GUYS' TERRITORY TODAY'S METROSEXUAL GOES SHOPPING WITHOUT HIS WIFE OR GIRLFRIEND IN TOW.

Byline: Candice Choi Staff Writer

Men aren't just wearing the pants in the relationship, they're buying them like never before, too.

Gordon Smith is like a growing number of men who loves shopping for himself and prefers browsing the racks without his girlfriend orbiting around.

E``She tries to dress me too conservatively - she wants me buttoned up and in slacks,'' said Smith, a mid-30s Chatsworth resident who describes himself as ``moderately trendy.''

Just 20 years ago, the vast majority of men's apparel was purchased by women, with the ladies in men's lives buying 70 percent of their clothes.

These days 66 percent of men are taking the reins to outfit themselves.

And they're loving it.

For the first time since 2000, sales in men's clothing reversed a flat, declining trend to grow 3.5 percent to $49 billion, said Dora Radwick, spokeswoman for the NPD Group, which tracks the industry.

The blossoming interest in fashion is fueling sales and prompting retailers to dangle splashier garments before men.

At Express for Men in Woodland Hills, men pawed through bins of deep pink wool sweaters during their lunch breaks. Over at the Bloomingdale's in Sherman Oaks, spokeswoman Julie Reynolds said men browse the latest Theory, Juicy Couture and Seven have to offer.

Mainstream shows like ``Queer Eye for the Straight Guy'' are prodding men to take hold of their fashion destinies.

``It's the whole metrosexual thing,'' said Dave Manning, a 33-year-old Van Nuys resident. ``Guys are a little more aware (about fashion). They don't just want to wear the sweaters or whatever guys are supposed to wear.''

In fact, Manning ended up returning all three pairs of pants and six shirts his wife bought for him this Christmas and exchanging them for something more to his liking.

``I never want to be the guy whose wife has to lay out his clothes for him,'' he said.

Men are flocking toward more fashionable cuts and styles like moths to a light; tailored clothing is one of the quickest growing segments, with a 15.4 percent increase in sales in 2003.

On a typical date night, Smith said he might wear a fitted, navy blue shirt, stylish jeans and dress boots.

``I can go from real relaxed to dressy,'' he said.

< Even trendy boutique stores are devoting more and more space to men's fashion, said Jennifer Eisenberg, marketing director for the Westfield Shoppingtown Fashion Square in Sherman Oaks.

``A lot of it right now is bright colors and different fabrics,'' Eisenberg said.

Shopping malls are still dominated by women, Eisenberg said. But she's been noticing more men actively shopping for themselves instead of passively tagging along with their girlfriends.

``Men aren't as afraid to show that side of themselves,'' Eisenberg said. ``It's acceptable.''

Candice Choi, [phone]

candice.choi(at)dailynews.com

CAPTION(S):

3 photos

Photo:

(1 -- color) Frank Garritano, 32, of Burbank, looks over the Juicy Couture section of the men's department of Bloomingdale's in Sherman Oaks.

(2 -- 3 -- color) At left, mannequins wear the Lucky brand in the men's department in Bloomingdale's in Sherman Oaks. Bufalo Exchange New & Recycled Fashions, above, has retro shoes and clothing that have become popular with the over-30 male consumer.

Gus Ruelas/Staff Photographer