Knots Landing

Eager to tie the knot this season? Then follow the lead of fit fashionistas, like Madonna and Sarah Jessica Parker, who are flaunting their abs in tops neatly knotted near the navel. The '50s style fad is "classic yet very sexy," says Banana Republic spokeswoman Kim Sobel. "It's a relaxed way to wear your shirt," adds singer Jessica Simpson, who tied one on for a recent awards show. "It always makes an outfit look cuter." Even if your tummy's no longer teen-trim. "This is a look where you don't have to reveal a lot," says L.A. stylist Ricci DeMartino. "You can still be a little flirtatious by showing the slightest bit of navel."

Paired with jeans or a skirt, knotted shirts are "very versatile," says actress Tiffani Thiessen. Not to mention wardrobe-expanding. "If you wore the shirt last week," Simpson points out, "you can make it look completely different by tying it up." A word to the wise: Don't take the trend to work. "There's definitely that beach feel to knotted shirts," says Thiessen. "It's a Mary Ann on Gilligan's Island thing."

with Marisa Laudadio in Los Angeles

behind the seams

When Winona Ryder decided to clean out her closets, the star figured she could do something charitable at the same time. So she's putting her glad rags up for sale, with all the profits going to her pal singer Bono's cause, a campaign aimed at erasing Third World debt. The sale of 150 pieces, organized by L.A.'s designer resale boutique decadestwo, will be featured on eBay starting Aug. 1. Ryder, a longtime vintage-clothing collector, will first unload mostly contemporary items, including a luxe mink Fendi baguette bag; a white jersey, Grecian-style, Emanuel Ungaro couture gown; and dozens of pieces by Marc Jacobs. Some of the star's prized vintage scores—including finery originally owned by Audrey Hepburn, Mae West and Katharine Hepburn—will go on sale at a later date...

When Julie Andrews wanted to don some extra sparkle for the premiere of her new movie, The Princess Diaries, she turned to Harry Winston, the jewelry house that had loaned her the chunky $600,000 diamond necklace she dazzled in at the Oscars this year. Alas, Andrews was apparently too good a model for the four-row, 100-carat necklace. When she called Winston to ask about borrowing it again, they informed her that the piece had been sold to a private customer who had gone gaga over it after seeing Andrews wear it on the red carpet...

With her third child due in January, Faith Hill needed to stock up on stylish maternity togs. So, accompanied by daughters Maggie and Gracie, the country superstar headed to chichi L.A. maternity boutique Liz Lange. But when Hill walked into the store, she found the entire staff on their hands and knees cleaning up shards of broken glass from a door that had fallen off its hinges moments before. Absorbed in their task, the staffers asked Hill to leave. Only later, after talking to a neighboring shopkeeper, did they earn that their customer manqué was the expectant songbird...

Seen: Newlywed Angie Harmon, looking bronzed and beautiful in a salmon-hued top and jeans, getting coiffed at John Sahag in Manhattan.

winner's circle

No garden-variety star, Dana Delany paired Manolo Blahnik heels and bag with a floral frock by Tuleh for a July 17 event because, she says, "I love the [story] 'Girls in Their Summer Dresses' " by author Irwin Shaw. Smart move. "People said I looked pretty!" she says.