spring almost anything goes. We're seeing lots of vests and palazzo pants.

Bell bottoms are making a comeback, believe it or not, and the poet blouse.

It's a vintage look - very feminine. Hats are also in, but Bermudians tend not to wear hats that often.'' Kim Hollis, owner Politix "It's a nautical look this spring - a lot of navy and red. The lengths are long. Very classic, elegant, flowing, and very feminine. Lots of suits, double and single-breasted with pants, shorts, and skirts. We'll pick up on the 70s look a bit this spring too, but that's more for younger people, it's not really practical for the working woman.'' Yvonne Cacace, manager Stefanel "Colour is important this spring, from red to the natural colours. Lengths are longer, the sarong is important as is the button-front skirt - these are the musts for any wardrobe. Palazzo pants are in. And jackets continue to be important with a safari-feel tie around the middle. Lace is important. Body suits with long button front skirts will be very big this spring.'' Angela Arnold, buyer ladies department A.S. Cooper & Sons "I think for women, we're going to see a lot of long straight skirts. There seems to be a lot of fun in fashion this spring - sundressing, halter-dressing, button up the front skirts, anything that gives a long slim look. It's also an updated classical look - side-wrap skirts and blazers.

We're still seeing short skirts, I don't think that's dead yet. But the clothes are more feminine, it's a softer look.'' Sharon Vesey, buyer ladies department, H. A. & E. Smith's "There are a lot of colours for men this year. We cater to a very conservative clientele, but things are brightening up. We're even carrying Bermuda shorts in fuchsia. In everything from shirts to shorts to swimwear, there's lots of colour, and in the knits, the stripes are very bold. That includes ties too, and we're now seeing all kinds of fancy hosiery.'' Graham Smith, buyer men's department H. A. & E. Smith's "We're seeing a lot of red, white and blue. A lot of very feminine clothing, long and flowing, great for evening. Lots of vibrant prints and lots of brights again this season, as well as the natural colours, sand and cream. The fashion is more lively and cheerful. The look is very 70s - the shoes have wedges and clunky heels, wide-leg pants, but I can't say we're going to carry bell-bottom pants. We're carrying versions of crochet - loosely woven and loose fitting tops - a more sophisticated version of what people were wearing in the 60s. In the men's, we're seeing lots of bright colours, lots of multi stripes all in natural fabrics - cotton inen and cotton ilk. I think there's more fun stuff going on in men's clothing than ever before. It's a little more daring with the colours and the prints.'' Suzannah Hornburg, vice president Calypso "We're buying for a much more conservative market in the ladies department, but we're seeing a softer look overall. The colours are softer with pastel, the lengths are longer, we have flowing skirts of gauze, with longish loose-fitting cotton knitwear in a dusty palette of pastels. We're also seeing regimental colours, navy, red, and white, with small differences in the way jackets are cut. The Underground is where you're going to find more trendy looks. It's all sold in pieces, and there's no huge fashion story down there.

There's lots of denim - it's very casual, you can create your own fashion. And we're carrying a few pairs of bell bottoms.'' Kathy Gibbons, director of advertising and communications, Gibbons Management Services "For the men, we're seeing lots of cross colours - denims and multi-coloured shirts, patchwork jeans and jeans in all sorts of different colours. Dressing is a lot more casual. Lots of hooded tops, T-shirts, alot of sportswear.

Everyone's looking for the quick sell items - there's so much going on in Bermuda for young people - parties, concerts... People are coming in one weekend and spending $150 on a two-piece set, and then coming back the next weekend for another one.'' Keith Trott, owner Shannon's "The look is more casual for men this spring. More jean shirts and trousers, with or without ties, but it's becoming very popular to wear the denim shirt with a brightly coloured tie. Overall, the colours are brighter - lots of oranges and yellows and peach. Much stronger shades. And there's a lot of emphasis on ties, colourful ties, even with brighter shirts.'' Carmen Jeffers, assistant buyer men's department Trimingham Brothers "There's a very strong denim and chambray look - denim softened with lace and stripes and chambray for later in the spring. We're seeing very crisp white tops, tie-front shirts, off-the-shoulder rumba blouse, with silhouette skirts, and skirts layered over body suits. In career-wear, the colours are neutral, crisp white and khaki. And against skirts are longer and slim, with side-buttons or front buttons. Waistcoats are very important. There seems to be a different colour palette - very bright colours, tropical colours, with tiered skirts, and broomstick skirts. Lycra also continues to be important.

For the younger women, stripes are very, very important - it's the hip-hop look, with big baggy shorts over men's boxer shorts, belted tight at the waist.'' Paula Clark, womenswear buyer Trimingham Brothers "For men, linen is very, very big this year. It's really taken over as the new fabric in pants, shirts and jackets. Silk is still important, but linen is in this year. As far as style goes, Bermuda takes a little longer to catch on.

The single-breasted button-three jacket for men is very big in Europe for instance, but it hasn't quite caught on here yet. There's a lot of talk about pants going a bit wider. And knit ties I think are going to be very big. I think recently men are becoming much more particular about what they're wearing. They're taking a much greater interest in their appearance.'' David Newlove, manager and buyer Aston & Gunn "The look is definitely 70s - long length skirts, bell-bottom and wide-leg pants, wedge heel shoes, and for the younger people, tops with bell sleeves.'' Sharon Bartram, manager 27th Century Boutique.

RG MAGAZINE MAY 1993