Banana Republic

SINCE MY thoughts often turn to foreign adventure when I shop at Banana Republic, during my last visit there I decided to take an imaginary voyage by reading the "Made in" labels stitched on the garments.It was quite a trip -- China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, the Philippines, India, Honduras, Thailand, Korea, Macau and someplace called "Northern Mariana Island" (the Northern Marina Islands, perhaps?).Soon I fell into a pleasant daydream: I was lying the arms of a bewitching maiden of the Orient as we feasted on shrimp with their heads still on and other exotic things.

While it is true that the U.S. government and the states compete in a global market and must keep the costs of their goods and services as low as possible in order to compete profitably, the question is what our federal and state tax rates should be as a percentage of GDP, compared with the other developed countries, in order to assure such profit. This question is important because we need to raise revenue to reduce the federal and state deficits while not stifling the economy by excessive taxes in the present and precluding economic growth in the future.

The Carroll County Drug Task Force's heavy-handed use of the state's drug forfeiture law in cases involving small quantities of contraband is a misuse of an important tool in the war against drugs. The task force's abusive application of the forfeiture law could result in a public outcry against the law.As The Sun's Darren Allen reported, the county's drug task force routinely invokes the law in a way that leaves the appearance the law enforcement organization extorted money from people who have not been charged, let alone, convicted of drug offenses.

Christine Simeone describes her style as "preppy eclectic." Certainly seersucker is a preppy mainstay. But, the 33-year-old architectural representative for Pella Windows makes that fabric look anything but stodgy in the miniskirt she wore to a Federal Hill pub crawl. How does this Federal Hill resident create her classically chic look? It's all about mixing it up. "With anything professional, like suits, I've tended toward more neutral colors, but I can add a bit of flair with a trendy top underneath, like Bebe.

Think "The Year of Living Dangerously." Hemingway and the Spanish Civil War. Brave foreign correspondents and courageous news photographers. Such is the cache of journalistic derring-do that Banana Republic trades on.It is a sensibility based in reality but parlayed with self-mocking, tongue-in-cheek humor. Patricia and Mel Ziegler, a former artist and writer at the San Francisco Chronicle, founded Banana Republic in 1978 with little money and less experience. But they knew what they liked, and quickly, very quickly -- so quickly it will be written ever after in the annals of fashion retailing -- found out others were searching for the same: natural, no-fuss clothes with a romanticized touch of the exotic about them.

FOR ALL THE TALK of "constitutional crisis" during the 36-day postelection marathon to judgment just ended, the republic is still standing, with Gov. George W. Bush finally established as president-elect, Vice President Al Gore pledging his support and urging fellow Democrats to do the same. That's the way it always has been in a nation that has proved its stability time and again through wars, presidential illnesses, impeachments, assassinations and other deaths, and even one resignation in disgrace.

We have it on reliable authority that some of those anonymous accusations are lies, but cannot reveal our sources.John Major's victory is the greatest comeback by an underdog since Harry Truman returned to office in 1948.It turns out smart bombs weren't half as smart as we said, nor were the journalists who bought the story.Tsongas is waiting for lightning to strike Clinton.Of course stadium neighbors had their cars towed from resident parking for the presidential motorcade and had to pay to get them back.

The hunt for fresh fashion has backtracked on the safarijacket. Big-game hunters, big-brand outfitters and big-name designers are now on the same trek. The utilitarian shirt favored by macho hunters has softened up, however, as have sentiments about shooting wildlife. Now safari chic goes to work and walks the dog instead of stalking the lion, but today's looks retain much of the snap and function of the original. Flapped and pleated pockets, military tailoring, and sand and earth colors make safari wear a natural for summer wear.

Banana Republic goes petite Good news for the vertically challenged prepster: Banana Republic has launched a petite line that scales down the company's entire collection (much of which is made up this season by blazers, wide-legged pants and tailored skirts). The petite sizing is only available online, though, and not in stores: www.bananarepublic.com.- T. B. Events Nov. 10 - The third annual Harvest/Holiday Show, featuring the work of local artists (much of it wearable), will be held this year at Ellie's Smellies (227 Main St., Reisterstown; 410-526-1100)

It wasn't so long ago that Banana Republic was the Temple of Khaki. We're talking Jeep rammed through the front window of the store and a catalog filled with references to Africa and the jungle and brimming with khaki pants, vests and ghurka shorts. The store is now better known for its tres fashionable work and casual clothes, but Banana Republic hasn't forgotten its khaki roots -- that much is evident from its spring collection. Now, however, the store is calling the stuff "chino" and making it look more contemporary and less weekendy.

Who says going corporate has to be boring? Corporate attorney Inana Blankson knows how to pull off style professionally. The 30-year-old Butchers Hill resident loves to wear pearls while adding a little interest to a professional outfit. When we "glimpsed" this Niles Barton & Wilmer associate at the Minority Business Summit happy hour in the Baltimore Hilton's Diamond Tavern, she was oh-so-Audrey Hepburn. Self-described style: : "Easy, edgy." The look: : Black cotton-knit sweater dress.

That silver-plated coffee server you've always meant to use is just collecting dust. Then there's that dress, bought last season, forgotten at the back of the closet. And your son's bicycle with the training wheels - he outgrew that in weeks. You're surrounded by unwanted or little-used stuff when what you really need, frankly, is some extra cash. But could your discards be another person's treasure? Whatever the item - from clothes to sporting goods to wedding gowns to used tools - there's probably a consignment shop eager to sell it. Consignment shops, which sell goods for you and take a cut of the proceeds, say their business is surging amid the nation's economic downturn.

On Aug. 22, the same day that Wasel G. Ali's family reported him missing, a manager at the Banana Republic at The Mall in Columbia confronted him about stealing nearly $1,300 in clothing while working at the store. Ali signed a statement admitting to the theft and agreed to return the 27 items of clothing and accessories the next day, according to court records. But he never came back. On Monday, five days after he went missing, Ali's body was found in a wooded area of Columbia. And yesterday, police ruled the death a homicide, the fifth in Howard County this year.

Black-and-white is the color combo of summer 2007. Everywhere you looked this season, designers paired the opposing colors in interesting ways. Stripes and polka dots. Black on top, white on the bottom, or vice-versa. Swirls. Houndstooth. While just about any matchup looks good, one of the best ways to mix the two is to keep it clean and simple. Heather Steall married them neatly with a plain white T-shirt and full black-and-white skirt. Then she threw in a little orange around her ankle, for a funky color pop. Age: 38 Residence: Midtown / Mount Vernon Job: Financial aid adviser Self-described style: "Trendy / classic.

Splurge of the Week A versatile accessory This cropped velvet chinois jacket from Banana Republic has Asian-inspired details and comes in a deep-colored velvet with satin trim (in black or ball gown purple). It feels as luxurious as it looks, and adds an element of style to everything from jeans to slacks. And when the holidays are over - because it's dressy without being fussy - it's a great item to have hanging in the closet. Wear it to a variety of occasions and look polished and chic.

Kendra Edwards was grumpy. She was shopping recently at Towson Town Center for something to wear to her nephew's graduation and had only seen "one or two" things she liked. A petite woman - 5-foot-1 (and a half) - Edwards had come from Bridgetown, Ohio, empty-handed, thinking she'd find a better selection of stylish petite clothing in a bigger city like Baltimore. "I always have trouble," she says. "But this season it seems worse. All these long peasant dresses and big ol' full skirts.

Kendra Edwards was grumpy. She was shopping recently at Towson Town Center for something to wear to her nephew's graduation and had only seen "one or two" things she liked. A petite woman - 5-foot-1 (and a half) - Edwards had come from Bridgetown, Ohio, empty-handed, thinking she'd find a better selection of stylish petite clothing in a bigger city like Baltimore. "I always have trouble," she says. "But this season it seems worse. All these long peasant dresses and big ol' full skirts.

Ah, it's spring and the makeup is pale and pinky, the clothes are feminine and fresh. We know, we say that every spring. But we mean it this year, and to show you how serious we are, here are six items one shouldn't be without this season: The calendar may say spring, but the thermometer doesn't always agree. Layer up with a springy argyle sweater knit from warm, lightweight silk and cashmere. Grab one in green and you'll match the leaves. Sweater, $78 at Banana Republic. The bias stripe dress shirt.