Frilly garments are giving way to gender-blending fashions

KNIGHT RIDDER NEWSPAPERS
TRENDS ARE FOLLOWED USUALLY BY COUNTERTRENDS. WHILE WE'RE STILL TRYING TO FIND OUR WAY OUT OF THE GIRLISH RIBBONS AND RUFFLES IN ONE ARENA, DESIGNERS ARE STARTING TO PAY HOMAGE TO THE GUYS.
MAKE WAY FOR THE RETURN OF VESTS, BAGGY CHAPLINESQUE PANTS, HUNTING JACKETS, HOMBURGS, TUXEDOS AND SLOUCHY SWEATERS THAT LOOK AS IF THEY WERE PLUCKED FROM THE BOYFRIEND'S CLOSET. VOGUE SAYS THAT AFTER THE GRANNY CHIC OF BROACHES AND CROCODILE BAGS, WHICH RULED LAST SEASON, IT IS NOW ALL ABOUT GRANDDAD.
IT IS NOTHING NEW, OF COURSE. COCO CHANEL ENDORSED GENDER BLENDING 80 YEARS AGO WHEN SHE PLUCKED A FEW PIECES FROM THE CLOSET OF HER DAPPER LOVER, THE DUKE OF WESTMINSTER. MARLENE DIETRICH IS SAID TO HAVE BORROWED FROM THE ACTOR AND FRENCH RESISTANCE LEADER JEAN GABIN, VOGUE SAYS.
AND EVERYONE ASSUMES SPENCER TRACY MUST HAVE LOANED KATE HEPBURN AN OUTFIT OR TWO THAT BECAME HER SIGNATURE STYLE FOR YEARS.
THE EASIEST WAY TO PICK UP ON THE TREND TODAY IS TO BUY OR BORROW AN OVERSIZED SWEATER PULLED DOWN LOOSELY OVER PINSTRIPED PANTS. OR FOR THE HOLIDAYS, SLIP INTO A VELVET SMOKING JACKET. YOU'LL STAND OUT FROM THE WALLS OF FRILLS.