Fantasy Resort Wear

I think that resort wear is basically a mean joke the fashion industry plays on middle class people (and you can insert the expected comment about These Economic Times and Wall Street vs. Main Street and how the whole world is going to end, etc), but that doesn't mean I'm going to stop lusting over all sorts of vacation-inspired clothes.

I especially want this Diane von Furstenburg Vidal Chevron Stripe Silk Jersey Dress, $298. You could throw this into your suitcase with a toothbrush and a bikini and be done with it, because it's light and fun enough to be worn as a beach cover-up but also substantial and classy enough to be worn to dinner. I especially love the knotted rope at the neckline (since you know I go crazy for anything nautical-inspired), and the sexy keyhole opening on the top. The V shaped stripes are a nice touch, too, for a playful and original look. I mean, it's von Furstenburg: of course it's going to be flawless.

These shoes don't really match this dress, but they do have the same effect of conjuring up white sand beaches and drinks that come with half a pineapple stuck on the glass. From Maud Bowie, the Blue Wedge, $85, has a distinctly tropical gold Bamboo print on a sophisticated blue patent background. The thick straps are more substantial than what you'd usually find on a resort sandal, which means you could easily rock these wedges when you (sadly, reluctantly) return to the city.

I'm a fan of the complicated bathing suit that'll give you insane tan lines-- but only on other people. If I saw someone rocking this Zimmermann Bo Feather Lace Up One Piece, $138, I'd have no choice but to admire their commitment to standing out from the crowd. A strait jacket has never look so sexy, right?



But I tend to get more subdued swimsuits (and cheaper, because any piece of clothing that can't be worn in public isn't worth a substantial amount of money). I really like these two suits from Urban Outfitters: The Despi Tonal Dot Halter Top, $58, and bottom, $58, has a subtle but still youthful polka dot print, and fun details like the knotted halter straps and gathered waistband. (Sidenote: This model's boobs have to be fake, right? How can she have those little boy arms and hips and such an admirable rack? Could be photoshop or stuffing, but either way I'm not buying it.)

The Billabong Piped Halter Top and Boardshort, $48 each, are also adorable. I'm obsessed with the buttons on bottoms-- very Sgt. Pepper's Beach Volleyball Club.

Shopbop Sale

Through today, you can get an extra 20% off already discounted items at Shopbop with the coupon code 20MORE. I love Shopbop, and I love coupon codes, so even though I'm on a shopping hiatus (I'm trying not to go broke so early in the year!), I'll participate vicariously by highlighting some of the sale items I wish I was buying.


I meant to include this Foley + Corinna Triangle Top Starburst Dress, $236.50, in my Dior Cherie post on pink dresses, but it somehow slipped through the cracks. This silk chiffon dress, in the lightest shade of blush, features tiny rhinestones on the empire waistband and around the skirt. I love how sweet and girly that combination is-- it's almost guileless, for a girl who is surprised to hear, at the end of the night, that every man in the room was enchanted with her.


This Abaete Abigail dress, $232.50, sends a totally different message. It's more, "I'm hot, but if I wanted to I could crush you." The strapless sheath dress is perfect for girls who don't need a lot of bows and whistles to feel fancy, but the metallic embellishments at the waist add just enough interest to set this dress apart. It's a little bit Art Deco, a little punk rock.


This dress would probably look ridiculous on me, but for some reason, I'm digging it. The Zimmermann Bo Feather Tiered Handkerchief Dress, $386.40, has a lot of names for such a small dress. The colorful feather pattern appeals to my latent hippie tendencies, and the tiered fabric (you can't really make it out in this photo) has a pleasingly early 60's vibe. Maybe I'm also digging it because I'm in denial about the fact that in a few days I'll have to leave Arizona's 72 degrees and sunny for New York's 21 degrees and miserable, and wearing this dress would make it feel like Indian summer all year long.


On the other hand, if I stayed here, I'd have no reason to wear these extremely fierce Diane von Furstenberg Pharaoh High Heel Boots, $192. I'm sure I say this every time I feature suede footwear, but I love it because it's so damn impractical. You think these boots could hold up to that scourge of February, the "wintery mix?" Obviously not. You wear these boots, and you better hope there's a personal car waiting right outside your door, and then a chivalrous gentlemen to lay his coat over a puddle the second you step outside. Such are the risks, and rewards, of red suede in winter.


Also from Diane von Furstenberg is this Smarty Jones Jacket, $212.50. It has a military feel while still being very feminine; the brass buttons are both blingy and classy, and the dark navy twill will match everything. I love how waist-conscious it is, too, since I tend to look like a walking refrigerator in coats that are too boxy.


I don't own anything with fringe, because it always had unpleasant Stevie Nicks connotations. But this Thayer Crete Fringe Miniskirt, $177.10, is so fantastic that I'm beginning to change my mind. This is a skirt to see and be seen in, to go fabulous places with interesting people and fast dancing in. I can't imagine wearing this skirt and having a boring night. I mean, just imagine the twirling you could do!

Brightly colored leather goods are one of the things that truly delight me. This Kooba Riley Bag, $416.50, is no exception, with its fun teal color and silver metal accents. I also like all the bands of leather on the side, even if they may be totally ornamental and purposeless.

Purple Dresses

Second only to my obsession with gold this season is my new love of purple. I used to dismiss purple as an overly girly, cloying sort of color, but now I've embraced it as a lush, chic way to wear color during the winter. I mean, I love me some black, grey and navy, but purple is ten times more fun and eye-catching. And you know what? It goes great with gold.

Last night, at my friend's annual Secret Santa party, both me and my seriously styling friend Madelyn wore purple, ruffley dresses. Ruffles can be a tough trend to pull off, but I think we did it with panache. Madelyn wore Gap's V-Neck Ruffle Dress in Mauve, now way on-sale (and still available in most sizes!) for $25.99. The ruffle down the front is very festive and flirty, and in person the color is a bit more subdued and mature. A nice contrast, I think. I want to warn, however, that when I tried this dress on in the store it was freaking huge on me, so order a size or two down if you get it online. Seriously, in my experience it runs very, very big (but the small size will make you feel so skinny!).

I wore a dress from last winter's Erin Fetherston for Target collection, which I bought off Ebay on a lark after the clothes left stores. It arrived, I tried it on, and knew, "Damn, I am never going to wear this." It doesn't even look good on this stick-thin model, who is freaking me out with her superfake wig and doll-like expression. It doesn't help that she looks a bit hunched over and this photo is shot from, I think, a lower angle than is flattering. Anyway, when I put on the dress, I looked like a clunky present that's been wrapped far too intricately. So it's hung in my closet for months and months, until one day this fall i decided to solve the problem of the Erin Fetherston ruffle dress-- basically, I needed to make a waist. Belting created weird problems with bits of fabric poking up and coming lose, and a ribbon was far too cheesy. But then I started messing with my cardigans, and found a long, dark grey cardi with three little buttons at the empire waist (so it hangs open below) that I bought at some H&M type Eurotrash store in Luxembourg. The serious, curve-highlighting sweater perfectly tempered the dress's flaws, but I felt a bit too fancy when I wore the outfit to class with boots and tights. However, when I wore it last night, I felt perfectly festive and right at home with the other carefully wrapped gifts.

Moving on from my personal adventures in learning how to dress myself... here's a gown that I would die to own. Designed by Diane Von Furstenburg, who is pretty much the coolest woman alive, the Purple Niki Dress, $649, is glamorous beyond belief. The deep purple is appropriately elegant, and proof that purple isn't just for little girls. The woven halter in front and low back are sexy but not at all trashy, and I can't imagine anyone putting this dress on and not feeling legendarily gorgeous. Sigh. I want it.


Here's a more modern way to wear purple: from Black Halo, the Pleated Mini Dress, $325, is simple but decidedly chic. The color is a little more muted than I usually take my purple, but I love the pleats falling from the belted waist (SO flattering) and the bustier top. The sheer straps are a nice, demure touch, too. I would wear this, in my fantasy world, to the opening of a new exhibit at my city's modern art museum, and then prepare myself to be told that I'm way more interesting to look at than anything in a frame.

I complained that the last dress was too muted, and I have to note that this dress might be too vibrant. The Bella James Violet Rossette Dress, $88, is not for wallflowers. But the eye-catching color and relaxed design make it a bit more casual, so you could wear this to the movies or hanging out with friends. The fabric flower on the shoulder, however, adds a nice touch and elevates the dress beyond similar but generic jersey tank dresses.


So I know that this dress looks like navy in the photo, but the description swears it's actually plum. And, if you squint a little bit, you can see how it might be purple in real life. From Lulu's, the Arm Candy Dress is just $36-- perfect for a college student with a budget and a hot date. The asymmetrically draped front is very fashion-forward, in a classical Greek sort of way, and the ruffled straps add a sense of fun (and let you get away with wearing a regular bra underneath). Factor in the nicely short length, and that's a lot of hotness for $36.


From Modcloth, the Plum Blossom Party Dress, $67.99, has a simple and youthful shape, but done in an awesome brocade fabric. Brocade is one of those fabrics that is only really appropriate in the winter months--it's way too stiff and heavy for summer. But at a Christmas party, brocade looks fabulously festive and shiny. With tights and a cardigan, this dress would go over swimmingly at a family get-together or religious service, but it would also work for a party with friends.