Prepare to restock, liven up the wardrobe

It’s called the new black tie, and there’s nothing black tie about

it.

The fashionistas are declaring that gentlemen’s formal attire for

the upcoming social season consists of a velvet blazer (you pick the

color); tight-fitting slacks hemmed to just above the sock line

(showing a little ankle); no shirt (smooth flesh preferred and

six-pack optional); and a long, flowing, patterned silk scarf tied at

the neck and draped down the bare-chested, open front.

And finally, the absolute height of fall, formal fashion for

gentlemen: thongs -- no, not the underwear but the flip-flop,

pool-shoe kind. Forget the Gucci loafers and patent leather pumps,

and get out your surf wear.

How do I know all this? Last week, in Newport Beach, Neiman Marcus

hosted the Sound of Music Chapter of the Guilds of the Orange County

Performing Arts Center at a cocktail party and fall fashion preview

in the handsome Mariposa Restaurant on the third floor of the upscale

shopping icon.

The reception was all about introducing fashionable Newporters to

the wild social season of dressing that lies ahead. Some 50 gorgeous

women -- dressed beyond to kill, and wearing their finest 5 o’clock

diamonds -- converged upon the Mariposa to support glamorous Sound of

Music event chairwoman Sally Crockett at a private preview that

featured runway models showing off the message of the season. And

what a message it is.

Styles for the 2005-06 season are offbeat and off the charts. And

if you think you can wear those same old glamorous, glittering

clothes for yet another season, you’d better get out your checkbooks,

because the designers have pushed the envelope into new and daring

territory.

For women, the trend coming off the runways of New York, Paris and

Milan includes very full skirts with bubble hems. Jackets are long

and lean. In the jewelry department, you’d better get out your

layered strands of beads and chains.

Real fur is back big time, with all due apologies to animal

activists. And overall, the season expresses a freedom in mixing

textures, styles, colors and patterns like you’ve never seen before.

For the men, plan on wearing paisley print shirts. The velvet

jacket can be worn both day and night, possibly with corduroy slacks

or your favorite jeans. Leather, suede and fur are also being shown

for gentlemen. Shirts should have French cuffs to show off a little

bling.

Your belt, wallet and shoes had better be made from alligator

skin, and scarves out of cashmere or silk.

And guess what? If you finally broke down and bought a

three-button suit, you’re too late. Plan to lop off one of the

buttons because the sleek, two-button suit -- with a peaked lapel

jacket and worn with flat front trousers -- is the hit mode of the

day.

All of these styles were on display at the Mariposa reception as

an advance preview for an enormous grand opening party set for Oct.

15 at Neiman Marcus. The Sound of Music Chapter will join forces with

Neiman Marcus to produce an extravaganza that organizers are calling

the biggest opening event of the social season on the California

Riviera.

Neiman Marcus will have design themes on all floors, with fashion

being displayed and food being served while live entertainment fills

the elegant store.

Tickets for the gala are priced at $175 per person, and 1,000

guests are expected to attend, all showing off the new black tie

look. Thong sales should be through the roof in anticipation of the

gala.

Attending the Mariposa preview were Sound of Music gals, including

Carol Dalton, Kelly Hague, Beth Hart and Eve Kornyei. Also present

were Tracy Martin, Kathie Porter, Diane Palumbo, Danni Good and Patsy

Marshall.

Spotted in the crowd at the sunset extravaganza were Harriet and

Sandy Sandhu, Paula and Michael Macko, Grace and Patrick Thelen,

Irene Tomkinson, Stacy von Berg, Shawn Cunningham, Jennifer Condas

and Caroline Jones, who represented Cartier, a generous underwriting

sponsor of the Sound of Music Chapter.

As always, Neiman Marcus executive Michaele Hall added panache to

the party, welcoming the crowd and explaining the fashion trends to

come.

A few brave husbands were also in attendance, including Randy

Crockett, Dan Pederson, Jeff Columbo and Dan Good.

For ticket information, call Condas at (949) 737-1712 or Pamela

Lowry at (949) 858-5487.

* THE CROWD appears Thursdays and Saturdays.