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Fashion face-lift

Associated Press
Published January 28, 2005

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It's the season of fashion doldrums. Fall clothes are looking a little "last season" and it's too cold to wear the spring styles stores are tempting shoppers with.

The January issue of Harper's Bazaar offers three ideas to spruce up your look: vests, petticoats and black-and-white combinations.

The vest, according to the magazine, adds a tailored element to a casual look. It can be worn alone or over a blouse. Kate Moss is shown wearing one over a lace top paired with jeans, and Gwyneth Paltrow uses a black one -- with her bra peeking out the top -- as part of a sexy outfit with fitted cropped pants and a bow belt.

Petticoats give a flirtatious kick to a cocktail dress or a tailored skirt. If you don't happen to have a petticoat handy, a tulle skirt will do.

Wearing black and white together will give you a jump on the spring trend of sharp color contrasts, advise Bazaar's editors. It's also one of the easiest combinations to pull off because it can be casual, office-worthy or formal. Wear the white on the part of the body you want to highlight, black where you'd want a little camouflage.

New khaki classics

Khaki is getting a makeover.

The stone-color twill fabric remains the same -- it's what makes khaki khaki, after all -- but the fashion classic is being put to new uses.

Accessorizing khakis with high heels, oversized sunglasses, wide rope belts and slouchy shoulder bags fits with the spring's looser, more bohemian look.

Fashionable versions of khaki are being offered by a variety of sources, ranging from Abercrombie & Fitch to top designers like Prada, Michael Kors and Max Mara.

Here are five ways to update the khaki in your closet:

- A shrunken jacket. A fitted, cropped jacket with three-quarter sleeves can be worn with everything.

- The oversized trouser. Wear wide-leg cargos and a skinny tank top. Play with proportions.

- The minidress. A slightly longer version of a khaki shirt is very chic. Wear it with a body-defining wide belt to show your shape.

- The culottes. Wear these knee-length pans with a rope belt and sky-high platforms.

- The military shirt. This shirt should be worn layered over a long polo shirt. Again, play with proportions.

[Last modified January 25, 2005, 10:55:04]