Preppy with an edge. Motorcycle chic. Romantic lumberjack?

No matter how you describe it, this year's back-to-school fashions invoke an unlikely mix of the goody-goody style and a rock 'n' roll attitude, with a little '80s thrown in.

Sound a little crazy? Fashion gurus say that it's not, pointing to plaid shirts, skirts and shorts; leather jackets and pants; boxy blazers; knee high boots and hand-knit gloves and hats as this fall's must-haves. Bold neon pieces -- like solid hot pink T-shirts -- help brighten up the look.

"This season is all about mixing and matching," said David Hacker, vice president of trend and color at Kohl's. "Play with color and have fun pairing unlikely patterns like polka-dots and plaids or add layering pieces like hoodies and cardigans to a basic tee and jean combo."

The combination of preppy and edgy make for a fun outfit, said Jani Strand, American Eagle spokeswoman.

"Plaid, button downs and vests pair up with destroyed boyfit jeans and motorcycle jackets for a look that is classic with a twist," she said.

Neons and structured blazers, as well as the enduring tights and leggings, recall elements of an earlier era.

"On the younger market, the '80s is still going forward. It's not a complete rip-off of 'Pretty in Pink,' but it's more of that fun attitude that they had back then," said Sharon Haver, founder and editor in chief of FocusOnStyle.com. "There's also this folkloric thing ... like if you could marry a lumberjack and make him romantic in some crazy way."

Along with plaid and knits, these "folkloric" styles include corduroy, animal prints and faux fur.

"Some of the most fashion forward plaids for fall are the two color, big, bold buffalo checks, like black on white or red on black," said Susan Cernek, senior fashion editor for Glamour.com.

Come wintertime, "a really bright, basic peacoat will make you stand out in a sea of black coats," she added.

When it comes to shoes, boots can make a simple outfit stand out. "You can't go wrong with a boot. One that's flat or one with a chunky heel that's tailored enough that you could wear it with a skirt or dress," she said.

These styles are popular because kids and teens are interested in re-creating fashions from popular television shows, said Sonya M. Cosentini, style expert with T.J. Maxx and Marshalls.

"Whether it be the rocker look or that Upper East Side preppy look ... a lot of kids, especially teens, are taking their cues from celebrities," she said.

Many of this year's fashions have lasting power, Ms. Cernek said, and can complement a variety of outfits, an advantage for shoppers in the midst of an economic recession.

"A blazer is a really good investment and can be paired with a ruffled skirt," she said. "Plaid is a classic fall piece, and it's never going to go out of style."

While many of these looks are gracing runways all over the world, shoppers don't have to break the bank to buy them.

"The whole world is on sale now," said Ms. Haver, adding that you can find this year's fashions at affordable prices at stores such as H&M, Banana Republic and even thrift shops.