Big Time”The ‘90s will be slated as...

Big Time

“The ‘90s will be slated as the large watch era,” notes South Coast Plaza store manager Gary Elias of Tourneau, one of the largest Swiss watch retailers. “Even ladies are now looking for bolder, heavier pieces.” So what’s become the big timepiece to own in fashionable circles? A Breitling with subdials, Elias says. “They can withstand just about anything.” With price tags from $695 to $18,000, it’s little surprise that the brand has become popular in the movie industry. Check out Sly Stallone sporting one in “Cliffhanger.”

Yak Attack

Well, if it’s good for New Yorkers . . . the general consensus is that fashion slaves everywhere else will dig it too. With that in mind, a handful of West Coast boutiques are hoping folks here will be swinging a Yak Pak over their shoulders. In basic brown or black suede, these rugged unisex packs convert into a brief bag/purse/backpack with the hook of a strap here and there ($50-$90). Most feature several pockets to hide everything you’ll never need. “They’re just functional bags that have become the hottest thing in New York,” says Elisa Gonzalez, manager of Sachas London in Costa Mesa.

Line by Line

With designers still striping collections for fall, wide and micro versions are emerging on everything--including leg wear. Hot Sox has taken its signature rainbow colors (first popular for the label back in the flower child days) and duo-color schemes and applied them to socks of every length: from ankles to thigh highs to the waist (about $7 to $17). “Among the street wise, teen- and college-aged customer, stripes are a very basic look that make a great personal statement,” says spokeswoman Gayle Goodman.

Grease Is the Word

Hot lather, straight-edge razors and hair shaped into a ‘do Elvis would be proud of are all part of Jake Bricks’ trade. Musicians and regular Joes stop by his Orange barber shop for his trademark ‘40s- and ‘50s-style cuts. “You got to use grease to get the right look,” Brick says. Waxy pomades will do, too. Known as the “rockabilly barber” to clients, the 23-year-old figures he’s had more than 1,000 customers since opening Jake’s Barber Shop 15 months ago.