THE WORD ON WHAT’S HIP AND WHAT’S HYPE
Gotta Look Sharp
Designer Holly Sharp has always been the source for perfect little party dresses. Her tulip-shaped silhouette is no exception. Now available in emerald green or ruby red raw silk ($160), the Love Shift, as it’s dubbed, has been the designer’s best-selling dress. “Everyone of all shapes and sizes has bought it--which is really a trip,” Sharp says about her “real Givenchyesque” style. It’s available exclusively at her boutiques in Corona del Mar, Laguna Beach and Del Mar. She suggests dressing up the attractive open neckline with a delicate choker.
They’re a Ringin’ Again
Yes, it’s 1993 and bell-bottoms are back. Terminally hip nightclub crawlers have been donning the ‘70s look for years; finally the fashion dictators have caught on. What did you expect? With platforms all over the malls, it was inevitable that those flared pant legs would make an appearance. And dudes won’t be left behind with versions of their own. The plus this time around is choice. Flares can vary from a small swing to a high-rise wide bell and appear in stretchy crochets, velvets and denim. You can also opt for a pricey pair at a boutique or peruse a thrift store for a one-of-a-kind bargain.
What’s Out Is In
Including more than just donning fashions your momma wore, in wear also means reinterpreting items and giving them individual flavor, says Jim Duval, merchandise manager for 26 Red. For example: the inside out cap ($18). Hitting stores next month, the hat personifies the latest attitude. “It’s doing anything anti,” he says, “anti-Establishment, anti-fashion.” The Irvine-based company should know. Its fat duds are a hit among the rave and skate set.
A Leg Up
Tights are cute on tiny tots, but they just aren’t warm enough during these chilly days. Instead, clothe real little girls in soft cotton leggings under dresses, rompers or alone with a sweater. They’re even roomy enough for that extra bottom covering. A saleswoman at Gymboree in Santa Ana suggests mixing bright colors and prints to create an ensemble that’s “real fun.” GymBaby brand leggings ($12-$16) are available in polka dots, flowers and crazy swirl patterns to fit any toddler girl’s mood.
