USA TODAY's Fashion Team identified the top five fall fashion trends and asked experts to select a look for students in elementary, middle and high school and college. Gloria Baume, fashion director of Teen Vogue; Hope Greenberg, fashion director of Lucky; Jason Khoury, fashion expert for Yahoo Shopping and Tara McBratney, fashion director for CosmoGIRL all weigh in.

BOWS

Femininity is reinventing itself with playful bows that shimmer and pop, bringing youthful allure to the fashion scene. "There's something really charming about a bow," says Teen Vogue's Baume.

• Elementary school: It's never too early to embrace the timeless "lady" look. Baume suggests giving the bow a supporting role without letting it steal the show. Do it yourself by tying a head scarf around a backpack, or pin some bow accessories on an ordinary bag to boost the "cool" factor.

• Middle school: Leave it to preteens to mix in fall's ribbon trend with familiar staples like skinny jeans paired with cute sneakers. To avoid looking too young, pair jeans with a bow-buckle belt or accessorize with a metal bow necklace, Baume says.

• High school: For budding fashionistas, getting older means looking younger. "All of a sudden, (girly) becomes cute. Teens can get away with wearing (bows) in a little-girl way," Baume says. Stick with delicate, understated looks. To channel your inner rebel, steer clear of red and pink bows and opt for rocker chic with a black bow tie.

• College: Bows are sophisticated enough for college girls who are confident to flaunt their inner princesses. Draping layers and flirty accents kick the girlish look up a notch. The trick is to "go all-out," Baume says.

PLAID

Catholic schoolgirls aren't the sole students mad for plaid this back-to-school season. High schoolers and college gals should consider adding edge to the look, Lucky's Greenberg says.

• Elementary school: These girls are perhaps the only ones who can pull off a plaid jumper (aside from, say, Gwen Stefani). Greenberg recommends one worn over a long-sleeved T-shirt with ribbed tights and rugged brown boots. "I wouldn't go too dressy" on the feet, she says; patent Mary Janes veer into school uniform or Sunday church territory.

• Middle school: Pleated plaid miniskirts typically channel cheerleader or private-school girl. To steer clear of these stereotypes, Greenberg recommends embracing another: the punk-prep. Top a traditional tartan mini with a waffle-weave henley and anchor it with opaque tights and dark low-top Converse Chuck Taylor All Stars.

• High school: Greenberg's take on plaid for teens references that '80s celluloid staple, "Desperately Seeking Susan": Think skinny black-and-white plaid pants, a thin bright-red or yellow cotton zip hoodie peeking out of a denim jacket, a white or gray tank and pointy black flats "with a little embellishment. You're in high school - why not?"

• College: By college, gals have probably outgrown traditional red, navy or green plaid. Greenberg says to opt instead for a miniskirt in earthy browns. "You want to avoid the obvious plaid," she says. "You don't want to look too young." Pair it with an oversized striped button-down shirt and a similarly slouchy sweater in mossy green or gray, "like your boyfriend's pullover."

METALLICS

"Metallics are big for fall and back-to-school, not only in accessories but in clothing," CosmoGIRL's McBratney says. Silver and gold share the spotlight with metallic pinks and blues this season. But "don't overdo it," McBratney warns. "No more than two metallic pieces and you are good to go."

• Elementary school: Youngsters can cash in on the trend by sporting "very cute" metallic sneakers. Sassy silvers and golds can give basic outfits like jeans and a tee "a more special look," McBratney says.

• Middle school: A puffy vest or down jacket in silver or gold is ideally suited to this age group, McBratney says. Vests "are young and fun and trendy at the same time." Pair the metallic puffer with jeans and a T-shirt, a wool pleated skirt and oxford shirt or cords and a sweater.

• High school: Gone are the days where you have to match your bag to your shoes. Teens should opt for metallic bags "big enough to hold books." The bigger the better, McBratney says, so students can "also throw in gym clothes."

• College: Coeds need to get the most out of their wardrobe. "Metallic shirts, sweaters and tunics are great for layering and perfect for the college girl," but don't go overboard mixing and matching pieces, McBratney cautions.

MINIDRESS

From sashaying on summer sidewalks to cafeteria tables this fall, in minidresses, girls get a leg up, at cafeteria tables this fall thanks to the minidress. But be sure to consider what's appropriate when it comes to showing skin, Greenberg says.

• Elementary school: A minidress isn't "entirely appropriate," for this age group, Greenberg says. She suggests a tunic instead, worn over rolled-up jeans and boots. If it's short-sleeved, extend the season with a long-sleeved T-shirt underneath.

• Middle school: To keep a middle-schooler safely out of the principal's office, Greenberg recommends black leggings beneath the minidress, anchored by ballet flats. "And just by putting leggings with it doesn't make a fancy party dress school-appropriate," Greenberg says.

• High school: Greenberg suggests increasing the sophistication factor with opaque tights and a round-toe, square-heeled (half-inch) flat - the kind of shoes trotted out on the Chloe catwalk of late.

• College: "You want to feel a little more put together and polished in college," Greenberg says. One way is to ratchet up the minidress's accompanying shoe statement - literally, with wood-bottomed platforms. Team those with tights and an A-line stadium coat that just grazes the hem of the dress.

PATENT

"Kids of all ages want to have something that is going to stand out, not blend in, and patent definitely stands out," says Yahoo Shopping's Khoury. This season, embrace patent in a variety of bright colors.

• Elementary school: A patent backpack pops. But, Khoury says, stick to darker colors like black or navy "so the bag is easier to match with the rest of a child's wardrobe.

• Middle school: "Patent ballet flats in bright colors are a must for tween girls. Pair them with leggings, denim skirts, skinny jeans or knit dresses.

• High school: "Headbands are becoming much more popular," Khoury says. And they're easily within a teen's budget. At this age, limit your patent to one large item such as an oversized bag, or two smaller ones like a headband and belt.

• College: A patent trench coat adds "an element of sophistication" to a college student's look on "those cooler fall nights." Avoid looking like Catwoman, Khoury says, and wear the coat without other patent accessories.