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PARIS (AP) - Though Nina Ricci's safe spring-summer 2014 show broke no molds, there were some subtle surprises.
The ultra-feminine Paris display from designer Peter Copping in sheer whites and pale blues _ and a great, bright peacock blue _ drew its inspiration in historic tailoring for men.
The back column of a waistcoat was to be found placed on the front of a pale striped, fitted jacket.
Elsewhere, what the program notes describe as a "redingotes" (a French corruption of the English 18th century "riding coat") appeared as a white technical cotton coat, or a great sequined tweed coat in a shimmering feminine beige.
The coat lapels hung diagonally out creating a triangular silhouette, a shape that was to be repeated in many of the diaphanous, almost floatey looks.
A nice detail was the reinvention of the classic men's shirt, transformed in various looks into a dress or skirt. However, the clever effect was somewhat lost since the chosen white hue made detail hard to see.
A bit of color never hurt anyone.
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Thomas Adamson can be followed at Twitter.com/ThomasAdamsonAP
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