SNOOT SUITS; SCENTED ATTIRE FOR MEN HEADED TO SOUTHLAND.

Byline: Enrique Rivero Daily News Staff Writer

Throw out the after-shave and deodorant. Scented men's suits are about to waft into Los Angeles.

But will the suit's makers savor the sweet smell of success? Or will L.A.'s retailers and clothes buyers think the suits just stink?

A trio of Seoul, South Korea, fashion houses have been selling scented men's suits, much to the delight of that country's most dapper dressers. The suits contain microcapsules woven into the threads that pop and release pleasant aromas when their wearers move quickly or get bumped. The scent is supposed to last about three years, or 20 dry cleanings.

The suits, which come in peppermint, lavender and pine, are selling at a rate of close to 2 million a year, and at least one company, LG Fashion, plans to ship them to its Los Angeles retail store later this year.

Is L.A. ready for scented suits and perfumed pants? Owners and managers of local men's clothiers had some decidedly mixed feelings about the concept.

``I've never heard of anything like that,'' said Rick Pallack, owner of Rick Pallack men's clothing store in Sherman Oaks.

Pallack would have to be considered an expert on cutting-edge fashion, considering he's the official outfitter of numerous celebrities and television programs, including ``Hollywood Squares.''

``It sounds a little too gimmicky for me,'' he said of the suits, not the show.

But Carlos Munoz, manager at Coda Men's Apparel in Northridge, said he would love to sell the sweet-smelling suits at his store, which sells a mix of young urban casual wear and dress suits.

His store attracts a diverse enough clientele that odorous apparel would appeal to at least some customers, he said.

``Even myself, I would love to wear a suit like that,'' he said.

Pallack, who uses only natural materials and isn't a fan of chemicals, wondered how safe the scents would be.

``Who wants to breathe chemicals? Even if it's scented, it's like breathing air freshener,'' he said, laughing. ``What if you keep getting bumped and it keeps going off? I think you could have an air bag nightmare on your hands.''