Spring energizes; puts ideas into motion. The fashion idea this season is polish -- the way we were before casual dressing took its toll. Designers have rediscovered the glamour decades when a woman's turnout required constant vigilance and frequent touch-ups with lipstick, comb and compact. Those were times when an amusing hat was as essential as charm and wit, and gloves were a social necessity.
Life is faster now, but frankly feminine suits with a fit; shaped dresses; dressmaker details, and movie-star slink have a way of creating the illusion that time stands still for style.
SHOPPING GUIDE
Page 13 -- Gianni jacket, $188; skirt, $96. Belt, $15; Impo shoes, $49, all at Hecht's. Bag, $25, at Precis. Earrings, $40, at Trillium.
Page 14 -- MAG coat, $200; dress, $174, at Femme. Bag, $25, at Precis. Gloves, $38, at Nordstrom. Sam & Libby shoes, $35, at Woodward & Lothrop. Necklace, $138; earrings, $32, at Trillium.
Page 15 -- Fiandaca suit and blouse, $2,695, at Octavia. Bag, $25; shoes, $59, at Precis. Gloves, $38, at Nordstrom. Bracelet, $280; earrings, $32, at Trillium.
Page 16 -- Russell Bennett jacket, $460; pants, $320, at Ruth Shaw. Nina K bustier, $85, at the White House. Kenneth Cole shoes, $86, at Woodward & Lothrop. Bag, $25, at Precis. Earrings, $40, at Trillium.
Page 17 -- Troa Cho jacket, $350; jeans, $330, at Octavia. Sam & Libby slides, $35, at Woodward & Lothrop.
Page 18 -- Randy Kemper jacket, $398, at Octavia. Kokin hat, $148, at Nordstrom. Pin, $70, at Octavia. Earrings, $50, at Trillium.
Page 18 -- Whittal & Shon hat, $110, at Hats to Hose. Gloves, $46; pin, $60, at Octavia. Alberto Makali suit, $350, at Trillium.
Page 19 -- Jacket, $228; pants, $128; shirt, $48, at Banana Republic. Shoes, $68, at the Gap. Vintage luggage courtesy Carla Hall.
Styling by Pascale Lemaire. Hair by Warren Lewis. Makeup by Matthew van Leeuwen. Models: Tia White/Elite, Sarah Crampton/New Faces, Marybeth Siegle/3 West. Styling assistance by C. Hampton Jones. Pennsylvania Station location courtesy of Amtrak.
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