A Jacket Fit for Leader of the Pack
DEAR HOT: My boyfriend’s goal in life is to own a Harley-Davidson motorcycle. While he saves up for it, I’d like to buy him something that gets him ready for his dream machine. Any suggestions?
DEAR HOT SHOPPER: With an item or two from the Harley-Davidson MotorClothes, people will look at your boyfriend and wonder: “Is that a real Harley owner, or just an incredible simulation?”
There have been licenses for Harley merchandise for eons, but only recently has the company decided to produce its own line of clothes and accessories. One of the designers, Karen Davidson, is a great-granddaughter of one of the company’s founders.
The line includes leather jackets, sunglasses, caps, watches, sweaters, boots and belts, priced from less than $25 to about $500. Pictured here is the “Springfield” jacket, with a wool/nylon body and black leather sleeves with cream leather panels trimmed in red satin cording. It’s $349.95 and comes in sizes small through extra large. Available at Bartels’ Harley-Davidson in Culver City, (213) 838-3003, it is currently one of the line’s most popular items.
The MotorClothes are also available at Harley-Davidson of Fullerton (714) 871-6563 and Van Nuys Harley-Davidson (818) 989-2230).
DEAR HOT: I’m embarrassed to admit this but I’m intimidated by some of the more exclusive shops in Beverly Hills. Every time I go in one I feel like Julia Roberts in “Pretty Woman”--before she got rid of her hooker clothes. I want to learn to feel comfortable browsing and buying in these stores. What can I do?
DEAR HOT SHOPPER: Some Beverly Hills shops come off as Snob City. But if you think they’re worth patronizing anyway, try this. First, call and see if the stores have catalogues (many now do). Get copies and familiarize yourself with the stores’ styles so you can sound knowledgeable when clerks ask if there’s anything you’d like to see.
It also helps to dress well when you shop Beverly Hills. We wish it weren’t so, but we’ve found we get better service there when we’re wearing business-type clothes rather than jeans.
If all else fails, act like a tourist. Most tourists aren’t all that insulted by Beverly Hills’ attitude; they consider it part of the experience. They know they’re never going to see those clerks again, and they have a good time. And, remember, there are also some shops in Beverly Hills that wisely treat everyone as if they’re carrying a dozen American Express platinum cards.
WATCH-AND-WEAR T-SHIRTS--”Twin Peaks” fans who have remained loyal to the show through its second season, take note. Graphically creative, official TP T-shirts are now available. (Last season, boring, bootleg TP T-shirts flooded the market.) These new styles range from the obvious “Twin Peaks” logo to a shirt that asks “Who killed Laura Palmer?” with the framed photo of the Saran-wrapped beauty queen. There’s a “Twin Peaks High School Phys. Ed. Dept.” shirt, as well as one advertising the RR Diner’s grand cuisine of pie, doughnuts and coffee. They’re $15 each from Stanley Desantis. To order, call (213) 933-8205. But when you call, don’t ask why the owls are not what they seem.
Searching for the perfect velour sweat suit to go with the Barcalounger you’re getting your spouse this Christmas? Hot to Shop is based on conversations and reader mail. Write to Krier and Stein, Hot to Shop, The Times, Los Angeles, Calif. 90053. Questions may also be faxed to (213) 237-4712.
