Archive: September 25th, 2006

Someone in heaven has been listening to my prayers because Sweden’s uber-chic and inexpensive chain store H&M just opened up its first Los Angeles-area store in Pasadena. Local kids who had never once stepped into an H&M had clearly heard the buzz – a crowd of them slept over night in front of the store to be the first in on opening day. They weren’t disappointed and neither was I! My haul included two Pucci-style dresses ($39 each) and a sleek tweed skirt (only $29!). My buddy Amy went wild too. Her so-of-the-moment high-waisted jeans — $59 compared to similar pants at Miss Sixty for $300 — felt as exciting as sharing a dressing room with Garcelle Beauvais. I tried to go back for more yesterday, but the line to get in snaked around the block – all weekend long! Next occasion to camp out on their sidewalk all night: after having produced guest collections by Stella McCartney, Karl Lagerfeld and Madonna, H&M is also introducing a collection by Dutch designers Viktor & Rolf on November 9 – watch out for the huge Hollywood launch party.

What’s been your best buy at H&M? Click here to find a store near you and then please share! — Alison Gee

To see more Shops click here

Photo: Ted Soqui/Corbis

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PEOPLE.com reader Beth J. wrote in and said: “Ok. I’m finally ready to embrace the leggings trend for fall. But I’m a short (5′2″) size eight and every pair I’ve tried on so far comes up to my ribcage. Aren’t there any brands not meant for a long torso? It would be great if the elastic wasn’t so tight as well.”

Well, Beth, you certainly aren’t alone in this condundrum. A few of us here are short and curvy and have had the same problem. We tested out a ton of leggings currently in stores now, and found that these are the best for comfort and size.

1. Lure cropped leggings, $50 at LisyB.com (left). These are so amazingly soft and comfy, with no pulling at all and just a touch of Spandex to mainten their shape. You’ll want to live in them!

2. Splendid’s leggings, $57, are our runner up (right). They hit low on the hips and are also amazingly soft.

3. Another great brand is Tart, $50. These are a little more stretchy, but not too long in the waist.

4. For a bargain, try Target’s Mossimo Red Leggings. The material is not as soft as the others, but for only $10, the fit is right on!

Coming soon: We also love Jockey’s new No Panty Line Promise leggings, due in stores at the end of September. Click here to find out where you can buy them near you.

To see more “You Asked, We Found” click here

Are looking for some style help? Send in your questions to: stylewatch@peoplemag.com

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Remember Demi and Ashton before they met? Once upon a time, she wore biker shorts and ballgown to the Oscars, and he made trucker hats and ironic t-shirts de rigeur for it-boys. But yet having just hit their first anniversary yesterday, it’s obvious they are hitting their style stride together. Ashton has mentioned many times that he feels his job as a husband is to be a good accessory and match his wife’s outfits — and it’s working! They were the toast of N.Y. Fashion Week recently (left, right), sitting front row in perfectly coordinated designer clothing. The former model looks impeccable in his slim pants and ties (and that beautiful velvet blazer), which indeed always offset his wife’s sleek and sexy style. Still rocking an amazingly tone body at 43, Demi looks flawless in Derek Lam (left) and Lanvin belted dresses that show off her legs. Together, they are hot, chic, and classy all at once. And they said this wouldn’t work!

Photo: Lisa Mauceri/INF; Humberto Carreno/Startraks

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