CINCINNATI, Jan. 17, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- One thing remains consistent about the shopping pattern of college students – change. It's not easy to stay a step ahead of collegiate retail trends, but one buying group has been doing just that successfully for 25 years. Connect2One helps its more than 650 college store members fill the shelves with the items most likely to appeal to the college crowd.

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The top college trend picks in 2013 include quarterback crop tees and patterned performance wear. Collegiate fashion has taken a cue from the field with a feminine take on a traditional team jersey look with a scoop neck and a decidedly girly pink and grey color combination in this year's quarterback crop tee, perfect for layering. And the sportswear trend continues with boldly patterned, stylish athletic wear featuring innovative fabrics. Some college traditions continue – such as appliqued sweatshirts and loungewear – but updated for today's shoppers.

If you want to know what's hot with college students across the country, there's no better resource than college trend expert Paula Haerr and her team at Connect2One. Haerr is Connect2One's Associate Executive Director and resident collegiate trend spotter. Her annual "What's Hot" presentation at CAMEX (Campus Market Expo), the industry's top trade show, is one of the highlights of the show. From trending fashion colors to best bets in apparel, Paula and her team cover it all. Her session also hits on the best ways to promote to college students in an era of social merchandising. Paula will take to the stage again on February 24, 2013 in Kansas City to share with the CAMEX crowd what's on the horizon in college trends.

Collegiate retail is a rapidly changing industry, and stores benefit from the expertise of Connect2One. Founded in 1988, Connect2One expands the buying power of its members in general merchandise and store commodity items, while offering the best trend information in the industry. Connect2One celebrates its 25^th Anniversary at CAMEX with a Connect2One Education Day and Paula's "What's Hot" in Collegiate Retailing Powerstart Session.

"We look forward to seeing collegiate retail leaders at CAMEX in Kansas City and celebrating 25 years of Connect2One making a difference for independent college stores," explains Connect2One Executive Director Mark Palmore. "We are fortunate to serve such a great industry of concerned individuals who work every day to enhance and enlighten the lives of college students."

About Connect2One
Connect2One, a division of Nebraska Book Company, was founded in 1988 and is the leading college store industry buying group offering valuable programs and services to more than 650 independent college bookstores throughout the country. For more information, go to www.connect2one.com.

SOURCE Connect2One