If the smart set dress competitively in the Hamptons, blame it on fear of the fashion police. At any intersection or on the beach, they could bump into one of their favorite designers.
Eagle-eyed fashionistas living on the East End include designer Donna Karan, a neighbor of Sean John designer P. Diddy in East Hampton where Kimora Lee Simmons, who designs Baby Phat, also has a shingled manse. Cynthia Rowley lives near the beach in Montauk. And Vera Wang summers in Southampton where Calvin Klein keeps a so-called castle with a whitewashed interior.
As we may all face the laser-like fashionista "scan" up and down of our wardrobe, we consulted some of the East End's fastest-rising designers to ask what a gal and guy should wear out east.
Designer Tory Burch, who recently opened a boutique in East Hampton, likes to keep casual at her Southampton beach house. "Above all," said Burch, "I think people should feel really comfortable, no matter what they wear. I wear mostly jeans and nice, summery tops with flats in the summer. And I dress it up with jewelry or a casual cuff."
Lucy Sykes Rellie, of Lucy Sykes New York and Lucy Sykes Baby, which sells at Hatchlings in Southampton, is the sister of Vogue magazine scribe Plum Sykes, who penned "Bergdorf Blondes."
"J. Crew makes special items just for the Hamptons," said Sykes Rellie, who frequents the shop in East Hampton. "The anchor and lobster motifs there are huge but done in a prepster, almost punk fashion. Calypso is good for blue-on-blue tunics and white linen. But the coolest store for men is John Varvatos in East Hampton -- rock and roll and classic tailoring at the same time. And I like the lightweight shorts."
Nanette Lepore, who likes to host casual barbecues at her 1960s-inspired house in Amagansett, phoned in from a train station in Padua, Italy. "I like little dresses, and mini-shorts," she said. "And big, slouchy cotton Marilyn Monroe sweaters with big, floppy printed beach hats. Bohemian is out. It's got to be cleaner, with a good pattern or color."
Jill Stuart, who recently opened a shop in East Hampton, prefers "light, feminine, easy dresses with flip-flops; a lot of lacy, Victorian whites; simple cotton and lightweight silk dresses. I carry vintage dresses. People in the Hamptons want one of a kind. I also like gladiator sandals, flats or ballet slip.pers -- no tight jeans, no lycra. And our cashmere hoodies for men do well."
But it was designer to the stars Nicole Miller, who likes to water-ski in North Haven, who helped us scan the crowd at a chic Planned Parenthood benefit in Sag Harbor. "It's important to be unique," she said. "Don't wear the uniform. We see a lot of white pants here tonight, don't we?" chided Miller. "Too many tunic tops and white pants."
Miller avoids conformity by shopping in other countries. "And I made this crocheted sweater myself," she said, towering atop Ferragamo slides.
For men, Miller suggested, "A T-shirt and blazer is always nice. Guys have an easier time," she said. "Top-Siders are always good."
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