Pulled From A Grown-Up Grab Bag
This article is from the archive of The New York Sun before the launch of its new website in 2022. The Sun has neither altered nor updated such articles but will seek to correct any errors, mis-categorizations or other problems introduced during transfer.

Gwen Stefani’s line looked inspired by everything from English prep school boys to cheerleaders to Hollywood glamour queens. But this grab bag is also the foundation of Ms. Stefani’s style. And it’s what makes her line fascinating to watch, because what comes next is anyone’s guess. The good news is that the majority of the pieces were more sophisticated than in previous collections. Short shorts and jackets were a go-to combination; the jackets ranged in styles from plaid to animal print. Dresses, such as a strapless black number with a narrow column of ruffle, were accented with plaid belts. One evening look — a black puffy gown with bright-silver zippers crisscrossing all around it — had a motorcycle edge. And a tank top made of sequined fringe, in a checkerboard pattern, gave the collection even more speed.