Sometimes Dresses, Sometimes Jeans

Dear fashion gods, it’s me, SDSJ. In my thirtieth year can...

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 22:30:38 -0400

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...

Mon, 17 Aug 2009 23:54:00 -0400

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...

Sun, 09 Aug 2009 21:31:00 -0400

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...

Sun, 02 Aug 2009 18:18:00 -0400

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...

Wed, 29 Jul 2009 11:28:00 -0400

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...

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 23:22:44 -0400

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...

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 23:02:19 -0400

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...

Wed, 10 Jun 2009 18:35:24 -0400

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...

Thu, 04 Jun 2009 23:28:25 -0400

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...

Wed, 03 Jun 2009 23:59:00 -0400

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...

Tue, 31 Mar 2009 00:00:00 -0400

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...

Wed, 25 Mar 2009 18:31:04 -0400

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)

I’ve been looking for that perfect in-between dress to...

Sun, 22 Mar 2009 20:25:00 -0400

I’ve been looking for that perfect in-between dress to make weekend dressing a no-brainer until the summer slips can emerge, and I think this single ruffle ultramarine Vega dress by Lewis Cho is it. An arresting color, an easy cut, and I’m set until May! (Luv Charlie; $189)

As I advocated earlier, in case of vats of sangria - or swathes...

Wed, 18 Mar 2009 00:19:36 -0400

As I advocated earlier, in case of vats of sangria - or swathes of summery sun - it never hurts to have more than one great white dress. And this demurely ruffled number by Sunner certainly qualifies. (Maluka; $131)

Watch this space for florals and corals galore - but first, one...

Sun, 15 Mar 2009 22:34:00 -0400

Watch this space for florals and corals galore - but first, one perfect black dress. The delicate sheer overlay elevates this from standard office sheath to something far more special. I guess Calvin Klein really is back! (Nordstrom; $118)

Paging all gamines! This perfectly adorable drop waist cotton...

Sat, 14 Mar 2009 13:27:37 -0400

Paging all gamines! This perfectly adorable drop waist cotton voile dress by Wow and Flutter is the shift that’ll see you through picnics in the park, iced coffee runs, and anything else the summer might bring. (Adele; $84)

Maybe I’m just excited for spring to Get Here Already but...

Thu, 12 Mar 2009 21:21:04 -0400

Maybe I’m just excited for spring to Get Here Already but I love this two parts whimsy to one part art flowery clutch. Everything’s got to come up roses when you’re carrying this, right? (Boden; $128)

Is it possible to need a pair of green shoes? Because if you can...

Tue, 10 Mar 2009 23:26:23 -0400

Is it possible to need a pair of green shoes? Because if you can come up with any reason to justify them, any reason at all, it is an utter imperative that you snap up these Biba pumps by Delman. (Also, if you can come up with a justification I’d like in on it too please!) Now for the second most difficult question of the day: does wasabi green go with purple? (Razz Kirk; $95)

Another day, another dose of gorgeous suede. This one’s...

Mon, 09 Mar 2009 21:45:30 -0400

Another day, another dose of gorgeous suede. This one’s the cheery yellow Solana jacket by Tory Burch that could work as a stunning in the office blazer or a perfect out and about topper during those in-between breezy months. (Tory Burch; $417)

It’s 56 degrees, and spring is right around the corner....

Mon, 09 Mar 2009 00:00:00 -0400

It’s 56 degrees, and spring is right around the corner. Which can only mean, first pedicure of the season ahead! And once my toes are all painted, post-pedi these fun fringey purple sandals are the ones I’d want to slide right into. (Piperlime; $95)