Dear fashion gods, it’s me, SDSJ. In my thirtieth year can I please acquire a life befitting this dress? Love, me.
Vera Wang works her magic, edging this two-toned cocktail number with a thin film of silk organza. Really, there’s only one word for her creation, and that’s pretty, very very pretty. (Gilt Groupe; $148)
During a casual stroll through ebay, I spied this Paris by way of the Lower East Side tunic dress, and I was halfway to smitten when I realized it was designed by none other than Margarita Saplala, whose ikat design was high on my wish list earlier this summer. (What’s astonishing: the only thing her two dresses have in common is that they’re seriously stylish - the ikat cowl couldn’t be further from the single-shouldered stripes of this spring collection piece. That, my friends, is true design genius.) So I did what any good Ahab would and I watched, I stalked, and finally I bid. But I left to get a bite and by the time I came home I saw that the dress had slipped right through the cracks of my keyboard. And I’ve been on a mission ever since. (Do let me know of any sightings, won’t you?)
I’m not sure who grey would be a good color for, but the delicate fan pleated bodice on this Moschino Cheap and Chic dress set off by a single sharp perfect strip of crimson makes me want to try. (theOutnet.com; $398)
I’ve been obsessed with ikat all summer, and I think I finally found the perfect specimen: the Toni tote by MZ Wallace. Oversized enough to fit the dozens of magazines and assorted baked goods I’m always carrying around - or even (shudder) take to the gym - it’s also the pop of chic that my late-summer wardrobe needs. Bonus: it’s on super super sale. (MZ Wallace; $130)
We’re still waiting for summer to hit New York, but I choose to be an optimist. So when (not if) the warm weather sunshine hits the city, I’d like to have this Amanda Uprichard Penny dress - with its slouchy easy fit, and perfectly adorable ruffles - at the ready. (LuvCharlie; $198)
When I saw this dress by Margarita Saplala with its great shape (gotta love a cowl neck) and gorgeous ikat print I thought, now this is a piece of art I could get into. So you can imagine how surprised I was when the next two people I showed it to thought it was a definite pass. I know asymmetry isn’t for everyone, but this dress should be. (LuvCharlie; $240)
I thought the blue Valentino dress Lauren Conrad wore for her swan song (ie Speidi’s wedding) on The Hills was cute, but then I found this printed silk version and am fully obsessed. Gorgeous colors, strangely transfixing (Tetris-inspired?) pattern, and an adorably retro silhouette. Mother may I?? (Saks; $525)
Who was I kidding, of course I still want things! And firstish on the list: this Masai ink necklace dress by Yoana Baraschi. With your jewelry built in, who needs to worry about accessorizing! (Sunday Brunch; $360)
In case you noticed a little drop-off in activity, I just wasn’t so into stuff for a while there. (Shocking!) Still not sure that I am, but I had to share this one thing: the dress that I predict will see me through a summer’s worth of barbecues, outdoor concerts, and afternoons at the biergarten. (Don’t you love a great sample sale find?)
While I’ve ruled out wrap dresses (along with horizontal stripes - they’re great in theory, but just they don’t work for me) if I hadn’t, I’d be wrapping myself up in this colorblock habotai dress by Marc by Marc Jacobs. Tomato red tinged with purple? Perfection. (Bergdorf Goodman; $358)
After taking a whirl around the block this almost springy afternoon, I’m in a leafy kind of mood - which I think this jade scoop neck dress by Phillip Lim would be perfect for (besides just being absolutely perfect). (Blue & Cream; $395)