Trends for November 5, 2001

Lisa Ferguson

Monday, Nov. 5, 2001 | 8:33 a.m.

Showing your colors

You bought a lapel pin, a T-shirt and got a sticker for your car.

But there's likely one place you didn't think to proudly display Old Glory: on your crotch.

Don't worry the folks who helm lingerie retailer Frederick's of Hollywood are a step ahead of you.

This month the company introduced a white cotton women's "Patriotic Panty" thong, emblazoned with the stars and stripes and bearing the sentiment "America the Beautiful."

The panties (we're guessing they will make at least some people stand at attention) are being sold at the company's 170-plus stores nationwide, and 100 percent of the profits will be donated to charity. To purchase a pair, visit fredericks.com or call (323) 466-5151.

Being kind

In all seriousness, though, now that the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11 are nearly two months past and life continues to return to its new state of normalcy, it's easy to ditch the common kindness people were extending to each other during those difficult, early days and revert back to our old, inconsiderate ways.

But don't, warns business etiquette expert Barbara Pachter, author of the new book "When the Little Things Count ... And They Always Count" (Marlowe & Co., $12.95).

Pachter has a few tips for "simple yet powerful" acts of kindness to exhibit on the job:

Tool time

We don't want to broach this subject anymore than you want to have to read about it. But the time has come to start thinking about ugh! holiday shopping.

The proclaimed biggest shopping day Nov. 23, the day following Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and you'll be pounding the pavement and pulling your hair out in search of the perfect gift for the handyman or woman in your life.

This year, let "Home Improvement" star Tim Allen come to the rescue. The stand-up comic-turned-Hollywood big shot, who played the ultimate Mr. Fix It on the itcom, introduced his self-titled line of signature tools in 1995. Allen donates a portion of the proceeds from sales to charities that promote children's education.

The latest addition to the tool line is the all-purpose Nack Knife utility knife. Also this year, Allen's company has added Christmas ornaments to its line of craft kits (which retail for $5.99-$6.99) and a clock to its project line ($9.99-$11.99). For more information, call (866) 828-6657.