Armani Watchers

The stellar crowd showed definite signs of confusion at a Giorgio Armani fashion show in his Beverly Hills store Tuesday night.

Farrah Fawcett and Joanna Pacula chose the designer’s sedate but slouchy pantsuits. Sharon Stone mixed his soft-edged plaid jacket with her own fitted jeans.

In the not-by-Giorgio segment of the audience, Winona Ryder sported a vintage green plaid jacket, short skirt and prim little purse. Dana Delany’s bold black-and-white checked jacket matched her shoes. And Maria Shriver, who is expecting her second child soon, dressed in a pink homespun dress, white blazer and sensible oxfords.

By far the biggest box-office draw, if not the fashion star of the evening, was Arnold Schwarzenegger. Mr. “T-2” wore a tropical white suit with a Gaugin-print shirt.

Most of the crowd opted for Armani’s slouch and drape mood--last year’s look. But their leader threw them a curve with his fall collection. Baggy pants are all but extinct, muted tones make way for warmer colors. The new shapes are trim, fitted and slightly sexier than usual.

Highlights: for women, a camel-colored coat that looks like a dress, with fitted waist and flared skirt. For men, snugger jackets that lightly hug the hips, slimmer trousers and an assortment of stripes, checks and polka-dots to mix with solids.