me s
the
Hems Hit
New Heights
If you thought skirts
couldn't get any shorter,
you're right. But they
haven't gotten any
longer, either. Hemlines
are still thigh-high — at
the shows and in the
magazines, anyhow —
although what appears
in the stores and on the
streets is often another
matter.
A few long skirts are
on the fashion scene.
The ones that attracted
the most attention are
in skin-tight stretch
fabrics that are as re-
vealing in their way as
the short/short skirts.
HIGHLAND
FLING
Designers are tak
ing tartan to heart,
turning plaid into
the pattern of the
moment. From cam-
isoles to coats,
American and Eu-
ropean designers
Wool fitted jacket, $450;
leather skirt, $285, DKNY
The newest hemline is
asymmetrical. No, not
short-in-front/long-in-
back — that's old hat.
The au courant asym-
metrical hemline slants
to one side. I I
C Oc,
Laurent
fling. Yves
likes the pattern for day-
time — in kilted skirts,
white blouses with lacy
jabots, and short velvet
jackets. Oscar de la Renta
sparks it for nighttime in
short strapless sequined
dresses. Li
Tbday: Bright ideas
from designers.
lbmorrow:
Winds of change?
Colorful angled and
curved Luc Benoit handbags
HANDBAG DETAILS
What makes this sea-
son's handbags different
from last season's hand-
bags? It's the details —
things like latches and
handles.
Miniature versions of
the classics are now so
microscopic that they're
intended to be worn
hanging from a belt.
Give basic handbag
shapes a spin — look
for unusual latches (like
a gold-tone latch or a
toggle closure), unusual
handles (like stiff, round
"bracelet" handles) and/
or an unusual texture
(like quilting or a pebbly
grain).
If you're buying a
basic handbag,
classic colors like
navy and black are
safe, of course. But
the fashion forward
are updating basic
shapes with bright
colors. Ii
Weather Report:
"Must Haves"
The fashion experts at
Spiegel, the catalogue
company, have come up
with a list of one dozen
"must haves" for Fall
'91. The envelope,
please! Spiegel's choices
are:
1. Flat-heeled over-
the-knee boots in soft,
scrunchy leather or
jewel-toned
suede.
2. A bold
brooch or rap-
per-style pen
dants on heavy
chains.
Oblong wool/
acrylic scarf from
Echo
3. An iridescent
over- sized trench-
inspired jacket.
4. Bill Blass'
Glen plaid short-
jacket dress.
5. A fit-and-flare
dress.
6. DKNY silver-beige
quilted anorak.
7. Something plaid.
8. Stretch woven
ANYTHING!
9. Innerwear that
peeks out (a lacy teddy
or bodysuit or a
bustier).
10. A short pleated
skirt.
11.A multi-use long
fitted jacket (worn over
leggings or a catsuit,
worn over a short skirt,
worn alone as a dress).
12. A dramatic coat
. . .colorful, embel-
lished,
IMPORTANT.