Searching for That Perfect L.A. Suit
Dear Fashion Police: Where can I get a suit like the doormen wear at Le Mondrian hotel in West Hollywood? It’s a basic camel-color suit that drapes well, looks extremely casual with a white T-shirt, and can be easily dressed up with a shirt and tie.
--SUITS ME
Dear Suit: You’re not the first to admire those natty four-button, single-breasted beige suits worn by the hotel staff. Paired with a white T-shirt, they’re just the kind of look that fits in perfectly with the L.A. lifestyle--which is why designer/stylist Freddie Leiba and hotel owner Ian Schrager made them that way.
“I tried to make them not look like uniforms, like those jackets with the gold braid down the side,” said Leiba from New York. “That’s Ian’s whole thing, to create something more stylish. The hotel is really the star, and the uniforms become the second stage after I see the interiors, because they have to look like they belong in the environment.”
His inspiration came from various designers, including Prada and Giorgio Armani, but Leiba put his own spin on those looks.
Since these suits are exclusive to the hotel, how can you approximate the look? Leiba advised checking out the upcoming collections of Ralph Lauren, Jil Sander and Armani. Of course, we know of one sure way to get your hands on that exact suit--get a job at the hotel.
*
Dear Fashion Police: There must be catalogs that carry plus-size petites--not just regular petite. I’m a 16 petite and I’m sure I’m not the only one.
--NOT ALONE
Dear Not: You’re right, you’re not the only one. We’ve given resources before for plus-size petites, but it’s time to update.
Although plus sizes are fairly easy to find these days in department stores, catalogs and online, plus petites are another story. Companies specializing in large sizes are beginning to recognize that their customers come in various shapes and heights, and are offering clothes proportioned for women about 5-feet-3 and under. We suppose the politically correct way of saying that would be vertically challenged.
We hope you’re not opposed to cruising the Web for online catalogs. Although some companies offer the old-fashioned kind, seeing pictures on the Internet first is a good way of screening the various collections.
Peggy Lutz Plus is a Northern California company specializing in soft dressing, and offers plus sizes for petite, regular and tall women. For women who fall below 5-feet-3 or above 5-feet-10, clothes can be customized for an extra charge. The Web site is: https://www.plus-size.com, or call (707) 837-1897. A printed catalog is $5.
Better Half Fashions is a plus-size clothing company based in Saskatoon, Canada. They stock everything from parkas to panties in plus, plus petite and super sizes. We especially loved the letter on the Web site from the company owner, who wrote: “People depend on us to make sure their clothes fit well, that they will enjoy wearing it, and that they can trust us. We understand the word ‘big.’ I’m fluffy myself.”
Check out their Web site at: https://www.betterhalf.com, or call (306) 382-5908.
The Delta Burke Collection, which features petites, can be found at RealSize.com. Burke’s line has swimsuits, career wear, sportswear, evening clothes and accessories on the Web site https://www.realsize.com. You can order a printed catalog by calling (877) 335-8216.
Syd & Sam offers several lines for tall women, plus, petites, and plus petites. They’re at: https://www.sydandsam.com, or call (877) 367-7001.
Plus Woman Online is the Internet version of Plus Woman catalog, which has an extensive line of large-size clothes, including plus petites. You can order a printed catalog via their Web site, https://www.pluswoman.com, or call (800) 628-5525.
A Florida-based company called Myles Ahead has been dressing plus women for 10 years. Owner Jody Frankel said the company is “extremely accommodating” when it comes to outfitting various sizes, whether petite or tall. See them on the Web at: https://www.mylesahead.com, or call (888) 695-3724.
We’d like to add that most of the people we spoke with at these companies stressed that making their customers happy with styles and sizes was extremely important. While this may mean sending something back for alterations, it’s better than wearing clothes that don’t fit.
Write to Fashion Police, Los Angeles Times, Times Mirror Square, Los Angeles, CA 90053, fax to (213) 237-4888, or send e-mail to socalliving@latimes.com.
