Eternal Cool
The crisp white shirt, the little black dress -- some things never go out of fashion, especially when worn by the equally timeless Erin O'Connor

She's an Uptown Girl
Suddenly it's okay to look like you're trying hard: These days, the coolly calculating look of the Upper East Side can make those grungier downtown types seem ill-equipped

Past Is Prologue
A modern retelling of Henry James's chronicle of the spiral-stairway class, Washington Square (now relocated to Madison Square), starring Jil Sander, Calvin Klein, and Adrien Brody

Skin Show
Pony skin, beaver fur, leather, and more pony skin, all modeled by women who are perfectly comfortable in their own skins

Soft Touch
Meet the all-cashmere-all-the-time family from TriBeCa: Even 19-month-old Theo can appreciate luxurious softness

In the Midnight Hour
After-hours New York dresses down to a low-key, understated look; Yves Saint Laurent, Nan Kempner, Matthew Modine, and others show how it's done.

See It Here
A Cartier flip tank, a red-pony agenda from Tod's, and other things you should keep an eye out for

After Blass
For a certain kind of New York woman -- from Barbara Walters to Samantha Boardman -- the transition from Bill Blass to Michael Kors is as seamless as day to night. Now that Mr. Blass (never Bill) is retiring, Michael (never Mr. Kors) will carry the torch.

DEPARTMENTS
The City Politic
BY MICHAEL TOMASKY

Iowa's lesson: Clinton hate is all that's holding the GOP together

The Culture Business
BY ETHAN BROWN

When electronica's time finally comes, Astralwerks will already be there

Hollywood
BY NIKKI FINKE

As studios' profit margins dwindle, changes at the top of two Hollywood talent agencies have the industry bracing for the inevitable shrinkage

MARKETPLACE
Smart City
BY SHYAMA PATEL

No taste for supporting sweatshops? Consult our list of enlightened designers who are fabulous and pay a fair wage

Revisit your childhood, and save money, by shopping for kids' clothes at vintage and resale stores

THE ARTS
Movies
BY PETER RAINER

Mickey Blue Eyes finds Hugh Grant in a rut; On the Ropes is harrowing and fresh

Books
BY WALTER KIRN

Two takes on the town of Celebration are equally wearying

Theater
BY JOHN SIMON

Cheryl L. West's touching comedy; John Pielmeier's unintended horrors

CUE

Intelligencer
(Gossip)

Classifieds
Strictly Personals