18 - Sunday, ¢ October 11, 1992 North Shore News

~ FASHION

Trailblazing tips for trendy
and fashionable urban hikers

TAKE A hike, urbanite! All trails
fead to town this fall as more and
more women are making a fashion
statement with the mountain look.

In fact, the hiking influence has
become so prevalent that a new
breed of urban hiker is donning
mountain gear just to look the
Part.

Purchases of hiking equipment
have more than doubled over the
past three years, according to a
national sporting goods associa-
tion, but that doesn’t necessarily
mean that people are hitting the
trails en masse. .

Whether dressing for comfort to
trek through suburbia or carrying
a backpack in the name of fash-
ion, these urban hikers have no
intention of making it to the
mountains.

To keep up with this new breed
of trailblazers, manufacturers are
creating comfortable yet stylish
hiking gear that looks as good
downtown as it does on the trail,

NaturalSport, the maker of
walking shoes, including hiking-
inspired rugged casuals, offers
these head-to-toe tips to help ur-
ban hikers get started on the right
foot: ° .

@ Top it off:

True trailblazers know that
wearing a hat is the very best way
to keep warm, since 40% of the
body’s heat escapes through the
head. But urban hikers know that
topping off with a fisherman’s hat
or suede cap is the best way to be
fashionable.

@ Layer it on:

Layer a buffalo plaid flannel
shirt over a turtleneck or three-
button undershirt to be prepared
for unpredictable fall weather.
Hikers and urban hikers alike can
peel off the flannel shirt and tie it
at the waist if it gets too warm.

@ Take cover:

On chillier days, keep warm by
wearing a pull-over or anorak.
Hikers wear 100% waterproof
jackets, but urban hikers can wear
fleece or cotton and still look like
they’re bound for the Continental
Divide.

@ Loosen up:

Loose-fitting walking shorts are
comfortable and non-constricting.
If the choice is tong pants, they’re
best worn tucked into socks. True

THE URBAN HIKER _
Dressing from Head to Toe

<I—--— Loose Fitting Walking Shorts

Photo submitted

URBAN HIKERS aren’t necessarliy active in the North Shore’s
wilderness trails, but they recognize the fashionable qualities of

the hiker’s garb.

hikers do this to protect against
insect bites. Urban hikers do it to
look hip.

@ Jazz it up:

Urban hikers can jazz up the
wilderness !ook with smart ac-
cessories. Wear ribbed tights
under walking shorts, a rough-
hewn belt and simple jewelry.

@ Wear it, don’t carry it:

Carry necessities in a backpack
or fanny pack to keep hands free
for more important uses, like car-
rying shopping bags!

@ Hand it over:

While urban hikers probably
don’t need to protect hands from
scrapes and scratches, they do
need to guard against the cold.

Wear casual suede or leather -

gloves for both comfort and

warmth.

@ Carry a big stick:

Serious hikers will often carry a
walking stick to help manoeuvre
rough terrain. Urban hikers can
get the same effect from an um-
brella, but only if the skies are
grey.

@ Keep toes cosy:

Wear cotton or rag-wool socks
to allow feet to breathe and help
eliminate foot odor. Be sure to
scrunch down the tops of socks
for the true hiker look.

@ Put your best shoe forward:

Although conquering the con-
crete jungle is not exactly the
Colombian expedition, urban ter-
rain can be just as unforgiving on
the feet. That’s why wearing
well-constructed, comfortable hik-
ing shoes, like rugged casuals, is
essential.

FASHION FILE is a weekly
Sunday column. If your
business or charity is plan-
ning a fashion show, send
in your information as early
as possible to the North
Shore News, 1139 Lonsdale
Ave., North Vancouver,
B.C., V7M 2H4. Priority is
given to fundraising fashion
events and fashion shows
taking place on the Nerth
Shore.

Oct. 13: Luncheon show by
Ruby's Fashions at the Ambleside

Inn Restaurant, 1495 Marine Dr.,
West Van, will feature fall fash-
fons between noon and 2 p.m.
Call 922-0101 for reservations.

Oct. 15: The Burnaby/New
Westminster Business & Profes-
sional Women’s Club presents a
fashion show at the Royal Towers
Hotel featuring fashions from
Danielle’s, My Fair Lady Hats &
Couture and Bunny’s Fashions.
Proceeds from the $28 event go to
the BPW-BC bursary fund which
supports battered women. Cali
Janice at 420-0038 or Barbara at
523-8249 for reservations.

Oct. 16; The Western Canadian

BRIDES-TO-BE

.. you will want to attend the

look what WELCOME WAGON has in store for you ..
® Demonstrations © Exciting Gifts For Every Bride

* Special Displays « Numerous Door Prizes
Admission is FREE. but by invitation only. To obtain your personal invitation for you and
your mother or guest, please give us a call, DIANA 985-9065 or MARGE 275-4558

INTERNATIONAL PLAZA/PRESTO CATERIN

999 Marine Crive, Nor

Designers & Fashion Association
will hold its Designer Discount
Sale: Fall °92. ac the VanDusen
Gardens, Floral Room, 5251 Oak
St., from 6 to 10 p.m. As many as
16 designers will offer their fall
samples and custom designs for
up to 60% off the suggested retail
price. Admission is free. Call
689-7677 for more information.

Oct. 27; Champagne Taste, 6223
Imperial Ave., West Van, will
host an in-store luncheon/fashion
show from 11:30 to 1:30 p.m.
Other shows will run Nov. 7 and
Nov. 18. Phone 921-6555 for res-
ervations.

“BRIDAL

G, Tues. Oct. 20, Goors: 6:30 pm Am

‘pasta butfet only 3.08. _ Call 984: 21at for buffet!

Second Pair* gations  LAvEs “MEN'S:

of

VALID UNTIL
OCTOBER 31 ’92

* Buy any one pair of sale
priced shoes and receive
the second pair at }

1/2 off.
(of equal or less value).

VOLUME SHOE
SOURCE LTD.

While Stocks
Last!

Suggested Retail to $38.99
Infants, Toddlers, 4 to 6x
Hickory Stripe and Denim

Brand 5 names S for less

Lynn Vaiwey Centre
988-7466