Atlantic City Weekly

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Photo from Eleganza's fashion show at the Top 40 Under 40 Party held at Borgata's MIXX in March.

Photo by Nick Valinote

The past winter of our discontent packed quite the wallop (to put it mildly). What with the numerous blizzards, icy roads, and fashion forsaken parka days, it seemed never-ending. Your pale, pasty skin and probable Vitamin D deficiency aren’t the only signs that the frigid season is thankfully over. Bare skin, color, sunshine, and bunnies are all popping up, reminding us that blue skies and breezy nights loom in the horizon. Our annual Spring/Summer fashion roundup has accumulated the best and brightest the area has to offer.

The locally owned Eleganza at The Pier Shops at Caesars has gone from Atlantic City to trans-Atlantic after being selected by Hearst Magazines and the Italian Trade Commission’s “Made in Italy” campaign to celebrate Italy’s newest designs. From May 7-9 from 5-8pm, Eleganza will open its doors for a weekend of gift drawings (Versace china and dinner for two at Girasole), hors d’oeuvres, cocktails, discounts, and most importantly: fashion. Models will also be on site to sport the styles, far surpassing measly hangers. The “If you Speak Fashion, You Speak Italian” campaign, being held in select U.S. boutiques this spring, promotes Italian fashion and accessories. Co-owner Kim Lucasti says that Hearst researched stores country-wide that carried true Italian goods, with Eleganza being selected based on their collection of both well-known (Versace, Cavalli, Zanotti, etc) and less-recognized designers. Lucasti says she had the opportunity to travel to Milan to sit in on runway shows (including Missoni, John Richmond, Gianfranco Ferre, Just Cavalli, Aquilano Rimondi) during Fashion Week. She says the store picked up two new designers from the shows, Gianfranco Ferre and Les Copains. Lucasti shares with us her top men’s and women’s picks/designers for the upcoming season:

Men: “We’ve been bringing in Carlos Pignatelli and carrying his clothing as well as shoes,” says Lucasti. “We also started carrying a new designer named Romeo Gigli and have his shorts and his suits. It’s just beautiful and definitely more price-friendly than other brands. His suits generally range from $600-$800 while Versace would be $1,050-$1,395. Make sure to also look for lighter pastel colors in shirting and the suits, especially in lightweight fabrics. For men’s jeans, we’re seeing the designers trying to get away from being so dark, in light colors like light tan and white.”

Women: “Expect to still see the short hemlines and bright colors of last year,” adds Lucasti. “We haven’t been seeing any black at all. Look for flowy dresses and bright cobalt blues.”

Accessories: “The Versace runway collection is one of the best I’ve seen since he [Gianni Versace] died. The accessories and clothing are just amazing and very reminiscent of Versace’s earlier collections. It’s really going back to the roots of the company. We’ve also been seeing looks going in two directions: rockstar or fairy princess. They’re either edgy or very feminine. One night could be feminine and glamorous, and the next super sexy with a fitted short dress and eight-inch platforms.”

More Spring Fashion Tips

Sherry McCord, owner of Trinkets in Linwood, says that she’s been seeing tans, greens, and a general trend of neutral colors in her accessories. “We’ve been seeing a lot of wood, coral, and anything natural going into spring,” she says. “Shell is also now being incorporated into bracelets and necklaces. These pieces are just fun. That’s the whole idea, to have fun with it.” McCord also noted chunky bracelets worn in stacks, anything silver, straw handbags, and oversized cocktail rings as other big sellers.

Men should look no further than dusting off their favorite ’80s relics. No, we’re not encouraging big hair and Duran Duran. Dana Guerrina, manager of Heritage Surf & Sport in Margate, says ’80s pop colors have been back, with bright T-shirts galore in the fluorescent colors of yore. Complement that lime-green top with a pair of aviators (also back with a vengeance). Save yourself a trip down fashion disaster lane by avoiding both plaids (trickling their way out) and flat-brim trucker hats. Unless you do actually drive a big wheeler, just say no. The usual Atlantic City-area mainstays: board shorts, cargo, V-neck T-shirts, are still good to go. As for women, Guerrina says that rompers are big sellers, as well as anything strapless, especially tube dresses. Lots of layering — such as a boxy fit tank on top of a lace shirt — will be seen, along with the requisite leggings.

Lastly, adding a few classic touches to your trend-setting self is never a bad idea. Muriel Goldenberg of Razzle Dazzle in Galloway says that layering a cardigan over a dress or polo will be a timeless look this spring. Tie one around your neck on the way to your polo patch, or simply wear one open should you dine alfresco.

Goldenberg also notes that wearing scarves, pastels (hot pink or green) or anything ruffled with the cardigan will touch off the look. Just don’t forget the pillbox hat or Jackie O. pearls.