AUDREY HOO

Profession: Psychotherapist, lecturer at University of Hawai'i-Mänoa

Neighborhood: Kähala

Trend? Modern renaissance

Why? I usually have to dress more conservatively at my hospital job. This style reflects my personality outside of work.

Where did you find the one key piece? Top is by Save the Queen, from Century 21 in New York.

Was it your dream item or did you have to compromise? Items by Save the Queen are usually on the pricey side, but I was lucky to find this on sale. I loved the colors and design when

I first saw it, but I thought “Who would wear this crazy thing? Is it a shirt or is it a dress?” I tried it on just for fun and ended up at the register, weird garment in hand.

How else will you wear it? I might try it with dark indigo denim and a less-dressy boot.

No-no? Since the top already has so much going on, I would keep accessories to a minimum. Wear solid colors with it so as not to detract attention from the key piece.

RICHARD KUWADA

Profession: Formerly of Hawaiiana Management, now looking for a job

Neighborhood: North Shore

Trend? Matte black/shiny black and neo-dandy.

Hair is key. The look is polished and preened, boyish, short, neat hair is a radical statement in light of all the deconstructed anti-grooming hairstyles of past seasons.

Why? Black is my favorite color, so I have many articles of black clothing.

Where did you find the one key piece? Dolce & Gabbana tuxedo jacket from Urban Nomad ($140, originally $1,700)

Was it your dream item or did you have to

compromise? I do not compromise.

How else will you wear it? For day, I would wear the tuxedo jacket with jeans and a white T-shirt; for evening, with black trousers and a dress shirt.

No-no? No chinos or khakis with the jacket; no casual footwear aside from dressy sneakers.

CHANEL SHIRAISHI

Profession: Student at Hawai‘i Pacific University, sales associate

Neighborhood: Kapolei

Trend? High-waisted dress with a shrug

Why? This silhouette is so fresh and new. It’s a relief from last season’s flowy stuff.

Who inspired the look? Audrey Hepburn

Where did you find the one key piece? Barney’s New York at Waikele, both the dress and the shrug

Was it your dream item or did you have to compromise? Of course I would love to have an empire dress by YSL or Prada, or a shrug by Marc Jacobs, but that’s out of the question on my budget.

How else will you wear it?

I love black and white any time of year. I know some people think it’s more for spring, but I think it works year-round in Honolulu. The dress also looks great with white strappy flats and the shrug is cool over jeans and a T-shirt with ballet flats.

No-no? Watch out for the proportions with this look. If the shrug is just a little too long or too short, or the waist is too high or too low, it can become dowdy looking and disproportionate.

MELISSA MAY

Profession: Environmental planner

Neighborhood: Round Top

Trend? Victorian high-necked lace blouse

Why? It represents a truly different and fresh turn in fashion. I love shocking myself with a completely new purchase that seems off the wall at the moment but quickly becomes a favorite.

Who inspired the look? It reminds me of old pictures I’ve seen of my great-grandmother, but somehow it works in a modern context as well!

Where did you find the one key piece? This blouse is Marc by Marc Jacobs, found on sale at Neiman Marcus ($80, down from $250); obviously one of last season’s sleeper styles that was poised to become the next big thing.

Was it your dream item or did you have to compromise? Anything by Marc Jacobs is my dream item, and I scour the sales to find affordable pieces. The long skirt is silk, from a Banana Republic sale several seasons ago. The jet ring is my grandmother’s and the shawl belonged to my great-grandmother, so it probably is Victorian.

How else will you wear it? For day, with a black

pencil skirt, black tights and slingbacks.

No-no? I’ve seen these blouses paired with everything from riding pants to petticoats to short shorts in the fashion media, so according to that wisdom, it’s very versatile, but my personal preference is to keep it feminine and polished.

SHERRY SHAOLING CHOCK

Profession: Vocalist headlining Wednesdays at Jazz Night at the O Lounge. Also an actress appearing in the Murder MysteryTheatre’s “Death Plays the Market” at Dave and Buster’s

Neighborhood: Waikïkï

Trend? Matte black and shiny black

Why? Black is so sophisticated and works for many different occasions. This is a good way to make it new and fresh.

Where did you find the one key piece? The

beaded bustier is from Ever Blue Casuals ($16), the necklace is from Urban Outfitters ($28).

Was it your dream item or did you have to compromise? This is the look for less.

How else will you wear it?: With sparkly accessories — anything with shine to accentuate the textural differences. Mix any two black textures — velvet, satin, beaded or matte jersey.

No-no? I believe there are no unbreakable rules in fashion. If you like it and you think it looks good on you, go for it. However, because this bustier is cut short, I wouldn’t wear it with a high waistline since it would make you look very short-waisted.