Outfit Idea: Perfectly Perfect for all Occasions

I have become a bit obsessed with less is more since writing about Dior's New Look.  Tailoring, perfect fit, no fuss, polished... these words keep floating through my head.  The question is how to translate this into a chic summer/transitional look?  

Well, in my opinion, nothing is better than the dress.  It is hassle-free and does not require trying to figure out if what top you should wear with which bottoms.  There is much less stress involved as well a smaller chance that you are going to walk out the door as a fashion don't (believe me, I've been there!)  The greater the experimentation factor, the larger the chance of disaster.

More specifically, during this time of the year I would stick with a shift or something in a similar vein.  I have dedicated many posts to the shift because I wholeheartedly believe in it.  It lends itself to many different situations... such as a weekend in the Hamptons with a great hat, cool sandals and fab sunnies.  

New York Fashion Week is right around the corner.  A shift would be chic option with heels and some killer jewelry. Remember, it is still quite hot in September.

Or maybe you are just heading to work... a sexy pair of pointy toe pumps will up your style quotient in a heartbeat.  Add a cute jacket to keep you warm while indoors.

The nice thing about shifts is that they are everywhere.  There is definitely something for every personality... structured and edgy, whimsical/bohemian or straight up preppy.  I am currently fawning over to new J. Crew arrivals (what a shock!)... 

The Allie Dress (do you think they named it after me?!).

 Same dress, different look.

The Jules Dress...

Anthropologie offers a take on the polk dot trend... the Flocked Cobalt Dress.

The new Alice + Olivia Needle Punch Shift for the city girl...

My favorite Tibi Long Sleeve Dress couldn't be more perfect...

That's it.  Simple, chic and no fuss.  Isn't that what it's all about?

                                                                                                                  - Allison

*Photos courtesy of morningpassages.com, washingtonstylereporter.com, fathomway.com, cottages-gardens.cm, hamptons.com, blog.omghaute.com, jcrew.com, anthropologie.com, nordstrom.com and shopbop.com.

Inspiration: The New Look

In 1947 Christian Dior felt that after many years of economic and emotional hardship, women needed to feel like women again.  After years of sharp-shouldered, knee-length suits, Dior introduced softer shoulders, a nipped in waist and billowing skirts... overall the emphasis being on creating an hourglass silhouette.  Carmel Snow, the editor of Harper's Bazaar is famously quoted, "It's quite a revelation dear Christian.  Your dresses have such a new look."  A very important moment in fashion history.

This past June Raf Simons (best known for his gorgeous Jil Sander designs) debuted his first collection as the Artistic Director for the House of Dior.  I fell in love with the simplicity and freshness of this couture collection.  A reminder that one does not need to mix patterns, wear outrageous shoes or don an eclectic ensemble of tough vs feminine to look chic.

I felt that this collection was very inspiring as we start to plan our new Fall looks...

Simple, chic with some fun twists to keep it new... I love this new look for Dior.

                                                                                                    

                                                                                                                        - Allison

*Photos courtesy of google.com, nymag.com.

Outfit Idea: Sweet & Sassy

Around this time every year, the heat starts to get me.  I find myself going through my cooler weather clothes and daydreaming about cool breezes and 50 degree temps.  I don't know why I torture myself...  We still have many very hot and humid days left this summer, so I would be much better off incorporating some of my long lost friends into looks that I can wear now versus coming up with ideas for October.

I have been missing my very best friends... my blue suede shoes.  In the height of summer, I just don't  have a need for them.  It's all about flip flops all of the time.  Therefore, I decided putting together a summer look for night out would be just what I needed.  

Since I'm daydreaming, I am going to include this beauty from J. Crew that I have been crushing on for several months... the Flower Lattice Necklace.  

I love all of the colors used in this necklace.  The use of the cobalt blue and the turquoise gave me an idea... teal and cobalt blue.  I have a sneaking suspicion that this will be big this fall.  I found this Diesel tank (on sale).  A good canvas for the necklace...

Now for a pair of cute shorts... lace shorts are a style that I have wanted to purchase, just never did.  These Sam & Lavi Addison Lace Shorts at Madewell would be perfect!

Perfect!  Just need a bag...  since this ensemble is all about color, why not?  My favorite "go to" clutch just happens to come in pink.  The Clare Vivier Fold Over Clutch...

Now I just need to buy it...

                                           - Allison

*Photos courtesy of jcrew.com, madewell.com, shopbop.com and ssense.com.