom jeans). Plus, they make your feet look big.

That said, she owns five pairs of Crocs, but that’s a whole different story.

Megan Call, a sophomore at John Bapst, can’t wear jeans to school, but she’s willing to try them on the weekend. Maybe paired with a lacy top layered over a cami. One look she does like a lot is leggings paired with a short, denim skirt.

Durgin, who’s a bit of a trendsetter, loves this look, too. But she plans to pair her leggings with a short – but not inappropriate – plaid skirt.

Not surprisingly, leggings are a divisive trend. Back at Bapst, junior Carrie Ryder has no plans to buy them.

“Trendy things go out very quickly and then you just have a bunch of leggings,” she said. “I’m not really a trendy person. I know what I like and I get that.”

She’s wild about American Eagle khakis paired with layered polo shirts. Though she prefers American Eagle tops, she won’t buy them unless they’re on sale – she’s become a bit of a bargain hunter since her parents started limiting her allowance. However, there are polos everywhere this season – from Kohl’s to Aeropostale – so she won’t have to worry about breaking the bank.

Erin White, a sophomore at Orono High School, has casual looks on her agenda for fall. She wears a lot of jeans and plans to buy more – none of them tapered – and she’s really into longer shirts. Crocs are still tops for her, too.

As for accessories, it seems girls are still saving their allowance to buy Dooney & Bourke purses at Filene’s. This fall, the colorful “Doodle” line is the “it bag” for status-conscious teens and tweens.

Ah, kids. I may never get used to the fact that high-schoolers are carrying around status bags. But what the heck do I know? I carry Coach. And I still think Crocs are ugly.

ShopGirl would love to hear from you! Send questions, comments or suggestions by e-mail to: kandresen@bangordailynews.net, by U.S. mail to: Kristen Andresen, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor, ME 04402-1329, or by fax to: 941-9476. Tune in to ShopGirl at 5 p.m. Fridays on WLBZ-2.

Un-bridaled enthusiasm!

Congratulations to our two brave winners, who dredged up memories of bad bridesmaid dresses to share with ShopGirl readers. For best reuse of a bridesmaid dress, “By Hand” columnist Ardeana Hamlin and I wholeheartedly agreed that Deborah Rollins of Brewer was the best choice. In 1993, she created her “Queen of Hearts” costume from the heavy red moire dress she had to wear in a friend’s wedding in 1988. “Funny thing, I couldn’t find a single pic of the original!” Rollins writes. Still, we get the picture – the wrist bows on her costume were situated on the shoulders of the dress. We love it.

As for the worst dress, the award goes to Karen Eaton of Stonington, who went so far as to put the “black bar” over her own eyes so we wouldn’t have to. “The way the sleeves and sides of the dress were stitched reminded me of a casket lining,” she writes, “but she was a good friend, and that’s what good friends do.” Karen Eaton is a very good friend indeed.

Both winners will receive $25 gift cards – one to a crafts store, the others to purchase a new dress. Thanks to all who entered, and, as always, happy shopping!