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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (March 4, 1996)
You (lout have to spend a million bucks to look .4 like it! See the selection & good deals Mission Thrift Mart S 8 2() 11 ()" Si reef Open Mon - Sat If You Have Strong Beliefs, Wear Them Proudly. Birkenstock introduces its newest edition. _The Madera Your)fee£ will thank you. FOOTLOOSE & FANCY 1219 P St. Downtown c< spfq. 476-6119 /\\A,li/,/> Mon-Sat 10-5:30 p.m. I W"H»// a Thurs 10-8 p.m.IslMBff.. Got the fever? Y-ip' 1 Get the cure. At the Buckle we're full of warm i 'V-;*. 4; weather remedies from Mossimo, Dr. Martens, Lucky, Rusty, Billabong, Silver, Tommy Hilfiger and More! Gateway Mall Lincoln Underwear becoming fashion in itself as men become less intimidated to buy By Gerry Beltz Senior Reporter Wc’vc all worn it, shopped for it and bought it, but have we ever really thought about it as a fashion? Underwear. It’s not just for women to buy anymore. “We have a lot more men coming in and shopping than in the past,” said Marcia Porter, manager of Kacy’s Lin gerie, 6900 O St. “The men are be coming more sure of themselves and are not as intimidated about buying lingerie as they used to be.” Although Porter’s clientele wasnot divided down the middle, she said it’s pretty close. “I’d say about 60 percent of my customers arc female,” Porter said, “and 90 percent of the clothing inven tory is female-oriented.” Victoria’s Secret stores had a slightly wider split,said Monica Mitro, spokesperson for Victoria’s Secret. “We have about an 80 percent fe male clientele,” she said, adding that this is information coming from the agents visiting the stores, and is not something that is kept in records. "Vie men are becoming more sure of themselves and are not as intimidated about buying lingerie as they used to be. ” MARCIA PORTER manager of Kacy’s Lingerie “It’sbasicallyawomen’sbusincss,” Mitro said. Victoria’s Secret stores don’t need to worry about following current trends, Mitro said. “Victoria’s Secret arc the leaders,” she said. “We have our own trends. “We have a new collection that comes out every three months. It is ever changing.” Locally, the trend was going retro. Porter said. “Right now, it’s the movie-style glamour,” she said, “Eva Gardner, Marilyn Monroe, in both sleepwalk and swimwear.” Location also had a lot to do with how the store discovered trends, Por ter said. “Like anything else that is progres sive,” she said. “It comes to the mid states after both coasts.” In the boxers vs. jockeys debate, boxers seemed to be winning that battle. “Boxer shorts are very popular for both men and women” Porter said. Cynthia Glynn, fashion director for Younkcrs, said there had been an in creasing design trend in men’s boxers. “Novelty patterns,” she said. “Whether it be sports, cartoon figures or whatever, something a little more unusual.” Porter added, “It’s something men have decided is a comfort they want to enjoy.” Silk boxers also had shown an in crease in popularity, and were the only male-oriented clothing items carried by Victoria’s Secret, Mitro said. “It’s the feeling of the silk,” Porter said, “plus the fact that silk is much more easily eared for than it was five years ago.” It’s not just the guys wearing the boxers either, Porter said. “Women find them comfortable, and can pass them off for shorts and outerwear, tot).” When it came to swimwear, the field was wide open, Mitro said. “The uniqueness of the fashion is that anything goes,” she said. “Any thing from full-coverage suits to string bikinis.” Local swimming apparel was stay ing a bit more traditional, Porter said. “Bikinis arc still worn, but have become a little more conservative,” she said. “Mainly high-cut legs but, covered belly buttons.” Basic clothes, bright colors are hip for new spring fashion line 7/ > By Emily Wray Staff Reporter Basic clothes and bright colors arc the code words for spring’s newest looks. These trends, along with fitted wear, transcend gender lines. Color seems to be the most impor tant part of any piece of clothing for the spring season. “We arc showing a lot of black and white, along with brights, yellows, lime greens and light blues,” said Mark Savage, store manager of Structure in Gateway Mall, 61st and O streets. “Spring is just color,” said Kelly Furlong, manager at Banana Republic in One Pacific Place, 10335 Pacific St. in Omaha. “Mixingandmalchingbright, funky' colors or color-blocking by wearing dilTcrcnt colors together is very popu lar,” Furlong said. Many stores seem to be on the same style wavelength, too. Eddie Bauer and Banana Republic also touted ba sic, traditional wares. “The traditional look is popular, with denim, khaki and things like band collared shirts for men and women,” said Liz Gorman, a spokesperson for Eddie Bauer headquarters in Redmond, Wash. “Khaki pants arc a good Ux)k and almost everybody has a pair in their closet,” Furlong said. “Basics arc Sways in, like a crisp, white shirt, and polo shirts,” she said. Gorman said that logo T-shirts were classic, whether in short or long sleeves. Polo shirts arc hip, too. “Polo shirts are always great. We have a large array of colors, including plaid,” Gorman said. Savage touted the merits of plaid, too. “We have a lot of plaid suitings this year, muted plaids from our retro col lection, which brings back seventies and eighties fads,” Savage said. Vests are popular, too. “Vests are something that we con t inue to feature and develop, and Eddie Bauer does them well,” Gorman said. Structure also carries a wide array of vests and black denim, Savage said. “Tilings that continue to perform well arc the basics, like polos, logo T shirts, jeans and khakis,” Gorman said. “It’s the collection for the college market.” Other styles that are popular in clude zippers on everything at Struc ture and active wear at Banana Repub lic. Furlong from Banana Republic likes the fitted look for both men and women. “Fitted, short sheath dresses for women and men’s tailored and fitted clothes are in,” Furlong said. “Getting away from big, baggy looks is the big thing.” The college market is a big draw for these retailers. Gorman said that col lege students made up a broad part of their market core group, which is ages 20 to 45. We get customers from older high school students, college-age students and people up to 40 or 50 years old, Gorman said. Structure’s target market is age 25 to 45, Savage said, but it’s a wide range, from junior high up to age 75. “College students arc real impor tant to our business, especially in Lin coln,” Savage said. “We cater toall ages and are geared to just about anyone,” Furlong said. “Our early spring line is in, and we’re getting another one in soon.” Gorman said Eddie Bauer featured casual, comfortable clothes that are a good value. “Structure’s styles arc a casual Eu ropean look,” Savage said. Mixing and matching is key at the Banana Republic, Furlong said. “There’s a lot of freedom with what you can do with the clothes,” she said. To be in the thick of things for spring at any of these stores, remem ber to buy basic clothes and bright colors.