Designers have to give consumers a reason to buy new clothes and somber, black clothing is rarely new.

Rather than the high-end designers, it seems the department store designers realize this more than most. And Elie Tahari definitely gets it.

His concise collection included tweeds and menswear-inspired trousers and suits in predictable colors. The blouses, accessories and dresses, however, were shown in sun-baked jewel tones. Pumpkin, purple, cranberry and claret were a welcome relief, particularly when used as the base for a really pretty cherry blossom print.

Finally.