18 — Sunday, March 1, 1998 — North Shore News Photo Mister Leonard MISTER Leonard irons out the wrinkles by adding stretch to cotton twill chinos, available at Feminella. Today: age 45 a . Spectacular showroom .. orld class pianos ... ... Once in a lifetime savings ... ESTONIA GRAND PIANOS GERMAN SAUTER GALLERIA north shore news @ PASHION Stretch adds comfort, style Layne Christensen Fashion Editor layne@usnews.cam MEN are dressing in spandex. Before heading to the nearest phone booth to don that super- hero costume, take nore: the return of the stretchy fibre has noth- ing to do with men in tights and everything to do with comtort. No longer confined to hosiery and lingerie, spandex has made the stretch to fashion apparel. As little as 2% spandex blended with other tibres like corton, wool, sik, microfibre and linen gives added drape, better fit, shape retention and wrinkle resistance. That may explain why more and more men are shelving the grey flannel and reaching for spandex. ‘About 2.3 million men’s suits, or about 15% of those sold in the U.S, last year, contained spandex, according to ane Wall Streer Journal report. From Calvin Kicin to Marks & Spencer, designers and chain stores aiike are picking up the ball, adding a touch of spandex to men’s suits and other apparel items. Christine Baracos, co-owner of the Mensroom on Bellevue in West Van, figures 15% of the suits the store carries have built-in stretch. Suits with spandes appeal to her customer because “they travel well and are comfortable,” said Baracos. Fabric makers hot on the tend are coming out with a new chal- Jenger to spandex: a “mechanical” stretch built into the fabric and achieved without the addition of man-made elastic. The sceret to the process is closely guarded. Michael Stitt, director of sales and marketing for Mister Leonard, vill say only that the manufacturer’s process of applying 15% stretch to pure cotton to make its new Wrinkle Free Flex fab- tic is achieved in the tinishing and weaving procedure. The fabric makes its debut this spring in a tlat-front, slim-leg pant, or “chino,” in ilack, navy, khaki and oyster. Available in reg- ular and petite ‘sizes, che pant can be found at Mister Leonard’s Haggar For Her departments at The Bay and Sears. We have hundreds of clients who look better today than they did 5 years ago. And you can too. Cal! us for your free consultation and sample treatment .... and you can see for yourself. FACI AL 7-1480 Marine Drive North Vancouver FITNESS| 988-7754 ‘ Suinday, March 1, SETTING A NEW STANDARD... VANCOUVER WAS WAITING FOR! ser q (.) i V- we 980-3876 HERITAGE GERMAN PIAN( S LTD. 1480 Marine Drive, North Vancouver, B.C. FILE FASHION FILE is a weekly Sunday column, If your just ness or charity is planning a fashion show, send in your information as carly as posst- ble to the North Shore News, 1139 Lansdale Ave. North Vancouver, B.C, VAM 2H4. . Or fax us at 983-2104. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 1: The Canadian Federation University Women holds its annual spring fashion show and bridge at St. Stephens Anglican Church in the parish hall, 23rd and Gordon Ave. West Vancouver, | to 4 p.m. — Compiled by Layne Christensen DR. BART McROBERTS: DR. CORINNE KNIGHT ~ DR. NANCY HARDIN - OPTOMETRISTS. GENERAL EYE AND VISION 1069 24th Street. (24th & Haywood West Vancouver 925-2525 Lasting Freedom from unwanted hair The hair removal process that has everydody talking: eSotlignt™ dar Removai syste: Patented jaser-hased arocess erases har Quick'y 379 gent'y wtn lasting results «The most effective laser for al skin colours brought 1 you by DERMAL LASER CENTRE Or. A. Jamal, MD 103-2419 Bellevue Ave. W.Van., B. 926-2609 Plus Néw Spring — Arrivals. valid on: Mother ole the Bride only a a nina’s” BOUTFAUE “ALS bast 151hy Street NA ‘Vancouy: Oey 0402: