MALL PATROL : `SOFTER' SEARS THUNDERS INTO TOPANGA.

Byline: Barbara De Witt 

The commercials have been inviting us to see the softer side of Sears for a couple of years, but it's the dazzling side you'll see at the new Sears at Topanga Plaza mall in Canoga Park.

The former Broadway store that opened its doors Saturday is Sears at its most elegant. The aisles are wide, the displays are upscale, and the departments are arranged into intimate boutiques, focusing on the store's new Circle of Beauty cosmetic department. At this new beauty center, customers are invited to have free make-overs (you get a free butterfly finger puppet the kids will love) or play with the makeup by themselves and get free gifts with purchases. The Circle of Beauty is Sears' own line of cosmetics, aromatherapy, bath and beauty products, which are attractively packaged much like the products at Victoria's Secret.

The Mainframe junior department is a heartbeat away, with the expected supply of leopard and geometric print polyester separates. Dressing rooms here are few but really spacious, with benches inside.

Date-night clothes are around the corner, and they're sizzlers. In this little jewel of a department, the brand names aren't always recognizable but the latest looks are, from slinky jersey columns to black-lace-over-nude-lining sheaths to iridescent organza ball gowns topped with black velvet halter tops, most priced at under $150.

Across the aisle is the shoe department with glittery evening pumps, plus career and school shoes, plus a Florsheim's area for men.

Disney characters are everywhere, especially Mickey Mouse and ``101 Dalmatians.'' Standouts include a wool letterman's jacket in choice of tan or burgundy and black with an embroidered Mickey on the back for $130. For teens, there are silver-sequined tops for $24; denim overalls with Dalmatian puppies climbing out of the top pocket, $38; and, on the third floor, a complete assortment of shoes, backpacks and clothing for kids. Also on the third floor, you'll find housewares, draperies, luggage and coats.

Spaced out over three floors, you'll find all the Sears basics, from tools to TVs, plus a tuxedo rental shop, portrait studio, optical and hearing aid service, and custom drapery and carpeting departments. The only thing you won't find is furniture.

Mervyn's California has sharpened its look this fall with an edgy new department called e factor. Aimed at discriminating junior customers who want the ``Clueless'' look for less, the young women's department named for its own Ellemenno brand is stocked with groovy knit dresses with those zig-zag and diamond designs you've been seeing so much of, plus animal prints and Browns Age separates, from opaque tights to nail polish. According to Diane Neal, spokeswoman for Mervyn's, ``Shoppers will get an entertaining shopping experience with music, posters and photo booths.'' She added that they've got the new Dalmatian prints in belts, tote bags and clothes.A similar shop for young men is scheduled to open in '97.

For that total retro look, you've gotta have the glasses. Not the John Lennon little guys that looked like Coke bottles, but BIG glasses, the oversize plastic frames of the '70s that went so well with polyester and hip huggers and constantly slid down the bridge of your nose 'cause they were so heavy.

Fashion designer Liz Claiborne wore them so long they became her signature, and now you can, too. That very same style is back again in eye boutiques across the country, priced at $108 a pair, plus your lense prescription. You can get the classic black or tortoise styles, or new shades such as blond or claret. To find the store closest to you, call [phone].

WilliSmith, a designer collection for women, has found a new home at T.J. Maxx. The off-price chain store recently has created several WilliSmith boutiques, including the T.J. Maxx store in Granada Hills.

The collection is aimed at wardrobe-building, with plenty of separates, including khaki peacoats, wide-wale corduroy trousers and cropped satin jackets. Each month you'll find fresh items, with ski pants, polar fleece tops and herringbone wool blazers arriving this month.

You thought we were done with khakis? As if! Ever since Chanel's Karl Lagerfeld brought those military-inspired pants out of storage last spring and spiffed them up with some chain belts, khakis are firmly entrenched in fashion favor. Then take a gander at the spring '97 previews coming out of Paris and you'll see safari suits, epaulets and flap pockets, as well as the color, remaining strong.

On the home front, Haggar Clothing Co. has added the Ultimate Pant, a totally cotton, roomy-cut trouser that's supposed to be wrinkle-free and take you to the office - at least on casual Fridays. The men's pants have a double-pleat, sharp crease and a cuff, designed to be worn with dress shirts and a blazer, or dressed down with a banded collar shirt and vest, according to Gary Aronson, Haggar spokesman. They're priced at $46 and are available at numerous stores, including Robinsons-May and J.C. Penney.

Lee, the blue jeans company, has saluted the khaki resurgence with a new collection for men and women called Retro Khakis. Due in stores this month, Retro Khakis include jeans, jackets, shirts, skirts, vests and casual pants with details like plain-front pants (no pleats), and Hollywood-waist styles (high waists), wide-leg cuts and soft fabric finishes. You can find them at numerous stores from J.C. Penney to Mervyn's. For more Lee headquarters, call [phone].

Even cosmetic companies have taken a shine to khaki. At least one.

Ripe Cosmetics, that trendy little nail polish company owned by L.A. sisters Anna and Sarah Levinson, has recently added Dune, a creamy tan color, and Troop, a soft army green to its palette of 50-plus shades. The new khaki colors aren't real appealing to red-polish die-hards, but you'll be in awesome company with Ripe's oddball colors. Among the newest celebrity fans are Janeane Garofalo (shwae likes Java); Tiffani-Amber Thiessen (her fave is Indigo) and Tori Spelling (she likes Cumulus, topped with a coat of Crystal Palace). The polish is priced at $7 a pop at Nordstrom, Fred Segal and Macy's stores.

Fashion calendar:

Today - Robinsons-May at the Oaks mall in Thousand Oaks will have a Liz Claiborne wardrobe seminar. Call [phone] for more information.

Today - ``Fashion Redefined'' a special exhibit of experimental garments opens at the American College Gallery, 1641 Westwood Blvd., Westwood. The free exhbit runs through Dec. 6. For more information, call [phone], Ext. 28.

Nov. 8 and 9 - Jewelry designer Cynthia Bach will make a personal appearance at Neiman Marcus in Beverly Hills. She'll be there from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days.

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6 Photos

Photo: (1--Color) Liz Claiborne's oversize signature frames are back again at optical stores, priced at $108.

(2--3--Color) The newest hipster hangout is the e factor shop at Mervyn's California stores, where you'll find animal print accessories like the totes, $18, and scarves, $12, above left, and styles from the Browns Age, above, including corduroy skirts, $28, with coordinating ribbed tops, $16.

(4--5--Color) The khaki attack continues through fall with Haggar's new nonwrinkle khakis, right, $46 at Robinsons-May and J.C. Penney stores, and Lee's new Retro Khaki collection, which includes jeans, jackets, left.

(6--Color) Newest nail polish shades from Ripe include khaki tones such as Dune and Troop, sold at upscale stores including Nordstrom. The offbeat colors are hot with young Hollywood types, including Janeane Garofalo and Tiffani-Amber Thiessen.