What's Old is New Again...Part One

There is nothing better than a dress that looks like it was inherited—passed down through the generations. 

Authentic vintage clothing is amazing, however, my heart beats even faster for a dress that looks retro, but is indeed....brand new!

Here are some beauties that make 

my heart skip a beat.

Shabby Apple's Blackberry Pie Dress, approximately $32US

Sweet Alma's Pink Sparrow Madison Dress, approximately $45AU

Erdem Mette silk-embroidered Dress, Browns Fashion approximately $4,000US

_________________________________ 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?

Set Sail with Nautical Dresses

Let me first say, I'm not a big fan of the nautical look.
It is a style that can go very wrong, very easily. 
I shudder to think leaving home resembling
 Mrs Howell or Muffy Regatta Queen of the Seas.

About $70US ModCloth's All for Nautical Dress

 When considering the nautical look, I say

 Be Ye Warned! 

There's a fine line between looking ship-shape 

and being made to walk the plank. 

Elwood Hardline Vintage Black & White Stripe Knit Dress, $90AU at Surf Stitch

I think this collection of dresses is dreamy. 

And although they might fit loosely into a nautical theme,

 my hope is that all of you Dressologists 

make the look your own. 

Milly Lace-up Cotton Blend from The Outnet on sale now

Throw overboard any notion of navy blazers with gold buttons, penny loafers and straw hats.

 Instead go full speed ahead with the unexpected. 

Secret Squirrel Lagoon Halter Dress at BirdMotel about $185AU

Combine with fitted leather jacket, leggings, bedazzled sky-high stilettos or chunky ankle boots. 

You get the picture! Think Anti-Sailor Sailor...

Sexy Printed Cotton Caftan, Victoria's Secret, $59US

Zing some bold personal style into it and 

you will avoid looking like a prop on Gilligan's Island and

instead will be ready for smooth sailing ahead.

Forever 21 Navy & Gray T-shirt Dress, $17US

Kate Sylvester Fredrica Dress at Fashion Artiste $142AU

Thankfully I'm well-and-truly out of 

horrible seafaring cliches...

Ahoy, Matey.

_______________________________________ Why not look your best every day?

50 Bags that Changed the World

Fifty Bags That Changed the World 

by Design Museum will be 

released April 5, 2011. 

__________________________________ Why not look your best every day?

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. 

Fashion Exposed Trade Show & Trend Report

Any excuse to go to Sydney! 

Photo: Fashion Exposed

And last weekend I had a good one with the start of the Fashion Exposed trade show. 

Fashion Exposed is where retail buyers go to fill their racks for the coming season, spot trends and seek out new designers and labels.

Three days and more than 1,500 brands it was a delicious way to bring in the month of March!

I spent most of my time in the boutique trade show, Premiere. Featuring high-end labels such as American-based favorite CP Shades, French brand Lilith, and the gorgeous Spanish line Desigual, among many other well knows like Alex Perry, Tibi and True Religion.

Photo: Premiere

Even though I believe style should transcend trends...I did spot a few. There remains a nostalgic or vintage feel to style. The importance of layering continues. As for color, mid- to deep purple is a heavy-hitter, coral hasn't disappeared yet and green seems to be on the rise. Metallics are still going strong with gold winning the race. 

For more info check out the Fashion Exposed Blog. —Sada Vee