Come Full Flower With Pastels

The season’s power pastel is pink. From very practical fitted jackets to suits and dresses to this week’s comfy street pajama set, pink is everywhere.

Escada’s pink chenille checkered jacket and striped drawstring pants make a go-anywhere ensemble. The loose and flowing look is popular and forgiving of many figure flaws.

Some women just don’t feel comfortable in pink, however, and for them I’ve done this versatile look in pastel blue, also appropriate for spring.

I’ve dressed down my models with sneakers, but you can change the shoes to spectator pumps for fancier occasions.

Escada’s gotta lotta style, but few people I know can afford the original. So look for striped pajama pants in the lingerie department at your local department store.

Designer version

Chenille wool-blend check jacket, $1,130

White cotton body suit, $120

Striped silk wide-leg pants, $580

Garments above by Escada Margaretha Ley.

White canvas sneakers by DKNY, $65

Total: $1,895

Dress For Less version

Periwinkle boucl sweater from The Very Thing catalog, $58

Rayon awning-stripe pajama pants from Pastille catalog, $62

White cotton body suit from Clifford & Wills catalog, $30

Denim canvas rubber-toe sneakers from Clifford & Wills catalog, $32

Total: $182

MEMO: Dress For Less runs weekly on Choices. All of the fashion bargains featured in this column are available in book form. Send $9.95 to Dress For Less, 177 Sound Beach Ave., Suite 6, Old Greenwich, CT 06870. For information about the sources mentioned here send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to the same address.