STYLE : WOMEN’S FALL FASHON : The Fall of It All

Elegant, retro, wild. No matter the direction, the best clothes for Fall ’92 are full of drama and attitude. Dreary black, brown and gray haven’t disappeared from runways, but the truth is, women are reaching for colorful styles with inventive cuts, theatrical silhouettes and hemlines that recall the long-lost midi. It’s as if the multiple images out there--in music videos, old movies, rap concerts, TV reruns--have shattered the dress-alike-look-alike syndrome. That means there’s something for everyone, but the truly fashionable woman faces a whole new set of rules. Short dresses are fashion dinosaurs. Baggy jackets and “generous” sweaters are frumpy, too. Pantsuits have returned to vogue because they’re comfortable and sophisticated. And straight, ankle-grazing skirts look right only when they appear (but don’t feel) skintight, something achieved primarily through the sneaky use of stretch fabrics. Now more than ever, though, the real thrill of being well-dressed lies in choosing clothes with intricate detailing or, on pared-down styles, in adding the frills--accessories such as platform shoes, Edwardian spectacles, a filmy floor-length scarf. Even a three-piece business suit becomes a personal statement when worn with a feathered hat. For the first time in a long while, fashion is fun again. Anything goes.

Assistant stylist: Stephanie Kennedy; hair: John Caruso/ Celestine L.A.; makeup: Antonella Renyer/ Cloutier; model: Roshumba/ Elite L.A.

PRODUCED AND STYLED BY MICHAEL EISENHOWER