THE WORD ON WHAT’S HIP AND WHAT’S HYPE : Tattoo You

Tattoos have undoubtedly made their mark. Temporary tats have become as necessary an accessory as earrings and lipstick. Hey, you can change them to match your outfit or your mood. Fashion designers have been applying multiple faux tattoos, decorating any exposed skin. “They’re totally popular among kids,” says manager Tammy Pauley of TopKapi in Mission Viejo Mall. “And most 20- to 30-year-olds love wearing them to nightclubs to show off body parts.”

Duds for Democracy

“Your right. Your choice. Your chance. Vote.” That message transmitted via print ads and limited edition T-shirts ($20) is brought to you by Esprit. The San Francisco clothing company launched an in-store registration drive to signed up 5,000 voters. Esprit co-founder Susie Tompkins hopes the campaign will “remind everyone to express themselves at the polls in November” in what she calls the “highest form of activism--voting.”

Sister Power

“Women buy 40% to 50% of our line as it is now, and it’s all men’s stuff,” says designer Shawn Stussy. So the Irvine-urban wear company has launched a body-conscious line for its flygirl fans. The aptly named Stussy Sista collection features rayon dress and boxers, Lycra hot pants and bodysuits, denim vests and overalls and cotton poorboy Tees that taper in for girlish appeal. “Doing Sista is just a natural evolution,” Stussy adds. The Australian-made line ($30-$150) will sell exclusively at Stussy signature boutiques. The first shipment hits the Laguna Beach store in a few weeks.

Skivvies Sighted

Guys are doing the underwear as outerwear thing too. Under shirts have long been a staple of rebel fashion, but now that urban and suburban kids are letting their oversized pants hang way low, boxer shorts have come more into view. Whether it’s a minimal peek or pulled a couple of inches over the top of pants, showoff boxers are no longer uncool. The trend is more than solid. Plaid and novelty prints also do the trick.