All things groovy -- handcrafted looks, peasant touches, rugged outerwear -- top the list of important trends for back-to-school teen fashion.

And denim goes with all of it.

Denim
Ditch the glitzy ones in your closet (or hold for a retro revival in few years) and stick with low-cut basics. Pair with pointy-toe, kitten-heel boots for fresh diva style; top with a romantic top for a trendy look.

Low-rise, slightly bootcut jean styles still top the "must-have" list;jackets and skirts in denim are still faves.

Washes range from black hues to light sandblast. (Hint: Medium-range tints usually don't look over as quickly.) Worn looks continue: whiskers, faded knees and bums, frayed hems keep the vintage trend alive.

Embellishment is toned down from the glitter and studs of seasons past; instead, look for leather laceups (see Hot Kiss Jeans, below left) embroidery around the leg area, seams and cuffs.

For something different, try striped jeans (loving engineer styles!) or replace jeans with cords.

Runway trends point toward straight, skinny jeans so keep your eyes open for newness there.

Sporty
No, we're not talking about sloppy sweats here. Instead, look for sharp, athletically inspired sportswear and shoes.

Track suits, from Juicy Couture's terry two-piece (left, from Tee-Zone) to J Lo's velour looks, are made up of snug zip-front hoodies and low-rise, drawstring pants (also called yoga pants).

The styles come in tons of colors and can be worn a number of ways. Wear the top-and-bottom set with a fitted tank, or ditch the hoodie and opt for a tee and track pants. Throw the hoodie on with a cute mini, or wear it with matching running shorts.

Chic, yoga-inspired clothing is popping up everywhere. Look for pieces that work just as well shopping as they do in Pilates class: figure-hugging, shelf-bra tanks, flattering slim-cut capris and loose, yet sleek pants.

Sneakers run the gamut from old school styles to hi-tech, so you can put your personal style stamp on your footwear. Classic athletic brands like Nike, New Balance, and Puma all have chic sneaks, or check out top-notch designer shoes by Burberry and Prada. Yohji Yamamoto is known among hipsters for his twist on Adidas sneaks; Converse has recently put a spin on the classic Chuck Taylor shoe with a low-top, back-less hot pink version (very Kelly O.).

Boho
Tops in particular stay sweetly romantic, but streetsmart when paired with jeans and boots for fall. (Urban Outfitters peasant top, left). Look for smocking, gathers, puffy sleeves and embroidery touches.

Pieces that look handcrafted (like those with embroidery) take on a new spin when worn with sleek dark denim trousers and a sophisticated boot & belt combo. A ruffle-bottom skirt is cute, too, especially worn with a structured top.

Other groovy touches include crochet, suede, and beads. And don't forget the turquoise just yet. If worn with a sleek black top, the look is striking and chic.

Frontier
What looks better with jeans than a low-slung fringe belt?

You can go for a distressed brown leather style or a sleeker macramé version and still achieve the same funky look. Wear it low on the hips and with lots of attitude. Also, to keep the prairie floral or gauzy tops from being a little too bohemian, pair with dirty denim or suede.

Shearling coats, fuzzy jackets and vests add lots of rugged interest to outerwear. (Left, shearling coat from Buckle)

Anything shearling- or sherpa- lined (look for denim, corduroy, or suede) gives a tame western vibe.  The great thing about these coats is that worn with sleek and femme pieces, the look is totally fresh.

Suede and leather pieces and details always add a bit of a rustic look, and fringe spices up jackets and shoes this fall.

Keep your eye out for distressed leather on purses and boots - can go perfectly with casual denim or dress up a funky mini.

Prep
School-girl classics are always a sure bet for back-to-school chic. The always-in-style pieces like fitted denim jackets, chinos (i.e. khaki trousers), and oxfords are key pieces that can be blended with any trendy look to avoid going overboard.

Check out plaids, tweeds, and argyles in fresh shapes for an old-school, yet updated look. Also keep an eye out for: fitted cable-knit sweaters, low-button polo tops, and monograms.

Just remember, keep the look new by mixing it up. Wear a rugby with a big suede belt; pair the plaid skirt with an athletic hoodie (must, MUST color-coordinate to work); work the khakis with a funky little peasant top and kitten heels.

All photographs used with permission. Thanks to Hot Kiss, Tee-Zone, Urban Outfitters and Buckle.