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.

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?

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?

Maybe it’s in reaction to the industry’s recurring fascination with Goth and Vampire-influenced pieces (think Rodarte for Spring 2010, and the Twilight cast in many many many-point taken?-fashion mags and blogs). Maybe designers are resisting their marketing departments’ demands that they produce clothing that will actually sell to recessionistas. Or maybe they’re tapping into their inner Disney experience.

Whatever it is, certain fashion industry creatives and stars are hyping mermaids. Yup, mermaids. Euro-indie superstar designer Haider Ackermann might have started it, with his mermaid-silhouette maxi skirts  (loved by edgy stylistas like Tilda Swinton). Or perhaps it was Thom Browne, with his warrior-mermaid Spring 2010 collection. We don’t think Bebaroque’s mermaid-laden tights could have sparked it, or pop star Mika’s new album promo vehicle-a collection of illustrations by fashion designers–even though Alber Elbaz did draw a fin-tailed swimming beauty inside. Actress Veronica Webb’s recent ocean-hued, mermaid-flared gown could have had something to do with it.

Whoever it was, and for whatever reason, mermaids are it at the moment, and we’re just thanking our lucky fashion stars that we can opt to adopt it by pairing flat boots with our mermaid-flared maxi skirt and a casual T.

Get the Look
Find your favourite mermaid-flared skirt or dress at After Five (pictured).

LET’S HEAR IT
Care to channel Ariel?

We’re seeing a new trend, an even more daring take on the leg-loving pantslessness. Pantslessness meant seeing models, celebs, and pop stars in tailored jackets, tunic tops or dress shirts long enough to be worn alone–sans pants. But Miuccia Prada, Alexander Wang, and Duckie Brown are taking the Fall 2009 trend even further for Spring 2010. Are you ready to show off your underthings this summer?

Prada showed thigh-high boots paired with furry shorts for Fall 2009, and her haute hip waders raised the bar in terms of statement footwear. For Spring 2010, models sashayed down the Prada runway in knickers and bare legs. Apparently, Miuccia has a “passion for knickers”, and when she wasn’t sending models out in underthings, she sent them out in imitations: short biker shorts. And Miuccia’s not alone. Alexander Wang and Marc Jacobs showed them for women, too, and Duckie Brown did them for men.

We’re almost afraid to ask what’s next.

Get the Look
Find underthings worthy of public scrutiny at The Bay. 

LET’S HEAR IT
Dare to bare?

Credit Euro-indie superstar designer Haider Ackermann. His maxi skirts–loved by uber stylistas such as Tilda Swinton–are the reason we’re strutting the sidewalk in mermaid silhouettes. And we’re not just sporting the look at night. Paired with flat boots, we channel our inner English estate holder-Spanish dancer for day. And we love the high-low look we create when we pair it with a T-shirt and heels for evening.

Other design houses going to great lengths include Bottega Veneta, Chris Benz, Ellie Saab, and Erdem. Their Fall 2009 shows featured luscious, impossibly glamorous looks for evening especially.

Get the Look
Find your own languid lengths at After Five, BCBG Max Azria, and Edward Chapman Woman.

Bunny Ears Spotting

1. Madonna, in the Louis Vuitton Fall 2009 campaign
2. Madonna, in Louis Vuitton ears, at the Met Gala
3. The Olsen twins, in lace versions by Maison Michel, at the Opening Ceremony party in Japan
4. Lady Gaga, in a set also by Maison Michel, on the cover of the September issue of NEO2.

Get the Look
Find your own hair accessories at Aldo, and The Bay.

LET’S HEAR IT
Bunny ears. Take ‘em or leave ‘em?

Barely-There Fashion: Top 5 Dos and Don’ts

1. Don’t be afraid to try this at any age. Just choose a sheer blouse for beneath a sweater or cardigan.
2. Do try pasties on for size-beneath a tailored, buttoned-up jacket.
3. Do feel free to imitate the look with a long sweater or tunic overtop skin-tone leggings.
4. Nude body wear works well as a first layer.
5. Don’t go full-out nude-toned. Always pair nude underthings with coloured layers.

Get the Look
Find tights, tailored jacket, and skin-tone nude underthings at Aritzia, The Bay, and Ishara.

LET’S HEAR IT
Where would you dare to wear this look?

WIN a Style Makeover!

Win a full day of clothes, hair and make-up, plus the inside scoop on how you can wear the fall trends, courtesy Oakridge Centre. Enter here.