Girls who wear glasses...

“Boys don’t make passes at girls who wear glasses.”

Or so says Dorothy Parker.

The early 20th century American poet and writer couldn’t be further from the truth in this the 21st century.

Nerd-chic is back as fashion goes through the looking glass.

Long gone are the plain Jane secretaries.

In their place are sexy bespectacled Terry Richardson clones and Alice McCall’s four-eyed beauties.

Richardson has long favoured thick, black, plastic-rimmed aviator-shaped glasses.

Described by one reviewer as “a nerd let loose in porno heaven”, Richardson’s look reflects his occupation.

He has set about turning pornographic photography into popular art.

Richardson is also helping to turn the fashion tables.

Nerds are back in a big way.

And this time, they’re sexy.

Local designer Alice McCall lead the charge at this year’s Rosemount Australian Fashion Week.

McCall sent her Spring/Summer offerings down the runway accessorised with large, plastic-framed glasses.

McCall’s ready-to-wear collection consisted of sporty shapes in neons, greys and nautical stripes.

The accompanying plastic frames were large, aviator styles in bright red or heavy black.

It wouldn’t be anything out of the ordinary for a pair of sunglasses.

McCall’s styles, however, were shown with clear lenses.

Designer Marc Jacobs has been rocking the four-eyes look for years.

His preferences in visual assistance are for old-school, wire or plastic framed styles.

The model on the cover of the July issue of Russh wears Dita eyewear steel-rimmed glasses ($440).

This style is quite similar to some of Jacobs' favourites.

And similar to what your dad wore to work in the 1980s.

The popularity of television series Ugly Betty is also credited with the return of nerd chic.

Betty’s maroon frames, mouth-metal and garish knitwear make her the pin-up girl of the new-wave nerd.

And Betty is currently doing fine in the boy stakes, proving that boys do make passes at girls who wear glasses.

P.s. To rock this style in your 'hood, look for fun frames with lightly shaded lenses... If you require spectacles for visual assistance, and are up for the attention you'll get, try an oversized style.

Whatever you choose, make sure you hit up some cool colours... Neons, crazy prints, electric blue or traffic-stopping red.

Excuse Me? That's a New Trend?

I seem to have missed a trend.

I read about seven fashion magazines a month and numerous fashion blogs regularly, but somehow, I must have missed something.

Over the past two days, a colleague and I have seen two women wearing exactly the same look: A tracksuit tucked into knee-high (p)leather boots...

The tracksuits in question did not appear to be by a noted designer and the top did not match the pants. And the pants are TUCKED INTO THE BOOTS!

Today's offender wore:
- Messy ponytail (a la Britney Spears)
- Guess Handbag
- Brown leather knee-high, high-heeled boots
- Pastel pink sweatpants
- Purple jumper

All I have to say is - WHY?
a) It looks ridiculous
b) WHY?????????

If you want to wear your tracksuit, go sporty and wear running shoes and a cute headband.
If you want to wear your knee-high boots, DON'T WEAR YOUR TRACKSUIT!!!!

That's a rule you should never ever break, regardless of these "trend-setters" in your suburb.

The Adventures of Brajkovic

In the latest issue of Russh magazine, the spotlight shines on NZ-based fashion designer, Mala Brajkovic.

(Russh is a super-cool slightly alternative fashion magazine... You should go buy it now. Like, right now.)

After playing assistant to fellow New Zealander and big-time designer, Karen Walker for three years, Brajkovic now has her very own self-titled label. Her style is a bit more young and fun than that of her mentor but the range is still highly wearable – no doubt a lesson learnt from Walker.

Here’s some inspiration for your weekend fun... Even if you'll only be hitting the local. (Local pub that is, not actually hitting some poor dude that lives near you.)

If you lover what you see below, check out the other slideshows on her Myspace…

Brajkovic is stocked in Sydney at Incu (Paddington, City), Capital L (Darlinghurst) and Pretty Dog (Newtown). For stockists in other states, check that Myspace site http://www.myspace.com/malabrajkovic.

In related news… Karen Walker is looking for her new Brajkovic! Only catch is, you have to be an NZ native to enter.

Check out the website if you're (un)lucky enough to be a resident… http://www.inspiringnewzealanders.com/Fashion/FashionHome.aspx

~liz~

Suburban Fashionista is...

Being a super-savvy Suburban Fashionista isn't an easy path to travel. When you live in a place where the locals are more interested in wearing flannelette shirts, sweatpants and ugg boots, it's hard to find the daily inspiration to be creative, experimental and influential with your style.

By bringing you the latest and greatest style trends, Suburban Fashionista aims to provide you with that drive to override suburban boganity and turn your driveway into your own personal catwalk.

Education through Technology is how Suburban Fashionista aims to change the world.

Given you're a fashionista stuck in the suburbs, there's a good chance you're not exactly raking in the dollars.

As long as you do it right, no one has to know how much it cost, or where it's from... unless of course it's Prada. Then you should definitely tell everyone where it's from and how much it cost.

I'm sure you'd know, even designer gear can be hideous when worn incorrectly.

Again, you just have to do it right.

~liz~

P.s. Click on the hyperlinked words in any blog... you'll find a fun photo or extra info...