i find it all but impossible to resist a classic, regardless of what’s going on with my wallet, and this has to be one of the most perfect LBDs i’ve seen in ages.

the cut is so flattering and timeless, and the strong pleating on the bustline adds such unique, beautiful detail.  if you happen to be a size 4 or smaller, this might just be the best $244 you could possibly spend on your wardrobe.

buy it at ssense on sale - or, you can get it up to a size 8 over at revolve clothing (something tells me you could convince them to price-match ssense without too much effort).  while you’re over there, this one’s pretty amazing as well.  black halo – who knew?

first, a little confession:  i’m actually writing this before the actual awards show has even started.  as a style writer, for me, the awards are beyond secondary – it’s all about the pre-game red-carpet festivities.  while the filmgoer in me is rooting loudly for kate winslet and sean penn to win (update:  they did!), the fashion critic in me really cares only about the looks strolling down the red carpet.

this year’s fashions provided much less fodder for complaint than in years past.  there were some really amazing looks, and only a handful that caused my inner fashion police siren to start screaming.  the vast majority of the looks were understated and classic – a nod, i’m sure, to the drama in the economy.  fortunately, a few stunning stars took it upon themselves to remind us of what we love about hollywood:  the escapsim and glamour.  

my favorite look of the evening was kate winslet, a perennial favorite of mine.  she never fails to deliver hollywood glamour in spades, and tonight was no exception.  her stunning gunmetal gown, by yves saint laurent, boasted an asymmetrical one-shouldered bodice, crisp belting at the waist, and then dripped drama with a delicate and detailed black lace overlay.  i loved that she let the dress speak for itself – her only jewelry was a pair of classic drop earrings and a diamond bangle.

sarah jessica parker’s gown ran a very close second in my book.  her gown, by dior haute couture, was everything we’d expect from this fashion icon.  referring to the color of her gown as “barely mint,” parker simply radiated style and stardom.  the gold accents in the fabric, that fantastic belt, and the extravagant, floaty ball skirt were a perfect combination.  in a perfect world, i’d have covered her decolletage a bit more, but…

other winners in my book:  amy adams took the prize for best accessory, with her stunning fred leighton choker, and marisa tomei‘s gown was museum-worthy in its gorgeous origami detailing (though i didn’t love how she carried it off).  and i loved the subtle detail on taraji p. henson‘s gown – it was the perfect blend of elegance and drama.

of course, there’s nothing like a night of glitz and glamour to bring out the cattiness in fashion critics everywhere…present company included.  i freely admit i used to feel so badly for the stars who end up battered and bruised in the hindsight commentary from the fashion police.  but the more i’ve learned about this incredible industry, the more i realize that with all of the hours of planning, shopping, prepping and primping that go into putting a star on the red carpet, there’s just no excuse for the worst of the worst.

i was so excited to see what freida pinto would do with her oscar look – her lovely skin tone makes her an ideal candidate for bold, bright color, and showing off a little skin.  sadly, while the color was there, the skin wasn’t…and the asymmetrical bodice just didn’t work for me.  the whole thing was made worse by a single long sleeve made entirely of lace….just far too dowdy and old-fashioned for her hip, sexy vibe.

jessica biel’s was another look that really disappointed me.  with a figure like hers, the possibilities are endless.  so, unless she’s hiding a baby bump, there was little to explain away the gratuitous draping on the front of her gown.  but the real crime was her footwear – a black closed-toe pump with a cream column gown?  i would have loved to see a metallic shoe, and open-toe seems so obvious…i just have no idea what she was thinking.  add on a very lackluster half-up hairstyle, and the look just fell flat.

as for other misses, i wasn’t thrilled about miley cyrus‘ over-the-top style, which just seemed to completely overpower her.  ditto for beyonce‘s look, which i wanted to love at first glance.  but it’s no small feat to overpower someone like her (not to mention the fact that the gown was completely unflattering, adding at least a couple of hours to her hourglass figure).  and then there was mickey rourke…but really, i think the photo just speaks for itself.  just as well, as i was left speechless.  

ultimately, this just wasn’t a year for shock and drama at the oscars.  but if you’re looking for trends to take to the bank, there was clear evidence that classic glamour is back, statement jewelry can make even a lackluster gown fabulous, and when in doubt – a belt provides instant structure and style to nearly any ensemble.  nothing we didn’t know before…but sometimes, a little validation is all you need.

*all photos courtesy AP and eonline.com

(have you entered our giveaway yet?)

admit it…that was some impressive alliteration.  plus, it’s true – there are some serious scores at both of these lovely shops, and i had to share.

at sotto boutique this week, take an additional 30% off the lowest marked price sitewide with code grechen - in other words, discounts so deep, it’s math i can’t even do.  i’m talking steals like these a-ma-zing devotte sandals for $77, down from $300 (also in emerald and black).  i love the idea of these with tights now – so chic.  and this summer…sigh!  

or what about these gorgeous ruffle t-straps for $100 (also down from $300) – you know i’ve been in love with the style, and these are definitely a steal.  

there’s some amazing apparel not to miss as well – this madison marcus dress is right on trend for spring with those ethereal ruffles, and at $70, you’ll be the toast of every party you attend this summer!

for even more fun, shopbop just did a new round of markdowns up to 70%…hurrah!  most of the best deals are actually on pieces from warmer weather times last year, so you can start to bulk up that spring/summer wardrobe.  personally, i’ll finally be scoring this cashmere v-neck sweater i’ve been after since thanksgiving.  it’s 70% off now, down to $60, and my cashmere snobbery is sated:  my experience with shopbop’s house brand is flawless.  

i’m also pretty heavily into this luc kieffer zipper bangle – i showed you the barbed wire version once upon a time, but i might love this even more, especially for $58!

for some reason, i go through bag color phases.  a couple of years ago, it was cobalt – which i sated with a rebecca minkoff bag.  last year, it was yellow…resolved by the amazing gerard darel.  this year, i can feel the green obsession beginning.  this botkier ziggy bag would be a fantastic way to stop the craving in its tracks for a song (well, $178…song optional).  plus, i’m loving the easy, slouchy hobo this year – i’m getting too lazy to hand-carry my bag.

so, what fab pieces will you be splurging (er, saving!) on?

i’ve been thinking about the economy.  (stay with me here, i’m thinking in fashion terms.)  

there are two economic theories that deal with hemlines:  in the first theory, the winner is the mini. the story goes that skirts get shorter when the economy gets tighter (in other words, less fabric = less money).  the other theory is the exact opposite:  dropping hemlines mean a falling economy.  historically, the short flapper styles of the ’20s and minis from the ’60s supported this theory, as the economy was strong.

today, while we’re being bombarded every day with news on the markets rising and falling like mad, hemlines are all over the charts.  so, what do you all think?  in poor economic times (or as the trends swing), do you go with the mini, the maxi or somewhere in between?  or do you just ignore the trends altogether and wear what you like?

personally, i choose my hems based on the event, not the economy.  here are my three picks, with three different hemlines, all for under $200.

for a night out with my hubbie, i might choose a sexy mini, like the fast mojo by french connection.  at a black tie charity ball, nothing could come between me and my one shoulder jersey calvin klein dress, in this beauty I would feel glamorous all night.  finally, my go-to length is this flirty tiered mesh dress by maggie london - it would take me anywhere from the office christmas party to the family new year’s eve gathering.  but whatever you wear to your holiday gatherings, the best look is a great smile, worn by the girl who isn’t letting the economy cramp her style!

~ J

some people love a parade, but i love a sale.  so when the lovely folks over at doie designs emailed to let me know they were offering a coupon code for 50% off their entire site (yes, even sale prices) in an effort to clean house, i was first in line to check it out.

for those of you that are into the eco-fashion trend, doie is definitely the place to be.  we’ve talked about doie before, but as a refresher, pieces are made from either earth-friendly bamboo jersey or pure silk.  for me, the silk/jersey combo just means each piece is light, comfy, and amazingly soft…i know, my commitment to the environment is astounding.

the site is organized by season, which means no direct links, i’m afraid.  but i’ll be picking up the kimono robe from spring ’07 (left pic) in chocolate brown, which has that perfect blend of sexy and comfy and is now under $50.  i’ve been coveting the all-silk pulau top (center pic) from her spring ’08 collection since i first spied it – and now that it’s down to $55, i may just have to take the plunge. 

and, for my newly pregnant friend M, i feel duty-bound to point out the pesar and ubud dresses from spring ’08, as well as that lovely nagameru dress (right pic), all of which would be perfect belly-camouflage options.  ooh, and the gaucho pants from spring ’07 – the length is great for lounging, and the tie at the belly will keep these working perfectly until the weather cools off.

use code DAILY08 to score this deal.  and as always, get there early before the best goods are gone!

you know, i sometimes think basics are the unsung heroes of the fashion world. i mean, sure that couture dior dress is fantastically unique, over-the-top, and statement-making, to say the least. but honestly, is it a piece you can turn to whenever your wardrobe is letting you down? hardly.

this stunning sheath, on the other hand, is one of those dresses you grab when nothing in your closet feels right.  the tailoring is flawless, and the spandex-enhanced fabric ensures you’ll be gorgeous even when you think it’s impossible.  add on a scarf and a fabulous pump, and suddenly, you feel amazing.  and i’m telling you, those pleats at the neckline and the belted waist are just perfectly on-trend for fall.

nab it at nordstrom for a very reasonable $135 during the sale, but move quick. turns out classics still sell out after all.

this feels like the perfect conservative option for summer months, for those of us who aren’t loving the spaghetti-strap/oh-so-short hem options out there. this one is perfect for the office, but still hip enough for evenings out. i love the detailing on the sleeve, which is right on trend this year. and the accessorizing options on this are endless – i’d love to see it with a bright belt and flats, or dressed up with a chunky necklace and mary jane heels.

best of all, it’s on sale – $78 at saks, but not for long.

(again, a great big thanks to connie at the daily obsession for giving us her take on the best summer dresses out there!)

Ahh…as the weather warms up, I just crave dresses. That means I’ll be keeping my eye out for new frocks and pulling out the credit cards so I can add them to my closet!

To start, I need to find some work-appropriate dresses. Hanii Y has this fabulous black dress embroidered with white circles, which are totally classic but fun. I adore the feminine puff sleeves, yet structured shape. I also know that I won’t be sweating bullets at a client meeting when it’s 90 degrees out, since it’s totally lightweight. Linen is also never a bad path to go down. This Thurley dress feels very organic, but the black embroidery adds sophistication. All I would need is are a pair of simple black round toe pumps to finish the look.

For the weekend, I’m all over lightweight sundresses like this one by Maeve. The bright color is cheery, but what really captured my attention was the neckline. It has a lovely pleated design over the decollete area, which I think is so fun. Another option is this fantastic silk halter dress by Vanitas of California. How can you not love the beautiful dripping blue, green and white print? Plus, you could wear this on a variety of occasions – from the annual family picnic to a friend’s engagement party.

Lastly, I have to talk about my favorite go-to store, J. Crew. I can always count on them for some great, reasonably priced pieces – and lately, they’ve been knocking it out of the park. For a easy day dress, my pick is this cherry blossom button-front dress. I’d belt it and wear it to work with a structured tote and heels. I also adore this colorblock shift; the vibrant pairing of orange and magenta is so bold and fun, making it perfect for the season. Plus, the texture and shape of the dress is a bit of a throwback to the ’60s that is flattering on most body types.

Have any other suggestions? Drop a comment and let us know!

hard to believe, but i’m already getting reader questions about summer wedding attire. is it really that time already?

no matter – i have a fantastic solution to this annual dilemma. this darling dress by theory just screams spring to me. i love the ruched bodice, love the length, love the pockets – i would wear this beauty to every wedding, baby shower, and bar mitzvah between now and september.

the color is fantastic, flattering on pretty much any skin tone, and perfect for warm weather. the silhouette is forgiving enough to allow for that second piece of wedding cake. and the style is simple enough to allow for multiple wears without anyone pointing at you and screaming “hey, you wore that to nancy’s wedding last month!” after one too many trips to the open bar.

to restyle this piece and really make it your own, try adding a huge, chunky necklace in cobalt blue one day, and a dainty strand of pearls another. cardigans, blazers, sure…but i’d even consider layering a white button-down over it, and using the belt to tie the whole thing together (no pun intended). or, scrap the belt entirely, and substitute a gorgeous scarf.

that’s a lot of mileage to get out of a dress for $250. oh, and free two-day shipping (hurray for avoiding their notoriously slow-boat shipping) with code NMFAST.

everywhere i turn this month, it’s all about mod print dresses. cute little minis with gorgeous retro-inspired prints, and oh-so-wearable silhouettes. a few of my faves:

the print on this gorgeous badgley mischka shift dress ($398) is so stunning, i hardly know where to start. it has all the vintage charm you could ask for, which tells me this beauty will be staying in your closet for decades to come. the price is a little steep, but it’s actually reasonable for the brand – a great opportunity to score a high fashion piece without a second mortgage. if i splurge on one great piece this spring, i think this dress will be it.

this marc by marc jacobs colorblock dress ($298) just screams retro, but he’s done a beautiful job of updating the styling for modern wear. plus, the silhouette is ultra-flattering for just about anyone.

on the more affordable end of the scale, i love this shirt dress by maggy london ($158). i’m not normally terribly impressed by her construction, i’ll warn you. but i love the print, and i love the ruffle collar – this dress would be absolutely perfect for work, and i think undoing a few buttons at the top would even make this happy-hour appropriate.

from our friends over at tobi, this soda blu flutter dress ($93) is a great way to try out the trend without breaking the bank. love the color combo, which is striking, but neutral enough that you can really use accessories to change the look.

finally, this version by ziji is really gorgeous – i love the print, but i love the silhouette even more. the drop waist, the asymmetrical neckline, the draped sleeves…it’s just fantastic. and, it’s marked down to $60. so, if you happen to be a size 8, you shouldn’t even have to think about this one!