FASHION THURSDAY : MALL PATROL SPEEDING INTO STYLE ON ROUTE 66.

Byline: Barbara De Witt Daily News Fashion Editor

Fashion is taking a jukebox-jumping journey down the Mother Road.

The stretch of highway called Route 66 that has inspired a song, TV show and a museum has gotten revved up again with its own line of clothing, jewelry and even cosmetics - all inspired by its chrome-heavy heyday in the '40s and '50s.

OPI, which will soon be introducing its Route 66 collection of nail polish and lipstick for fall, cruised the historic highway looking for its racy new color palette. According to artistic director Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, ``The reputation of the road calls up an era of frenzied fun that at the same time had elegance and savoir-faire.''

The result? Deep shades to complement fall's new clothing colors with names like Los Angeles Latte, a creamy coffee with a purple reflection; Not in Kansas Anymore, a red as deep as Dorothy's slippers; Mother Road Rose, a soft, frosted raspberry; and Route Beer Float, a blend of lilac and chestnut.

The products can be found at JC Penney, Saks Fifth Avenue, Bergdorff Goodman, Regis and other hair salons.

For Route 66 fashions, shift into high gear and head to San Bernardino. That's the West Coast headquarters for Route 66, where you'll find a museum, the annual Route 66 Rendezvous (scheduled for Sept. 18-21) and a clothing store called Our Town. Owner Ed Foster said the store caters to nostalgia fans with brand-new merchandise like cat's-eye sunglasses and poodle skirts as well as official Route 66 designs sporting the highway shield on earrings and belt buckles, embroidered logos on shirts and hats, and tapestry designs on vests.

The nearby Route 66 Museum also sells merchandise, including a groovy T-shirt with Betty Boop speeding into style. For a complete catalog, call [phone].

Here in L.A., look for Route 66 jeans and shirts at your local K mart, and other car-crazed apparel at the Petersen Automotive Museum, Harley-Davidson stores, and local events like the fourth annual Miss California Harley-Davidson Beauty Pageant July 12 in Harbor City. Call [phone] for information.

And stay tuned. On Aug. 1, the Bonneville wristwatch inspired by the car's gearbox will make its debut. The luxury timepiece, not affiliated with Pontiac, features a gold face and a racy leather band for $1,000 and up. Look for it in fine jewelry stores or call the company at [phone].

While you're malling around at the Westside Pavilion, Brentwood Gardens or Sunset Plaza, stop in the BCBG boutique. Designer Max Azria will be visiting all three stores the weekend of June 26-28, and he promises there will be a party atmosphere, as well consultants to offer fashion tips and fit advice.

Baby boomers and their moms will remember the '70s wrap dress by Diane Von Furstenberg. It was ladylike but sexy, and caused a zillion knockoffs, which we all know is the best compliment in the fashion industry.

Almost forgotten, Von Furstenberg spills all in next month's W magazine, saying that she could have been a combo of Liz Claiborne and Estee Lauder, if she'd only had the proper business people around.

Apparently she's got them now, so start looking for her label. Soon.

The khaki couture craze continues.

Sears has just opened its own CRB Khakis department that was developed for younger men who want that Americool look, as well as something comfy for Casual Fridays at the office, said Sears fashion director Fran Yoshioka.

The collection, which made its debut last month, features flat front and pleated pants, flat front carpenter and cargo shorts, striped crew-neck tees, textured zip polos, linen camp shirts and V-neck vests.

Guys, take note that zip-front tops, V-necks and stripes are must-haves if you're trying to score points in the casually chic department. If you've got a spare tire, forget the edgy new flat-front pants and hide out in the traditional pleated styles instead.

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Photo: (1--2--Color) Cheap chic

Long, sheer pastel dresses are looking cool for the long hot summer, seen on the cover of Vogue as well as on stars like Lauren Holly at Hollywood galas.

Can't even fantasize about what a designer dress will cost, much less buy one?

Check around for THE LOOK without the price tag. We found this designer look-alike for $59.99 at Marshalls.

(3--Color) Barbie the Prepster

Ooooooh Barbie. You've gotta get your fashion act together, girl. First you're a bathing beauty, then a runway model, a Gap girl and now a preppie right out of ``Love Story.''

Not that we're complaining. After all, your navy blazer with the embroidered crest and camel hair coat were designed by Ralph Lauren, America's king of the classics whose stock recently went public and whose clothes have a slick new edge.

The limited edition of ``Ralph Lauren Barbie'' goes on sale in July for $85 at Bloomingdale's stores.

(4--10--Color) Hair and now

Hairstyles are changing so quickly these days it's hard to tell if you're having a bad hair day.

There's that little orphan girl look with the kinky braids that's hot in Paris; brightly colored, wild 'dos from London; and the '20s flapper girl cut with bangs coming out of Milan - you know, the one that looks so swell on supermodel Linda Evangelista.

Local hairstylist-to-the-stars Allen Edwards says super-short hair is the look of the summer, but from the looks of the runways, fall's hair is going to be swinging on our shoulders. So, before you start chopping your locks, read on.

The reporters for Clairol, the hair-product company, say three major hair-style trends emerged from the U.S. fall fashion previews. Clairol has labeled them Model Hair, classy hair that's long and sleek; Tough Chic, which has angled bangs and is slightly don't-mess-with-me messy; and Haberdashery Hair, a menswear look requiring short, layered cuts that are side-parted and swept back off the face. For the latter you'll need hair gel, banker's stripes and a boyish figure to complete the picture.

(11--Color) Budget baubles

First it was Coco Chanel who made copies of great jewels for the common folk. Now it's Petra Doring and her fab-but-fake European jewelry line called Cabouchon.

Already in 15 countries, it was introduced to America this month by real-life Princess Marie Louise of Prussia, who wears and sells the upscale chokers, pearls, watches and brooches, comparable to Carolee and Yves Saint Laurent costume jewelry. To order a catalog, call [phone].

(12--Color) Zippy new nail and lip colors from OPI, above, are inspired by pit stops along Route 66 and available at JC Penney and Saks Fifth Avenue stores. At top left, Lip Lines can be good, especially when they're snappy little clips to hold papers, accented with a magnet for the fridge.