February 1, 1998

Men’s fashion gets color blast, women go for retro, easy care

The weather outside still may be frightful. But spring is just around the corner and with it, spring fashion. Area clothiers already are busy stocking racks and shelves with the latest and trendiest of women’s and men’s attire for the season ahead.

As nature’s palette brightens with a rainbow of color, so, too, will the smartly dressed man’s and woman’s wardrobe, Boulder County fashion insiders predict.

“There’s definitely more color this year across the board,´ said Edward Kapson, buyer and co-owner of Kinsley & Co., a Boulder icon of men’s fashion located at 1155 13th Ave. on the Hill. “The last few years colors have been more monochromatic.It’s kind of nice to see more (colors) mixed together again, used as accent colors here and there.”

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Everything from ties and shirts to a stripe or windowpane pattern in suits and sport coats will be blossoming with color. Add to the splashes of color a more relaxed fit, and the “F” in men’s fashion this spring is leaning toward fun and freedom.

And while business attire “still looks tailored like the English,” Kapson said, the easy fit leans toward the Italian — “a more relaxed fit, not as confining.”

Women, too, are likely to find the freshest colors of spring as they shop for the newest in office and casual dresses, skirts, tops and pants.

“Pastels” are the watch word for women’s outfits, said Bev Carpenter, Dillard’s spokeswoman, from her Phoenix office. “Light blues, grays, pinks — with gray being the neutral color of choice (instead of black).”

Jan Melvin, owner and buyer for Niwot’s only women’s apparel shop, Fine Lines, agreed.

“We’re still playing with a lot of color again this year in apparel as well as accessories,” she said.

Whether Boulder County women are more conservative or liberal in their fashion tastes, they know what they want, Melvin said. And that’s “easy care, easy wear.”

“My customer wants to take care of her own needs and what looks best on her,” Melvin said, “rather than following any trends.”

As for the trendy out there, Melvin notes that the so-called retro look — the 60s lime greens, tummy-revealing tops and hip huggers — is still popular.

But Carpenter defines 1998 spring fashion as “a little more feminine, with soft, flowing fabrics” and a tip of the Easter bonnet to the late 1970s and early 1980s.

“The Diane Von Furstenberg wrap dress of the 70s is back,” she said, along with updated, layered slip dresses made of silky sheers with a little embroidered or crocheted detailing.

The global influence hits Boulder County this spring as well, with a nod to ethnic patterns and details, Carpenter said, especially Asian, African and East Indian influences. That means mandarin necklines, wrap skirts, drawstring pants and sarong skirts.

Working women easily can adapt the new styles, she said, “by adding a sheer, crocheted top under a suit or (wearing) a nice wrap dress. Suits will have a more open shirt jacket or a fly-away front.”

And like men’s suiting, a more relaxed fit defines women’s clothing as

well.

Relaxed, like a springtime state of mind.

The weather outside still may be frightful. But spring is just around the corner and with it, spring fashion. Area clothiers already are busy stocking racks and shelves with the latest and trendiest of women’s and men’s attire for the season ahead.

As nature’s palette brightens with a rainbow of color, so, too, will the smartly dressed man’s and woman’s wardrobe, Boulder County fashion insiders predict.

“There’s definitely more color this year across the board,´ said Edward Kapson, buyer and co-owner of Kinsley & Co., a Boulder icon of men’s fashion located…

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