Il’s House Has the Cure for What Ails Us

Nightclubbing in Orange County has been as much on the mark fashionably as it’s been terribly off--even at some of the best-looking clubs. Describe a place as full of white pumps and perms (an inherently O.C. affliction) and even infrequent club crawlers get the picture.

But the opening last Wednesday of Il’s House, a once-a-week soiree at Metropolis in Irvine, signals a change for the better among county clubs. The more than 2,000 patrons, age 18 to their mid-30s, who walked through the doors that evening dressed with a clue: They not only knew what was in style; many had style to boot.

Cynics might have expected otherwise from a night hosted by “Beverly Hills, 90210” star Brian Austin Green. The night is named after his rap act, Il Styles a Rhyme.

While throngs of skirted fans descended on the heartthrob with their pocket cameras, the rest of the crowd directed its attention to the music spun by Green’s partner and deejay, Tony Stewart.

On the topic of skirts: short , A-line, flirty versions outnumbered everything else. They appeared in flowered and solid rayons, plaid chiffon, vinyl and metallic Lycra. Spaghetti-strap dresses and tops (full and belly-revealing) proved perfect for the sardine-packed dance floor.

Hip-hop wear abounded, but the only “gang” attire was worn by a trio of women who may have seen too many Al Capone movies. Traditional and updated renditions of mob pin-stripe, “Great Gatsby” and dandy menswear appeared on both sexes--a good season before it’ll be marketed to stores. One guy mixed a ‘20s Cape Cod look of a linen jacket, vest and bow tie with phat jeans.

Loose-fitting tops of yarn-dyed jersey and cotton by street-wear companies and weird, Kramer-inspired “originals” from thrift stores were paired perfectly with baggy pants and suede sneakers. Not so perfect for the temperature inside, but looking mighty cool, were a few leather trenches or vinyl coats.

The night could have also been confused for a hair show. Several women seemed to have visited the salon (or their hairdresser friends) for up-do’s, pin curls and French twists. Short dreadlocks, braids and bald heads were trendy among the black clientele. Hot head gear for him or her included driver’s caps, berets (pulled way down) and a few summer straws of the vintage variety. Baseball caps are apparently on their way out. Indeed, of the two spotted, one belonged to Green.