A lesson in back-to-school fashion

Wal-Mart gets an "A" for low prices.

But when it comes to back-to-school fashions, the world's largest retailer has long worn a dreadfully unflattering dunce cap while competitors Target and Kohl's have moved to the head of the class.

This year, Wal-Mart has done its homework, intent on getting its lunch money back. The retailer is luring customers to stores by launching back-to-school sales weeks before the other discounters. The buyer who over-corrected the apparel mix with such edgy offerings as the Metro 7 collection, shown at right, is no longer with the company.

Wal-Mart, which had hoped Metro 7 would draw aficionados of Target's cheap cutie Isaac Mizrahi line, is paring its cutting edge inventory. Instead, the retailer will focus on fashion basics, such as classic T-shirts in an array of colors and sizes, all at low, low prices.

Still, Wal-Mart's path on the style runway is uphill. Mom might share news of bargains on commodities such as paper towels and Dad might delight in a deal on garden mulch. But kids getting excited about buying clothes at Wal-Mart? It's still not in fashion.