FASHION SHE'S GOT PURSE-ONALITY.

Many baby boomers - and their daughters - grew up with Esprit clothing, a youthful beachy style that reflected the Southern California lifestyle. And Esprit founder Susie Tompkins' daughter was no different.

Except she had the inside edge. Literally growing up in the family business, Summer Tompkins returned to the San Francisco-based company to work in its design and production departments after college.

But Summer, calling herself a free spirit, says she wanted to be her own boss. And so in 1994, Summer focused on accessories, particularly handbags and hats that were functional but not ordinary.

At the Oxnard-based Summer Tompkins company, vice president Trent Vallardes says, ``Right from the start, Summer has always been good with concepts and colors. She steps back and looks and sees what she likes and doesn't ... and is very good at making decisions on the fly.''

A visionary, Summer doesn't sketch out designs, but challenges her four- person design team to interpret her ideas.

``I don't care if a purse looks pretty. It has to be pretty - and functional,'' says Summer. ``I need to know if the handle is long enough to fit the shoulder properly, and that the leather is soft enough.''

Summer's accessories have been worn regularly on TV's hit show ``Friends,'' and are a hit at upscale stores such as Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus and Bloomingdale's.

Her fall collection of small hand-painted, hand-pressed wool felt totes are priced at $80, and silk evening totes embellished with beads in exotic Asian designs go for a heady $260, but her upcoming resort collection has more whimsy.

``The mood is '50s Europe (think `The Talented Mr. Ripley'), with straw totes trimmed with coconut, jute and gingham,'' she says. ``There's even a collection with embroidered poodles that's very retro Parisian.''

- Barbara De Witt

SPRING TO YOUR STEP: Fish in the deep blue sea, butterflies and berries.

Those favorite springtime themes are kicking off the sandal season in Ann Marino's new 3-D Pedal Pushers, a flirty little slide featuring holographic images that constantly change as you walk.

The open-toed slides made of images sandwiched together in soft vinyl are the inspiration of Rod Beckett, who decided to have a little fun with the high-tech process he'd seen on wallets and kids' notebooks.

According to Beckett, who's been designing for the Ann Marino label for seven years, ``I thought the slides would be a cute conversation piece, focusing on current trends such as the ocean and coral reefs, and also seasonal items such as tropical fruit, flowers and butterflies, but had no idea they'd appeal to so many women.''

The shoes made their debut at the World Shoe Association trade show in Las Vegas last fall and were an instant hit, ordered by leading stores such as Robinsons-May, Macy's and Nordstrom. The reason for their popularity, reasons Beckett, goes beyond the witty designs. ``The shoe is comfortable with a very wearable midsize heel so women of all ages can wear it ... and it also has a good impulse-purchase price of about $40.''

Look for the Ann Marino 3-D Pedal Pusher collection in February as a colorful antidote for the winter boots and blahs.

- Barbara De Witt

SMOOTH AS SILK: We've had panty hose with tummy control, padded fannies, rhinestone tattoos, even a low-cut style to wear with hip-hugging skirts.

But opaque tights with built-in moisturizer to keep your legs soft when those nasty Santa Ana winds blow through the Valley?

Finally, something that's practical.

Now, we haven't tested them, but Hanes Silk Reflections claims its new Opaque Tights with Moisturizer are very soft to the touch and leave your skin feeling silky when you remove them at the end of the day.

According to Hanes Hosiery spokeswoman Valerie Failla, the tights are made with invisible microbeads that break and release 100 percent hypo- allergenic moisturizer with rosemary extract, apricot essences and other oils for ultimate hydration. She suggests washing them by hand, but even with careful attention, the moisturizing action will only last for about five wearings before they become just another pair of tights. You can find them at Macy's for $11.50 in a choice of black, navy, brown or gray.

- Barbara De Witt

LASHING OUT: In Hollywood's early days, movie stars (and also everyday housewives) created starry eyes with a little tube of cream mascara and a spiral brush.

It was a cool idea because you could add as many thick coats as you wanted to better bat your lashes.

For those old-fashioned glamour girls who want Bette Davis eyes stay tuned. BeneFit Cosmetics is bringing back cream mascara in its spring collection, but in untraditional shades such as Breathless (a sultry purple), Swoonderful (swooning green), Infatuation (vibrant teal) and Smitten (off-guard cranberry).

The water-based mascara kits called Lash Lovies will arrive at Macy's, Bloomingdale's and Sephora stores in early spring, priced at $18 each. And while you're there, check out Cheekies, BeneFit's new cream blush just like Grandma used to wear. It's $20 a tube.

- Barbara De Witt

SEEING RED: She may be serving lattes at Starbucks or fancy salads at the Bistro Garden, but hey, she's not a waitress.

Just ask her.

In a salute to actresses who have waited tables - including Ashley Judd, Bette Midler, Julianne Moore and Brett Butler - OPI cosmetics created a nail lacquer called ``I'm Not Really a Waitress,'' and the brilliant scarlet hue has been selling like the proverbial hot cakes.

According to Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, artistic director of the North Hollywood-based OPI company, more than half a million bottles of the polish have been sold since it was introduced in its Hollywood Collection last year, making it the company's all-time best seller. It's also been selected as the Reader's Choice for best nail polish for 2000 in Allure magazine, but there's no mention of how many are waitresses - or actresses.

- Barbara De Witt

ONE OF A KIND: OK, ladies. You know how you find this seemingly fantastic lipstick color and you bring it home and it turns out to be oh-so- not you? Yeah, I hate when that happens, too.

Well, there's no need to fret because at www.reflect.com, the costly guessing game of finding the right skin, hair and fragrance products is made obsolete.

The Web site asks a variety of questions - including one about what kind of house best suits your character - in order to ``read'' your needs. Once a profile is compiled, the personalized items (in packaging you pick and complete with your name on the label) are ready to be shipped to your home for free.

- Barbara Dominguez

FASHION FREEBIE: The downtown Fashion District will give free guided trolley tours with insider-shopping tips and maps on Jan. 27. Tours begin and end at the Olympic Boulevard entrance to the CaliforniaMart, 110 E. Ninth St., Los Angeles. Reservations required; the number to call is [phone].

- Barbara De Witt

CAPTION(S):

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Photo:

(1 -- 2 -- color) no caption (purses)

(3 -- color) no caption (sandals 3-D Pedal Pushers)

(4 -- color) no caption (Opaque Tights with Moisturizer)

(5 -- color) no caption (Lash Lovies)

(6 -- color) no caption (OPI Nail polish)

(7) SUMMER TOMPKINS