dresses
Seriously Splendid.
Tuesday, January 6th, 2009 | dresses | 1 Comment
One of my favorite brands for knitwear is Splendid. Their tees, tanks, and dresses are made of higher-than-average quality knits that are super soft and last forever. And one of my favorite places to find Splendid on sale is Shopbop.com. Right now, there is a large selection of Splendid attire in their 70% off section, including this floral print dress:
Tiffany Rose Deep V Dress
This piece is great because it can be worn now, with a cardigan and tights, and later with strappy sandals or flats. Unlike what Clinton and Stacy of What Not to Wear might advise, comfort plays a role in what I choose to wear. And nothing is more perfectly simultaneously comfortable and chic than a knit dress! Just of note: Splendid runs very true to size, so order with confidence!
Splendid Tiffany Rose Deep V Dress at Shopbop.com, $44.70 Final Sale. Available in sizes XS-L.
Out of Season Sale Steals!
Monday, December 29th, 2008 | dresses | No Comments
You’ll have to pardon me for having wam weather on the brain, it is just that I am presently on vacation in Mexico where it is QUITE HOT. This weather is a pleasant reminder that even in the snow logged days of December, summer is waiting for us in the future. It will be warm again! And to that end, now is a great time to catch some out of season steals, like this halter dress by BCBG:
BCBG Printed Halter Dress
Won’t this be fabulous on your own summer vacation, or for a dinner out come July? I can already envision myself in this dress, paired with espadrilles, sweating it out during summer in Texas. Actually, scratch that imagery….worn to a dinner on vacation at my favorite beach spot. Yes, that.
BCBG Printed Halter Dress at Saks Fifth Avenue, $106.80. Available in sizes S->
Merry After-Christmas Shopping To All!
Friday, December 26th, 2008 | dresses | No Comments
I’ve spent most of my day in the car, which meant no post holiday sale shopping for me! However, now that I am back at home with a Banana Republic gift card to make use of, I am perusing BananaRepublic.com’s sale section. And I am liking what I am seeing! Though a staple a J. Crew, it is a rare day indeed when Banana is offering an extra 20% off their sale section as they are now. Enter code “EXTRA20″ to take advantage.
Personally, I am eyeing this shift dress, which will ring up at $39.99 with the discount code:
Floral Print Shift Dress
As I received an abundance of winter gear, I am looking to purchase items that can be worn year round, and this dress certainly fits that bill. It’s the perfect thing for evening out or a special dinner. Wear it with tights in the winter and strappy heels during warmer times. Love!
Floral Print Shift Dress at Banana Republic, $39.99. Available in sizes 00-16.
Just what I need. Another dress.
Wednesday, December 10th, 2008 | Uncategorized, dresses, tips | No Comments
Yes, there’s a hint of sarcasm in the title, but lately my motto is “One can never have enough dresses.” I sing the praise of dresses often here, but it bears repeating. You can take almost any dress and dress it up or down for any occasion. A simple shape and color can be a flexible palette for just about any look. Take for instance this Calvin Klein sweater dress:
Calvin Klein Sweater Knit Shift Dress
Add sparkly jewelry for nighttime. Pair it with knee high boots and tights for date night. Couple this dress with mary-janes or pumps for work. No matter how you wear it, you are guaranteed to be comfortable. And quite smug, at the low price you paid.
Calvin Klein Sweater Knit Shift Dress at Nordstrom, on sale for $57.90. Availble in Charcoal or Black, in sizes XS-L.
Ask and You Shall Receive
Wednesday, October 22nd, 2008 | dresses, sweaters | 1 Comment
Yesterday, a reader left a comment asking for work appropriate sweater dresses. This is something I am also seeking out because I like to be comfortable and snuggly at work as often as possible. So, I started hunting.
Fortuitously, I received the Isabella Bird catalog in the mail just a few days ago, and luckily I decided to look through it before tossing it in the pile of unsolicited catalogs that live in a basket beside my bed. In that catalog, I found this fantastic sweater dress, which I feel will both be perfect for the office, and flattering to many body types:
Isabella Bird Whitney Dress
This dress is form fitting enough to be flattering, but loose enough not to create any extra bumps or lumps, as sweater dresses can do. The defined waist will also prevent that sack look that sweater dresses can sometimes create. I would pair this dress with boots as shown, or a with a pair of round toe pumps.
Whitney Sweater Dress at Isabella Bird, $99.00. Available in sizes XS-XL.
The Perfect Everything Dress
Thursday, October 16th, 2008 | Old Navy, dresses | 2 Comments
Ladies, I’ve found it. The dress you can wear to the wedding, to that fancy dinner out with your significant other, to the office holiday party. And I have good news- it only costs $39.50.
Old Navy Embellished Tank Dress
I love everything about this dress. The perfect length- just above the knee. This makes it both appropriate enough to wear in front of co-workers (your own OR your husband’s), but short enough that it is not dowdy. The empire waistline is forgiving enough that you can indulge in that anniversary steak dinner or a few too many office sponsored cookies without feeling the need to hide your belly. Yet it is not so loose as to inspire rumors of an impending visit from the stork. And just check out the neckline:
Gorgeous!
Embellished Tank Dress at Old Navy, $39.50. Available in sizes XXS-XXL.
Navy is the new black
Monday, September 8th, 2008 | dresses | No Comments
Gap European Collection wrap dress
I turned 40 this year, and suddenly I find that I’m looking for pieces that are both cool and age-appropriate (which is hard because I’ve never been all that cool, and I still mostly feel like I’m about 14 years old). Primarily, though, I’ve been looking for things that will not make me look 40, or at least not look like what we all fear 40 looks like.
Oh you know what I mean.
I’m looking for ways to be chic during the day without being overdressed; one simple solution is to substitute navy for black. Navy is less harsh and more flattering and still hip and chic. Right now I am coveting this fabulous silk wrap dress from the Gap’s European collection. Perfect for day with a cardigan and flats, or for evening with a big statement necklace and some sexy heels. The clean line is versatile but still grown up, and the price tag is perfect for every closet.
Gap European Collection wrap dress, $78.00.
The LBD - It’s all about the details
Tuesday, August 26th, 2008 | dresses | 2 Comments
J. Crew Carrie dress
I’m currently in the market for a Little Black Dress (okay I’m pretty much ALWAYS in the market for an LBD, because it’s the one thing you KNOW will always be useful). I want something that I can wear for day, with boots and a cardigan, or for a date, with slingbacks and a dab of perfume. The dress needs to be simple and function and stunning all at once.
The LBD is the essence of basic; black is classic, and even a less-than-simple silhouette is still a wardrobe staple. But if you want your LBD to last beyond this seaon, choose one that will outlast trends, one with details that are distinctive and dramatic but not trendy.
This dress, the Carrie dress from J. Crew, is a basic sheath — with great details. Pockets and a grosgrain detail at the waist and the collar — oh the collar! I love the collar.
J. Crew tailored wool Carrie dress, $138.00. Available in sizes 0 to 12.
The shirtdress - Wear it now, wear it later, wear it forever
Friday, August 1st, 2008 | dresses | No Comments
If you only buy ONE dress this fall, I strongly suggest you buy a shirtdress; a shirtdress is perfect for day or evening, work or weekend. Shirtdresses can move from season to season with ease, and that classic tailored shape never goes out of style.
This shirtdress, from Old Navy, is a perfect piece for now and for later. Wear it this summer as shown — paired with cute sandals and the kicky fabric belt that comes with it. Wear it this fall with flats and a cardigan; wear it this winter with boots and a pullover, or layer it over a slim turtleneck and add a cool leather belt.
Choose a shirtdress in neutral color, for the most versatility; I like this navy, but the same dress also comes in khaki. Experiment with jewelery and other accessories, to find a look that really works for you.
Old Navy belted shirtdress, $29.50. Available in sizes XXS to XXL.
Embroidered dot sundress, for the longest hottest days of summer
Wednesday, July 30th, 2008 | dresses | No Comments
Each summer I forget that where I live, the hottest days are in August. Swelteringly hot. The kind of hot where the very thought of putting on clothes makes you feel a little weepy.
Know what I mean?
For those long hot days, you need an simple dress, one that isn’t heavy or complicated, but that still looks nice enough to go out in. This one, from Old Navy, is perfect; it is made of lightweight cotton but is fully lined, for just enough coverage.
Wear it after the pool with pretty sandals, or under a cardigan for running errands. Layer it over a skinny strap tank for a little more coverage.
Old Navy embroidered dot sundress, $29.50. Available in two colors (this nice green and a pale pink) in sizes XXS to XXL.