The Knits: From Woolies To Wispies Knits have come a long way from their conservative keep-warm-in-winter ori gins. Now, they're chic, con temporary and non-stop travelers. Knits? They're wonderfully feminine and alive this spring. They may be soft and slithery featherweights that have a knack for gentle cling and unrestrained free dom of motion, or beauti fully subtle and blended to shape-up hour after hour. Knits of acrylic, polyester, rayon, jersey, nylon and cotton almost care fori themselves--the new wrin kle of no wrinkles can make spring and summer vaca tion times easy and breezy. Jacquard designs remain at the top of the list with their civilized looks. Matte jersey is headed for night and party lights in softly gathered, side-tied and halter neck gowns that maintain go-ability until dawn. Dip and drip dry nylon knit dresses. In solids or great prints, remain favor ites in almost every ward robe. Prints -- most important for spring -- are lively with geometric, boat, flower, fish, animal and people motifs. Double knit tops go bana nas for animal and fruit patterns. Elephants, dogs, fish, apples, strawberries -- in a rainbow assortment of colors--spark many terrific little separates. Rib-knits are found on skinny little tanks, short shrinks and midriff styles. Different type knit Inserts often are used to set off sleeve detailing and under arm panels. Nautical fashions sail out in knit blends for tapered blazers, for blouson suits and sweater fashions. There's seemingly no end to what the world of knits offers this season. Blazers, nautical coats, long dresses, short dresses, smock tops, beach wear, play wear -- they're all caught up in the exciting knit way of life. Nautical Is the Forecast Night time is the right time for sailor dresses in figure conforming knit jer sey. A pert and starched or gandy collar or striped rib bon tie may be the desired additives for that nautical touch. A side slit skirt, plunging neckline and off-the-shoul der styling can make long, slinky nautical gowns even more provocative. Long pleated skirts con tinue in popularity. In keeping with the nautical mood, they could team-up with a silk jacket with tie or. a single button blazer. The blouson dress, softly fashioned in crepe can use the nautical knife-pleated skirt and tie waist to pull together an early-in-the- evening dress. For day, sea-worthy looks set off a sailor's wardrobe of middy tops, stovepipe gants and brass-y touch lazers and nautical pleat ed skirts. Sailor collared middy tops go solid with contrasting emblem, braid and tie trim, or sport navy inspired prints. True naval styling is evi dent in dropfront and stovepipe pants with plenty of buttons. Blazers always win for tailored, but feminine good looks. Single and double i b r e a s t e d s t y l e s m a y s h o w - i off regulation brass buttons.! Knife and circular pleat ed skirts gain prestige from contrasting blazers and middy shirts for lovely suit! and costume looks. Playwear encompasses a fleet of lighthearted fun looks. Ribbed short sets with star trim, zip-front sailor tops and dropfront denim pants lead this hip parade. Spring Shoe Styles Are An Open Story The sandal-ous truth about women's leather shoes for spring is that they're beautifully bare -- opened up here, there and every where -- sprinkled with straps -- and shaped from lean lissome leathers in a wide range of finishes. The list includes polished smooth leathers, often bur nished with antiquing; luscious suede; clear and crushed patent leathers; handsome waxy, brushed and grained leathers; pli ant glove, plus embossed, lustre and many more leathers, reports Leather Industries of America. Several significant trends may be observed in new sandals. There's a move ment toward using more than one color. Covered platform soles and wedges show up on many sandals. Listed on the sandal sheet for dressy daytime wear are T-straps, wrap-overs, criss cross straps, and the im portant ankle strap. More casual daytime san dals are handsome and butter-soft. Setting off the leathers may be stitching or perfs, studs or other hard ware. Re-establishing a foot hold on fashion are pretty leather dress pumps. To un derline the opened-up look, many of these pumps have open toes. A variety of other distinctive touches set off these textures including tucks or draping, appliques, dainty hardware, scalloping and tiny buttons. Fashion ties one on this spring. Dandy ghillies with ribbon or lacing threaded through leather-looks or metal rings should brighten footwork. As style notes, look for ankle-ties, combi nations of color or leathers, wedge soles, opened-up sides, and heel treatment. Magic Carpet Many of the season's most attractive carpets come with their own built-in cushioning as well as built- in economy. Originally designed for outdoor areas such as pool or patio, "one-piece" car peting soon found its way indoors. The kitchen, the family room and other areas where durable, inexpensive car peting could be non-profes- sionally installed became natural places. heck QSSOJOS FOR EASTER FASHION I $ Polyester Knit Dress and Cape Size 12 and 16 $60.00 Open Daily 9:30a.m. - 5:30p.m. i f 1ITII 'OOF 1303 n. riversid* driv* • mch*nry, Illinois m I nnimmTiTiiininiiTniiinmimiTnuiuriniiium -Page 8- r--- • •nr