Plane Fare

We were on the midnight plane from Dallas to Los Angeles, thinking we’d never see anyone we know, when two brown leather bomber jackets approached us. Inside the jackets were Mary Ann Mobley and Gary Collins. Mobley looked cute in a ponytail, blue jeans, white tennis shoes and a silk scarf around her neck. Hubby Collins carried a Louis Vuitton tote.

Up on Formality

James Coburn must have some exciting black-tie events on his agenda. We hear from Sherman Oaks retailer Rick Pallack that Coburn recently purchased the works: a black, ‘40s-style cashmere-and-wool tuxedo that comes with a six-button, double-breasted jacket and full, pleated trousers; a pleated white cotton wing-collar shirt; a white cotton pocket square, a black silk bow tie and black silk socks. Oh-oh. No shoes. Is Coburn one of those Hollywood types who likes to wear sneakers for all occasions? Hardly. The tall, lean, very fashionable actor was back two days later, Pallack tells us, to buy a pair of black woven-silk slip-ons.

Unforgettable You

Are you as unforgettable as Audrey Hepburn, for example? If you think so, Revlon would like to know. Women 18 years or older who make a Revlon purchase can get an entry form for the company’s “unforgettable” contest. Grand prize winner receives $25,000 and an opportunity to appear in a Revlon ad. Entry deadline is Dec. 15, and if readers have a problem finding entry forms, they can call Natalie Coreman, head of Revlon consumer services, at (212) 527-5644. Every entrant has to send along three photographs. But Revlon has kindly offered 10 tips for the most photogenic you. Among them: Use foundation and face powder. Color-key blusher to lipstick. Pep up pale lashes with mascara. Remember that your hair style will reflect your personality and life style. Tell yourself a joke a moment before the camera clicks to produce a natural smile.

Urge to Shop Drops

When the going gets tough, do the tough stop shopping? Women apparently do, according to statistics to be released next week by Kurt Salmons, the New York management consulting firm. Our source there says new figures show that in the first three quarters of 1988, clothing units purchased by females have declined a whopping 8.8% compared with the same period last year. Menswear units purchased have increased by 1%.

First Lady of Leisure

Nancy-mania is starting already. A friend of ours received a card from Saks Fifth Avenue, Beverly Hills, asking that she “save the date of Feb. 14” for a Valentine’s Day luncheon honoring Mrs. Reagan. The Colleagues will host, with a show of spring fashions by the First Lady’s favored designer, Adolfo.

Knit Picking in Beverly Hills

And now, equal time for Mr. President. We looked through the Christmas catalogue of Carroll & Co., the Beverly Hills menswear shop, and noticed a sweater like the one Ronald Reagan wears in this month’s issue of Vanity Fair. It’s a red, shawl-collar, button-front model that looks very cozy indeed. We phoned Dick Carroll and found we were right: “President Reagan has a few of those sweaters in different colors,” he said. We also learned it’s six-ply Shetland wool and is priced at $195.

But Who’ll Foot the Bill?

Of course, nobody was looking at Prince’s socks in “Purple Rain.” But now that his costume designer, Marie France, has moved on to do a film called “Daddy’s Little Girl,” starring Ami Dolenz (of “General Hospital” fame), socks seem to mean everything. Listen hears that France bought tons of them at Fred Segal on Melrose Avenue and American Rag, Cie., on La Brea Avenue for Dolenz’s wardrobe. Described as “a hip way to make a fashion statement,” the styles that daddy’s little girl will wear include over-the-knee-highs, scrunched and layered, eyelet anklets, soft pastels and knockout brights.