T-shirts take on cartoon chic look

Los Angeles — In the wake of the vintage T-shirt craze that had hipsters running around in Pabst Blue Ribbon tees and trucker hats, T-shirt makers are plundering the cartoon archives for inspiration.

Timed to coincide with this season’s release of the film “The Cat in the Hat,” tees in the original classic design have been licensed by T-shirt makers like California’s Jerry Leigh and Giant. Look for Curious George next year in 1970s-style beach-themed T-shirts for girls and women by Jerry Leigh that feature the children’s book character.

Meanwhile, cartoon icons Mickey and Minnie Mouse are also taking steps into the fashion industry. Disney has teamed up with luxury handbag maker A. Cherry to create a line of accessories to be launched next fall. The “style chamber” collection will include leather accessories lined with updated prints of vintage Mickey and Minnie designs.

Lucky magazine names top new boutiques

New York — In its annual roundup of the top new American boutiques, Lucky magazine has discovered fashionable spots everywhere from Austin to Anchorage.

In its January issue, the magazine names Tryst, in Los Angeles’ San Fernando Valley, the top new clothing boutique. The shop is lauded for the variety of its selection, which includes such lines as Isabel Marant and Built by Wendy.

Other clothing boutiques that made this year’s list are Byrd in Clayton, Mo.; Albertine in New York City; Krimson & Klover in Dallas; Shop Sixty Five in Doylestown, Pa.; Petal in Jacksonville, Fla.; and Factory People in Austin, Texas.

Lucky’s top pick for beauty boutiques is About Face in Anchorage, Alaska, which stocks L’Occitane products along with spirit-boosting goods like Tipton Charles lotions and Ergo candles to help Alaskans thrive in the long winter. Other top picks for beauty boutiques are Potion in Los Angeles; Beauty and Main in Cambridge, Mass.; Cream in Miami; and Luxe in Raleigh, N.C.

When it comes to shoes, the magazine is mad about the selection — including such obscure lines as Brian Atwood and Chisenefrega — at its pick for top shoe boutique, Josephine in Chicago. Satine in Los Angeles and Footcandy in St. Helena, Calif., are Lucky’s other favorites in footwear.

‘Queer Eye’ star to write book

New York — Carson Kressley, fashion sage on the cable TV show “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy,” will write a book on men’s fashion to be published by Dutton in fall 2004.

The book, not yet titled, will feature Kressley’s “inimitable trademark wit and fashion wisdom,” and “will cover the simple sartorial staples of style — from ascots to zippers,” Dutton said in a recent statement.

“From the 10 shoes every man should own, to the final word on whether it is boxers or briefs, Carson explains in four-color detail exactly how a man can make the most of his look,” the publisher said. The announcement was made by Carole Baron, president of Dutton.