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.