We should all have a little black dress.
I'm not one to always adhere to fashion advice - because the style circuit has its own pundits, and I look at pundits as talking heads - I personally need to see proof (as in - um, what are YOU wearing, dear?). But the little black dress is a classic, and every woman should be able to snatch that one good, welll-fitted, perfect for just about every occasion dress outta the closet. Sheaths? Yes, of course - add pearls & Louboutins, it's perfect. BUT sometimes you need a dramatic effect...
...as my friend, Miss Princess Dominique does, for the redesign of her fashion blog. So, I've been searching, but I'm not finding a whole lot out there...?
I think designers right now are just way too enamored with Michelle Obama's arms....sheaths, sleeveless, more sheaths,more sleeveless....arms are big right now. Now call me crazy - "oh that crazy Saga", but I want sleeves. Not just any sleeves either - I want BIG SLEEVES. Sleeves with interest like this:
This John Galliano for Dior number was featured in Harper's Bazaar and is listed at $13,890 (click pic to enlarge) - but can you avoid fabulous in this number? The pleating, the satin, the bell sleeves - just add proper jewelry, hair and stillettos and it's a done deal.
This Akris Embroidered Sleeve Dress from Neiman Marcus ($3,990) is also a hottie (click pic to enlarge). Nice sleeve interest, and the fit is that of a classic sheath - form fitting where you want, skimming the body where you don't. Love this. I'd ditch the dark tights and boots, and add a shoe that shows more skin, like the Rhett sandal from L.A.M.B. but that's just me ;)
ah - a late entry. If you can't decide sleeved or sleeveless, how about both? The Akris One-Sleeve Jersey Dress (Neiman Marcus, $2,990) features a flutter-pleat sleeve (you really have to click to enlarge to get the full effect) on a black turtleneck stretch sheath. Futuristic? Yes. Fab? Also, yes.
Now, given that I cannot find a dress with sleeves (ugh - the horrors) - how about neckline interest? I thought about a nice face framing neckline, high-collar etc, but really - we're not going for purely victorian, are we? So instead - a plunge like The Herve Leger Signature Essential Dress from Neiman Marcus ($1,050)(click pic to enlarge). It's very reminiscient of the bandage dress (of which the black version is making its rounds on the red carpet - And Hot Slut of The Day on Dlisted) but with less exposure - both of your skin and of the actual dress (who really wants to wear the dress that everyone else's already had?) :)
Ok, I know it's not black, but since we already know MissPrincessDom is not buying off the rack - she can get her custom noir color.
And bottom line, if she has to give in to designers obsessed with arms, then I'd love to see her do it fabulously. This Badgley Mischka Platinum ($650, from Neiman Marcus - click pic to enlarge) combines the best sheath with the satin, pleats, the bandage effect - it's a beautiful look.
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