Off the Edge
Hems may rise and fall, but the one to take note of this year does both: the asymmetrical skirt. Karl Lagerfeld offers it exquisitely for the House of Chanel, in crepe, wool gabardine or georgette. “It’s one of the most important skirt silhouettes to date,” notes Roger Martin, director of the South Coast Plaza Chanel boutique. Wear it as a separate or combine it with a classic single or double-breasted jacket (as pictured, $2,760).
Talk While You Walk
First they pumped. Then they lit up. Now sneakers enter a new domain with Talkables from E.S. Originals. At the press of a button, these kid’s shoes, size 5 to 12, emit sounds with the aid of a micro chip. “We figured, if children liked the light, they definitely would react to sound,” says spokesman Charles Becker. Girls can announce “I love you” from their saccharine-sweet shoes covered with hearts, flowers and a teddy bear. Boys, on the other hand, will have to settle for the simulated sound of a “vrooming” engine coming from their black racing car shoes. In the works are tennies featuring the ABCs and barnyard sounds. They’re available at Kmart for about $17.
Beanie Boy
The Mecca New Yorkers visit for headgear? Billy Mecca, hat designer and king (of sorts) of the beanie. The most universal of headgear, next to baseball hats, beanies have shown up in a variety of fabrics, from wool to cotton, and renditions--such as the minimal skull cap and the grunge sock cap--much to the credit of Mecca. “This sounds so cliche, but a whole wardrobe can change with a hat,” he says. “It’s a very personal thing.” His puckered, floral georgette caps for spring ($32) are leading in both the adult and kid divisions. His full line sells nationwide from $18 to $45.
D-Day
In offices nationwide, Friday is celebrated as the last day of the workweek, the one before the weekend, the day nothing can go that wrong. But worker bees revere it, too, as “casual day,” when they can exchange their fancy dress for denim. “The idea of Friday dressing was really born out of changing lifestyles,” notes Peter Corritoria, president of Bass Shirtmakers. Because some industries have even adopted the trend throughout the week, the dress shirt company offers a denim twill cut that looks great with a tie.
