You can pinpoint Nanette Lepore’s fun and colorful clothes from a mile away.
Who could forget the bright, rainbow dress Carrie wore on “Sex and the City” when she fell in the lake at Central Park?
Yes, the one that put every die-hard fashionista on eternal waiting lists.
“It was so sad, because everyone on the planet wanted that dress,” says Lepore, whose clientele includes J.Lo and Kim Cattrall. “But we couldn’t make it because the fabric was printed really crooked, and we couldn’t find a manufacturer.”
Lepore is now designing her fun, girly clothes at a lightning pace, and many of her pieces can be seen on Reese Witherspoon in the upcoming flick “Legally Blonde 2.”
She’s also opening a boutique in Los Angeles on Robertson Street next month. (Her N.Y. store is located at 423 Broome St.)
As for Lepore’s own style, she says: “Sometimes I’d like to wear just jeans and a T-shirt. But if I don’t force myself to try and put on some kind of cute outfit every day, then I’m not using my head as far as what a woman really wants to wear, and how she wants to feel.”
1. Warehouse
(581 Broadway; [212] 941-0910)
Nanette is drawn to a rack of sheer brown and pink tops with gold, Indian trimmings.
“This is a great top for the value,” she says. “It’s got the gold thing going on, it has the Indian look which is really in again in London. I’m thinking of ‘Monsoon Wedding.'”
“Warehouse is a London company, so it’s fun to do a little High Street mixed in with our shopping in New York.”
She picks a $34 top with a camisole in it, explaining that she’s going to “build the entire outfit around this one top.”
2. Payless Shoe Source
(104 Delancey St.; [212] 475-1196)
“I never knew there was a Payless here,” says Lepore, as we climb a huge staircase to a floor with rows upon rows of shoes.
Lepore knows that she wants gold strappy heels, so our search is pretty limited. After much digging, though, she finds them – for only $9.99.
“The gold trend is really pretty,” she says. “I’m a big fan of sparkle and shine.”
At the register, the lady asks if we want a second shoe for half price. And although we’d love to, we’ve only got a few more dollars.
3. Streetwear
(500 Broadway; [212] 343-0015)
After venturing into a few nearby shops, Lepore finds the perfect red corduroy knee-length skirt to match the top and shoes. It’s on the $19.99 sale rack.
“Why are you ringing up $27.99?” Lepore asks the cashier. “Because all the items on that rack are not $19.99,” says the salesperson.
“It’s still a good price,” says Lepore, as she continues with the purchase.
4. Neera Saree Palace
(128 E. 28th St.; [212] 481-0325)
Shiny patterns and fabrics are on the walls, and two Indian ladies are sewing some intricate pieces of clothing on the floor.
“I love the smell,” says Lepore. “I used to come here all the time. The fabrics have this amazing hand embellishment that you can’t get anywhere else. And they have really pretty shawls.”
She picks out some pretty bangles – a dozen for $8 – in shiny green, purple and pink that are hidden in a glass case at the end of the room.
“They’re cute little gifts, too,” she says.
5. Om Saree Palace
(134 E. 27th St.; [212] 532-5620)
This shop is smaller than the previous one, but it has more jewelry.
“I think I was pregnant when I was here last,” says Lepore. “[They have] comfortable, nice clothes, and you can hide the belly.”
“I need pink,” she tells the lady, who shows her a pair of enamel earrings for $20.
“Can you give them to me for $15?” asks Lepore.
It’s a deal.
Lepore is content with the final product.
“It’s fun,” she says. “People get tired of black. Pink is the rage. It’s that beautiful, glamorous look. The whole Kama Sutra pattern-on-pattern thing. It’s so classic.”
Nanette’s Golden Rule
“Don’t buy it all in one place. In order to have a look that is original, mix it up.”
What she bought:
Warehouse: Shirt, $34
Payless: Shoes, $9.99
Streetwear: Skirt, $27.99
Neera Saree Palace: Bracelets, $8
Om Saree Palace: Earrings, $15
Grand total: $94.98