Topshop Halter Sundress

After all the hype has died down and the lines faded away, I decided it was time to check out Topshop for myself. To be honest, besides the rapturous ravings of fashion insiders, I've heard nothing but bad things from my flesh-and-blood friends who checked out the store in person. So I went in there with pretty low expectations, but I still left disappointed. I don't know, the clothes are cute enough but they're way overpriced for the quality level. I didn't even like the vibe of the store--it was too loud and hectic, too generic Euro-trash.

I did really like this one dress, and I would totally have bought it if it were appropriately priced at around $20. But since it's "designed" by Kate Moss, it's $90 for a halter sundress that's just a bolt of cotton and a piece of robe. Boo. Don't get me wrong: it's an adorable dress, and it's perfect for muggy summer days when just the thought of putting in pants makes you start sweating. But it's more than a little see-through and the fabric is scratchy in an obviously cheap way, and I'd bet that within three washings that robe halter would start fraying. I'd rather get my cheap-ass dresses from Forever 21, so when they fall apart I can shrug and say, "You get what you pay for."

Topshop in NY

Topshop is opening it's first US store on April 2nd, and the women of New York are collectively losing their shit in anticipation. I'm no different; there's a Topshop van driving around downtown Manhattan and Brooklyn, giving away free tote bags, some of which have gift cards, and I've made it my mission to find the van. Last night, I was at dinner when I saw, through the window, the Topshop van drive by. I literally left the table to run outside and chase the fan all the way around the block-- but I didn't catch it. There's a GPS tracker online, but it isn't be updated very often, and I know that I'm only going to stumble upon it when I stop looking for it.

Anyway, I'm not sure if all this hype over Topshop will be worth it. While it's a big deal in the UK for its trendy clothes at low prices, the exchange rate doesn't make it a bargain for us Americans. While I've never seen the clothing in person and am not an expert, I have a feeling the clothes will be the same level of quality and style as H&M, but at a higher price point.

For example, this Print Empire Frill Dress is 100% cotton, machine washable, cute but not groundbreaking-- it would be under $20 at Forever 21. At Topshop, it's $70 and I doubt it's worth it.

But that doesn't mean I won't be coverting all their adorable sundresses, like this Broderie Tie Dress, $80 (for $80 bucks, this better not be sheer). The flirty eyelet fabric and thin waist tie equal a perfect white summer dress. Add a pair of stand-out wedges in a bright hue like green or blue, and enjoy the sun.

This Pleat Tie Waist Dress, $110 (yeah, right), is a great choice for a day-into-night look. The demure pleated top works for a casual office, and the sophisticated color and short length makes it hot enough for a night out. Sidenote: I also really like how on the Topshop website, they divide their dresses into three categories: Sundresses, Day Dresses, and Going Out Dresses. What other kinds of dresses do you need, right?

I'd be willing to pay a bit more for coats, although this Puff Sleeve Coat is too impractical for $110. And yet, it's undeniably charming, with a light mint color (so fresh for spring!) and dress-like coat. I wonder why a 100% cotton dress needs to be dry-cleaned, though.

I got a pair of gold sandals from Target last summer, and they are close to falling completely apart. These HARRY Plaited Two Part Sandals, $32, might be the perfect replacement. I don't know why these are so reasonably priced, since they're 100% leather and have a quality cushioned footbed and low heel, but I'm not complaining about it. No question, these are the sort of shoes you reach for day after day once the weather hits 75 degrees. And also, I like how they're not super-trendy or overly-gladiator; they won't look dated by 2010 but they're also not boring. Well done, Topshop.

Earlier today, my friend Madelyn and I were talking about how it's always awkward to take a purse to concerts, because it falls off your shoulder and hits the person next to you and makes dancing awkward, and the solution is a hip, small-ish cross-body bag. This Leather Stud Detail Bag, $55, has a nice long strap and a perfectly sized body, with some badass studs and a subtle brown leather color. Exactly what I need.

I love the idea of getting luggage from Topshop, and I can't quite explain why. Part of it is that buying British luggage is as chic as it gets, and part of it is that no one would expect you to buy luggage from Topshop. Another part is that this SILVER SNAKESKIN AND ARGYLE!! The Snake Patchwork Trolley, $145, is the fiercest thing I've ever seen-- it's so awesome that I would get excited to go to the baggage claim and get my hot luggage.


Growing up in Arizona, I became a bit anti-turquoise because there were about fifty shops in Old Town Scottsdale that sold ugly turquoise jewelry to tourists. But now I appreciate how bright and whimsical turquoise jewelry can be. Case in point: this Facet Stone Flower Ring, $25. This would go fabulously with the white dress from the beginning of the post, and the brown leather cross-body bag.

I own a few nightgowns, but I tend to sleep in pajama shorts from Old Navy (circa 2001) and giant t-shirts from sleepaway camp. However, I love the idea of being a classy lady and sleeping in a whole pajama set, like this Pintuck French Knicker, $20 (knickers, you guys! So much more fun than boxers!), camisole, $36, and bed jacket, $44. Ok, the bed jacket might be a little too precious for me, but the whole set--in light peach with adorable little bows throughout-- is what I imagine Marie Antoinette would wear if she were transplanted into the 21st century.

If I were the sort of person who could spend $145 on a swimsuit top, this is the one I'd get: the Fleur T Dotty Frill Balconette is hot as hell but not a smidge trashy. Boobs of all shapes and sizes look good in this style bikini top (probably because it's basically a fancy bra that you can get wet), but the polka dot print with gingham trim is totally Mary Ann from Gilligan's Island-- so wholesome that you don't realize how badly Gilligan wants to get in your swimsuit bottoms.


From the sale section: Bright red Tartan Tights, $10? Paging Blair Waldorf! I don't imagine that the NY store will have a sale section for at least a few months, which is too bad-- there's some major price slashing going on at the website, and I approve.


But let's be honest: Topshop fever wouldn't be half as strong without the Kate Moss Factor. Sometimes she looks like a hot mess, and who knows how much designing she actually does, but we all want a piece of her effortless and original, always imitated never duplicated, style. Her spring/summer line won't be out until April 2nd, but they have a little preview on the website with these pieces.
The black dress on the far left is 80's but not kitschy-- perfect for the Downtown It Girl. The gold dress next to it is my favorite, and I covet it beyond words. I'm also loving the blue w/ red flowers camisole on the right. Kate Moss worked with Liberty Art Fabrics, which is famous for its iconic prints, which tend to be whimsical yet distinctly British. Can't wait to brave the crowds of aggressively stylish New York women to get a look at these pieces in person on April 2nd!

Oh yeah, and they give a 10% discount to students, so don't forget to bring your college ID! And if you're not in New York, the website has a flat shipping rate of $15-- pretty reasonable.

Pretty Photos!

I've been trying to clean up my desktop a bit, and I decided it was time to tackle my folder of photos I save for this blog. And since I'm sure everyone could use a break from shopping for a few days, here are some photos that I found sartorially inspiring in the last year:Amy Adams is rocking my world with her shiny turquoise t-straps. Such a great compliment to a black dress that's a little on the boring side.
This photo of a chic Brazilian woman is from the Sartorialist. I love the ribbon sash at the waist and the intricate lace of the rest of the dress.

In my opinion, Sienna Miller's style is a cheap, tacky rip-off of Kate Moss's. But I have to give her props for this unfussy, fresh white dress.

Speaking of Ms. Moss: she makes me want to get married in a Burberry bikini, no small feat considering how much I adore dresses.

Ok, so Lauren Conrad looks a little fake n' bake in this photo. But she is rocking the ultra-mini dress and intense platforms. I would kill to raid her closet.

I was gonna post about Robin's shirt, because I thought I found it on Anthropologie, but then it sold out and I had no use for this still from How I Met Your Mother. But Robin and Barney looks so cute, and I do really like her shirt, so I refused to trash it until I could share it with the world.

I know that these sort of across-the-head braids a bit played out, but I'm still determined to master them. They look so fun and easy on Reese Witherspoon! I wish I had that sort of braiding skill.

Speaking of hair, this random Dove model has my dream ringlets, even though I'm unwilling to spend an hour of quality time with a curling iron every morning.

And Kate Hudson has my dream straight hair-- it looks so shiny and soft! And I want to play with baby lions, too.


I didn't see Iron Man, and I hate giving Gywneth any props, but I'm in love with her strawberry blond hair color in that movie.

Trench Coats

When I was making the post on rainy day gear I planned a whole section on trench coats, but then I found enough cute ones to warrant a post of their own. But really, rainy days are the best time to wear a trench coat. Other times, it can be too "All the President's Men" (I haven't seen the movie or read the book, but in my mind, Watergate involved lots of people in trench coats skulking around parking structures. This is probably due to Dick) or "creepy flasher." But on a rainy day, a trench coat will make you look like a modern urban girl whose babeliness is too strong to be tampered by bad weather.

First stop is the cropped trench, which is good when it's only drizzling a little. The Gap version, $69.50, comes in tan and pink, which are my two favorite colors for trenches. I love the belt knotted to the side, and while the three-quarter length sleeves aren't my favorite, I could probably make do.

Target has some great trench coats right now. I love this Full Skirt Trench Coat, 69.99, because it's long enough to hide a shorter dress or skirt, and so when you're outside it's like "Look how cute I am in this coat dress!" and then when you're inside, "Look how cute I still am in this regular dress!"

Isaac Mizrahi has a few, too. The Lazer Cut Eyelet Trench, $49.99, has eyelet details on the bottom hem and back panel. I think that's genius, to add a really feminine detail to a men's wear classic. I included a photo of the back, where you can see it more clearly.


















In general I'm a big fan of buttons, but this Wrap Trench Coat, $44.99, works pretty well. It runs the risk of going into robe territory, but I think the exaggerated collar saves it. There are buttons concealed within the coat, so you don't have to worry about it slipping open if you happen to be walking around town in just lingerie, garters and a trench coat (as we all do). The buckles at the wrist cuffs are really fun, too.

If you want a little more color and nice, clean lines, this Via Spiga Snap-front jacket, $180, is it. It's pretty minimalist for a trench (in fact, Macy's doesn't even list it as a trench, but it's close enough for me), but the O-ring belt threaded through the grommets makes it anything but boring. The wide collar might be a bit much on a young woman, though.

Here's a trench made directly for young woman, by (duh) Forever 21. The Satin Trench Coat, $34.80, is so fierce I probably couldn't pull it off. Wide belt? Cropped puff sleeves? Double breasted? Fucking satin? This is the J.Lo of trench coats. It probably isn't waterproof at all, but J.Lo is impervious to the elements, obvi.

But what if you're more of a Beyonce than a J.Lo? And the idea of buying a $35 coat makes you vomit? Go to Burberry. They're famous for their classic trenches, and rightly so. I'm going to let Kate Moss convince you.

Kate Moss is so dope that even stodgy old classic Burberry was like, "You do coke and fuck Pete Doherty? That's cool." Sometimes I think that all those other model bitches should just give it up and realize that they'll never be as good as Kate Moss, so they might as well go home and let a real model get the job done. Ugh, love her.

But back to trenches, and Beyonce. Just look at this gold leather trench and make the connection yourself. It's $2495, but think of how much wear you'll get out of it when you're resorting in Saint Tropez and it rains that one day! Also, the description says this coat features "two gunflaps." I'm not quite sure what those are (is it the things on the shoulders? Maybe one of our more street-smart readers can explain), but when you're hanging out with Jay-Z it can't hurt to have some extra gunflaps.

So my last two trench coats are vintage, one-of-a-kind finds from Etsy, so if you like them and they're in your size, don't hesitate. This Canary Yellow 60's Belted Mini Trench is $54. You'd definitely have to play down your other accessories with this coat-- no fun patterned rain boots or umbrella when you're rocking the yellow with silver accents. Also, this post is making me realize how fun I think grommets are. Maybe it's because I like anything that pretends to be functional but isn't really.

From the same seller, the Belted Blue Vintage Trench is $36. The appeal of this jacket is obviously the color, and with a blue like that you'll be out-prettying the flowers all spring.




Lastly, some more babes in trench coats, including Kate Moss caught out in the wild!