 blanc noir faux fur coat |
...AND WARM WOOLEN MITTENS
When arctic winds are a-blowin', don't trust your mitts to second-rate sock puppets. If you want to rub noses like the Inuits (don't call them Eskimos), give the Jane Wheeler wool-knit hats, scarves and mittens ($140, $245, $145, Aubergine, 1100 NW Glisan St., 228-7313). The fine, hand-knit wool is embroidered with graceful floral patterns in glowing harvest colors: russet, claret, golden yellow. A few beads are sprinkled like snow crystals across the wintry blossoms, and polar pleasure abounds in the lavish fringe that trims wrists and frames faces.
BEWARE FEATHERED HAIR
Dig this, David Cassidy--the puffy vest has been wrested from TV teen stars and taken over by snowboard betties. The Volcom Power Puff vest ($110, Exit Real World, 820 NW Glisan St., 226-3948) in embossed nylon taffeta is dusted with the retro-extruded Volcom logo. The down padding, two-tone styling, dual-access pockets and double zipper make it equally seemly for the slopes and city streets. World-rocking feature: The vest reverses to all-white faster than you can spell S-A-T-U-R-D-A-Y night.
IT'S FUR YOU
Drive your sulky teen princess out of the doldrums with the Blanc Noir faux fur coat ($110, Monkey Wear, 811 NW 23rd Ave., 222-5160). If Dr. Seuss and Lenny Kravitz had a kid, it would be born wearing this jacket--cartoon fantasy meets international pop star. Teens' moods are notoriously stormy, tending toward the tempestuous pink and purple (or thundering black and blue). Luxuriously long fibers deliver dazzle with more stripes than a ring-tailed lemur. Good news for the lemur--this precious pelt is all poly.
SUIT-ABLE
Menswear goes beyond a spritz of Brut and strapping on one of Dad's ties. These Lux pinstripe hip-huggers ($54, Urban Outfitters, 2320 NW Westover Road, 248-0020) are both boyish and scrumptious in carbon-colored velveteen with the faintest of white pinstripes. With their low-slung silver belt buckle, self-belt and swing-out-sister bootcut flare, they play very distant (and oh-so-glamorous) cousin to solemn suit bottoms. And unlike most "real" boys' clothes, they're plush to the touch.
WALK SOFTLY, AND CARRY...
Even the flashiest fashion fawn needs a stealth boot for quick getaways. The Diesel Alpha boot ($95, Bad Doll, 815 NW Glisan St., 525-2202) oozes cool as quietly as a radiation leak. Its down-to-earth rubber sole (embossed with the Diesel name) keeps her steady as she goes, but this trendy tread is anything but flat. Arc-shaped stitchery swoops across the shoetop, while a quiet back zip guarantees a seamless silhouette.
THE NO-SWEAT SWEATER
Yes, that whole sweater-duster trend is destined to last no longer than a winter, but here's a benefit: How often does a fleeting fashion fad provide full coverage and keep a growing girl toasty? Parents can keep her best interests at heart by giving the Free People Oversized Cardigan ($96, Nordstrom, 701 SW Broadway, 224-6666, and other locations). Marled yarns in rustic rust make for a chunky texture and luxe appearance. Best boon of all: This larger-than-life warmup drops to mid-thigh--definitely long enough to cover those distressingly low-rise jeans.
THE CANDYMAN CAN
The Illig colorband sweater ($62, Retread Threads, 931 SW Oak St., 916-0000) is sticky sweet as a Christmas stocking in startling striations of cinnamon red and hot pink. The wool-and-angora blend softens the sugar crash by smearing the stripes just a bit. Barely overlong sleeves, a fashionable funnel neck and slim shaping separate this stylish sweater from the tweedy-and-bulky breed of winter pullovers. Finish the look with a liberal smudge of red-tinted lip gloss (bubble-gum-flavored, if you please).
WRIST WIT
Wonder Woman with her bullet-deflecting bracelets ain't got nothing on you. Terrycloth cuffs by White Wabbit Designs ($6 a pair, Seaplane, 3356 SE Belmont St., 234-2409) come bearing spicy messages sp sentiments--or buy a few pair and make your own statement ("Piss For Luv"?) In pink, pale blue, gray--every girly shade in the slam book.
SHEEPISH SHE ISN'T
The smashingest teen trends tackle a runway look, drag it down off its high horse, then kick it down an alley until it learns some street sense. The Dawls PVC and shearling coat ($42.95, Retro Viva, 816 NW 23rd Ave., 227-5105) takes the highbrow Highland maiden out of the sheepskin look and replaces it with gritty city sass. The rain-defying blue outer shell is dead-on practical, while the fluff-trimmed pockets and quilted lining are pure flirt.
Here Come the PJs
Baby & Child
Teen Girls
Teen Boys
Lovely Ladies
Friends, Lovers & Significant Others
Gentle Men
Grandparents
Pets
Love Thy Neighbor(hood)
Last Week's 100 GIFTS OVER $50
