By Audrey Tolland
Round Table  reporter

Each year the fashion trends at Middletown High change. One year the big fashion buzz is a new pair of shoes that everybody is dying to get their hands on, and the next a clothing label that seems to be lingering on everyone’s tops.

As trends come and go, 2011 will forever be known as the year that girls’ form-fitting pencil skirts made their popular début and rugged flannel shirts made a comeback.

A pencil skirt is a slim-fitting skirt with a straight, narrow cut. Generally the hem falls to, or just below, the knee and is tailored for a close fit. It is named for its shape: long and slim like a pencil.

Senior Erin Wein said she enjoys wearing pencil skirts because “they’re comfortable, causal, and something different than jeans for daily attire.”

A pencil skirt’s traditional use was for a woman’s formal suit, but the look slowly evolved into a fun, flirty and comfy look that any girl can pull off. This is why it became one of the biggest fashion statements of 2011.

The next big fashion trend that made the list for 2011 are long-sleeve flannels.

Flannels are collared, button-up tops, usually with a checkered print. The big hype about them is that they can be worn by guys as well as girls.

“Flannels are basic and the comfort levels of flannels are beyond me,” said senior Conor Boudart.

Flannels were created by Hamilton Carhartt in 1889 and were first worn by railroad engineers, but the look of the warm, long-sleeve, button-up has been warn for comfort and looks ever since.

Only time will tell what the trends of 2012 will be, but as for 2011, pencil skirts and flannels went out with a bang in the fashion scene.