Oakridge Style

Look out 80s, the 70s are back. Tie dyed tops, bottoms and dresses tripped down the runways.

Tory Burch believes the look can work for anyone, no matter what their age, and thinks it looks modern yet nostalgic. Bluemarine did a caftan that, although not so modern, managed to fit perfectly in the nostalgic category. And Proenza Schouler’s Lazaro Hernandez and Jack McCollough applied the dying technique to sleek, sporty styles-giving it new life and firmly planting it in the modern category. Meanwhile, at Rodarte, Kate and Laura Mulleavy put together their ragged looks from bits of fabric clearly riffing off the flower child era. 

If our eyes don’t deceive us, it appears this summer will be, once again, the summer of love.

Top Dos and Don’ts

1. Do pair a tie-dye tank with a proper suit; contrast is everything
2. Don’t wear a caftan unless you can accept looking larger
3. Do pull off a tie-dye scarf (try one from Perfect Match)
4. Don’t wear it as a bandana
5. Do feel free to experiment, no matter what your style

Get the Look
Try Aritzia for tie-dye pieces for Spring 2010.

‘Tis the season for travel. As we prepare for the holidays, many of us are also preparing for packing our bags and heading out of town, or the country, for that matter. Planning on spending time on a plane, or in an airport this season? We’ve scoped out the best picks to help you have a serene trip.

Top 5 Picks for Travelling in Style this Season
Buy yourself a pair of oversized, uber stylish sunglasses at Sunglass Hut. They can be worn as sunshades, or to block out the reading light shining down from the next seat while you’re trying to sleep.

Visit Perfect Match to find the scarf-also oversized-that doubles as a blanket-wrap.

Find an easy-to-wear travel suit at Edward Chapman or The Bay.

Coach will have the just-right carry-on bag-that can be later used for overnight weekend stays.

Don’t be late for your boarding time. Stay on top of time with a stylish watch from Fossil.

Entertainment never stops, and neither does staying connected with loved ones, with an iPhone from Apple.

Spring collections showed plenty of skin, with models strutting their stuff in innerwear as outerwear.

Bras, corsets, tap pants, and briefs were sent down the runway by designers who aren’t usually on our radar for dare-to-bare wear. They’re following in the footsteps of lingerie lovers Jean Paul Gaultier and John Galliano, of course. Above all, we heart Stella McCartney’s plunge-front lace halter, Dolce & Gabbana’s black lace and quilted bodysuit, Marcio Madeira’s nude corset, and pairing lace beneath a tuxedo jacket.

Our Top Do’s and Don’ts
Do rock the look at work
Don’t show bare skin or full-view actual lingerie at work, maybe a lace-edged slip showing from beneath hemline
Do work the look out of context: a lace black corset over a white t-shirt works well
Do make sure it’s delicate and expensive-looking
Don’t expose those tacky elastic bra-straps
Do save something for the imagination

Get the Look
Find your runway-worthy underthings at The Bay, and Jacob.

When Miuccia Prada designs, the world pays attention. She’s been named one of Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in the world, after all. So it was with slight trepidation that the men in our life received the news that she’s working on a menswear collection, and is probably including skirts. 

Should they be concerned? Consider the black nylon backpack, the bowling bag, classic diamond brooches on cashmere twinsets, and drab colours like bottle green–not to mention fairies, fairies everywhere. What Miuccia does, goes.

She’s been called “fashion’s most restless creative force” by Style.com, and a recent interview with the UK’s Independent confirmed it for us. Miuccia was reported saying:

In fashion, once you’ve got something, you’re already thinking about what’s next. Maybe it’s a little hysterical. Now, every day I’m thinking about change. It’s a constant anxiety that is probably a reflection of society’s anxiety in general. The big deal about fashion is really very recent, this frantic pursuit of newness. It may be a good thing, or a bad thing, but it’s really defining this moment.”

Restlessness aside, we’re secretly keeping our fingers crossed she does send her male models out in skirts. Why should Jean Paul Gaultier get all the credit for riffing off womenswear for men, instead of always vice versa?

Get the Look
Skipping the skirts? Find runway-inspired menswear at J2Men, Boys’ Co (pictured), BOSS Hugo Boss and Harry Rosen.

LET’S HEAR IT
Men in skirts: do or don’t?

Despite Fall 09’s penchant for gargantuan heels, designers at Milan Fashion week were all about petite kitten heels.

We, and Andre Leon Tally–who called them “towering torture chambers”–were a bit frightened of the enormous heels high-tailing it down the Fall 09 runways. We loved the look of them: Nanette Lepore’s sandals, boots and ankle wrap pumps on studded platforms; Michael Kors’ black patent leather, strappy brown and neon-tipped toes and architectural platform soles; 3.1 Phillip Lim’s collaboration with Christian Laboutin and resulting super high platforms-especially lace-up ankle boots; Christian Siriano’s pee-toe pumps with chain metal–but who can walk in these things?

It was with a sigh of relief for the state of our pedicures that we greeted the announcement that Milan designers–who, as Italians, know a thing or two about shoes–let the world know that kitten heels are back. That’s right, the low-lying, petite, oh-so-cute and even comfortable heel is haute.

Marni showed tiny heels, including a pair inspired by rubber navy sandals bought in Chinatown; Missoni showed braided, strappy, Ibiza-inspired sandals; and Dolce & Gabbana–though shirking the kitten heel–showed flat, yes flat, velvet slippers and lace-up Oxfords.

Get the Look
Find your runway-inspired kitten heels at either Aldo, Browns, Geox, J2, Kris + Cris, Nine West or Sterling Shoes. 

LET’S HEAR IT
Kitten heels: chic or boring?