THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, July 24, 1996 TAG: 9607230106
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: Kim Wadsworth
LENGTH: 79 lines
IT'S TIME TO BARE shoulders and more on those special evenings out.
Sultry summer nights call for flirty dresses, and stores throughout the area are offering an array of party and club wear to meet the growing demand.
Summer shades include luscious in pastel colors, and fabrics have an iridescent quality resembling moonlight on pearls.
Hemlines are playfully short at times, long and fluid at others. Ever-present is the transparency of silk, rayon and organdy.
Pantsuits in shimmering textures of rayon have done remarkably well at All The Rage in Virginia Beach. Owner Melissa Harmon says pastel shades of pink, stone blue and soft green have been in high demand.
``The little shift look in satin and linen with bows is making a simple but elegant statement,'' Harmon says.
Thin-strapped, short Spandex dresses in black-and-white combinations are being scooped up by summer partygoers.
Despite a continued trend toward casual dressing by day, women are eager to dress up at night. Women's Wear Daily says the interest in evening wear is a reaction to a poor selection of daywear.
Many designers are turning to clothing that moves from day to evening, and pants make the transition easily. Cigarette leggings and slightly flared legs work as sexy separates to be mixed with sleeveless tops and halters in rich fabrics. ILLUSTRATION: Color photos by Beth Bergman
Photo 1
Absolutely Fabulous
The crisp clean look of creams and whites is highlighted in this
summer ensemble by Laurel. Jennifer wears a white cut lace tunic
$256 with silk jacket $356 and matching trouser $216. Mariam
Haskell earrings $59 and necklace $42. All From Mansour Boutique.
Pearlized evening clutch with a touch of gold $152 at Goldman Shoes.
Photo 2
Moonlight Shimmer
Shades of iridescents shimmer in this candy pink two-piece with
cigarette pant, $159 rhinestone and pearl earring $32, available at
All The Rage. Model: Suzanne Parks Fahling
Photo 3
Life's A Breeze
Jennifer eases into the summer evening wearing floral layered
dress in raayon that hugs close to the body and bares the shoulders.
Floral dress is $149, earrings $28. At All The Rage.
Photo 4
A Summer Place
If summer romance is in the stars for you then dress it up to the
max. Suzanne wears a tangerine dream of a dress in sheer organdy
with miles of fabric to create back interest $424 at Cage.
Multi-hued iridescent sandals pick up the lights of the night $138
at La Scarpine. Sean looks dreamy wearing richly textured jacket by
Hugo Boss $550. Black silk and cotton banded shirt $165 with khaki
light weight trouser $110, both by Barry Bricken. Available at The
Quality Shop.
[Side Bar]
Fashion Credits:
Fashion Coordination and make-up: Kim Wadsworth
Hair Design: Ray Dail for Anthony & Co. Hair Design, Norfolk
Models: Jennifer Sexton and Sean O'Brien courtesy of Stevenson's
Modeling
Agency. Suzanne Park Fahling, Miss Tourism World
Location courtesy of Lynnhaven Fish House Restaurant and Pier,
Virginia Beach by CNB