KIMONO OVER

An extra point for you if you can pronounce the name of this Japanese-inspired store/concept: |ixi:z|. That’s right, brackets and all. Although we’ve heard several different pronunciations, you’ll be safe if you stick with “ick-sees.” It seems that the whole world has gone “lifestyle dressing” crazy. [ixi:z] is a sort of “Esprit-Benetton-Limited” look for men. There are twelve basics that mix and match: time gear (watches, clocks); writing gear (pens, pencils); study gear (notebooks, bookbags, briefcases); footgear (shoes, sneakers); living gear (shampoo, razors); furnishings; bottoms; underwear; knit tops; woven tops; sweaters; and jackets.

The concept is geared to appeal to “the twenty-year-old” in all people. The unusual name really has a logical base: twenty is XX in Roman numerals; its phonetic spelling in English is [ixi:z], says the store’s P.R. spokesman.