NEW YORK (Reuters) - Fashion company Liz Claiborne Inc (LIZ.N) reported a quarterly loss on Wednesday that was smaller than analysts expected though within the company's forecast.

Liz Claiborne New York spring-summer 2009

The owner of the Juicy Couture, Kate Spade and Lucky Brand labels said its net loss widened to $828.9 million, or $8.85 per share, in the fourth quarter, ended on January 3, from a year-earlier net loss of $435.7 million, or $4.55 per share.

The company's net loss from continuing operations was $8.36 per share.

Excluding items, the company's loss from continuing operations was 4 cents per share. On that basis, analysts on average were expecting a loss of 9 cents per share, according to Reuters Estimates.

The company warned in January that it could post a loss of as much as 15 cents per share.

Net sales fell 22.2 percent to $911.2 million.

(Reporting by Martinne Geller)