A Walk on the Sedate Side
Asampling from nearly 100 Los Angeles designers of junior and contemporary sportswear hit the runway this week and momentarily turned spring into the season of reason.
The fashion show, presented by Directives West, an L.A.-based buying office, was low on shock value and high on classic lines. An audience of department and specialty store buyers from across the country saw a parade of styles that ranged from ‘40s-inspired print dresses and awning-stripe skirts to ‘70s-influenced ethnic patterns and prairie petticoats.
Apart from a few bell bottom trousers paired with bare-midriff tops and platform shoes, most of the fashion was on the sane, subtle, sophisticated side. With almost no glitz-and-glitter in sight, silver sequins on an Aztec-inspired skirt by Me Jane and two silver chains on Sue Wong’s man-tailored striped jacket were memorable exceptions.
Even the color palette was subdued; red was one of the few striking colors. Leger showed a long red and white polka-dotted dress with four strategic slits for sex appeal and mobility, while Rampage turned a red and white check fabric into a perky ‘40s-flavored suit with a long skirt and a jacket with a Peter Pan collar.
The sea of softer shades included Carole Little’s shell pink schoolgirl dress, Jan Micole’s pale yellow slim, ankle-length pants and Davi Davich’s long, maize linen dress with whipstitch detailing.
Crochet work was part of all the homespun charm. It surfaced in Baja Blue’s undyed cotton swimwear and in Fritzi’s salmon cardigan, which was worn like a shawl over a matching tank top, floral print skirt and a white petticoat.
Among the many blasts from the past were photographic images of John F. Kennedy on Platinum’s denim jeans and vests, and American Indian motif on a blanket coat by Bronco Billy’s , and yards and yards of prairie skirts and petticoats. Breaking ranks with all the long flounced Southwestern dresses and skirts, Vintage Blue showed a short, red-print flounced skirt topped with a denim vest.
Women who like fabrics from the good old days will be happy to hear sharkskin and seersucker are back. Those who prefer to keep covered should be delighted the layered look is back. And those who worry about the hemline issue will be relieved to hear it remains the same--short and long. But long will be easier to wear in a season that calls for full, flouncy skirts paired with that L.A. favorite--black cowboy boots.
With accessories at a bare minimum, the ones that count, in addition to short black or tan cowboy-style boots, are open-toed, thick heeled suede pumps; low, ankle strap platform sandals; and a tooled Western belt.
