Gauchos all over again

The Dina Gaucho is causing a stir in Chapel Hill. Haven't heard of it? If you like low-rise, hip-hugging pants, then you probably wouldn't have.

This latest gaucho is a modified version created for ladies with a missy figure, traditionally those older than 45 who normally don't like to show off their belly buttons -- or any other stomach parts -- when wearing pants.

It's Susan Coker's idea. The owner of Dina Porter women's clothing store in Chapel Hill collaborated with a longtime vendor in the fall to create a gaucho just for the store. She told the designer she'd likely sell more if the gauchos' rise didn't hit 1 1/2 inches below the waist like most gauchos and pants sold these days.

So the designer changed the rise and fixed the zipper. And out came a less revealing -- and, according to Coker, a more comfortable -- gaucho.

The result? Coker has reordered four times already, and she expects even more sales once people start shopping for spring.

Part credit goes to the gaucho style itself, which came back from its 1970s culotte days last spring and is here to stay for at least the next few seasons.

"It gives you the look of a skirt but the ease of a pair of pants," Coker said.

Coker says it's easy to wear, too. Dress it up with a jacket and pumps or dress it down with a pair of knee-high socks and flats.

The high-rise gauchos, which are sold only at Dina Porter, are made from a stretch gabardine of polyester, rayon and lycra that can go right into the washer and dryer. The store also has a petite version that's four inches shorter than the regular gauchos. Prices range from $109 to $119.

English flair comes here

Score another hit for Target.

The discount giant is building on its shabby chic reputation by launching a new program called Go International that features a new designer's work created just for Target for a limited time.

First up, Luella Bartley, the British fashion journalist turned designer best known for mixing schoolhouse charm with street-smarts edge. Her collection for Target is just as sassy and playful as her haute couture (under the Luella label) with plenty of mixing and matching of fabrics and styles that can go from a day at the beach to a night out clubbing.

Among the collection, look for a cheerleader skirt in cream and dark orange (29.99), a navy and white rugby ($24.99), a shirtdress in dark orange plaid ($29.99), a cherry print IPod holder ($12.99) and an empire dress in hot pink ($39.99).

Bartley's ready-to-wear collection and accessories will hit stores Feb. 1 with prices ranging from $9.99 to $149.99.

Don't dawdle. The collection will be gone in 90 days.

Target is not saying who else is part of the new program.

Shopping with a conscience

If supporting companies with fair trade policies is it for you, check out the Chapel Hill company Zebra Crossings at www.zebracrossings.net.

The site, created by Beth Richardson and Sarah Chasnovitz, sells beaded bra straps made by previously unemployed people in Cape Town, South Africa. The "Africa my Bra" straps, jewelry for your shoulders, are made from glass beads, nylon bonded cord and metal hooks.

The two Duke University graduates were inspired to start the company after spending a year working in South Africa where they saw the impact of the country's high unemployment rate.

They're doing it all while having full-time lives. Chasnovitz is a law student at UNC-Chapel Hill and Richardson, who is going to business school at UNC this fall, works at Self-Help in Durham.