dresses
Old Navy polo dress keeps you casual and chic
Monday, July 28th, 2008 | dresses | 1 Comment
I’m all about dresses these days — a dress is so simple and so practical and so pretty. And while I love a great dress-up dress, day dresses are becoming a staple of my wardrobe.
This ruffled collar polo dress from Old Navy is a nice alternative to shorts for hot summer days. The ruffled collar and girly color keep it from looking like an oversized men’s shirt, which is nice, while the polo shaping keeps it classic.
Old Navy ruffled polo dress, $24.50. Also available in navy. Wear with ballet flats or sandals; add a belt or scarf for a little more shape.
Coveting: J. Crew flowy jersey bateau dress
Thursday, July 24th, 2008 | dresses | 3 Comments
A year or so ago, I found a dress at the Gap, a simple V-neck dress with an empire waist and A-line skirt. EVERYONE who bought it loved it and looked great in it, no matter what her size. It truly was the Perfect Dress.
I think I have found The Perfect Dress, Version 2.0: over the weekend, I saw my friends Sarah and Heather, both of whom were wearing the dress pictured here, from J. Crew. They are different sizes and shapes and the dress looked fantastic on both of them. The shape is simple — bateau neckline, empire waist with just the right amount of ruching — and the fabric is a lovely soft jersey knit that never wrinkles, no matter how long you wear the dress or how much you wad it up to stuff it in your suitcase.
J. Crew flowy jersey bateau dress, $88.00. Available online in three colors.
J. Crew simplifies weddings
Friday, May 30th, 2008 | dresses | 1 Comment
I’m not a big fan of over-the-top wedding gowns; then again, I’m not a big fan of over the top anything, really. I think that clothing, even special occasion dresses, should be functional and easy to wear.
And also beautiful. Don’t forget that.
In the past decade, J. Crew has built a bridal line that is remarkable both for the elegance and simplicity of the gowns and for their incredibly reasonable prices. J. Crew also carries bridesmaids dresses that your friends just MIGHT not hate, and they now offer a designated wedding consultant to coordinate orders.
What more could a bride ask for?
J. Crew Island Eyelet dress, $395.00.
Shabby Apple brings back ladylike
Wednesday, May 28th, 2008 | dresses | 1 Comment
I love Shabby Apple; I love that there is ONE line out there dedicated to offering women sophisticated, well-made, classic dresses that don’t leave our cleavage hanging out. I love that their dresses are feminine without being cloying and festive without being occasion-specific.
And I really love that they’ve thought about how to make these pieces work in terms of travel and laundering.
The dress pictured here, the Daisy, is a practical shirtdress with lovely details; the empire waist and A-line skirt are flattering, while the cotton-rayon blend fabric make this a hearty piece that will last through the day and can be stuffed in a suitcase for a weekend away.
Daisy shirt dress, Shabby Apple, $76.00. And Shabby Apple offers free shipping both ways, so you can try their pieces risk-free! Now that’s real class.
Ann Taylor Loft sundress, for after the pool
Monday, May 19th, 2008 | dresses | No Comments
Memorial Day is coming! Time to celebrate the start of summer with cocktails on the porch and a steak on the grill and a dress that is comfortable and easy and doesn’t require dressy shoes.
This Ann Taylor Loft dress is perfect for kicking back with a cocktail after a day at the pool. Made of cotton, with just a hint of stretch, this dress is easy and simple. Lined at the bust (although I would suggest you layer it over a spaghetti strap cami, at least); hits just above the knee. Pair with flip flops for a really casual vibe, or with a pair of gladiators for an evening out.
Ann Taylor Loft solid knot detail dress in yellow sun, $34.50. Available in sizes XXS to XL.
Talbots sheath dress won’t leave your knees hanging out
Friday, May 16th, 2008 | dresses | No Comments
Sheath dresses are back right now, that clean, classic line that we typically associate with Jackie Kennedy and her era. The sheath is an ideal wardrobe staple because you can wear it a million ways and million places; changing your bag or your shoes or your jewelery changes the whole look. The sheath dress is simple and comfortable and elegant.
Not all of us, however, want to wear a dress that hits mid-thigh, as many of the new sheaths do. For the office — or really just in general — a little more hem is a good thing. So where do you find a sheath dress that doesn’t stop well above the knees? Talbots of course!
Talbots is not known for their cutting-edge fashion sense; they are all about quietly classic pieces (with the occasional foray into downright dowdy). But this summer, they’ve got some great dresses, in clean shapes and bright colors, with hemlines that won’t leave you flashing your assets to the world. Jackie Kennedy would approve.
Talbots cotton pique fleur-de-lis dress, $138.00. Available in banana (shown) and black, in sizes 4 to 20. Also available in petites.
J. Jill dress takes you from day to dinner, all summer long
Wednesday, May 7th, 2008 | dresses | No Comments
Summer is all about wearing what’s easy and comfortable, and if you have to go to the office, or if you’re just tired of the same old capris or shorts every day, a dress is a nice option. The ideal summer dress is chic and stylish but not fussy; it is elegant without being complicated. A great black dress is ideal because it goes with everything and will show off whatever little tan you have (or highlight your pallor, whatever you prefer).
This dress, from J. Jill, may very well be the perfect summer dress; the A line shape is good for girls with hips, and the crossover front will help create an hourglass shape, no matter what your ACTUAL shape.
J. Jill crossover tie-front dress, $99.00. Available in sizes 2 to 20.
DVF shift dress is totally retro modern
Wednesday, April 9th, 2008 | dresses | No Comments
I love a shift dress; it’s the perfect marriage of lounge and fancy. And I particularly love any shift dress that harkens back to the 1970s, which was the last time women actually WORE dresses for everyday.
This DVF dress is exactly what my 70s housewife heart years for: the bright orange print, the three-quarter sleeves; the subtle mandarin collar — I can totally imagine myself taking a casserole out of the oven and sipping my highball in this.
DVF Madeleine shift dress, Nordstrom, $345.00.
Edie Sedgewick was on to something: Shift dress from La Redoute
Tuesday, April 8th, 2008 | dresses | No Comments
I am always on the lookout for alternatives to the yoga pants uniform that most of us toss on for weekends. A dress is nice option, as long as it is truly functional for errand running and dog walking and kid wrangling.
And this dress from La Redoute totally is.
Made of washable polyester satin, this is a piece that is both chic and practical. The shift line makes it comparable to an oversize t-shirt (wear with leggings or tights or over skinny jeans) while the silky fabric and bold pattern give it a feminine edge. Pair with bright shoes or a bold necklace; the pattern is big but neutral, so it won’t overwhelm you.
Leaf print dress from La Redoute; currently on sale for $49.99.
High fashion on a budget: Christian Lacroix dress for $59.99
Monday, April 7th, 2008 | dresses | No Comments
I often look longingly at high-end designer pieces and wonder what it would be like to own one. But full price at J. Crew is pretty much as big a stretch as I am willing to make, and so my closet remains designer label-free.
But La Redoute may change that.
This fabulous Christian Lacroix dress is currently on sale for $59.99, marked down from $199.99. Made of silk taffeta, with a lace bib overlay, this is the perfect dress for day and evening. Pair with black tights and ballet flats for the office, or with fishnets and stilettos for dinner. Available in sand (shown here) or black, in sizes 4 - 12.
And yes, the bib front is a statement, but what’s the point of couture — even on sale — if you’re not making a statement?