THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT  
              Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Wednesday, February 5, 1997           TAG: 9702040090
SECTION: DAILY BREAK             PAGE: E1   EDITION: FINAL 
TYPE: Fashion 
SOURCE: BY KIM WADSWORTH, FASHION CORRESPONDENT 
                                            LENGTH:   57 lines

SKI WEAR NEW LOOKS INCORPORATE COMFORT AND WARMTH WITH COLORS AND STYLE NEVER BEFORE SEEN ON THE SLOPES.

SKIWEAR IS getting a big lift. Suiting up for the slopes takes a new twist as bright pastels blast their way onto the ski scene, drawing attention away from some of the more traditional hues like navy, red and black. Add to it fabric options like sueded silk and ski tac nylon with a mat finish to get a textural difference found on and off the slopes.

``The trend has stayed strong with fabric mixes this season,'' observes Donna Kazansky, skiwear buyer for Ski World in Virginia Beach. ``And skiers love the look of real fur trims and embroidered details for added interest.''

Kazansky recommends good layering for added warmth, noting that current fibers like Polartec outsell wool sweaters 10-to-1.

For an alternative look to the standard jacket and stretch pant, why not zip into a one-piece insulated suit as an easy option?

People want comfort, warmth and the desire to stay dry, but comfort above all,'' notes sales assistant Pat Wright. ``Years ago, skiers just wanted to be fashionable, but times have changed.''

Scanning the racks reveals glimmers of metallic fabric jackets with fluffy fur trims, belted jackets with peplum waists and black one-piece jumpsuits that have a cat-suit sleekness that could be mistaken for something straight off a Donna Karan runway.

But keep your eye on those snowboarders. They're definitely making their mark in skiwear trends. Although they prefer two-piece options that are loose and boxy, color demands like mango, yellow, lime and red have had a meltdown effect into the more conservative realms of skiwear for men.

Says Kazansky, ``Men who are in the corporate context all day want to look like peacocks when they're on the slopes.''

But will they go where boarders dare to go when they're catching some air, wearing mismatched colors and polar fleece hats with snowboard brand names on them?

Pat Wright holds up a Bogner jumpsuit in conservative navy blue and pairs it with a Liquid snowboarder rag cap.

``See, you can do it,'' she says. ``No one's locked into one image anymore. You really can combine these looks.''

I'm sold on it all. ILLUSTRATION: Color photos by Huy Nguyen/The Virginian-Pilot

Melissa Loman zips into a pearlized cream colored jacket with coyote

fur trim by Miller, $500, paired with Skea stretch pants in burnt

gold, $248; Oakley ski glasses, $130; and Thinsulate gloves, $40.

All available at Ski World.

Ready to catch some air, Keith Alexander wears the latest snowboard

two-piece by Twist HT. Shell in lime is $156, and pant, $134; Burton

``poodle'' shirt, $64; Oakley fleece hat, $21.95; Oakley wrap-around

shades, $150; and Morrow snowboard, $429. All from Ski World.