THE SHAPE OF '61

The presidency may still be in doubt, but the shape of some things in 1961 is becoming delightfully clear. Sneak previews in California and New York have disclosed that the new Sporting Look, on beaches and at poolside, will be the Big Stretch. To the male observer this will mean the disappearance of girls' legs into long, tight pants—pants that are sleek enough to atone for the fact that the legs have disappeared. There are two types of stretchies to watch: two-way-stretch knitted fabrics used heretofore in swimsuits and leotards; and new light woven fabrics with the up-down stretch familiar in ski pants, as seen in Pantino's jumper worn by the girl with the Japanese kite on this week's cover.

Stretch pants ($30) which can be peeled off to reveal a swimsuit ($30) of nylon Helanca are a Jantzen approach to the stretch idea for 1961.

Cool combination of silk or rayon and Helanca stretch nylon results in two types of lightweight pants. Far left: shantung pants by Ricci of Haymaker ($35) with Arnel shantung tunic ($12). Left: Mr. Pants' silk-and-Helanca pants ($40), silk shirt ($15).

Shimmering stretchies for entertaining are made of a combination of Mylar, cotton and Lastex that shines brighter the more it stretches. Pants from Sports Classic are black and silver ($20), are worn with hand-knit sweaters and high-front mules.

Striped pants have confining inside stretch, like a girdle, are held down with straps under the feet. These pants ($26) from Cole of California are a combination of Vyrene and silk, are worn with a bare-midriff top of blue cotton satin ($9).

FIVE PHOTOS

CHRISTA