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

Stuck on You

Wear your heart on your sleeve . . . or more likely, your breast pocket or jacket lapel. Pin on St. John’s ruby Austrian crystal heart drop brooch ($60). The ribbon and fastener appear in 22-karat gold electroplate. “It’s a great staple item you can wear with almost everything,” says Linda Koontz, spokeswoman for the Irvine-based knitwear label. “Hearts and bows are always very feminine, and it’s an accessory for all ages.”

A Charmed Life

What to do with all those sterling heart charms you’ve been collecting over the years? You know, those love trinkets accumulating in your jewelry box: small ornate ones, engraved pendants, the broken half of a whole that you split with a long-lost friend and the several lockets--some with photos, some still without. Link them on a chain for a charm necklace or bracelet. The variety will create an eclectic piece unlike anyone else’s. And you can always add on new ones.

Safety First

Lizard Wear puts a spin on its 100% cotton boxers with some kooky prints. At Boxer Bay in Fashion Island Newport Beach, manager Michael Levicki can barely keep in stock the red hot chili pepper, cuddly teddy bear and wild safari prints. “Of course, the lizards sell well too,” he adds. But wait, there’s more. These skivvies ($18.50) have a “secret” pocket to store condoms. And some proceeds go to the American Foundation for AIDS Research. “Not only are the prints trendy and fun, but the idea and cause behind them promotes social awareness,” he says. The double-button fly also appeals to women who buy them as outerwear for themselves.

Bare Necessities

Valentine’s Day is a close second to Christmas as the biggest holiday for Frederick’s of Hollywood, says a company spokeswoman. “We sell a lot of red and white because it’s romantic and couples love it,” she adds. Among the styles offered this season by the lingerie house: a gauzy white teddy dotted in red ($22) and detailed in frilly trim--a sweet and sexy number in which to woo your mate.