WORD ON THE STREET : Custom Fits

Here’s one poll that has nothing to do with politics: Men who work downtown, in the Miracle Mile area and in Century City were recently asked where they stand on fashion. Included in the informal survey were lawyers, salesmen, bankers, accountants, managers and a handful of TV producers, art directors and travel agents.

Most men admitted that the idea of a “fall wardrobe” was fairly alien. They purchased year-round-weight items when the need arose, rather than by some master plan. And they love a good sale. Several who toil downtown had taken advantage of Silverwood’s going-out-of-business sale. One executive crowed that he had bought four Austin Reed suits there for only $575.

While few had purchased fall clothing, most had definite opinions about it.

Slouchy suits?

“We don’t have a written dress code, but if the CEO walked in and I was in a slouchy suit, I’d be out the door,” said Jason Niemela, 23, an insurance underwriter in the Miracle Mile area. “I’d be over knocking on Aaron Spelling’s door asking for a part in ‘Beverly Hills, 90210.’ ”

“If you wear something too slouchy, you’re considered sloppy,” said Lamar Porter, 35, a purchaser in the downtown area. “If you wear something too dark, you’re considered conservative. Too bright, and you’re considered liberal. I try to be an individual, and I do it with color or a stylish cut of pants.”

Monochromatic dressing?

Joe Neff, a stylish tax lawyer in downtown, mulled the question over. “Would I wear it to the office? Well, maybe on a day when no one is in the office. Just me and the plant lady.”

An art director said he has worn only black clothes since the early ‘80s, and a youthful TV producer joked that he likes black because, “I try to look mean. It’s the Johnny Cash look.”

Suit separates?

Ruel Berris likes the concept. “It comes in at a lower cost and I can mix and match,” said the 28-year-old program coordinator for a downtown nonprofit foundation. Berris spent his $2,000 fall wardrobe budget on two jackets, three pairs of pants, two vests and five shirts.

Director/producer Spence Bovee, 29, also uses the separates system. “I like to be my own designer in the sense that I don’t want to be a package deal. You can tell when someone went in and the salesman threw a suit on him. He looks like everyone else,” he said. Bovee personalizes the look even further with vintage jackets and Disney cartoon ties.

And, finally, ties?

For many men, ties are the only permissible way to express individuality. Right now, most are going with more colorful, brighter ties in unusual, abstract or geometric patterns. The bloom is off the floral tie.