Spring break Shopping

Most people recognize this time of year: the rain washes away the snow, the gym starts overflowing with students and boxes marked ‘spring and summer stuff,’ come pouring out of the closet.

Yes, spring is around the corner and, along with everyone else, stores are pulling out this season’s spring lines.

“We actually already have a lot of our spring stuff in,” Valerie Brown, a part-time manager of the young women’s clothing store Maurices said. “We sell shorts, skirts, tank-tops, short sleeve shirts and sandals.”

Like Maurices, other stores such as Target, JCPenney’s and TJ Maxx have already begun marketing and preparing their spring collections.

“From what I’ve seen, there are a lot of bright colors and very fun patterns this season,” Brown said.

Maurices, on West Street, in a plaza along with Bootleggers and JCPenney’s, may not be the most accessible place for on-campus students without transportation. Hiking the few miles on foot can be a pain but the outcome could be well worth the time. Shoppers can get sandals for a trip to the beaches of Cancun or shorts, tees and tank-tops for that spring break extravaganza, perhaps to Florida, all in one plaza.

However, if students can’t make the hike, taking a stroll down Main Street isn’t a bad idea either. There are a few shops, mostly for women, to stop in for spring clothing.

Moe, short for Momentum Clothing Limited, on the corner of Main and Roxbury Streets, is a great place to pick up those cute spring time dresses and shirts.

Although prices can be steep for the average college student, its proximity to campus is worth it with hard to find brands like Ella Moss, Free People and Michael Stars. For both men and women’s spring season looks, there’s Target, located in the plaza off of Route 9. Upon entering the store, shoppers can see a variety of items from bathing suits and cover ups to tank tops and dresses, all in many vibrant colors.

Unfortunately, not all local stores have apparel for both men and women. When it comes to spring fashion for the male students of Keene State College, they’re almost out of luck.
Other than Target, a small section of TJ Maxx, JCPenney’s and Olympia Sports, there’s not much shopping for the men of Keene. Fortunately for most students, excluding freshmen, a car can provide mobility to seek out potential clothing hot spots outside of Keene. This means a trip to the Mall of New Hampshire or Holyoke, Mass. is not out of the question. A straight shot down Route 101 takes about an hour but there are a few more stores for shoppers to choose from.

Ultimately, whether students are shopping locally or driving the extra hour, spring break trips are best known for  suntans, sunglasses and cocktails.

At the end of the day, it’s not going to matter if you’re wearing Ralph Lauren or some no name brand, spring break is about letting loose and having a good time.

Amanda Sawyer can be contacted at asawyer@keeneequinox.com.