Sports watches push fashion back

Tag : fashion stocking

<table> </table> There is no end in sight forfashion&#8217;s infatuation with the Reaganera.</p><p>Fast-fashion chains are stocking Ray-Banrip-offs, tapered jeans are seeping back into style and neon colorsare all the rage. So naturally the cheapie plastic sports watch isonce again a bona-fide accessory.</p><p>And is it evera watch for our times. Most can be had for less than$100.</p><p>Swatch, the Swiss brand that sparked aworldwide craze for bold, cartoony watches 25 years ago, is stillkicking out timepieces fit for a &#8220;Square Pegs&#8221;episode.</p><p>Freestyle USA has reissued its Sharkwatch &#8212; the zany, multicolored watches were big withCalifornia surfers in the early&#8217;80s.</p><p>And Paul Frank is doing thenerdy-chic thing with a red, rubbery calculatorwatch.</p><p>Vans has a bubble-gum pink watch thatscrolls the time across its screen in red digitalnumbers.</p><p>For a more subtle take on the trend,Casio G-Shock, which celebrated its 25th anniversary in May, has anoversized gray model flecked with neon green, or the slightlysmaller Casio Baby-G in solid white.</p><p>This timearound, it&#8217;s not about pairing neon watches withfluorescent Body Glove T-shirts. Subtlety is key. Think of thesetimepieces as colorful plumage, best revealed in unexpected ways&#8212; say, a black sheath dress with a chunky red sportswatch, or a neon Shark with a white silkblouse.</p><p>&#8220;It&#8217;s great when menwear them with suits or girls wear them with contrasting colorslike black or gray,&#8221; says stylist Jodi Leesley.&#8220;The watches are naturally very casual, so wearing themat night with a dressy outfit &#8230; is reallyinteresting.&#8221;