Dress of the Week: Copper Etiquette

The moment I saw this little darling I knew I had found 
Dressology HQ's Dress of the Week.

With it's magnificent oh-so-slightly flared lattice skirt and the delightful 
halter ties it says: Pack your bags, we're off to make our dreams come true.

All for less than $50. Actually, less than $40!

Chocolate Sunshine Dress at Copper Etiquette, $38US

______________________________ Why not look your best every day?

Dress of the Week: Jill Stuart Cheyanne Dress

Taaaa-ddaaaaaa...

the Dressology HQ Dress of the Week is 

the Cheyanne from Jill Stuart.

From Shopbop is this Jill Stuart Cheyanne Dress, approximately $850US

I love the Victorianesque waterfall bodice 

that is vintage-y without being dowdy. 

Silk chiffon in an accordion pleated fabric 

with a ruched waist & a flirty "unfinished" hemline. 

Uber feminine, and without a doubt, someone should have worn this to the Royal Wedding!

____________________________________ Why not look your best every day?

Dress of the Week: Bacciami!

I do not know which I am 

more excited about, 

 DressologyHQ's Dress of the Week... 

or the amazing website I found it on

www.shabbyapple.com

Shabby Apple's Bacciami, approximately $88US

Tailored bodice, slightly flared skirt, boatneck & don't you just love the color and the stripe???  

And check out the affordability factor! 

Va-Va-Va-Vooooom!

 __________________________________ Why not look your best every day?

Did Somebody Say Zebra? What's Black & White &...

What is it about black and white? 

The timeless combination of ebony & ivory

survives trends & looks good 

on every skin tone.

Black & White has also inspired some pretty good kiddy jokes...

Tracy Reese Black & Ivory Tribal $349US at Revolve Clothing

JcPenney's 2-piece Floral Dress with Jacket, Approximately $60US

DVF Elalia Dress at ShopBop about $465US

Seduce Aviatrix Tunic Dress $190AU at Three Wishes

Banana Republic's BR Monogram Silk Dress, about $115US

What's Black & White & has 16 wheels?

Eight Nuns Riding Bikes!

_______________________________________ Why not look your best every day?

Dress of the Week: Oasis Floral Full Skirt Dress

I'm not sure what to love best about 

this week's Dress of the Week.

Is it the rich caramel-bronze color? 

The bold pattern with contrasting trim at neck- and hemline?

Maybe it's the retro feminine cut of the dress, 

nipped in at the waist, with the lovely full skirt?

Really, this dress has the whole package...

About $125US at Asos with FREE International Shipping!

Perhaps, the very best trait is the free shipping from Asos. Please, somebody buy this dress NOW!

_________________________________ Why not look your best every day?

Book Review: Harpers Bazaar Fabulous at Every Age

Harper’s Bazaar 
Fabulous at Every Age your Quick & Easy Guide to Fashion
Nandini D’Souza & Jenny Barnett
Hearst Books, 189 pages

I was tackled and hog-tied by insomnia last night. In no doubt due to the multiple giant MUG-o-ramas of coffee I poured down my gullet late in the day. At 213am I woke up not only bright-eyed, but relatively bushy-tailed.

My brain, however, was unable to cope with reading anything with a plot and no identifiable amount of caffeine, desperation, or cash will get me to watch JerseyTrash or Kendra and her ilk on the tube.

So, I chose from the ever-multiplying teetering stack of style and fashion books I’m working my way through. Harper’s Bazaar Fabulous at Every Age 
Your Quick & Easy Guide to Fashion.

My love for Harper’s Bazaar is long held. It was my first fashion magazine and remains one of 
my absolute favorites. 

I blasted through this book in a little over an hour. I examined every page but spent most of my time studying my "age category." Sadly, I didn’t learn much. I formed an idea or two for a couple outfits, but I get that from an average magazine. I wouldn't consider it a "Guide" 
or much of a How-to source.

It’s a beautiful book to look through, but unlike competing books in this genre, it is light on new information on age-appropriate style. Also disappointing is the lack of informational credits on designers or where to buy.  

Unless you are after an expensive hardback magazine, I have found more helpful books in the category of fashion and personal style. I expect more from HB.

__________________________________ Why not look your best every day?

ShopVu: Birdsnest

Photo: Birdsnest Logo

I found Birdsnest a few months ago and was intrigued, I had to buy something so I could honestly write about the complete online retail experience. 

The perfect excuse to shop, right?

WEBSITE PERFORMANCE

The Birdsnest website is clever and easy to navigate. Shop by brand, color, shape, outfit, personality, occasion, and personal fave....SALE!) In fact, the home page has so many options, it could be a little overwhelming—or an adventure!

Photo: Birdsnest Website

Once inside, thumbnails are a tiny bit small but the excellent quality of the the photos work well to compensate. I also appreciate that with one-click all the detailed information on the item is available as are the enlarge and zoom features.

. 

Firefly Dress at Birdsnest $89.95

Perhaps the best feature is at check out, up pops a screen with recommendations to complete your outfit! I bought a gorgeous Firefly dress and up popped photos for coordinating sandals, necklace and hand bag. The clever girls at Birdsnest help complete the look.

SHOP SELECTION

With Jag, Esprit, Wish, Metalicus, Howard Showers and many others, the diversity of brands & styles makes Birdsnest appealing to a wide range of shoppers. I didn’t see a dress for more than $300, making it a fun and affordable shop especially with the summer sale on now  For those living near Canberra, there is a shop in Cooma NSW.

SERVICE & SUCH...

Birdsnest is based in Australia, shipping globally. I ordered on Sunday, Monday was  a public holiday—I had my parcel in hand Tuesday morning! I also had a super friendly email with tracking details and a link to a return form (2 weeks) if all is not perfect. Shipping is $10.95 express within Australia, $17.95 internationally with combined postage available.

My lovely parcel, received overnight!

My gorgeous dress came in a reusable canvas bag with Birdnest logo. The girls included a handwritten note and a loyalty card entitling shoppers to a free gift once they’ve spent $500! These girls have thought of it all. 

I am a blackhearted customer service tyrant...and the Birdsnest girls have melted me. I am now a loyal, loving & completely won-over customer for life.

ISSUES, COMPLAINTS OR RECOMMENDATIONS

Because this is such a LoveFest, here are my few things I could come up with to whine about, and believe me, I had to ponder:

1. No Paypal? Maybe I missed it...

2. The Contact Us button doesn’t link  to an email. A pet peeve of mine—don’t make me copy and paste, or heaven forbid, type an email address. 

3. The link to Suppliers came up with empty page—take it down or fill it up, I say.

 Big deal, right?

 I have a feeling if the girls at Birdsnest read this, it will be fait accompli within the week. Then, Birdsnest really will be the perfect online shopping experience. 

4.999 out of 5

Off the Stands—A Monthly Magazine Review

Inaugural Edition—April 2011

InStyle x 2
Madison
Marie Claire
Vogue Australia

Most women are too time poor to flip through even one fashion magazine a month, let alone several. For this reason, I'm welcoming you to the inaugural edition of Off the Stands, a monthly review of four to six fashion magazines currently on the stands. 


As an avid reader, shopper and blogger, I will dig through the information and share reports, trends and highlights. Please email me with recommendations or suggestions on how I might improve this regular DressologyHQ feature.


Lets get started! 

Fabulous DVF

All the publications report the 70s chic trend remains strong with super-wide-leg pants and jumpsuits at the forefront. If there's one thing to be learned....embrace mixed patterns and wild (especially animal) prints! Also evident is the continuing strength of metallics, with an emphasis on gold. Dresses, my personal fave, continue to dominate with longer hemlines making a return.

INSTYLE, March and April 2011 instylemag.com.au

InStyle knows how to present fashion for the every day woman. The very best part of this, is providing readers with website information in the photo credits! How utterly modern! 
MARCH
D Pair camel and gray. Classic, elegant & easy because most of us already own pieces in these colors
D Anoraks as competition to trenches as the (Southern Hemisphere) climate cools
D Significant wedding dress feature for future brides
D Photo shoot with Rose Byrne featuring Marchesa, Mulberry, Alberta Ferretti & Isabel Marant
D A behind-the-scenes Oscar feature with backstage photos—but for last year?

APRIL

Katherine in brogues...and tailored menswear

D Longer hemlines, brogues, khaki urban chic....and tweed? All trends easily embraced

D Don't miss 28 Days of Outfits. Very easy to duplicate adding your own style & using your wardrobe basics

D Loved Transformations an instructional, useful explanation of how to wear key pieces like leggings, pencil skirts & metallic tanks

VOGUE, April 2011 vogue.com.au

I think Vogue needs a facelift or maybe botox, from dry editorial to what feels like a dated format, it just feels tired. Having said that, the beauty of a Vogue photo shoot cannot be beat and they remain Tastemaker HQ.
D Red, black and gold as a new color combination trend
D Eastern-ethnic and Asian influences and tailored, menswear-inspired as hot trends
D Something I've seen nowhere else (go Vogue!) but very wearable is the “doubling-up” of belts, scarves & even purses. 
D An entire photo shoot of dresses. Gucci, Stella, Bally.....beautiful dresses as art!
D Opening of a new Hermes boutique in Paris in a disused art deco swimming pool

MARIE CLAIRE, April 2011 marieclaire.com.au

Always appreciate MC including brands like Witchery, Country Road and David Lawrence in their photo shoots bringin' it for us common folk! Their tagline is 100% truthful: Celebrating style and substance. Great features as always.
D  If you’re a Kylie fan, RUN, don’t walk to the photo feature with Dolce & Gabbana 
D  Heaps of dresses & jumpsuits reinforcing the 70s vibe with high waists & fringe
D Love the 101 Ideas section which provide inspiration for every day dressing
DOut of all the Runway Reports, they did it best. Interesting, fun & accessible

MADISON, April 2011 madisonmag.com.au

I’ll admit, the photo feature with fashion photog Ben Baker kept me busy. The boy is from Adelaide....so he has my heart.  
D Accessory report includes impressive statement shoes, belts & bags from affordable to designer & in between
D Love Cheap Chic for outfit ideas you can actually go out and buy
D  Trend report  featuring berry as the new fall color and colorblocking madness
D  One-page feature on Bally of Switzerland? I heart those guys.