BY DESIGN : Not a Murphy Brown Exclusive
The Look: The most elegant pantsuit has to be the one TV’s Murphy Brown is so fond of--double-breasted, with a plunging shawl collar. The most daring working girls wear nothing but an amazing necklace underneath.
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Do It Big: Giorgio Armani does a rich lightweight wool crepe pantsuit in taupe, white, creme, navy and, of course, black. It costs $1,975. The glass bead lariat necklace is $350. At $16.50, the macrame shoulder bag is a bargain. The whole ensemble is available at the Giorgio Armani boutique on Rodeo Drive and at I. Magnin, both in Beverly Hills.
Total price: $2,341.50.
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Do It Budget: It’s rare to find an inexpensive pantsuit that looks as if it’s been made by expert Italian tailors. This jacket in a blend of 50% wool and 50% polyester is only $39.95 at the Hit or Miss store in Century City’s ABC Entertainment Center. (A matching short skirt is $14.99.) The pleated pants in 100% taupe wool gabardine are by San Francisco designer Ceceilia Hsu for CEZU. They’re cut beautifully for $118, and can be special ordered through B. Magness in Newport Beach. The glass beaded necklace is a handmade concoction fashioned, for a total of $50, from a necklace, two bracelets and a pair of earrings from Pier 1 Imports, citywide. This $10 macrame bag is from Bun-Ka Do, a little shop in Little Tokyo.
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Total amount: $217.95.
