What's new, what's out in fashion for 2000

Don't even think of going out in 2000 with last century's hairdo. Richard Dalton, fashion director for John Paul Mitchell Systems, offers the following hair trends, fresh from the runway:

Soft and loose

Natural and curly

Sleek ponytails

Bouffant buns

Chic upsweeps and moppy updos

Geometric designs

Tiny braids

Men's designer clothing is bigger than ever before.

Ralph Lauren, Nautica, Tommy Hilfiger and Perry Ellis are now making larger-sized clothes to meet the needs of the changing men's marketplace. Finally, men who don't fit the mold don't have to settle on wearing khakis and sport coats that are different from the ones pictured in men's fashion magazines.

These items have been modified, however, to incorporate such elements as larger buttons, longer zippers and more belt loops, all details which are important to big and tall customers.

About 15 percent of all American men are big and tall. This includes men who wear sizes 1X to 6X, have a waist measurement from 44 to 60 inches, inseams from 30 to 38 inches, tall sizes from XLT to 4XLT. The big and tall market is a $5.5 billion industry.