Western dressers have much to learn from cultures that over the centuries have developed designs suitable to their living patterns and natural resources. There are sheer wool layers and wraps for the Moroccan desert, durable cottons for Chinese village life, cool linen suits for the Indian gentleman. Ancient cultures took tints such as cinnabar, saffron and ocher from the earth and garden to color the fabric of living.

Now we have invited Eastern designs into the Western fashion vocabulary -- caftan, djellaba, kimono, pajama -- and they are synonymous with comfort. This season, Eastern fashion meets Western summer weather. Ahhh.

SHOPPING GUIDE

Rich Tint: Page 22 -- Jacket, $580, and pants, $320, by Nic Janik at Red Garter. Glass bead necklaces, $15 each, at Pier 1 #F imports. Thongs, $90, by Cole-Haan at Nordstrom. Screen from Pier 1 imports. Parasols from Japonaji.

PATTERN PLAY: Page 24 -- Silk caftan, $220, by Anne Pinkerton; long beads, $50 each, by Robert Rose; wooden beads, $29; and scarf, $39; all at Nordstrom. Metal screen from Pier 1 imports.

GOLD SCROLL: Page 25 -- Vest, $78, shirt, $56, and pants, $68, all by Liz Sport, and bead pendant, $30, by Liz Claiborne, all at Hecht's. Sandals, $168, by YSL at Joanna Gray. Blinds and urns from Pier 1 imports.

NATURAL SUITING: Page 25 -- Linen jacket, $120, and pants, $49, from Campagnie Express. Necklace, $36, at Femme. Screen and parasol from Japonaji.

Living in Linen

Styled by Pascale Lemaire

Hair and makeup by Blue for Etches Salon

Modeled by Mina/Bethann Management and Joy/3 West Casting

Prop styling by Julie Rothman

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