THE WRAP-UP

Granted, Dallas isn’t the Arctic Circle; it isn’t even close. Chances are, the last thing you want to think about in Dallas in September is sweaters and coats and bundled-up clothes (you probably haven’t even packed away your swimsuit yet). Well, think again-if you wait for the cold weather before confronting your closet, you just may miss out on many of the things that make this season exciting.

Coats are everywhere, and they’re stronger than ever-thanks, to a great degree, to the menswear influence. You’ll recognize the square-shouldered, straight-lined cut that gets narrower toward the bottom; the tweedy fabrics and the dark colors. The result, however, will be much more feminine with the addition of bright scarves and gloves. You’ll see softer coats, too-with rounded shoulders, wider sleeves and deeper armholes-in everything from wool to knit.

And while the overall focus of most European and American designers is on the sleek and sophisticated suit (see page DL54), the Japanese designers are creating just as much of a stir (if not more) with their uncomplicated, oversized, body-draping shapes. Nothing beats these free-spirited pieces-made of natural woven wools, cottons and gauzes in combinations of neutrals and black-for an undeniable sense of casual confidence. Look for leathers for day-and even evening-studded and combined with all sorts of textures.

And this fall practically gives a new meaning to the word “sweater.” Knits can be foundin just about every category-coats, dresses,sweaters, skirts, coatdresses, pants, eveningsweaters, jackets-and you can’t go wrong withthem.

WOMEN’S STORES

YVES SAINT LAURENT available at Sakowitz Boutique.

ISSEY MIYAKE available at the Gazebo, Neiman-Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue.

ESCADA available at Lily Dodson and Mary McCauley (Fort Worth).

GIORGIO ARMANI available at the Gazebo. Loretta Blum and Neiman- Marcus.