Summertime

T

Stripes, dots,

flamingo pink,

lemon yellow,

he distinct look of summer
2003 can be summed up
by a love affair with com-
fortable fabrics — mostly
silks, linens, satins and denim, and
bold patterns — especially polka dots,
stripes and retro designs. Color also
plays a strong role.
Summer styles, drawing inspiration
from the 1940s and '50s, evoke mem-
ories of eras past. But things are not
the same the second time around.
Styles are infused with a contempo-
rary twist. Fabrics are becoming more
high-tech, resisting water, wrinkles and
stains. Wardrobes are designed to take
people from the gym to work and into
the weekend, without much fuss.
We talked with top fashion consult-
ants and local merchants to get their
picks for hot summer fashions. Here's
their take:

Positively pink

es, embroidery,

mini-skirts and

military chic are

but a few of

summer's hot

ashion trends.

BY JUDITH COOKIS
RUBENS

5/16
2003

4

Summer trends from
Nordstrom, Somerset
Collection.

If one word could sum up this sea-
son's hottest trend, it would be "pink."
"All shades of pink are important ...
from bubble gum to flamingo to
magenta. For summer, brighter colors
are the bigger colors," says Gregg
Andrews, a fashion director for
Nordstrom.
Other popular colors call up images
of fresh summer foods — from lime,
pistachio, avocado and celery greens,
to citrus favorites like lemon yellow,
orange and melon.
"We're not seeing a lot of black,
except for evening wear," said Mark
Schwartz, owner of Scott Gregory in
Bloomfield Hills. "Color seems to be
very important."
Contrasting against these bright
hues is this season's other star: white.
"White is really fresh right now,
especially after having such a dark
fall," says Melissa Ryan, a fashion
events specialist for Marshall Field's.
Harold Rothenberg, owner of
Hersh's clothing store in West
Bloomfield, says a woman's most
essential summer purchase should be a
pair of white pants. It doesn't matter
whether they are boot-cut, wide-leg or
cropped capris, he adds, so long as
they are paired with a bright top.
"It's very forward and very sleek,"
Rothenberg says.
Andrews agrees. "You.don't need to
be afraid of white. Just find a silhou-