THE HIGH COST OF CHIC

The word chic, though not necessarily a synonym for expensive, often enough leads to the same place. A casual review of designer formal wear prices at some of the county’s larger stores cements the point. Even sportswear can put a dent in the exchequer. The prices of the outfits listed below are not reflective of ranges available at any of the stores, but do address the question of how much it can cost to dress by designer.

FORMAL

Store Designer Description Price Robinson’s Black Tie Beaded white $520 silk 3/4-length Nordstrom Bill Blass Imported fabric 4,200 mustard with black lace trim Bullock’s Scaasi Boutique Yellow silk and 2,690 rayon Saks Fifth Avenue Mary McFadden Purple silk 3,250 brocade with beads and sequins Neiman Marcus Bob Mackie Seafoam green 8,700 with beaded sequin jacket

SPORTSWEAR

Store Designer Description Price Robinson’s Georgio Armani Cotton T-shirt $240 Rayon print pants 625 Silk floral jacket 850 Total 1,715 Nordstrom Donna Karan White silk vest 800 White silk pants 325 White silk jacket 1,170 Total 2,295 Bullock’s Sonia Rykiel Midi wool tank top 360 Black wool pants 580 Jeweled jacket 860 Total 1,800 Saks Fifth Avenue Escada Lime silk shirt 640 Navy wool pants 400 Lime leather jacket 1,440 Total 2,480 Neiman Marcus Romeo Gigli Maroon halter top 520 Gold gauze pants 880 Maroon gauze jacket 760 Total 2,160

Bullock’s and Neiman Marcus also carry the same Donna Karan embroidered white silk sports ensemble listed under Nordstrom (Neiman Marcus’ price is $130 higher for the jacket and $80 more for the vest.)

Source: Invdividual stores