If you think you’ve seen all the khaki you can stand, go ahead and throw up, because khakis are the single can’t-do-without men’s fashion item in Richmond this season. It’s not just a Richmond thing, not even an exclusively Southern thing any more. From San Francisco to NYC, khakis have branched out, in color, in fabric, even in style.
 
“People are looking for longevity, something they can wear for four years, not one season,” said Dick Fowlkes, owner of Peter-Blair, a men’s clothing store. “We’re going conservative again.” Translation: This is no time to be trendy. Straight forward and simple are the bywords of the season.
 
What better to while away the years in but khaki? It’s durable. And you’ll never have to worry about looking outlandish. But up close and personal, the new khaki distinguishes itself in color (you won’t believe how many shades there are), in style (double-stitched, five pocket), even in fabric (weathered canvas).
 
No matter the budget, Fowlkes said, folks are hewing to what they know. “You can’t go Euro any more, because people can’t afford it. You have to think how your dollar is going to be best spent.”
 
For women this season, the scarf is the distinguishing note. And not just outdoors. “They’re almost like jewelry,” said Jaime Ridolphi, a sales associate at Pink in Carytown. Wear them with jeans, skirts, suits and pants.
 
Leopard and zebra are still on the bubble, but animal prints as a whole are not as ubiquitous as they once were. Now, the choices are wide: plaids, polka dots, stripes and solids. For color, there’s a good mix: bold purples, yellows, and cobalt blue, as well as muted earth tones, according to Ridolphi. The fabrics scarves come in are just as varied: wool, silk, viscose and knit are some of what we’re seeing in stores.

Tolani, Wiz, Chan Luu, whatever the label, whatever the cost, the scarf is a must, said Ridolphi. “You can’t have enough of them.”

WEB | http://www.peterblain.com
WEB | http://www.tolanicollection.com

a great place to get these Tolani scarves is at

http://www.creativecontrast.biz