Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, March 22, 1992 TAG: 9203200396
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: E-21 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: TAMMY ALLEN
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The season's fashions offer a wide variety of choices, ranging from short, flippy skirts to those that are longer and more flowing, springy ginghams to bold stripes, and denims in soft shades to bold colors. To complete that new spring wardrobe, step into the latest looks in shoes.
"People want more of what goes with everything," says Crystal Lyle, manager of Rack Room Shoes in Roanoke's Hunting Hills Plaza, and metallic shades are the answer. Metallics will go with any outfit, Lyle says, and can be either casual or dressy. They come in solid shades of bronze, pewter, gold and silver, and in multimetallics and snakeskins.
Some of the new metallic styles at the Rack Room include Liz Claiborne's bronze T-strap slingback shoe, Van Eli's multimetallic snakeskin slingback and pewter mules by Clipper Club.
Metallics also show up in accessories. Heironimus offers metallic belts in bronze, silver, and black and silver. Metallic handbags are also big this year, says Rhonda Stainback, Heironimus accessories buyer.
The Rack Room offers many handbag styles, in various sizes and colors, including pewter, silver and gold. One of the store's more popular handbags is a quilted metallic tote with chain shoulder straps, Lyle says.
Bright, vivid colors also make a strong statement this spring. "There is definitely more color this spring than in the past," says Tim Stowe, manager of Kinney Shoes in Valley View Mall. Lyle of Rack Room Shoes also adds that colors are bright and deep, "not a lot of pastels."
Robin Dunford, manager of Naturalizer Shoes in Tanglewood Mall, says there will be "a lot of fun, bright colors" in sandals this spring. Naturalizer offers Gleem's strappy sandals in hot colors such as bright yellow, royal blue, fuchsia, gold, and bronze. The store also carries woven straw handbags in neutral colors interwoven with strips of bright colors that accent the season's color palette.
Shoppers also can expect to see shades of the '40s, '50s and even the '70s in footwear, says Rhonda Painter, shoe manager at Frances Kahn in Roanoke's Grand Pavilion Mall.
"You're going to see platforms again, ottoman fabrics, some '40s looks. Mules are big again," says Painter. "You're not cool if you don't have a mule," she adds with a tongue-in-cheek grin.
The Rack Room offers mules in metallic finishes and bright fabrics, Kinney Shoes carries mules in hot shades of green, fuchsia, and orange, and Frances Kahn has lace mules from Anne Klein II.
Another look from the '70s can be found at Kinney Shoes. Clogs are back, and according to Stowe, they are "the hottest thing in New York."
Spring accessories are more snappy than serious. Denim's influence in clothing is carried over into jewelry, hats, and handbags. "Western looks are still major," and an important part of an "American look" for spring, Painter says.
There will be a lot of "fabric jewelry and multiethnic themes," says Heironimus' Stainback. Earrings will be flowing, but not as long as last year's shoulder duster, she adds.
Handbags are soft and slouchy, with "function the key word," says Stainback. They are fun as well as functional in fabrics such as chintz, denim and straw.
When it comes to topping off an outfit this season, "hats are a strong accessory," Stainback says. Spring headwear looks fresh with ribbons, lace, and flowers. And toppers like Heironimus' wide-brimmed, bow-backed sun hat, in the season's brightest colors, can go from spring afternoons in the park to summer days on the beach.
Tammy Allen is a graduate student in Virginia Tech's Clothing and Textiles Department.
by CNB