THE WORD ON WHAT’S HIP AND WHAT’S HYPE

A Sight at the Opera

You headed off to “La Boheme” dressed to kill, then you rented those clunky $6 binoculars in the lobby. You might as well have gone to Anaheim Stadium. Solution for next time: Get some classy classic opera glasses. Beran’s Jewelers in Tustin sells antique sets such as a lavender enamel pair from France, circa 1895, for $550. Other beauties sell from $150 to $1,000. When not in use as spectacles, owner Mary Lou Beran says interior decorators use them to accent coffee tables and desks.

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The Bigger the Better

Tight is out, so kids are opting for clothes they’ll never outgrow, such as Vision’s new oversized Hangers line. Designed with skateboarders in mind (they demand roomy duds for better maneuverability), these pants ($45) precariously “hang” from the hips. Hence the name. Owner Brad Dorfman says sizes 42 and 44 are most popular and are being snapped up by boys with size 30 or 32 waists. “They’re using old belts or shoe strings to hold them up,” he says. “It’s wild!”

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Moms Helping Moms

That’s the idea behind the Tender Hearts infant wear store opening in Orange. Profits from the sale of new and good-as-new infant wear will help shelter needy single moms and their kids. Regardless of the prices--as low as 70% off regular retail--don’t think the stock to be thrift-shoppish. The store doesn’t depend on donations, but pays cash for clothes and accepts only those in top condition. “Babies don’t wear out clothes, they outgrow them,” says spokeswoman Emilie Cassar.

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Clownin’ Around

XMI has put an acrobatic twist on the routine clown tie with its circus-theme cravat ($90). Theme ties are hot, and XMI is presenting its three-ring silk version in its exclusive Platinum collection. The Italian tie comes lined in gold-colored fabric and packaged in an aluminum gift box. XMI rep Lori Cole will debut 300 of the tie-maker’s latest Oct. 16 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the South Coast Plaza Nordstrom.