FASHION : RUNWAY TO REALITY : A Business Briefing

The working girl’s suit for the spring is a short take on the dressed-for-success idea.

Milan-based Donatella Girombelli, in her Genny line, shows abbreviated walking shorts and a long jacket in ivory-color washed silk, with big, flat gold buttons and patch pockets.

Those who have the bucks to spend on this bold look will find it at Greta, Beverly Hills. The jacket is $1,210, the shorts $340. Total: $1,550. The wide gold leather belt and matching shoulder bag with gold, pearl-encrusted daisy-chain strap were made expressly for Genny’s spring ’91 fashion show and are not available.

For her Workables line, Los Angeles designer Francine Browner shows a sculpted white rayon faille jacket with four gold buttons and matching shorts. The jacket costs $58; the shorts are $44. Total: $102.

Browner’s jacket is shorter than Girombelli’s, and her shorts are longer, which makes her suit more appropriate for the workplace. The outfit is available in white, coral, jade, blue and black at Jay Jacobs, Windsor Fashions and The Broadway. Add a $16 wide gold belt from The Limited for a grand total of $118.

To create the shoulder bag, attach a chain belt, which can be found in thrift and department stores, to an evening clutch.