LUNCHEON SUITS take a mid-
day break. Navy with white
polka dot dress and jacket by
Valentino, $1,350; black and
white zebra-striped suit with
sequin effect by Stizzoli, $973;
jewelry by Ciner; all from
Straiths. Hats and gloves from
Eleanor Mack, Park Foyal.
Photographed at Bean Around
the Werld, West Vancouver;
fashion coordination, Caro}
Crenna.

By Carol Crenna
Contributing Writer

DESIGNERS GO to lunch for inspiration
this season.

Luncheon suits are a popular trend for
summer and early fall in Europe, and are
worn for dinner engagements and after-
five wear as well as for working lunches.

Saluting a more sophisticated '70s era
than many current styles, these suits are
inspired by the well-dressed socialites of
the decade, such as Jaqueline Onassis,
and movie stars like Faye Dunaway, Can-
dice Bergen, and Julie Christie.

The two-piece luncheon suit, also called
the little French suit, is at its prettiest in
the 90s.

Consisting of a cropped jacket and a
straight skirt or sheath dress that reaches
the knee, it is cut in graphic patterns in
black and white or navy and white
lightweight wool and fabric blends.

The softly shaped jackets are single-
breasted and boxy to allow them to fall
freely to the hipbone.

They have distinctive details: ornamen-
tal buttons, or a short notched lapel.

The workday lightens up with these chic
suits fron Straiths, 900 West Georgia St.,
atthe Hotel Vancouver.

Since they need no additional blouse or
camisole beneath, they stay lightweight
and comfortable for warm days,

Exquisitely made luncheon suits by
well-respected Parisian and Italian de-
Signers are available at Straiths ino a
rariety of fine fabrics.

To recall an eather era, team them with
white wrist gloves, a head seacr or a hat.
Nothing could be more feminine.

These suits are litters fo most figure
types. Petite women will find the
shortened jacket adds heivht. Larger
worn will appreciate the equal portions
of jacket and skirt that balanee their
seight,

The details of the jacket draw the eve
upward, away from the hips, which meet
the hem of the jacket.