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This post goes out to Knightcat, thanks for the reminder!
What is summer without the quest for the perfect white sundress? Remember when the entire universe was obsessed with this one? That was like the "Macarena" of Michael Kors's career.
Anyway, moving away from the lace/crochet/bell sleeve thing ... how can you go wrong with a soft white cotton dress? I seriously have been dreaming about finding the perfect gauzy, layered version since I saw Leisl jumping around the gazebo in The Sound of Music.
In hopes of getting one step closer to fulfilling this dream, here are MANY to choose from:
Left to right from top:
1. Miss Selfridge halter neck, UK 20.
2. Top Shop with studs, $80.
3. French Connection Michael Kors sub-reference, $148
4. Adam tuxedo style $170 (was $425, if you are a size 6 you are in luck)
5. Marlene Birger angel sleeve $249
6. Jessica Simpson pouf sleeve (no, seriously), $128
7. Walter blouse-style $268
8. Forever 21 simple perfection $22.90
9. Marc by Marc Jacobs V-neck awesomeness $448*
* I really endeavor to avoid crappy image quality, but sometimes the sites just do not hook me up.
Photo credits (from top): Le Fashion (source unknown), Roger Deckker, Leslie Lessin (stylist), Marlene Marino.
So I thought this subject deserved more attention (I posted some of these inspirations the other day, but I was too busy to do any more research). When I started searching for the buy-able items for this idea, I got very into it. So much is on sale, and I was inspired about ways to do the look ... some of the images are old, but the styling feels really relevant.
When I used to do shows (as a singer) back in the day, I actually made a black backless shirt with a piece of fabric and a piece of satin string. It had like ... 20 stitches total, sewn by hand. I used to wear it with a necklace that had a long chain at the back that was an extension of the clasp - but the idea of flipping a necklace, especially all the long ones around now, is appealing.You may ask what you are supposed to do with the front ... and aren't the annoying touchy-feely people you know going to try to turn your necklace around when they see the clasp? I'm sure you'll figure it out ... add a charm to the clasp, layer with another necklace facing forward, etc.
The bottom line is: who cares when you have the drama at the back?
From top:
1. Indie Shopper dusty pink backless dress $185 +
Forever 21 pearl multi-strand necklace $16.80.
2. Urban Outfitters backless dress with built-in necklace $34.99
3. Leviticus silver harness $89 +
Boulee backless dress $135 (was $407!)
4. Top Shop multi-strand necklace $100 +
Cecilia de Bucourt gladiator tank (there's no direct link for some reason) $158
5. Fluxus basic backless top $46.50 (was $62)+
Forever 21 drop necklace $5.80 +
Forever 21 pendant necklace $11.80.Photo credits (left to right from top): Ashley Olsen via Celebrity Gossip, Cobrasnake, Le Fashion, Sienna Miller via Team Sugar, Kate Bosworth via Daily Mail UK.
Maybe Chloe Sevigny's collection for Opening Ceremony (last Spring) was just a little ahead of its time, because aspects of the floral jumpsuit (I said aspects!) are appealing right now.
The tops and skirts seem like a versatile alternative to the skimpy Alicia Silverstone circa "Crazy" dresses that the Erin Wassonites are rocking, especially if you aren't 22 or a model.
And I love that you can find these little bustier tops hidden in a rack at Charlotte Russe - I think that's kind of the point of the look. After all, the technical name for these prints is ditsy florals (really).
I guess if you must (and can) do the dress, just go full-on nostalgia and get what you would have dreamed of wearing to a dance if you were in 8th grade in 1994- the Betsey Johnson. She's selling her own vintage now and there are definitely finds on the web. See here and here. And ok, ok, the Erin Wasson x RVCA is here if you haven't looked already.
As for the tops (from top):
1. Charlotte Russe $22.99
2. Top Shop $65.00
3. Forever 21 $16.90
And as for the skirt, hers (bottom right) is from H&M Europe, so happy hunting!
Photo credits (left to right from top): Alessandra Torresani by Todd Selby, Bronka B. on Lookbook.nu, The Cobrasnake, Fashion Toast.
The one item I wanted from Top Shop was not at the NYC store and sold out online. It was a perfect black silk one-piece with a tie waist. I must have deleted the image in a fit of rage. But I'm still obsessed; I think the silhouette is a new basic.
Finding these online is a treasure hunt because the webmasters don't have a category for the hybrid. I guess the UK determined they'll last because Top Shop and others have a category for them, be it jumpsuit, onesie, romper, playsuit ... (further enabling your regression to age 4).That being said, there are some actual dresses below too - all the style of a romper with none of the crotch!Left to right from top:
1. Thakoon, $800 (a dress).
2. Top Shop, $90. Go! Don't let bad shopping timing happen to you!
3. Miss Selfridge, UK 35.
4. Heartloom, $145 (another dress).
5. Forever 21, $22.80. That extra 80 cents'll kill ya.
6. Vivienne Westwood, $915. That extra $800 bucks ...
Photo credits (left to right): Adeline R. on Lookbook.nu, find her here, Cavali campaign from the sun.co.uk found on In Search of Little Sadie, That's Chic.
Photo credits (left to right, from top): William Wegman, Altamira, My Delusional Mind, Garance Doré for Vogue.fr.Weimaraners (those grey hounds above) are nicknamed Grey Ghosts. Their coats are the same silvery grey in black and white or in color- no wonder Wegman loved taking their picture.
Sweatshirt grey is the perfect neutral to me. It flatters every skin tone (moreso than black or white I think), and it goes so beautifully with red lips or red nails. I think every basic should come in grey, but they don't! It took some time to round these up, but I want to buy them all and wear them until they fade into nothing.
From top row, left to right:
Forever 21 with neon seams, $9.80.
James Perse, $65.00.
Miss Selfridge, UK 20.00 (they ship to the U.S., pretty low shipping).
KAIN, $88.00.
J. Crew cashmere (an essential), $145.
Norma Kamali french terry blazer for Walmart, $20. Go to the store! It's not online, even though Bazaar says it is.
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