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Show EBoftoms Are HJp by Lori Berger Some people say it looks like the baggy. Others contend it's simply another rendition of the casual pant. And then there are a few who truly believe it will be the revitalizing injection the sagging denim market needs to pull itself out of the blahs. It's being called the "Pant Jean," and is the new buzz word in bottoms. What's so great about this particular jean? Everyone seems to agree that it's comfortable it fits snugly in the seat and hips, yet offers ample leg room. But the key selling factor, most people agree, is its versatility. Serving as both jean and trouser, the pant jean is in retail minds across the country at least new. And for retailers struggling for survival in the denim classification, that's more than enough. When Calvin Klein offered its pant jean for men, the intention was to revive the 4 4 I I f .' I ' I ' I ( five-pocket dark indigo denim business, explains Michael Suozzi, national sales manager for Calvin Klein Jeans for Men. Sales of the five-pocket jean were down 25 percent from last year, he says, adding that sales in the pant jean have put denim sales about 30 percent ahead. Suozzi says that technically, technical-ly, the pant is considered a jean because of the uncon-structed uncon-structed solid waistband and finished bottom although about 25 percent of the accounts (including Allied Stores) have bought the jean in their casual pant classification. classifica-tion. Most stores, however, are buying the jean in then-designer then-designer classification, he says, which is accounting for almost 80 percent of their buv- .'. . . , , . . - - y i ' V- .( U -. V A V 1 VERSATILITY gives the pant jean new life |