(Springfield, Mo.) -- Mom Peggy Brother says she has a bone to pick with local clothing stores.

"A lot of kids are in to the satanic stuff right now," says Brother. "Now, you see them everywhere and I don't like them. There are so many other things you can put on the shirts."

These days, skulls have become an acceptable addition to fashion. And the trend is dominating some clothing stores' shelves.

"The thing is, they just look demonic to me. It's not just a Halloween trend or anything, because they put more skull things out for Halloween, but this is an every day thing," says Brother.

It's an "every-day thing" Brother isn't buying in to, because she doesn't like the message it sends.

"The message could be I'm in a gang or I want to be in a gang or I'm part of the occult or I just like skulls, I mean, I can't understand why anyone would like them," says Brother.

Skulls are a big seller at Indie Boutique in downtown Springfield.

"We just have a very open mind and it's just another form of art as far as we're concerned. We don't see any negative ties or cult ties," says Camille McCallister, the owner of Indie.

With her stock of skull shirts, bags, and handkerchiefs, McCallister says it's a form of artistic expression, inspired by hispanic culture (such as Mexico's Dia de los Muertos), and tattoos.

"Skulls have become more fashionable as tattoos have become more fashionable," says McCallister. "A skull does not have to be a negative image."

McCallister isn't surprised by the reactions of some to the trend, but doesn't feel it's something to worry about.

"I would be more alarmed about excessive guns or violence than a skull," says McCallister.

But it's artistic expression Brother says she wants suppressed.

"Clothes can make or break your personality," says Brother.

McCallister says Indie Boutique also has many items with religious symbols, like crosses and sacred hearts.

Contact: dmagditch@kspr.com