In Orange County, where a summer evening out may include a walk on the beach, cocktails on a boat, a movie, dinner or dancing, one's outfit definitely needs to be versatile.
The key to looking good and feeling comfortable now, as the calendar heads toward fall, is for men and women to choose pieces in fabrics and colors that can be worn alone on a warm summer evening or layered with other items as autumn arrives.
For the fashion-conscious woman, some strong looks for now and later are the bodysuit, the dress in a nostalgic floral or an ethnic print, the body-hugging jacket, the cardigan and the tailored trouser and loose palazzo pant. Some places to shop for them:
BODYSUITS
The workout wear section at Nordstrom has bodysuits ($16.95 to $35) in blends that include cotton, nylon and Lycra.
You'll see every sleeve length and bottom shape for pieces that could pair with Capri leggings or be worn under jackets or sheer dresses or big blouses. J. Crew at South Coast Plaza offers a long-sleeve solid-color version in a cotton-Lycra blend in wine, black, spruce and brown with snap closure ($44).
DRESSES
This is the summer of the romantic dress--short or long. Ivory Moon in Laguna Beach has a selection of flowing casual dresses in cotton and rayon prints and batiks ($28 to $70). It also carries the popular sheer crinkly type that looks great alone or layered over a catsuit or slip. Barneys New York at South Coast Plaza has vibrant floral tank dresses ($84) that can go into fall with pair of tights, a scarf and a jacket.
JACKETS AND CARDIGANS
Leave those boxy hide-your-body jackets at home. For a more feminine style, wear a jacket that hugs the shoulders, such as the J. Crew fitted high-neck jacket in a heathered worsted rayon with narrow lapels in brown, navy or charcoal ($148). Wear it over a vest with tights, a pleated skirt or an old faithful pair of blue jeans.
As for the all-important cardigan, this is a piece you can layer over just about anything or, for a more alluring look, wear hanging off the shoulder or fasten with an antique brooch. That will give a decorative twist to a favorite wardrobe staple.
Joan Vass makes a fine cotton "cashmere" cardigan (available at the Fashion Island Newport Center boutique, $126). Black ones are worn year-round. For a similar look, Allen Allen USA in Fashion Island offers a cotton cashmere version ($64).
LOOSE PANTS
