FASHION Q & amp;A

Q. I've been noticing a rather strange new fashion in my latest magazines. The models appear to be wearing pants under their dresses. What's going on?
A. The pants-under-skirts look is something that started on the street, and now is being copied by designers.
Trendy young women are so enamored of their tight designer jeans, they're teaming them with everything in their closets -- even dresses, including slinky or lacy party dresses. The trend also may be a spinoff of the resurrected hippie look of a tunic over jeans.
It's a fun, funky look, and practical. The jeans keep the legs warm when it's cold outside, and save on pantyhose.Make sure the jeans are slim-cut and skin-tight.
If you're unsure of putting together your own dress-over-pants look, You can buy two-piece outfits off the rack that have been coordinated for you by the designer.
The footwear of choice with this fashion, by the way, is pointy-toe, stiletto-heel pumps or boots.
XJean Patteson is the fashion writer for the Orlando Sentinel. Fashion questions of general interest should be sent to Patteson at the Orlando Sentinel, 633 North Orange Ave., Orlando, Fla. 32801. Or send e-mail to jpatteson@orlandosentinel.com. Individual replies are not possible.
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