Retro dresses

[style.com]

Wow, Mad Men fever is everywhere. Even Banana Republic is doing a marketing campaign with the AMC show. After finally catching up on my August magazine subscriptions, which feature a ton of fall items despite the heat, I am most looking forward to the fifties retro-inspired looks. I adore the ladylike dresses (bouffants optional) from Prada's and Louis Vuitton's Fall 2010 collections.

I also love the chunky-knit legwear that was paired with the Prada dresses. I can't find them online, but I just purchased some Prada-esque Hue thigh-highs at the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale for the bargain price of $8!

Spring boots by Isabel Marant

[nymag.com]

[net-a-porter.com]

How super-cool are French designer Isabel Marant's 'Dana Fringed Canvas Boots'? These boots were part of Marant's Spring 2010 collection. I especially love the camo pair. They're available at net-a-porter.com for $1,160. At that price, I will never be owning those *sigh.* Regardless of that fact, these boots styled with dresses make me think that I shouldn't have stowed away my boots for the next two seasons just yet. [net-a-porter.com]

I like her boho-chic jewelry, and the prices sound much better. The 'Lapis Oversized Oval Ring' ($122) made of blue lapis lazuli and burnished-brass is a great ring. The hot pink 'Feature Drop Earrings' ($120) are definitely statement earrings. I love the color mixed with the Swarovski crystals and howlite stones.

Gaucho hats and clogs

After catching up on my magazine reading last night, I am super-excited for spring fashion. Much like the September issues, spring issues are also chock-full of advertisements. My favorite ad campaign was the South American-themed Chanel.

It featured Claudia Schiffer and models Freja Beha Erichsen and Baptiste Giabiconi wearing gaucho hats for the Argentina shoot. I couldn't find the photo online, but in one photo Schiffer is carrying the lovely, colorful bag below.While I'm on the subject of Chanel, let's discuss those clogs. I must admit that I love them - they're tall and I can easily disguise if I've been slacking on a pedicure! I used to have a pair of Coach clogs that I wore all the time, but I'm afraid they're too filthy to break out this time around. I can't wait to find a fabulous pair that I can afford.

Mad props to SJP

[celebrity-gossip.net]

With New York Fashion Week in full swing, not only is it fun to see what designers are sending down the runways, it's equally exciting to see what your favorite style icons show up wearing to the events. As the newly appointed creative director for Halston Heritage, Sarah Jessica Parker wore a fabulous ensemble to the Halston Fall 2010 show on Monday.
That gray and pink tribal coat is just to-die! Her Halston gold lamé top was paired with cropped leather leggings and black studded Prada sandals. My favorite part about the outfit is the unexpected accessories like the pink necklace and stacked bracelets.

R.I.P. Alexander McQueen

[dailymail.co.uk]

I am saddened by the suicide of British designer Alexander McQueen. He was a true fashion genius. In a world where many play it safe with fashion, I always appreciated McQueen's edgy, unique designs that to me were works of art.

Pictured above with Sarah Jessica Parker at the Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute Gala in matching tartan plaid. This is by far my favorite look. I remember seeing McQueen's designs at the exhibit, "AngloMania: Tradition and Transgression in British Fashion," and I was just in complete awe.

[fashion-stylist.net]

There aren't many pop singers that compare to Lady Gaga in terms of fashion. Gaga wore a lot of McQueen's designs; some even say she was his muse. She wore his famous/infamous shoes from the Spring 2010 collection in her "Bad Romance" video.

SJP wore McQueen's green strapless dress with a fabulous Phillip Treacy hat to the premiere of Sex and the City. I can't think of a more appropriate place to wear such an incredible outfit.
[nydailynews.com]

Cate Blanchett wore this amazing sculpted, sparkly dress from the designer's Spring 2009 collection to the premiere of The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.[redcarpetfashionawards.com]

More recently, I loved the elegant McQueen gown that SAG Award winner Sandra Bullock wore to the awards show. The cut and splash of color were simply stunning.

[fabsugar.com]

The always fashionable Mary-Kate Olsen wore McQueen's navy double-breasted pea coat (which she belted) on the Today Show recently.

The fashion world will miss McQueen; that's for sure.

Would you wear white hose?

[style.com]

Chanel featured tons of shimmery white hose in their Spring 2010 couture collection. I think they look great worn with white and metallic shoes.

[people.com]

Kate Bosworth tried out white hose at a Chanel dinner with a spring-like frock. Usually when it comes to tights, anything goes with me. However, I'm trying to decide how I feel about these white hose. Black hose made a big comeback this season, but I don't know if I'm ready for white.

They make me think of the late eighties - worn with chunky pumps, power suits and gigantic, matching earrings. I don't necessarily dislike them. I would've had a bigger problem had Bosworth paired them with all-white shoes rather than two-toned Christian Louboutins.

Neon lights

[Imaxtree/InStyle.com]

Normally in the winter, colors get a little drabber. However, lately we've seen a lot of neon colors. Designers like Matthew Williamson, Zac Posen and BCBG Max Azria incorporated beaucoup bright colors in their spring 2010 collections. I used to have a neon yellow sweater - I wish I could find that thing because I would break it out stat.

Neon is not always the easiest to wear though as photos from the eighties will atest. I bought a neon reflective vest for a 6-mile Christmas lights running tour in downtown Richmond that I'm doing tomorrow, and I'm positive that even that will look awful. Perhaps the best way to approach this trend is through shoes - preferably in hot pink.
[cusp.com]

I'm obsessed with Elizabeth and James's 'Open-Throat Slingback.' These hot pink leather heels with floral cut-outs from Cusp would be perfect with a black dress.
The neon pink 'Cradle Wedge' by daniblack also from Cusp ($150) are also pretty fabulous. I envision them with black tights now and without for spring.
[nordstrom.com]

DV by Dolce Vita's 'Ontario' sandals ($49.95) in pink patent leather from Nordstrom are the perfect flats for a vacation.
I'm also loving these Betsey Johnson 'Keilor' sandals ($149.95) from Nordstrom. I'd wear them now with tights to a holiday party.

Yipes! Stripes!

[Imaxtree/InStyle.com]

Stripes were all over the runways for spring 2010 from Alexander Wang to Givenchy to Sonia Rykiel. I've always loved stripes, so I'm very excited that they're so chic now. Wear striped tops now layered under cardigans and coats then wear them alone in the spring. Here are a few of my faves...
[piperlime.com]

Splendid makes great tees. I love their 'Striped V-Neck' on Piperlime (one of my favorite sites). This adorable wardrobe staple is available in navy ($56) and lipstick (on sale for $39.99).

[intermixonline.com]

Intermix also has a the 'Short Sleeve Striped Tee' by Splendid ($60). The scooped hemline in the back and dolman sleeves make this top fresh.
[topshop.com]

The bow on this 'Bow Print Striped Tee' from U.K. fashion mecca TopShop makes it go above and beyond your average striped top ($40). [forever21.com]

This 'Asymmetrical Striped Tunic' from Forever 21 will look great with leggings. The asymmetrical stripes are slimming, and the price is ridiculously affordable at $13.80.
[shopbop.com]

You could also try a striped dress like the 'Twist Belt Dress' by Mason by Michelle Mason on ShopBop.com (30% off for $130.90). This grey-and-white jersey dress with the dropped waist and twisted belt detail is fabulous. You could definitely wear it now with tights and in the warmer months too.

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.

Sonia Rykiel's launch event in Paris

[socialitelife.celebuzz.com]

Last night Kate Bosworth wore this lovely apricot, sequined dress by Sonia Rykiel to the designer's H&M lingerie line launch event in Paris. I'm loving that giant bow - tres French. I like that she wore simple heels, hair and makeup since the dress definitely speaks for itself.



The Grand Palais, an impressive glass exhibition center built in 1900, was transformed into a "fantasy Paris" for the event.

Rykiel's lingerie line hits 1,500 H&M stores this Saturday, December 5. Luckily when I was in there this week, I received a 15% off coupon. I'll definitely be using that!

Zac Posen for Target

My heart be still! WWD is reporting that Zac Posen is creating a collection for Target that will debut this spring. The Go International line will be out from April 30 through May 25, 2010.

Target has yet to release the prices of the collection, but they are typically very reasonable. Celebs galore, including Natalie Portman and Gwyneth Paltrow, are fans of Posen's designs, which are currently sold at Bergdorf's, Neiman Marcus, Intermix and more.

Below are a few photos from his colorful Spring 2010 RTW collection.
[nymag.com]

Also, Rodarte's line hits Target stores (and the Web) on December 20. From what I've seen of the collection in magazines, it's going to be fabulous.