THE LON GaTHE SHORT

Continued from preceding page

Now for the bad news. In fashion
physics, what goes up must come
down and long is on the scene. If
these first harbingers of a change in
hemlines sell well, 'women can expect
to see even more long skirts this fall.
Most designers took a stab at the
longer length but the one who
managed it best is Calvin Klein.
Fashion pundits loved his flowing
skirts: they swirl to mid-calf, and are
side-slit or front-buttoned to reveal
lots of tanned leg. Ralph Lauren also
did long, but his version is the com-
plete opposite of Klein's. Lauren
shows midi-length skirts in skintight
knit fabrics.
There are other options, all in-
tended to make long skirts look non-
threatening and user-friendly. Long
slim skirts button up the front or up
the back. Long full skirts button over
shorts. Asymmetrical skirts slant from
long to short. Some designers even
did the same outfit in both short and
long lengths, and let customers make
the ultimate decision.
Here is a sampling of what Detroit
retailers think regarding what length
will prevail in the fall.
It's not an issue at Adaria in Birm-
ingham. "My customers will be wear-
ing short," says owner Anne Dinon.
At Don Thomas Sporthaus in the
Bloomfield Plaza, buyers can choose
between long and short styles. "We
are showing a variety of styles,' says
Lynne Bay, buyer at Don Thomas
Sporthaus. Ms. Bay mentions the long
flowing skirts as well as the walking
shorts. She says that some spring and
summer fashions are still above the
knee. "There's no one length."
According to Sherri Joseff, buyer for
Sherri's in the Orchard Mall, it
depends on the occasion whether a
customer wears a short or long dress.
"Some like the short, kicky look, while
we are doing well with long evening

MASCULINE/FEMININE MIX: A coatdress
is in pinstriped fabric and peekaboo
lace. The outfit is further softened by the
accessories chosen for it - flower-
trimmed tulle fedora and multi-strand
pearl necklace.

PHOTO FROM DONNA KARAN.