Westside Shop Can Help Keep Your Wardrobe Shipshape

A wonderful new source for resort and cruise wear from Greece has opened on the Westside. The shop, Greek Odyssey, is sure to become a favorite stop for women who look for comfortable, cool and “floaty” casual wear. Perfect for shipboard dining or deck strolling.

This is a wholesale outlet store for the Greek Odyssey label that can be found in shops across the country--particularly in resorts in areas like Las Vegas, Arizona, Florida, Texas, Hawaii and Palm Springs. Hundreds of stores nationally sell this line at retail, but here at the only outlet, the prices are wholesale or just about half of the retail prices.

The wholesale prices range from $20 to $55. V-neck floats in a variety of pastel shades run $20 and jump suits are $22. The fabrics are variations of a good quality gauze. One I particularly like has ribbons woven through the fabric for a lovely effect. A float in the ribbon gauze is $28 and an absolutely smashing, top-of-the-line pants outfit is $55. There are also separates on the racks.

Owner Gloria Davis has run her import operation for many years out of the California Apparel Mart, and only a few months ago she moved to the Westside. From her small outlet store she ships to the retail shops that carry the line. Davis imports all of her inventory from Greece, where she visits several times a year to select new designs and fabrics. Some of the designs have a distinct ethnic flavor, some do not.

These are easy-to-wear clothes. One size fits sizes 6 to 18 and does a wonderful job of figure camouflaging. The colors are luscious: pink, peach, lavender, aquamarine, gold and, of course, black and white. There are some solids, some combinations.

The shop also sells a line of Greek costume jewelry that is coordinated with the apparel. It is priced $5 to $20 for earrings and $15 to $30 for necklaces.

In February, Davis will begin importing some items for men, including Greek shirts with the full sleeves and stand-up collars, which will be wholesaling at about $15, and the popular Greek fisherman’s caps, which will sell for about $10.

This is a factory store, so it’s a good idea to call before you go to be sure someone’s there.

Greek Odyssey, 13100 Washington Blvd., Marina del Rey; (213) 827-3122. Cash or credit cards only, no checks.

Geri Cook’s Bargains column runs every Thursday in Valley View. Questions about shopping may be sent to her, in care of Valley View, Los Angeles Times, 20000 Prairie St., Chatsworth 91311. Letters will not be answered individually, but topics of general interest will be discussed in future columns.