Furs for the Future
“Panda bears are so huggable,” notes Neiman Marcus spokeswoman Billur Wallerich. For that reason, the motif works wonderfully on the acrylic fur coat from Artwear by Halley. Indeed, a little girl clad in the fuzzy frock will look like a living stuffed animal. “With all our consciousness focused on the preservation of such endangered species, the coat is timely,” she adds. Available in the Children’s World department of the Fashion Island Newport Beach store, toddler sizes sell for $162 and sizes 4 to 6x are $168.
Hot Legs
Mini skirts and short shorts might be in vogue again, but goose bumps and knocking knees never are. Leg wear makers come to the rescue this season with thick, comfortable and affordable tights that are as cozy as your favorite sweater. Hue responds with a cable knit sweater style for legs of a rayon-Lycra blend ($20) in black, smoke and natural. Everyone from the grunge gang to the ski set will be grateful for the thermal knit tights of nylon, Lycra spandex and cotton in ebony and ivory from Calvin Klein Hosiery ($11).
Go Speed Racer
Think fashion moves faster than a Formula One car? Street-wear designers are outpacing ‘93’s XL looks by streaking tailored wares with racing stripes. “It’s part of the whole sporty trend,” says designer Shelly Sjobeck. That look is heavy on Lycra and athletic accessories such as Adidas shoes and ball caps. For her namesake line, Sjobeck striped her junior collection--including a long maxi dress of twill ($68)--with the same trim used in the men’s line, designed by brother Erik. “We didn’t want to do a three stripe down the sleeve like everyone else, so we went down the front,” she adds.
Get Personal
When it comes to monograms, women apparently prefer their first names to men who still opt for initials, says Tony Torres, owner of Things Embroidered in the Orange Mall. The shop personalizes sweat shirts, towels, jackets and more. But it’s robes that Torres sees in the greatest numbers: He estimates stitching close to 2,000 last month. The next wave, he says, will come with the spring bridal season as well as around Mother’s and Father’s days.
