Gab slacks grab 'em at NAMSB. (gabardine dress slacks at National Association of Men's Sportswear Buyer's Show)

NEW YORK -- New striated or heather worsted gabardine dress slacks became the running mate to the raft of solid-colored gabs at the NAMSB Show, which ended its four-day run Wednesday.

Triple-pleat models also continue to top the most-wanted lists for immediate and holiday season. But fearing that too much of a good thing can lead to overkill, after two back-to-back gab seasons, NAMSB exhibitors whipped out a number of new spring entries:

* Striated gabardines, also called compound colors in tailored clothing circles, are being offered in up to 10 colors, as compared with the garden variety of solid gabs in twice as many shades. The accent now is a growing variety of blues with teal the hot ticket for spring.

* All-cottons are proliferating in dress slack constructions. Included are brushed cottons, twills and poplin weaves in a wider range of colors usually reserved for gabardines. …

Gab slacks grab 'em at NAMSB. (gabardine dress slacks at National Association of Men's Sportswear Buyer's Show)

NEW YORK -- New striated or heather worsted gabardine dress slacks became the running mate to the raft of solid-colored gabs at the NAMSB Show, which ended its four-day run Wednesday.

Triple-pleat models also continue to top the most-wanted lists for immediate and holiday season. But fearing that too much of a good thing can lead to overkill, after two back-to-back gab seasons, NAMSB exhibitors whipped out a number of new spring entries:

* Striated gabardines, also called compound colors in tailored clothing circles, are being offered in up to 10 colors, as compared with the garden variety of solid gabs in twice as many shades. The accent now is a growing variety of blues with teal the hot ticket for spring.

* All-cottons are proliferating in dress slack constructions. Included are brushed cottons, twills and poplin weaves in a wider range of colors usually reserved for gabardines. …