CONTENTS Battle of the Box Sets Entertainment Gadgets Gear Style Interiors Furniture Kids Books Revel in Relics Kitchen Food and Drink Body Frivolous

BY CHRISTINA MELANDER Such a Good Little Pashmina Contrary to the sound of its name, pashmina is not an animal. Nor is it new--debutantes and dapper dudes have been wearing it for centuries. "Pashmina" comes from the Persian word for wool, namely the fine hair from the undercoat of a Himalayan mountain goat; it's also known as cashmere. In recent years, a pashmina has come to mean a silk and cashmere weave, a blend favored by American designer David Muir, who founded a weaving and dyeing workshop called Pashm in 1992. Headquartered in Portland, the company is now dedicated to pashmina products woven and dyed in Northern India. Pashm scarves and shawls, available in one- or two-ply, ($160-$375, Odessa, 611 NW 13th Ave., 223-1998) are incredibly soft and warm. The silk threads ensure durability, and the weave holds dye very well; colors such as orange, red, fatigue and charcoal are very deep. If you can afford one lavish gift this year, it should be a Pashmina wrap. There's Nothing like a Well-Heeled Man Men who manage to throw together a becoming outfit often fail when it comes to dressing feet--the body part that matters most in terms of overall appearance. Shoes give telling insight into one's personality. Sneakers indicate a willingness to overlook style for comfort. Penny loafers convey financial stability. Deck shoes suggest that their wearer can't let go of the '80s. And oxfords, well, look no further. A good pair of men's shoes should have classic lines and contemporary flair. Bring your man--be he boyfriend, brother or dad--up to date with Bedford Stu oxfords ($80, Imelda's Designer Shoes, 1431 SE 37th Ave., 233-7476). These beautiful shoes, available in brown and black, have a lug sole that combats the tasteless jazz-shoe look common among much footwear. Not a Harley in Sight Black may be the uniform for female fashionistas, but it's also the only acceptable color among Goths and Harley riders. Do regular guys wear black? (No, Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones are not regular guys). Any male with a half-decent torso could pull off this sinister color in a shirt by Slant ($48, Urban Outfitters, 2320 NW Westover Road, 248-0020). Just as the Gap makes quintessential white button-downs, this smaller clothier takes care of black shirts. The garment has a shimmering sheen, but it's 100 percent cotton--a quality that will make it easier for J. Crew devotees to slip one on. For the Neighbors Make Mr. Rogers proud by sharing cardigans with your friends. Button-up sweaters for women have made their mark as stylish staples during the last couple of years, but most men's cardigans sport dorky elbow patches and leather buttons. Fortunately, you can travel back in time to find handsome 1960s knit cardigans with suede inlay at Torso ($35, 2432 NE Broadway, 281-7230). These rad sweaters have a boxy cut and cool stitching detail where the suede is attached. There's a whole rack of them in tan, maroon and brown. If you've never been to Torso, allow for extra browsing time to inspect cuff links, smoking jackets, ties, hats and party dresses--all vintage garb in excellent condition. A Dollar a Day Polyurethane is used in rain slickers, skateboard wheels and now wearable couture. DKNY's polyurethane-cotton jacket ($365, Mercantile, 735 SW Park Ave., 223-6649) embodies haute technology in the extreme. Not only is it lean and geometrical in shape (harking back to the days of mod), this winter-white coat flaunts the materials of progress. The combination is luscious. This garment does not have a skin-tugging rubbery feel, like the vinyl dresses worn by fetishists. Instead it is exquisitely tailored (it features a flawlessly hidden zipper) and soft. DKNY is supposed to be Donna Karan's affordable sportswear line, but $365 for a jacket that doesn't even have a hood may strike practical Portlanders as extravagant. Create your own payment plan: Put a dollar toward your credit card every day for the next year. All Day I Dream About Sex... ...and sport pants. Adidas form-fitting racy pants ($45, Nordstrom, 701 SW Broadway, 224-6666) are sporty and sexy. But don't save these for the Spice Girls on your list. Any leggy female (the pants run long) will be happy to go to yoga or kickboxing with these slip-ons in her gym bag (they also work well at hip-hop shows). The slacks are black with three signature stripes down each leg. They hug hips and thighs, and flare out at the ankle. Very Missy Elliot. Never Wear Men's Underwear Again One of the most appealing finds among the clingy skirts, vintage jewelry and fly pocketbooks at Shine (516 NW 21st Ave., 916-8054) is designed by store owner Wendy Sienkiewicz. Eschewing bras for more comfortable camisoles, Sienkiewicz makes sets of casually sexy Studio S camis and "girlie boxers" ($38-$58). The fun underwear ensembles are made from somewhat supportive stretchy satin and panné velvet. Like the fabric, prints vary--expect zebra stripes and silk-screened kisses. Sienkiewicz opened Shine a year ago to showcase Oregon and Washington designers. Look for these brands: Dumb, Bess, Limb Factory and Charmed. A Colorful Canvas A limited budget is the only thing that aids the decision-making process at Matisse (2223 NE Broadway, 287-5414). Crammed full with patchwork dresses by To The Max, scarves by Cynthia Rowley and jeweled hair clips, this tiny boutique looks like a cross between a gift-laden fairytale cave and a hidden London shop. The fabrics are lush and gem-toned, the labels are enviable and the prices are demanding. Two outstanding pieces any savvy woman would be happy to hang in her closet include an Only Hearts spandex velvet top in red or black ($128), and a sage pointelle sweater with silky bronze undershirt by Rozae Nichols ($228). The velvet shirt has an oh-so-current bateau neckline and an exquisite fit. The sweater is loose and romantic--think Tweeds. Act Like a Minx and Look Like One, Too Give the girl who never gives excuses a glove-like Bisou-Bisou dress with faux-mink trim ($132, Moda, 615 SW Park Ave., 227-6522). Whether you shop at thrift outlets or department stores, it's plain to see that fur--faux or fresh pelt--is a must-have. This little black dress warms the décolletage with a strip of brown fur just below the bra-like shoulder straps. Don't be intimidated by Moda. Although this boutique is more in sync with Boston's Newbury Street than Portland's Park Avenue--with its strange cohabitation of Reynold's Optical Co., the Virginia Cafe and Zell Bros.--the casual shopper shouldn't feel too out of place. Check it out for fabulous end-of-season shoe sales. Stilts for Shoes Maybe you have a friend who seems to have it all--great clothes, a killer smile, a hot car--but he's been deprived of his fair share of height. He needs PowerFlow Height-enhancing Insoles ($35, The Sharper Image, Pioneer Place, 700 SW 5th Ave., 228-4110). These inserts provide a one-inch lift and supreme cushioning and cooling. Created with a shock-absorbing polymer, the comfort soles take the fall of impact normally felt by the spine and heels. You won't find that in a platform shoe. The built-in cooling system is something we could all use. We know impressions count; help a friend take his to a whole new level. (Tina Satter) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Willamette Week | originally published December 2, 1998