Fab plaid done better

I spotted this dress on Forever 21's Twelve by Twelve site, and the inner-punk in me fell in love with the details and overall concept. The contrast of the feminine shape with tough details is one combination I find hard to resist. I over-did grunge flannel in college, so haven't been totally going for the re-birth of the plaid shirt that 's been popping up everywhere. But, in chiffon with pleats and flutter sleeves, it's a lot prettier and not so saccharine sweet as this shape might be with a floral print. The one thing I'm quite disappointed though with this dress, is the overall construction. The add-on belt that doesn't even go all the way around the waist looks cheap, as does the polyester knit of the skirt. Bummer. Normally I'd try to work with a dress like this to salvage the parts I really like (see the Jan. 22, 2009 post), but there's just a little too much here to undo. In a reversal of the 'copy a designer look on a budget', I found some much nicer separates to try and re-create the idea.

Here we have two options of what can be used to constitute the top of our new 'dress'. The plaid blouse from Bow & Arrow mixes lumberjack and tea party with its red plaid print and ruffles. The Marc Jacobs Voile top on the other hand is a bit more fashion-y, loaded with details and its own cummerbun, negating the need for a wide belt.

The bottom is easy, I like this simple high-waisted black skirt by Opening Ceremony, and I opted for something a little more form fitting than what is on the Twelve by Twelve dress. I'm not so sure that built in saddle bags is a good look, as could be imagined with the drapey fabric around the thighs on the original dress. I also chose a luxe looking woven belt by Motif 56 to finish it all off

Backside story

There is sometimes a very fine line between slutty and sexy, not counting the unfortunate cases where these two concepts become confused (think Jerry Springer or last call at Bubba's Beer Shack). One great design element that lets you show off a little skin without making you look like a desperate bimbo is a creatively open back. The following pieces are as innocent as a kitten from the frontside, but the vixen-ish back details will certainly trigger a double-take. By all means, if your intention is to look like a desperate bimbo, just put these pieces on backwards.

The white ruffle Tibi dress can take you from your grandmother's 80th birthday party (with a cardigan) to drinks with your friends at your favorite lounge. I like how the white strap in the back breaks things up, and makes everything look just a little more held together.

Continuing the back-strap theme, Tibi vamps up another dress in a completely different material and cut. I love a rich brocade, and the Calypso Jacquard manages to keep this one fun and light despite the dark gilt-y fabric. I also like how the top of the back of the dress is closed, so that the negative space of the back complements the round feel of the front.

There are so many things I love about this Marc Jacobs top, except the price (go to eluxury.com to fully experience the pain). This is definitely a one-of-a kind piece, but not in a schizo overly avante-garde type of way. The draping is fabulous, as are the subtle cutouts that start in the front and continue in the back. The design makes the wearer mysteriously sexy without having her having to say a word.

And lets not forget the shoes. The Jill Stuart Tania boots are about as practical as a turtleneck sleeveless sweater, but not any less stylish. These would be best with a simple skirt or dress, as the multiple straps could easily turn any slightly vampy outfit into a dominatrix costume.

Two cute suits, one quick post

Ann Taylor is hit or miss for me. Overall their clothing is nice, if not a little boring. Though once in awhile they have a few pleasant high-style surprises. They are one of the few stores though where I can find clothes that fit right off the rack. I have a conference coming up so have been looking for suits, and since I have 2 grown-up stores in the universe to choose from for my size, I went over to the good old AT website and saw these two fabulous suits.

Top: Ann Taylor - style coming soon (hopefully!). I caught this pic one day, but the pieces aren't showing up on their inventory yet
Bottom: Ann Taylor Boucle Tweed Jacket and Skirt

One dress, four ways

As someone who makes most of my clothing purchases online, I really appreciate accurate pictures of the merchandise. Regular brick and mortar stores hardly carry my size, and unless I decide to venture to the little girl's section, the selection online for me is just so much better and convenient. Since I'm not big on teddy bear screen prints, and whore-clothes for pre-teens is just wrong and something I refuse to patronize, I'm going to stick to grown up designers and my local tailor. Anywhoo, as I was saying, I wish online merchants would universally realize that potential customers would like as detailed a view of clothing possible before they click the 'Add to cart' button. If I had my own store, I'd probably show an item on several body types so that Ms. Buyer could visualize a little better how it might look on her. Above is the BCBGeneration Ruffle Collar Dress, which I originally saw, dress alone, floating on the Lucky magazine website without a body inhabiting it. I thought it was cute, so proceeded to see who carried it online. Several stores did, including (2) Belk, (3) Dillard's, and (4) Zappos. The dress as pictured in (1) is from the original BCBGeneration website. The dress looks pretty cute in (1), (3) and (4), but pretty horrible in (2). I don't understand how, on that particular model, the top looks way bigger and the bottom looks so much shorter compared to all the other pictures. Not to mention, what the hell were they thinking accessorizing it with shiny black pantyhose. As a petite, one concern of mine was that the ruffles were overwhelming, and picture (2) didn't help the cause. In fact, it convinced me not to take a chance with this dress, and hence BCBGeneration , nor any of these stores are getting my money. On the other hand though, the Belk depiction of this dress in all its ill-fitting glory may have saved me some return shipping costs, so perhaps I should be thankful. It really helps to be realistic about your body type and know what types of cuts look good on you while browsing online. I know that stores need to show their clothing to its best advantage to sell as much as possible, though I also wonder if a whole side industry has developed on the return shipping side as well!

A little late on the bandwagon

I have to admit, the first time I saw a pair of ankle boots paired with a skirt seasons ago I thought 'Ugh, those need to be covered up with a pair of pants.' I didn't care how much the fashion mags were saying they were the next big thing. I still think the gappy-ankle variety can be very unflattering, leaving you with a case of stumpy-leg syndrome. However, ankle boot style has evolved over the years to the point where I've actually seen a few pairs that would look not so bad with bare legs. The key is for the upper cuff to be snugly fitted to the ankle in order to maintain the leg line, with the goal being to cancel out any potential chunkiness. To this end, a high heel doesn't hurt either. Below are some of my favorites, which are all uniquely detailed enough to be the focal point of any outfit, but not because they make you look like you have two peglegs.

Attention! Blue light special!

In Lucky Magazine's March issue, they had a feature on bargain dressing, which surprisingly featured pieces that were actually, well, true bargains. I love Lucky Magazine, but it's more a source for ideas for me, rather than a shopping guide. Usually their definition of budget-friendly includes $150 pair of pants, or a $298 handbag. In their 'affordable dressing' spread, this floral top caught my eye, which they had paired with a brown tweed skirt. It looked much better on the model than here. I have to admit I was pretty shocked when I read the fine print to find that the blouse came from Kmart! As much as I preach about not being snobby about where you shop for clothes, I have to admit that Kmart is not a place I usually browse for additions to my closet. It wasn't an unusual place for me to shop while I was growing up and out of clothes every few months, but my recollection was that the styles and quality available were not that great. The blouse pictured above led me to take a look at the rest of Kmart's 'Attention' line on their website and there were actually some pretty cute things on there at some pretty unbelievable prices (there is a sale right now). I haven't seen the line in person, so don't have any idea about the quality of construction and fabric. But there were a few things on there that seemed like safe bets.



The floral blouse pictured here is loaded with details - including a tie neck, rows of ruffles down the front, and ruffled cuffs. The print is dainty and sweet. And all for less than $10! Even more of a bargain is the boxy, taupe-y pleated top for $5.60. Pair this with a charcoal pencil skirt and some heels, and you've got a seriously sophisticated outfit.








I also thought this pleated detail short-sleeve sweater was cute, with it's button-cuffs and slightly poufy sleeves. It would look great super-fitted with a pair of skinny jeans. It's a bit more pricey at $18.74, but still a steal. The silver belt is also a great deal for $6.00, with strips of pleather woven through a series of metal rings. For that amount of money, I'd normally feel lucky to get an old dog leash to use as a belt.



Better style has definitely been trickling down to budget merchants over the past few years, from apparel to housewares, and really widening the field for those looking to get the most out of their money. I personally think it can make things a lot more interesting for those of us who love high-low fashion!

Watercolors on a budget and then some

If you've read some of my past posts, you are probably noticing that I tend to gravitate toward clothes that could double as a sculpture or a hanging canvas. There's something about the transparency and free-flowing nature of watercolor paintings that I find especially soothing and beautiful. So it's not much of a stretch that I'm also attracted to watercolor-inspired prints. Ok, I'm just attracted to clothing, period, but, I really do think the undefined blots of color are a nice alternative to a graphic print. While searching for items, I didn't specifically seek out wallet-friendly pieces, but was pleasantly surprised to find some really pretty, economical tops and dresses to fit the watercolor theme.





The Worthington Pleated Front Blouse found at JCPenney (yes, Penney's!) came in a variety of colors, and I couldn't decide which one I liked better, so decided to post my two favorites. The blue/chartreuse version says 'Spring!' all over, while the cocoa themed version is more subdued and sophisticated. For less than $20 apiece, being a little indecisive and getting both won't leave you feeling guilty.


There aren't many skirts that look like this by Ecote, available at Urban Outfitters. It's great for those days when your hair isn't working out or you just don't want people looking at your face, everyone will be staring at your gorgeous skirt instead.

If the mannequin wearing the Robin Howe silk dress on the left was standing up a little straighter instead of looking like the arms were assembled on it backward, I think the dress would look a lot prettier and less like a maternity gown. The color combination is unusual and modern, which led me to include it in this post. I also like the complemetarily (I'm not sure if that is really a word) colored dress by Express on the right. It kind of makes you wonder if your eyes are focusing correctly or if you forgot to put in your contacts.

These last two pieces aren't exactly inexpensive, but deserve a look. I'm usually not a fan of boho, but the print on Anna Sui's Tie-Dye halter dress, along with the flowing skirt makes the potentially slutty top half less stripper-esque, yet still attention getting. Elie Tahari's 'Lisette' blouse has the same color theme going on, but in a more everyday wearable top. The purple blob on the shoulder looks strategically placed, like a hypoallergenic corsage flower. Dreamy!

DIY Brooch Necklace

Sometimes a huge gaudy necklace is just what you need to elevate a basic blouse or dress from blah to beauteous. I'm loving the style as pictured above lately, which basically consists of a collection of large, mismatched pendants strung on a chain into one big stunning piece of jewelry. I hunted one down on eBay -(1) NWT BANANA REPUBLIC costume jewelry NECKLACE brooch (auction ending Feb-17-09 18:39:05 PST), which is a gorgeous assortment of neutral colored gems and pearls - a dramatic addition to any neckline. I also find Elizabeth Cole's Bouquet necklace quite lovely ((2) http://www.charmandchain.com/products/bouquet-necklace), though quite an investment at $423.

Seeing as these necklaces are basically a cluster of brooches, there's no reason why you can't make your own. It will take a little engineering and elbow grease, but we are all smart, tough girls, no? Aside from the potential to save a few dollars off a designer version, creating your own brooch necklace opens up a world of possibility. You can customize according to color, texture, theme (unicorns?flowers?what have you), and/or size. I would pay attention to the brooch size if you are purchasing them online, and also pay attention to weight. You don't want to feel like you have an anchor around your neck. Aside from brooches, very large earrings may also work for this project. After selecting your brooches, yank off the pin in the back with a pair of pliers, and file down any sharp edges. I would then inspect what was left on the back of the brooches to look for areas where you might slip in a small metal ring so that you can link them together. Jump rings and lengths of chain are easily found in most craft and bead stores, or even your local hardware store. If there isn't an area on the brooch to attach a chain link, try soldering one on, or use some epoxy glue. Once the center pieces of your necklace are strung together, the remaining length of the necklace can be created with beads on a string, ribbon or more chain.

In the example above, I decided on a theme (red and blue) and went back to eBay to search for a few complementary pieces to build a virtual necklace (see below for brooch availability details). Though I was tempted to go all sparkly, I tried to mix things up between rhinestones, stone and enamel. I also went for a variety of shapes, and chose one neutral colored brooch to contrast with all the blue and red. I would then link them together with a simple silvertone metal chain, and then finish it off with a simple black ribbon. This could be an incredibly fun project between searching for the brooches and mixing and matching them together. Just like potato chips, when it comes to making these necklaces, chances are you aren't going to be able to stop at just one!

(3) eBay - Red Aurora Borealis Rhinestone Floral Brooch Pendant, auction ending Feb-18-09 10:00:26 PST

(4) eBay - CZECH BOHEMIA RHINESTONE BROOCHE ~ LIGHT BLUE, auction ending Feb-17-09 19:14:24 PST

(5) eBay - SIMULATED DIAMOND SNOWFLAKE BROOCH PIN (KM.BIG), auction ending Feb-16-09 07:40:37 PST

(6) eBay - Beautiful Enamel Blue/Aqua Brooch/Pin Goldtone Unique, auction ending Feb-18-09 13:05:54 PST

(7) SHEER SATIN EDGE RIBBON - M&J Trimming (mjtrim.com)

Convoluted path to savings

I have been eyeing the Frye Jenny Double boot in cognac for weeks. Religiously, I checked Zappos.com, Endless.com, Amazon. com, Shoes.com and Ebay until they came down to a price I could agree with. In the meantime, various sizes of this boot were selling out everywhere and being someone with very small feet, I was afraid that the 5.5's would soon become extinct.

Now let me backtrack at bit. As many of you many know, Endless.com has a partnership with Amazon.com. Curiously though, Endless.com prices were a bit higher (almost 20% in some cases) for the exact same items compared Amazon.com, perhaps because Amazon.com doesn't offer free overnight and free return shipping. I've noticed in the past few weeks though, that the prices on both sites have become more similar, perhaps because they caught on that we caught on. Back to the boots. Yesterday, I noticed that the price of the boots had dropped a bit more on Amazon.com, and despite a nagging voice in my head to wait for the price on Endless.com (which was $35 higher), I ordered them. Enter Lucky Rewards. I absolutely adore Lucky magazine, and being a subscriber, I am eligible for their free Lucky Rewards program (http://www.myluckyrewards.com/l____.htm). If you are an avid internet shopper as I am, it is completely worth the price of the subscription to be able to use Lucky Rewards, where you earn cashback for tons and tons of online merchants just by going through their link. It's a great program with no strings attached other than the price of subscription.

Again, back to the boots. Endless.com is a merchant on Lucky Rewards (8% cash back) whereas Amazon.com is not. Well, lo and behold, the price on Endless.com this morning matched Amazon's. So I also ordered the boots on Endless through Lucky Rewards and will return the other pair back to Amazon, still saving some moolah because the 8% off is greater than what the return shipping will be. I violated my own rule of being patient and let the paranoia of potentially running out of my size get the best of me. Lesson learned! Now hopefully the boots will look as good in person as they do online...

Paper cranes to pretty clothes

I spent a fair amount of time in grade school sharpening my origami skills constructing fortune tellers (also know by the awful name of cootie catcher) and paper cranes, which may explain why I'm drawn to origami-inspired details on clothing. Aside from being a nice alternative to ruffles, this type of pleating lends a distinctly modern edge to any piece, while still being feminine and pretty.

The fabric over the shoulder of this Alexander Wang dress reminds my mom of a baby burp blanket (she really would like some grandchildren). Despite that, I think that the design is quite brilliant in its simplicity. I can see getting a lot of mileage out of it since it can go from day to night with a quick change of shoes. Wear the dress with sandals to brunch on a warm day, and switch into some serious high heels for an evening art exhibit - it would be completely appropo in either setting.

Asymmetric can be difficult to pull of, and the 'Be a Star' jacked from Nanette Lepore does a fantastic job of making it look more artful than like an accident. The thoughtful placement of the folds around the collar give the jacket balance without being ostentatious. A lot of times white jackets can say 'dentist' or 'insane asylum restraint' to me, but this one is just plain cool looking.

Probably the most conservative piece of this post, the Cubism Jacket by Elevenses is definitely something that could pass at the office. Upon closer inspection, the detailing around the collar is made up of leaves of angled fabric placed on top of one another, rather than being one continuous pleat, avoiding the accordion clown collar look. This jacket would look great buttoned up or open, and is simple enough to pair with a more elaborate blouse or skirt.

Not your typical florals

It' going to be about 50 degrees warmer than usual tomorrow where I live (yes, the 50 is not an exaggeration sadly), so it has me thinking a bit about spring. Since I'm a bit pooped from the week, I'll keep the blog babble to a minimum and let the pieces speak for themselves .



Based on the description of this Nahui Ollin adorable little wristlet, it might be shown actual size here. Made out of recycled materials, its a mini-garden for prettily stashing the bare essentials for a night out dancing.

I like how this tee has just enough flowers along the neckline to keep things interesting, without being too frou frou.

Both these dresses from Vera Wang and Tracy Reese beautifully demonstrate how taking a potentially dowdy print can be made chic and modern when they are draped in unexpected shapes.

Here are two examples of how tacking on a few flowers can really add a little something-something. It helps that these flowery accents (one metallic, one made out of feathers) do not look like they just came out of some silk flower arrangement on your grandma's coffee table. I think on the Andersen & Lauth dress, I'd probably swing the flowers over to the back, but the overall idea and color combination are great.

VS versus the real deal (the clothes, not the boobs)

Today the ubiquitous Victoria's Secret (VS) catalog made it's bi-weekly appearance in my mailbox. While perusing the clothing section, I spotted yet another exact copy of a non-VS designer's blouse. This is the third one I've seen in as many months, two of which are in my closet. I don't know whether to be annoyed that the VS versions appear to be exact reproductions, or that I spent a few multiples of what VS is charging on the real thing. The two tops I do own - the purple Nanette Lepore number in the top panel, and the golden peacock print tie-neck Free People shirt in the second panel - had unique (or so I thought) neckline details that I reasoned I wouldn't find anywhere else. I was also previously eyeing the Rebecca Taylor top in the bottom panel with the lovely gauzy sleeves, but never bit. Victoria's Secret has it replicated right down to the drawstring hem. Speaking only for my personal experience, the few tops and sweaters I've ordered from them have been hit or miss on quality and fit, so I don't regret paying more for my pieces since I'm assuming (hoping) that they are better on both fronts. As far as body shapes go, I have about as much in common with a Victoria's Secret model as much as you could call a crayfish a lobster, so any extra help in the fit department is worth it for me. Though I can't help but wish they carried some of their catalog clothing in store, just in case I wanted to see just how well these bargain priced copies held up to the real thing without shelling out all that extra for shipping and handling.

More Office Alternatives - Bags and Shoes

In continuation of my previous post, I've also chosen a few office appropriate briefcase-style bags, and pumps with a high-fashion edge. Let's start with the briefcase/laptop bags, shall we? The sleek detailing and luxe material of the Donald J Pilner satchel makes me think of someone who could kick your ass while wearing a pair of stilettos, and that's why I love it. It is infinitely more stylish than a plain black laptop bag, but still classic enough to last years. The two softer looking bags by The Sak and Charles David are also two ways you could go, with The Sak satchel being slightly more casual and the Charles David slightly more formal. Since your laptop bag is one of the first things people will notice, I suggest finding something that wears well and is finished in only the highest of quality details - no cheap buckles, pleather or thin stitching. There are tons of oversize bags out there with just as many organizational features as your standard laptop bag, check out the regular handbag section for better looking ways to haul your work gear around.

As for shoes, I chose 3 black pumps with nifty details that set them apart. The Coclico Orestes (http://www.endless.com/) features a removable panel that lays on the top of your foot, with the panel making for some cool cut-out action when it's on. Take the panel off, and you have a more conservative shoe that still has some nice button details on the corners. It's like getting 2 pairs of shoes for the price of one! Or at least that's what I tell myself when I try to justify the purchase. Those who appreciate intricate craftsmanship will notice that the Cole Hann Genevieve (2; colehaan.com) isn't your standard weave. 'Optical weave' as Cole Haan describes it, and if you look closely, you can see that the pattern is like one of those optical illusion grids that would make you dizzy if you turned it into your wallpaper. An added bonus is that the Genevieve is part of the Nike Air collection. As an owner of a few pairs of Cole Haan Nike Air pumps myself, I can attest to their semi-comfort. They are definitely more bearable than most heels, but I don't think they'd get me through a ballroom dancing marathon. Overall though, worth the money and a good use of technology. Pump number three is the Sofft Scala (http://www.shoes.com/). At first glance, it looks like the plain black pump I keep putting down in this post. Look a little closer though, and this shoe has a sexy overall shape, with a unique slightly snubbed square toe and a suede trim. I also own a pair of Soffts and have to say, based on the cushioning of the sole, the shoes are aptly named. The leather upper is a little stiff though, so maybe I'd call them Half-Sofft to be more accurate. Finally, the Kenzo 284974 (http://www.endless.com/) is probably something I would only wear with pants in a more conservative environment. The deep wine color is about as versatile of a neutral as black. I like to call this a mullet shoe - business in the front and party in the back. Under a pair of appropriate length slacks, you get a glimpse of the corset detail with each step, but facing forward is a sweet and innocent round toe.

Office Alternatives - Jackets

For those of us who don't work in environments that appreciate cutting-edge fashion, it can be a struggle to fully express yourself with your apparel, but don't compromise others' perception of you as an intelligent woman. So, I did some searching for office basics that can work as go-to ensembles for your most important meetings, yet are a little more elegant than the standard black suit and plain pumps. Both jackets on this post are office acceptable dark (ok, 75% of things on this blog are dark, but I'm working on that). They don't scream 'look-at-me--NOW', but have details that will definitely be noticed by those with more discerning eyes. And the oblivious will just think you look fabulous without being able to figure out why. Paired with a black pencil skirt, the Just Cavalli pinstripe jacket gives off an authoritative vibe with its military style pockets. The flattering paneling is also a plus, bringing in the waist and giving great structure to the piece. Below that is a great navy suit made out of hemp from JCrew. Insert joke about getting high at the office here. Hemp fiber gives this suit a unique texture, while the subtle tweaks on the standard jacket - 3/4 sleeves, no collar, and top buttons are very Jackie O. Never a bad thing! Next post - bags and shoes...