Shoulder-padded dresses

[dailymail.com]

The poor shoulder pad (of fashion, not football) has been the butt of jokes for years. Whether you love 'em or hate 'em, they've made a comeback in 2009 starting with designers like Balenciaga and Marc Jacobs incorporating them on the runways. They no longer only conjure up images of eighties power dressing.

Everyone from Beyonce to Victoria Beckham to Michael Jackson sported the trend. The fashion statement of the year was Balmain's military jacket. If you're not feeling those, I'm loving shoulder padded dresses.[intermix.com]

I adore this silk jersey 'Ruched One Shoulder Silk Jersey Dress' from the Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen's line, Elizabeth and James. It's $395 at Intermix. This singular bold shoulder is not for the faint of heart. The burgundy and peach stripes are fabulous, and the ruching is very flattering. This would be the perfect vacay dress.
[topshop.com]

Topshop has some more affordable and more subtle dress options. The 'Knitted Shoulder Pad Dress' for $90 is perfectly suited for ankle boots and sheer tights. This would be great for a Christmas party since it doesn't show too much skin.
Of course Topshop, the geniuses that they are, sells floral sew-in shoulder pads for $10. If you're feeling crafty, sew these into a top or blazer. As an added bonus, shoulder pads can help balance wider hips.