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bulky, colorful top.
Siegal demonstrated how this sports-
wear look can be worn by a variety of
ages. For teens, she paired a yellow
and black checked pant with a match-
ing, oversized shirt. For the next
generation, she belted the checked
shirt and chose a black pant.
The theme of the large top and slim
bottom transfers to the office and to
luncheons with knit sweaters and skirts.
Gwen Hallimon, manager and fashion
coordinator for Berge Ltd. in Southfield,
notes that big sweater tops with
shoulder pads and sweater skirts are
in vogue. Hallimon also mentions coats
and sweater dresses, a wise invest-
ment for Michigan winters and Detroit
fashion. "Detroit is not a trendy fashion
city. Our wardrobes don't go out of
style in just one season," says Hallimon.
Estelle Cantor, co-owner of the
boutique Esther and Estelle's in West
Bloomfield, has already reordered a
line of sweater coats. "We're sold out
of the full-length pink sweater coat. The
sweater coats are priced beautifully.
You couldn't make it for that price,"
remarks Cantor. One sweater coat
resembled a modern art painting with
the interplay of color and pattern on a
background of cobalt blue.
Another hot seller at Esther and
Estelle's is a blue knit dress with an air
force emblem on a dangling rhinestone
chain. The two-piece version of this knit
dress is already sold out. "There are
a lot of emblems with a military look,"
says Cantor.
Besides emblems, numbers are also
popular. Big and bold numbers adorn
many outfits on the racks of Detroit's
boutiques. Varsity cardigan sweaters in
gold and red were on the rack at Com-
plaisant, while pullovers and vests with
the number eight were at Esther and
Estelle's.
For the working woman, fall suits mix
plaids and other patterns. For example
a herringbone skirt and jacket is
matched with a smaller checked her-
ringbone sweater, combining texture
and color.
Devorah's in West Bloomfield shows
an unconventional magenta plaid suit
that has a jacket with epaulettes and an
attached waist belt. The suit is by Rene
Fortier. "No one in Michigan has this
exclusive sportswear line." says
Devorah Shenkman, owner of Devorah's.
Sweater and skirt sets remain pop-
ular. The matching sets all have pat-
terns mixed with vibrant colors. There
is also a variety of plaid, stitched-down
pleated skirts.
"The lengths are wonderful. You can
wear them above the knee, below the
knee and above the ankles. Anyway
you feel comfortable," says Estelle
Cantor. Cantor also comments th6t
there is no set length for pants either.
"Anything goes." she smiles.
For eveningwear in Detroit, glamour
ts in Dresses shimmer and glitter with
rhinestones, beads and sequins.
Cantor notes that many dresses are
detailed in the back: "Your basic black
dress can be open in the back."
Velvet is also popular this fall, either
plain. bejeweled or combined with other
fabrics And lace is still fashionable
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