Louis Vuitton Dresses: Fantasy Translated to Reality

Source: sandiinthecity.onsugar.com via Le on Pinterest

Source: nanaelfashion.com via Nicole on Pinterest

Source: chictopia.com via Nicole on Pinterest

Dress: Banana Republic Rosette Lace Sheath Dress

The dresses above are those fabulous Louis Vuitton frocks that appeared on the scene in the spring of 2012, and that have graced the backs of numerous celebs. I loved them so much, of course I completely wanted one. BUT...(the big BUT) . . . I found them impractical. I just couldn't think of many occasions that I would have to wear one . . . so how, then, to capture the details into a dress that I might actually wear?  Enter Banana Republic's Rosette Lace Sheath Dress. The shape translates well for work or evening cocktails, the color is unique and intriguing, and the lace details invoke the inspiration of Louis Vuitton.  At a fraction of the price. And there you go...fantasy translated to reality.

Hellooooo Spring!

It has been unusually warm here on the East Coast....we are talking almost 70 degree days in late January/early February, which is just unheard of!  So today I wore the above outfit to work.  When I came down the stairs, my adoring husband greeted me with, "Well, hellooooooo spring!"  Granted, I was trying to tone down the brightness of the dress with the nude accessories, especially since I was headed to my very conservative workplace. Then, as I was making our morning coffee, I heard chuckling behind me.  When I turned around to hand him his coffee he said, "You and the Great Wall of China -- the only things on earth that can be seen from space!!!"  Okay....not the reaction I was going for.  But I did get lots of compliments on the dress at work.  My husband is clearly not the greatest barometer of fashion. I say, don't fear the brightness...embrace it (and tone it down a bit with nude accessories).

Ann Taylor cap sleeve dress
$98 - anntaylor.com

Hoss Intropia long top
$175 - stylebop.com

Banana Republic colorblock shoes
$120 - bananarepublic.gap.com

Chloé genuine leather handbag
£1,125 - harveynichols.com

Banana Republic Mad Men Collection Is Back!

Banana Republic announced today that they are bringing their Mad Men Collection back on March 1st.  According to them, it will be a 40-piece "country club-inspired" collection. Sounds like it will be 60s preppy. I was overjoyed by at the thought of the Mad Men Collection that was rolled out last fall, but not as many of the pieces worked for me as I thought they would.  I like the idea of the Mad Men Collection, because so many of the dresses are designed to look great on curvy shapes. However, in execution many of the dresses just didn't fit into my wardrobe, as I'm not really a floral-pattern-person.  Nevertheless, I'm still excited to see what Banana Republic rolls out for spring 2012, and to see how they interpret the "country club-inspired" theme.  And I think the teaser dress above would be great for summer!

The Banana Republic Kate Dress = Shameless Copy of Kate Middleton's Beige Reiss Shola Dress?

 Photo Courtesy of: Toby Melville/Getty; Courtesy of Reiss

Photo Courtesy of BananaRepublic.com

Hidden amongst the gems in Banana Republic's Spring 2012 line, is the Kate Dress, not-so-subtly hinting at the beige Reiss Shola dress made popular by Kate Middleton when she wore it to meet President Obama and the First Lady in May 2011. Although the Banana Republic version is missing the pleating detailing through the thighs, from the waist up it is a pretty good copy.  Clearly, Banana Republic is banking on a sell-out by piggy-backing on the publicity Reiss achieved. And the Reiss dress retailed for $340, while the Banana Republic version currently retails for more than $200 less at $340.

Interestingly, this isn't the first copy of the Reiss Shola dress. The U.K. retailer Tesco also retailed a version for only £30. See the article here.

Banana Republic Scores With Spring 2012

All pictures courtesy of BananaRepublic.com

It has been a very warm winter here in on the East Coast, such that it hardly feels like winter was here (until today when turned bone-chilling cold). But the recent styles hitting stores are a reminder that spring isn't that far off, and although I usually relish sweater and coat weather, spring fashion definitely has me looking forward to warmer temperatures. I am absolutely adoring the nautical stripes, the preppy splashes of navy, green and white, and the geometric prints in bold colors. In this vein, Banana Republic has finally scored a hit.  It almost seeems as though they are striving to fill the gap left by J. Crew when J. Crew decided to go too trendy.  Here are my top five picks:

1. Dot V-Neck Dress (Pictured in Pictures #1 and #4 above)

2. Large Polka Dot Dress (Pictured in Picture #2 above)

3. Gold Button Sweater Jacket (Pictured in Pictures #1 and #2 above)

4. Laurel Color-Block Pumps (Pictured in Pictures #4 and #5)

5. Color-Block Tee (Pictured in the last picture above)

Black and Gold Re-Imagined: Affordable Holiday Look

Black and Gold Re-Imagined: Affordable Holiday Look by nycandparis

Nothing over $275!

	Women's dresses - evening & dinner - Silk organza starburst dress - J.Crew $275 - jcrew.com J crew dresses »
	Metal Shell Gold Clutch Bag $52 - monsoon.co.uk Metal handbag »
	Kendra Scott - Gartha Earrings (Midnight) - Jewelry $69 - zappos.com Kendra Scott earrings »
	Giles & Brother 10-karat gold-plated multi-chain bracelet $175 - net-a-porter.com Gold plated bangles »
	Kendra Scott - Bryce Ring (Black) - Jewelry $64 - zappos.com Black jewelry »
	Chiffon ruffle high heel | Banana Republic $150 - bananarepublic.gap.com

Winter Tights Solution: Assets vs. Spanx

Photo Source: Her Room.com

If you are like me, you love wearing tights in the winter, but finding the perfect pair at the right price can be a bit cumbersome.  I have gone through many brands that I didn't love: J. Crew and Banana Republic tights, while fashionable, are always too thin and lack support (and unless they are purchased with a coupon, can be a bit on the pricey side too).  And while I love Wolford tights (who doesn't!) I just can't bring myself to drop $50 on a piece of clothing that will be destroyed by the slightest snag. I have always loved Spanx too (specifically, Spanx Tight End Tights), and I thought there was nothing out there that really compared.  But at more than $30 per pair, again, I just couldn't see investing that kind of money in something that I couldn't count on to last forever. (**Update -- I was able to score several pairs of Spanx Tight End Tights at Filene's Basement today for $16/pair...at that price, I say stock up while you can!)

But then, a couple of winters ago, I was perusing the tights aisle at Target and I stumbled upon Assets by Sarah Blakely.  Admittedly, Assets is the lower-end line of Spanx, but at about half the price of Spanx, I think your dollar goes a bit further with Assets.  Tights only last so long, no matter how well you take care of them and avoid sharp objects.  Assets tights are just the right price point and quality that they last through wearings and washings, while keeping their shape and keeping you warm.  But at around $15 per pair, your heart doesn't fall out of your chest at the sign of a snag.

The Assets Terrific Tights are my absolute favorites.  Like normal tights, however, the solid tights last longer than those with texture or a pattern (like those pictured above).  I don't think any of my textured or patterned tights survived the winter, but at least they survived through several wearings.  Here are some of my faves:

1) Terrific Textured Tuxedo Stripe Tights (pictured above) - $16 - Buy Them Here

2) Solid Terrific Tights - $14 - My absolute faves!!! They last forever, hold you in, and come in a range of sizes.  For a super-secret tip, size up one size for added opacity and comfort. Buy Them Here

3) Pucker Terrific Textured Tights - For a bit of vertical texture to lengthen your legs - $18 - Buy Them Here

Banana Republic Holiday 2010 Arrives: Love The {Lackluster} Present

Banana Republic posted its new holiday video to You Tube today announcing that its holiday collection has arrived.  Are we alone in thinking this is a lackluster collection?  We were hard-pressed to find any items in the video that would make us rush out to Banana. The plaid ties seemed like a J. Crew rip-off, and all of the sweaters "inspired by the Himalayas" landed us right smack in the middle of a Sundance Catalog. 

Fashion Show: Banana Republic Spring/Summer 2011 -- Its all About the Little Details

Photos Courtesy of Banana Republic.com

Watching the Banana Republic Spring/Summer 2011 Fashion Show tonight, I appreciated the little details that kept the looks fresh.  A chunky necklace here, the pop of a collar there, a few ruffles here, a faux brooch there.  The Collection was what most of us have come to expect from BR -- crisp basics with a little twist here or there to make us want to add another "basic" to our wardrobes.  Looks one through four above were by far my favorites, and it looks like we can look forward to some interesting jewelry offerings from BR come Spring. I have to admit, I love the ruffly vest in look number 3 above -- the color is great, and I absolutely adore the collar and flower detail -- it looks a bit J. Crew-esque, without being outright stolen from the brand. The white dress (the last of the looks above) was a bit ho-hum for me -- paired it with boots and she could be on the prairie.  But all in all, I think BR successfully found some cute little details that will keep us coming back to the brand.

Saturday Style - Skinny Jeans Tucked Into Boots Solved

A co-worker came to me this week, and let me know that she finally wanted to embrace the skinny jean tucked into knee high boots trend, and asked if we could help.  My co-worker "M" is petite (about 5'3''), a size 0 or 2 and a wee bit "hippy" (her words, not ours -- meaning she has some hips, not that she is donning bell bottoms and getting in touch with the earth).  She asked if she could still embrace the trend -- especially if she chose flat boots.  Our response?  Of course she can!!! She also indicated that because this is a "trend" she didn't want to spend more than $200 on boots, and less than $100 on skinny jeans.

First, the jeans.  We put her in Banana Republic Ultimate Skinny Dark Wash Jeans because for people with hips, these jeans are cut perfectly -- they fit perfecftly in the waist (no gaping), they hug the hips (not too tight -- I think these jeans are a bit more relaxed in the thigh, allowing for people with hips to get into them) and the length is absolutely perfect for tucking into boots (they hit literally right at the ankle, no bunching).  At $89.50, they fell below budget (and they are even cheaper if you can score a coupon).

Onto the boots.  We found Steve by Steve Madden Intyce Boots in a perfect cognac, whisky color, that is right on-trend for fall.  $129.00 they fell wayyy below budget.  And at The color is also a fabulous neutral that goes with blacks, browns, and literally everything in-between.  Plus, cognac looks especially rich against black.  Just pair these boots and the jeans with a black turtleneck and you have instant, easy, effortless chic.

Which brings us to topping the look off with the J. Crew Marled Amadé Sweater. Because M was shooting for a casual day look, we chose the marled look of the sweater for a nice, cozy-chic autumn feel.  She also wasn't ready to try skinny jeans without a bit more coverage up top, but we assured her that for evening, she could switch this sweater for a sleek, basic black turtleneck (pictured below) and the look would be that much richer looking.

Finally, for extra credit, we accessorized the look with the Mulberry Oversized Alexa Bag. A bag so great, it can't be wrong.

We love this look, because with just te jeans and the boots, you literally have infinite possibilities.  Just open your closet, and you have plenty of outfits.  Throw on a white blouse and a cardigan, or a v-neck sweater with a ruffly blouse underneath.