Sweater Girls

It was bound to happen.  It was a natural progression from the loose tunics of the spring and summer to a warmer version for winter and fall.  The resurgence of leggings and tights begged for the perfect cold-weather topper to complement them.  Plus,  it is the perfect thing to pair with printed tights and booties or all those slouchy boots you bought last winter.  I give a hearty welcome to the sweater dress this fall.

Sweater everything is in now, from thick cable-sweater-knit tights to the long cardigan paired with a skinny belt, there are endless ways to keep warm and look hot.  Nothing does it quite so effortlessly as the sweater dress, though.  Plus, due to the fact that so many sweater dresses are solid with simple-easy cuts, one can pair boldly-colored and wildly-printed tights with them and not look overdone.  It is a great way to get more usefulness out of the tights and booties you bought to pair with this season's shorts.  For added trendiness, you could throw a cape or poncho over it, add a slouchy hobo and a great pair of earrings to really complete this easy look.



Sweater Dresses
bebe Off-Shoulder Sweater Dress $79
Nanette Lepore Tea & Tartan Plaid Sweater Dress $298
Old Navy V-neck Argyle Sweater Dress $39.50
BCBG Max Azria Cowl-Neck Sweater Dress $138
Victoria Secret Tweedy Sweater Dress $68
Evans Plus-Sized Knitted Button-Back Dress £25
Stella McCartney Chunky Wool Sweater Dress $895
bebe Knit Cowl-Neck Dress $89
Jonathan Martin Women's Plus Size Sweater Dress $32
Prabal Gurung Cashmere Sweater Dress $750
Avenue Diamond Accent Cowl-Neck Sweater Dress $44.90
Ann Taylor Merino Cowl Neck Sweater Dress $128
Victoria Secret Turtleneck Cable Sweaterdress $69
Helmut Lang Cowl Neck Sweater Dress $345
Diesel Wool Mix Cable Knit $244.33
Gap Cowl-Neck Sweater Dress $74.50
Evans Colourblock Knit Dress £35
L.A.M.B. Cowl Neck Sweater Dress $195
BCBG Max Azria Long-Sleeved Cabled Sweater Dress $138
McQ Wool Cable-Knit Sweater Dress $440
Victoria Secret Drop-Waist Dress with Pleats $59
Lauren by Ralph Lauren Barra Sweater Dress $129
Love 21 Tribal Print Sweater Dress $27.80
American Retro Amy Sweater Dress $218
Tommy Hilfiger Grant Argyle Sweater Dress $89.50
Diesel Wool Mix Multi-Knit Dress $219.05
Avenue Rib-Trimmed Sweater Dress $44.90
Victoria Secret Cable-Knit Button T-Neck Sweater Dress $78
BCBG Max Azria Drop-Stitch Sweater Dress $278
Calvin Klein Jeans Turtleneck Dress $79.50
D&G Cable-Knit Wool -Blend Sweater Dress $445

bebe Sheer Pointelle Dress $89
Karen Millen Zip Knitted Dress $202.20
Connected Apparel Sweater Knit Dress $43
McQ Zebra Sweater Dress $265
Jax Cowl-Neck Sweater Dress $63


Tights
Ozone Illusion Stripe Tights $29
Emilio Cavallini Houndstooth Tights $22.75
Hansel from Basel Curtain Tights $18
Missoni Knit Mix Tights $192
Hansel from Basel My Lost Glasses Tights $35
Celeste Stein Harlequin Print Tights $24
Kate Spade Graphic Dot Tights $30
Hansel from Basel Woolrich Stripe Tights $42
K. Bell Two-Tone Tights $12
Kate Spade Tonal Argyle Tights $28


Boots & Booties
ASOS Tobago Shoe-Boot $75.83
Sergio Rossi Gstaad Back-Zip Booties $1160
Report Signature Caleb Boots $194
BCBG Max Azria Platform Ankle Boot $250
Sketchers Round-Toe Boots $89
ALDO Donlin Wedge Bootie $110
Oasis Paper Doll Shoe-Boots $134.08
Miss Sixty Over-the-Knee Riding Boot $260
Colin Stuart Foldover Bootie $88
BCBG Max Azria Suede Ankle Boot $295
Report Side-Tie Boot $89


Other Accents
Nanette Lepore Twisted Fringe Hobo $475
Bing Bang Hound Earrings $108
Foley + Corinna Grand Street Hobo $495
Bop Basics Feather Earrings $98
Velvetine Iggy Hobo $750
Marc by Marc Jacobs Metal Bow Stud $38
Ash Linda Slouchy Coated Canvas Bag $261.18
Elizabeth and James Bar Drop Earrings $85
American Retro Chloe Bag $485
Kate Spade Bow Studs $32.50
Banana Republic Leather Tassel Hobo $98
Jaquie Aiche Thread Shower Earrings $132
Gorjana Hudson Hobo $418
Bing Bang Large Triangle Earrings $88
Linea Pelle Alex Suede Vintage Hobo $475
Gorjana Owen Earrings $108
Cleobella Kaya Boho Bag $528
Soixante Neuf Open Weave Earrings $216
Rebecca Minkoff Nikki Alligator Impression Hobo $595

Belt It Out

The most hardworking accessory this fall is the belt.  Adding this accessory to just about anything updates your wardrobe.  A great belt over a dress, a cardigan or a jacket makes your old wardrobe staples look very trendy for fall 2010.  It is especially useful in making your work clothes more exciting and trendy.  While thicker, distinctive belts really spice up dresses, with jackets and cardigans thinner belts tend to work better.  Twist or knot the belt for a bit of extra flare.

Antik Batik Ninon Thin Suede Belt $138.00
BCBG Woven Studded Belt $88.00
Elegantly Waisted Ryder Belt $41.00
Sachin + Babi Tabea Belt $280
GAP Silver Patent Skinny Belt $19.50
Linea Pelle Vintage Skinny Hip Belt $84.00
Gorjana Studded Wrap Belt $110.00
Limited Leopard Covered-Buckle Skinny Belt $19.90
B-Low the Belt Skinny Tassel Belt $105.00
Graham & Spencer Belt $151.00
Banana Republic Skinny Staple Belt $39.50
Antik Batik Dream Thin Belt $138.00
TopShop Plain Leather Vintage Belt $30.00
Elegantly Waisted Harlow Belt $38.50
Madewell Animal Attraction Belt $48.00
Diane von Furstenberg Jasmine Belt $175.00
J. Crew Calf Hair Belt $60.00
Elegantly Waisted Mini Haley Belt $121.00
BCBG Double-Strand Studded Belt $58.00
Adia Kibur Braided Chain Belt $58.00
GAP Skinny Faux-Snakeskin Leather Belt $19.50
Crimson Saddle Skinny Leather Belt $20.00
Elegantly Waisted Ellen Belt $125.00
Limited Covered-Buckle Skinny Belt $19.90
Linea Pelle Skinny Hip Belt $84.00
Banana Republic Skinny Lizard Belt $29.50
Gorjana Studded Belt $75.00
TopShop Leopard Corset-Shaped Belt $70.00
Kettle Black Double-Wrap Belt $110.00
Madewell Stirrup Belt $52.00
Linea Pelle Pyramid Stud Hip Belt $106.00
J.Crew Patent Leather $29.50
BCBG Braided Detail Belt $88.00
Sachin + Babi Wrap Belt $210.00
GAP Studded Braided Belt $19.99 - 24.99
Cole Haan Village Skinny Belt $38.00
Hollywood Trading Company 10,000 Studs Deluxe Belt $220.00
Limited Obi Braided Belt $34.50
Banana Republic Skinny Metallic Belt $29.50
Motif 56 Sima Belt $145.00
TopShop Leopard Skinny Belt $36.00
Elegantly Waisted Twist Belt $137.00
J. Crew Smooth Leather Belt $32.50
Linea Pelle Skinny Small Grommet Belt $78.00
Limited Black Bow Stretch Belt $29.50
TopShop Woven Leather Elastic Belt $50.00
Motif 56 Lauren Belt $99.00

J.Crew Leather Patent Belt $39.50
Calvin Klein Reversible Skinny Logo Belt $36.00
Limited Reversible Wide Waist Belt $44.50
TopShop Leather Plain Clasp Belt $44.00
Lulu's All About Weave Belt $17.00
Elegantly Waisted Cummerbund Belt $121.00
J. Crew Oval Buckle Denim Belt $38.00
Motif 56 Leeora Wrap Belt $135.00
TopShop Moulded Bow-Detail Skinny Belt $30.00
Lulu's Step Into the Ring Double-Wrap Belt $12.00
Halston Heritage Faux Watersnake Belt $195.00
Elegantly Waisted Kit Belt $60.20
Another Line Skinny Patent Belt (sizes up to 3X) $28.00
Lauren by Ralph Lauren Reversible Belt (sizes up to 2X) $38.00
Another Line Skinny Calf Hair Belt (sizes up to 3X) $34.00
Carmakoma Rollercoaster Plus-Sized Belt $36.85
Simply Be Plus-Sized Skinny Belt $17.00
Simply Be Plus-Sized Double-Buckle Belt $30.00
Igigi Plus-Sized Buckle Belt $65.00

Johnny Dangerously and the Plight of the Fat Wallet.

Picture it: You step out of the house lookin', feelin', like a million bucks. Pants pressed and fitted; shirt tucked, tie straight. Confidence abound, you board the train and do the gentlemanly thing by letting the lady take the last seat. She thanks you and smiles. You catch her eye a few more times, she smiles coyly. You play it cool and turn your back to her briefly. Her eyes widen, she stifles a giggle, maybe even a gasp. Baby, she's not admiring your sweet derrière.

Your backside is where she's looking, but her giggles and pointing are not about how sexy your ass looks in those navy blue Ferragamo flat fronts... Trust me. She's only trying to figure out what the hell is in your back pocket and why.

Fellas, I'm sorry. This is not, nor has it ever been a good look. Beauty is about symmetry. And a lumpy butt, is NOT balanced.

The fashion magazines got it down... Looking cool has NEVER been easier.

Trends are simple and all about what make you look and feel good. And fellas, this goes doubly true for you. I understand being comfortable and I understand needing (necessary) things handy, but cramming your wallet, stuffed to the gills with old credit card receipts, business cards and expired condoms, into your back pocket is sooooo 80's. And just plain UN-sexy.

Your options for a more stylish, not to mention slimmer look, are BEYOND plentiful.

The "man bag" joke is so passè. The messenger bag and its stereotypes, have come a long way since the days of Joey Tribbiani and the "man bag" episode. These days, carrying a bag is not only convenient, but a stylish way to avoid lumpy butt. They come in all shapes, sizes and styles and convert easily from office to gym to home, with minimal issue.

Here are some great casual versions for fall:

Allegheny Messenger in Rum or Cola ($195)

Kenneth Cole Canvas Messenger (on sale for $69.99)

Fossil EW Messenger - Ranger ($168)

Marc New York Rivington Canvas Brief ($140)

Jack Spade "York" Briefcase ($245)

A slightly dressier messenger for work (and play):

ALDO Sarani Messenger ($50)

Ben Sherman East West Messenger ($99)

Fossil City Bag - Jesse ($168)

Laredo Leather Colorado Deluxe Messenger ($295)

Alpha Bravo Beale Mini Messenger ($175)

Okay, so you've looked through the bags found one you liked, but your buddies have threatened to revoke your man card, or maybe you just can't bring yourself to man up and throw down the cash for a bag just yet. Fine. We can address this issue again another day. But on behalf of all the stylish women of the world, who prefer to associate with men who are sexy, clean and balanced (inside and out), please for the love of all things expensive (like your $260 Diesel Jeans), can we compromise? Pretty please?

How about a wallet slim down...?:

Kenneth Cole Lugano Money Clip ($35)

Perry Ellis Leather and Canvas Slim Wallet ($29.50)

Fossil ID Bi-fold Front Pocket Wallet ($25)

Calvin Klein Front Pocket Wallet ($40)

Inexpensive. Convenient. SLIM.

So you can avoid looking like this:

And start looking more like this:

"It’s one sure way a woman can tell if a guy is straight... No gay man would ever deliberately put a lump on his butt.” --Isaac Mizrahi

Who Wears Short Shorts?

One new trend this fall that I'm quite excited about is shorts.  My first reaction (as a Chicago native) was that it is too cold for shorts in the fall.  However, as I kept seeing gorgeous examples of the trend (and as temps here in the Southwest continued to stay in the 70s and 80s), I've become more and more enamored with the trend.  I am especially fond of the tailored pleated versions, whether they be the bottom half of a romper, worn with bare legs and platform booties, or paired with opaque or patterned tights.

Fortunately for fashionistas, they can be found all over the place in a variety of different price ranges.  Below are some gorgeous examples of this trend.


Madewell Shimmer Shorts $88

Trina Turk Meadowland Twill Naturalize Shorts $158

Alice by Temperly Alivia Shorts $195

Adam Turn-Up Shorts $61.50

Valentino Wool-Blend Shorts $990

Theory Intellect Shariann Shorts $235

athe by Vanesso Bruno Pisque de Laine Shorts $203

Diane von Furstenberg Dax Shorts $410

Bird by Juicy Couture High-Waisted Wool Shorts $260

Sportmax Code Tie-Front Shorts $185.26

Elizabeth and James Hunter Shorts $245

Notify Boyfriend Washed Suede Shorts $635

Black Halo Paula Shorts $158

Calvin Klein Jeans Romper $39.99

J. Crew Wool Tuxedo Shorts $88

Vanessa Bruno Wool-Blend Mid-Rise Shorts $330

Theory Black Wool Shorts $295.05

Erin Brynie Sailor Shorts $44

Madewell Day-to-Night Romper $98

J. Crew Drapey Wool Beatrice Shorts $88

Juicy Couture Sexy Chino Sailor Shorts $98

Avenue Plus-Sized Windowpane Checked Ponte Shorts $24.90

Avenue Plus-Sized Striped Cotton Linen Cuffed Shorts $9.96


Update October 3, 8:48 a.m.:

Some reasonably priced options in this style:

The Limited Drew Tab Cuffed Shorts $49.90

Express Houndstooth Military Shorts $49.90

Arden B. High Waist Tab Short $19.99

The Limited Cassidy Essential Short $44.50

Arden B. Cuffed Welt Pocket Shorts $19.99

Express Belted Tweed Shorts $54.90

Zara Twill Shorts with Side Buckles $29.90

Arden B. One-Shoulder Ruffle Romper $39.99

Express Faux Satin Military Shorts $49.90

Flat as a Pancake

We have been asked for posts on shoes for women who do not worship 4-inch-heels the way we do.  Today, I do my best to deliver.  Here are some cute flats I found.  All of them are on sale.  Some of them for extremely good prices.

Gabriella Rocha Brigitta sandal - $24.75

Via Spiga Veronia moccasins - $69.30

Fergalicious Alana ballet flat - $27.99

Sam Edelman Calypso ballet flat - $80.47 ($94.05 at Amazon)

Gabriella Rocha Neve ballet flat - $28.18

Marc Jacobs MJ14402 ballet flat - $229.75

B. Makowsky Rene ankle wrap flat - $65.40

Chinese Laundry Annabella jelly flat - $27.30 ($32.05 at Amazon) (I hate the attempts to bring back jellies, but I really like this shoe!)

Gabriella Rocha Fitzroy gladiator sandal - $24.38

Bella Vita Limit Skimmer - $19.95

ALDO Pilcher flats - $16.98

Patagonia Bandha gladiator sandal - $63.00 (note: these shoes run large, you may want to order a size down)

Charles by Charles David Canary ballet flat - $47.57

Sketchers Dreamgirls moccasins - $22.00

Kate Spade Jump ballet flats - $189.00

Elizabeth and James Myra ballet flat - $184.28

Calvin Klein Zanza ballet flat - $52.00

Söfft Parma skimmer - $34.95

Donal J Pliner Eda peep-toe flats - $112.00

Volatile Bindy moccasins - $24.00

There were so many cute flats, there were far too many for one post.  I limited the number included in this post to a few good deals from 6 pm.com and plan to bring you more flats in the future if I get feedback from readers that you want more.

Booties, Baby!

If there is any one style in shoes that says 2010, it is the hybrid between a shoe and a boot. There is a lot of variation in what to call shoes of this style, shoes, sandals, booties, shooties, boots. The only consistent description is "gorgeous." We've done a little looking around to find some examples of this style of footwear for any readers looking for a pair or two... or ten.

1. ALDO Daven in bone (if you are lucky enough to wear a size 10) - $44.98

2. ShoeDazzle Jessie in gray (pictured) - $39.95

3. BCBG Max Azria Ivory in gray - $195

4. Kelsey Dagger Sydney in natural - $84.50

5. ALDO Vanhove in beige (pictured) - $80

6. Steve Madden Lavvaa in natural - $89.96

7. Michael Antonio Teeter in tan - $78.95

8. Miss Me Adella-1 in camel or gray - $57.95

9. ALDO Vares in gray - $100

10. Bumper Kvass 03 in camel - $49.99

11. Michael Antonio Matteo in tan - $39.99 or beige - $71.95

12. Mea Shadow Nelita - $154.76

13. Dollhouse Tano in gold (pictured) - $34.99

14. Rosegold Vicky in beige - $168.00

15. Pura Lopez S155 in taupe - $248.89

16. Ash Fabulous in stone - $166.33

17. Joan & David Fernanda in natural - $100.38

18. Pour la Victoire Dierda in cognac or light gray - $87.62

19. Mea Shadow Cettina in camel/fuchsia - $130.76

20. Calvin Klein Dylan in Platino - $104.96

21. ALDO Pipilas - $125.00

22. Nine West Hamish in off white or light natural - $98.95 (if you wear a size 9.5, $46.00)

23. Boutique 9 Lizzee in light brown - $200.00

24. Calvin Klein Rayven in light gray - $158.95

25. Bumper Kakoa in black - $39.99

26. Michael Antonio Smyth in gray or red - $74.95

27. Miss Robertson Espen in olive - $132.95

28. Dolce Vita Farrah in khaki - $180.00

29. NYLA Adrianne in bone (pictured) - $119.95

30. Not Rated Tough Cookie in taupe - $40.89

A bag that complements them all and that comes in a myriad of colors is Rebecca Minkoff's Nikki Hobo. It is one of those splurge-that-is-worth-it items that will serve you well for years to come. Endless.com has a large selection of them and they can be found at ShopBop, Nordstrom, Amazon and Neiman Marcus as well.

Also, considering the lightening speed with which the Paparazzi clutches we wrote about last week sold out on ASOS. We have been trying to find alternate places to purchase those bags. We will post them when we do.