THE LOCAL ANGLE

Rapper Notorious B.I.G. discovered the Aussies had style years ago when he rapped about the expensive Aboriginal-inspired Coogi-brand sweaters. His “Coogi down to the socks” lyrics about the colorfully designed knitwear popularized the label with hip-hop urban youth.

Now Coogi has designed a special limited Summer Games line that is becoming a collectible.

But dressing with Australian flair requires the Akubra hat and Driza-bone jacket that protected outback bushmen from the elements years ago and is a staple of a stylish Aussie wardrobe.

Some Australian clothing Web sites:

www.drizabone.com.au includes legends about the coat;

www.coogi.com.au for knitwear;

www.billabong.com for surfwear;

www.uggs-n-rugs.com.au for sheepskin boots and kangaroo skin footwear;

www.thingzoz.com for Akubras, moleskin jackets and pants;

www.kookai.com.au for a women’s clothing label;

www.jennyhoo.com.au for the Melbourne modern stylish designer;

www.oceanearth.com.au for surfwear and snow wear;

www.mambo.com.au for Mambo art surf wear and leisure wear;

www.aussiebushhats.com.au for hats and outdoor wear;

www.australiana-design.com.au for hats, boots and clothing;

www.collettedinnigan.com.au for designer of modern women’s clothing;

www.lisaho.com for the Sydney designer with an urban flavor;

www.hotbuttered.com for surf wear and swimwear.