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Get That Look at JCPenney This Back-to-School Season

PLANO, Texas-(Business Wire)-July 1, 2008 - JCPenney delivers a full range of merchandise for an array of lifestyles this Back-to-School season with apparel and dorm decor offering the perfect mix of style, quality and smart prices. JCPenney Vice President of Trend, Karolyn Wangstad, shares style tips to get that look this season, along with a shopping list of wardrobe and dorm essentials for every budget.

Must-have fashion checklist for Juniors:

— Vintage Vibe - A nostalgic nod-to-the-past, this look is inspired by vintage store finds, with retro and handcrafted elements. Feminine camis layered with sweater cardigans from Decree are great options for adding color and style to her wardrobe. Delicate florals, plaids and ruffle details add just the right touch of sass. For unique denim options, she'll seek wide-leg trousers and skinny styles with rip and repair abrasion, in addition to light and dark washes from Arizona, Decree, C7P, Vigoss and YMI. Remember eye-catching accents that pull the look together; accessorize with a colorful scarf, bangle or corduroy bucket bag, all from Decree. Studded belts are all the rage on your favorite pair of retro-style jeans.

— Class Acts - Pair prep school attitude with a modern edge, for the perfect style solution. Don't be afraid to mix tees, tanks and camis from the Arizona favorites collection, in a variety of vivid colors. She will rule the hallways in a pleated plaid mini or high-waisted jean from JCPenney's new Fabulosity line designed by Kimora Lee Simmons. Polos, hoodies and cardigans, all available at JCPenney and jcp.com, are time-tested staples of prep-school style. Layer on a collegiate-inspired hoodie from Arizona, to add the right mix of warmth and style when you're too cool for school. Remember those great totes and messengers to carry your stuff in style.

— My Boyfriend's Back - Make a statement with pieces inspired by him. With this look, you can never have enough pleats, cuffs, pinstripes, and plaids! Bermuda shorts are here to stay and both Decree and Arizona have a variety. Menswear-inspired denim and pinstriped vests from Mixit and Decree, and the quintessential boyfriend jacket from Tracy Evans make great toppers. Wide-leg trousers from Decree and Bisou Bisou are must-have wardrobe additions. Top off the look with a trend-right newsboy cap or beret.

— City Sport - Envision athletic silhouettes and fabrics paired with classic sportswear; show your spirit just in time for the Summer Olympics! Le Tigre, the fun, fashionable celebrity favorite is available exclusively at JCPenney for back-to-school 2008. Girls can take their style from classroom to playing field in Le Tigre separates, including colorful polo shirts and polo dresses, track jackets, sleeveless hoodies and Bermudas. Finish the look with a smart canvas flat. Padded carry-alls from Le Tigre, in orange, green or pink lend a sportacular finishing touch!

Must-have fashion checklist for Young Men:

— Ivy League - Ultimate collegiate style incorporates novelty graphics and embellishment, which give this classic look something extra. Colorful cotton polo shirts from the American Living young men's collection are certainly Ivy-League appropriate! Dress to impress by pairing plaid shorts or cargos from Arizona with a solid or striped polo, hoodie or forever-preppy plaid shirt.

— The "New Cool" Uniform -The latest trends in denim form the basis of a uniform that includes darker washes and subtle destruction. Discover your inner rocker with JCPenney's Whitetag collection of premium denim and graphic-driven tops. Find slimmer-fit premium denim in a range of washes with unique back pocket treatments. Embellished tees, polos, thermals, hoodies and fleece track jackets incorporate unique screen prints, foil applique, raw-cut edging and flocking, over art-based designs. Trend-right denim is an important part of the Back-to-School mix - the slim straight style from Arizona is available in a variety of washes, with grey, a fall stand-out. Always on the edge, Levi's 514 slim fit and 559 relaxed straight styles are core components of "new cool."

— Recycled Thrift - Make something new out of the old! Mix new patterns and textures to create a retro military-inspired look; experiment with logo tees and vintage shirts over cargo pants; an Army-look jacket from Arizona will complete this reinvented silhouette. For that laid-back look, American Living young men's will be his go-to fashion label this season. Plaid and flannel shirts, worn-in denim, cargo shorts, and waffle tees allow him to create head-to-toe style statements! Underscore the retro vibe with plaid, embellishment and vintage prints found in hoodies, polos and tees throughout JCPenney's Arizona collection. The 539 Eco straight by Levi's elevate his cool-factor.

Must-have fashion trends for Boys and Girls:

Whether they're strutting style in school uniforms, preppy American Living or tried and true Arizona separates, there are three statement-making trends for kids this fall: embellishment, denim and color. Trend-savvy shoppers will seek embellishment on all apparel, from flocking, to studs, to allover prints. Denim also tops the trend list with special washes and finishes and fit options for boys and girls. And last, but not least, is the trend to wear rainbow bright hues for both boys and girls in tops and bottoms.

Must-have style for dorms:

Leaving home for the first time? Dorm Life combines style with utility. From bedroom basics to trendy trimmings, Dorm Life provides room decor to fit the needs of each and every college student.

— For today's design-savvy young adults decorating their first home, start with Extra-Long Twin Sheets in solids or stripes in boy blue, bright olive, cool fuchsia and seal brown. Top off your bed with a Reversible Comforter Set, allowing you to instantly transform the look of your room — go from bold stripes or plaid to bright solids with a simple flip of your comforter! Add decorative pillows like the Cheyenne or Laser Print Pillows for a fun colorful element.

— Don't forget dorm basics that every student needs: Bedroll Pillows and bedrests are best-sellers every year. Coordinating shower curtains, bath rugs and towel sets come in masculine and feminine tones. Finally, grab a waterproof Bath Tote to store shower essentials - with eight pockets, organization is easy!

— Furniture for your dorm or first apartment should start with the simple Chrome Leg Desk and Acrylic Chair, suitable for any room, while Ottomans with Hidden Storage help you stay organized and keep your room clutter-free.

— Dorm Life accent pieces add a touch of your personality into every room. Mirrored Clocks are not only trendy, but will get you to class on-time and looking your best! Brightly Colored Paper Lanterns and Faux Fur Butterfly Chairs are sure to help you create the right look; or for the sophisticated shopper, a solid black Rolling Rocker and Sunburst Wall Clock are a cool way to go. Show your school spirit with NCAA Bean Bags and Accent Lamps printed with your school's logo and add Wall Art (available in sets of four) in different colors and patterns to spice up the walls in the design of your choice!

Additionally, finding dorm basics and new favorites couldn't be any easier with JCPenney's online gift registry, which includes a BTS checklist to make planning a breeze. By registering online, your gifts and your purchases can then be shipped directly to a local JCPenney store in your college town. On www.jcp.com, find a link to the Dorm Life Facebook page, featuring dorm furnishings, and an online guide featuring tips, checklists and more.

Find these trends and many more at JCPenney's back-to-school gallery link below or at jcp.com: http://newsroom.mbooth.com/JCPenney/LookBooks/Back-To-School/ lookbook.php (Due to its length, this URL may need to be copied/pasted into your Internet browser's address field. Remove the extra space if one exists.)

About JCPenney

JCPenney is one of America's leading retailers, operating 1,074 department stores throughout the United States and Puerto Rico, as well as one of the largest apparel and home furnishing sites on the Internet, jcp.com, and the nation's largest general merchandise catalog business. Through these integrated channels, JCPenney offers a wide array of national, private and exclusive brands which reflect the Company's commitment to providing customers with style and quality at a smart price. Traded as "JCP" on the New York Stock Exchange, the Company posted revenue of $19.9 billion in 2006 and is executing its strategic plan to be the growth leader in the retail industry. Key to this strategy is JCPenney's "Every Day Matters" brand positioning, intended to generate deeper, more emotionally driven relationships with customers by fully engaging the Company's 155,000 Associates to offer encouragement, provide ideas and inspire customers every time they shop with JCPenney.

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