Trend-spotting for Fall: Asymmetrical Dresses

Asymmetrical gowns were a big hit on the Fall runways, but the asymmetry didn't stop there. One-shouldered bodices, uneven skirts, and topsy turvy necklines were also out in full force. Check it out below.

Carlos Miele, Jill Stuart, Jill Stuart

Alexander Wang, Lela Rose, Elise Overland

Lanvin, Pucci, Proenza Schouler

Marchesa, Rodarte, Marc by Marc Jacobs


Cynthia Steffe, Acne, Erin Fetherston

Asymmetrical dresses doesn't mean that the traditional one-shouldered options are the only way to where this trend (althought those were all over Erin Fetherston, Marchesa, Lanvin, Elise Overland, and Jill Stuart). Mix it up with one sleeve, like at Acne Carlos Miele, and Rodarte, or try two different types of sleeves/straps on the same dress, like at Cynthia Steffe, Marc by Marc, Pucci, and Alexander Wang, or two different straps on the same side like at Lela Rose. Also popular were the half-gown type skirts, seen at Balmain and Jill Stuart, where the skirt is mini length in the front and knee-length or longer in the back--very simple, but very dramatic. This isn't the most traditional or classic look (I wouldn't recommend a one-shouldered wedding dress) but it's a great wardrobe staple to full out for formal events, cocktail parties, prom, etc, because it's young and fun without being over-the-top.

Image Sources:

Proenza Schouler: style.com
Pucci: style.com
Lanvin: style.com

Marchesa: style.com
Rodarte: style.com

Marc by Marc: style.com
Cynthia Steffe: style.com
Erin Fetherston: style.com

Carlos Miele: style.com

Jill Stuart: style.com

Acne: style.com
Elise Overland: style.com
Alexander Wang: style.com

Lela Rose: style.com

Matthew Williamson for H&M

I assume everybody's pretty familar with Matthew Williamson, previously the designer behind Pucci and still the designer behind his namesake line. Well I have groundbreaking news. He's doing a collection for H&M. I know. And not one of those "it's kind of like my real collection but not really at all like my real collection" things (cough, Alexander McQueen for Target, cough). It actually looks like Matthew Williamson, and it actually looks high quality! I am seriously freaking out about this. It releases at about 200 H&M stores on April 23, so get there early. With all the crazy that came with the Commes de Garcons for H&M collection, I'd get there a couple of hours early. Maybe spend the night on the sidewalk.

I must have this blue boyfriend blazer. The cut and the shade are perfection, and those are some pretty adorable ankle-length pants (start stocking up on these now). That leather jacket/maxi dress combo is genius, and both pieces would look stunning separately as well. And I can't even talk about how gorgeous that pink cocktail dress is. If I didn't know it was H&M, I would have thought it was off the Fall runways. For serious.

There are a bunch of cute, peacock print sweaters and necklaces, some more printed dresses, some hot motorcycle inspired pieces, a super-cute clutch, basically general amazingness. Why can't April come sooner? I don't know if I can wait a whole month for this...

Image Sources:

Suit: glamour.com

Maxi dress: glamour.com
Pink dress: glamour.com

First combo image: nymag.com

Second combo image: nymag.com

Third combo image: nymag.com

The Perfect Spring Accessory

Since last year's sack dresses are so over (who wants to look like a potato sack, anyways?), it's time to start collecting some adorable belts to cinch your spring sundresses, cardigans, and tops. A chic belt can instantly update an outfit, make it more flattering, and take something from overly girly to completely wearable in just a few seconds. I'm totally crushing over this Double Buckle Belt from Rachel Comey. She's a fantastic, not too well known New York designer who does geeky, librarian chic like nobodies business.

This Double Buckle Belt was featured in her Spring/Summer 2009 show, and is finally available in retail! It would be the perfect piece to ground a floaty dress or add depth and visual interest to an old cardigan. You can buy it for $180 at mickmargo.com, or you could save $140 by clicking over to shopflick.com. Shopflick is offering this belt for 78% off (which is a pretty freaking awesome deal) from today, March 25, through tomorrow, March 26 in two different colors, Cognac (light brown) and Whiskey (dark brown). The warm leather shades make this belt a classic, but the double buckle is a little quirky and totally on trend. I just sold myself on this. My wallet will not be happy.

P.S: I'd bookmark shopflick.com. It's a bit like Ideeli or Gilt in that they offer designer goods for a limited time at sample sale prices, but their merchandise seems a little more unique and carefully selected than the stuff on similar sites.

Image Sources:
Rachel Comey runway: style.com
Rachel Comey belt: mickmargo.com

Shopping the Shopbop Sale

Shopbop is having a fantastic sale right now (click on over there if you haven't already!) and they have a couple of great dresses marked down quite a bit that would be perfect for prom.

Vera Wang Lavender Label Strapless Bustier dress, $148.50 from $495 at shopbop.com, LOVE YAY Eve dress, $138.60 from $198 at shopbop.com, Dolce Vita Jackie dress, $115 from $231 at shopbop.com. This Vera Wang dress is adorable. I mean, pleated sweatheart necklace and metallic silver fabric? That's a fool-proof combination. I honestly almost bought this LOVE YAYA dress. The notched neckline is super-sexy, but the shape is so classic and the pockets are so convenient! And who doesn't need a sequin tank dress? Especially a bronze one with a deep back.

Jill Stuart Bell dress, $149.40 from $498 at shopbop.com, T-Bags One Shoulder Lace dress $194.60 from $278 at shopbop.com, Elizabeth and James Long Convertible dress, $206.50 from $295 at shopbop.com. That Jill Stuart dress is so 'PROM!' that its' gone past cliche and into ironic. That didn't make any sense, but I like it. I want to buy and wear it and spin around in circles in it. The lace and the ruffled, one-shoulder strap are not only on-trend, but add a unique flair to this LBD. The Elizabeth and James dress also comes in black, and would be so striking in person! Plus the neckline is convertible, so it could be made strapless or whatever else you desire. And it's made out of jersey--comfy!

Image Sources:

Vera Wang dress: shopbop.com

LOVE YAYA dress: shopbop.com

Elizabeth and James dress: shopbop.com

T-Bags dress: shopbop.com

Jill Stuart dress: shopbop.com

Dolce Vita dress: shopbop.com

Straight off the Runways: Smudgy Brown Shadow

Allure's Daily Reporter called it this morning, but I had to add in my two cents. Smudgy brown shadow was a big hit on the Fall runways, especially at Proenza Schouler and Bottega Veneta, and I think it's going to be my new go-to look. I know everyone loves the classic, black smoky eye, but that can be a bit much on a day to day basis. The same look done with a cocoa brown shadow and liner has a similar, slightly rebellious/sexy look, but is much softer and more wearable.

Proenza Schouler, Bottega Veneta

Any deep, muted brown will work for this, but if you don't have any already, I recommend MAC's Espresso or Tempting, both $14.50 at maccosmetics.com. Line the eyes with a brown pencil (try Urban Decay's 24-7 liner in Bourbon, $16 at sephora.com), and then smudge the brown shadow into the upper and lower lashlines, blending out a bit above and to the side of the upper lashline. You can use a brush, but your fingers work just as well for this since it should look a little smudgy and messy. Add a pale pink lipgloss and you are good to go.

Image Sources:
Bottega Veneta: style.com

Proenza Schouler: style.com

Pacifica Solid Perfume

I think solid perfume is like the greatest idea ever. I mean, it's unspillable, unbreakable, airplane-regulation approved, what else is there to want? The only problem is actually finding one that smells good. A lot of designer perfumes come in solid form, like Marc Jacobs Daisy, all the Tocca scents, Vera Wang Princes, etc., but if I can buy it in a bottle, which is prettier and can sit on my countertop, then I'm probably not going to buy it in a little metal tin. The real solid perfume finds are much cheaper than the designer options, and come in festive little packages.

The two solid perfume lines I've heard the most buzz about are Pacifica and Crazylibellule and the Poppies. I have the Pacifica solid perfume in Tuscan Blood Orange, and I have to say, it's pretty awesome. The formula is very solid, but heats up just enough with the warmth from your fingers to be easy to apply to your wrists, neck, etc. The scent and lasting power aren't all that strong, but the thing with these solid perfumes is that they're perfect for stashing in your purse and doing touch-ups throughout the day. Plus, all of these are paraben, sulfate, synthetic dye, phthalates, GMO, and triclosan free, and all the Pacifica scents are 100% vegan.

Pacifica Solid Perfume in Tuscan Blood Orange, $9 at sephora.com, and in Lotus Garden, $9 at sephora.com. Tuscan Blood Orange is a very sweet, red-fruity citrus. It kind of smells like that Hawaiian red soda, but in a non-disgusting way, and it layers really nicely under my Coco Mademoiselle. Lotus garden has notes of lotus flower, cassis, pink pepper, and green violet leaf, and sounds really lovely. I haven't seen these in the Sephora stores, but some Papyrus stores carry them, so you can sample them in person.


Pacifica Solid Perfume in Malibu Lemon Blossom, $9 at sephora.com, and in Ruby Guava, $9 at sephora.com. Malibu Lemon Blossom is a light, vanilla-lemon scent with a hint wildflowers, and Ruby Guava is a tropical blend of coconut, citrus, and guava.


Crazylibellule and the Poppies Shanghaijava Musc & Patchouli Solid Fragrance, $18 at sephora.com, Crazylibellule and the Poppies Poule de Luxe Vanilla Sucre Glace Solid Fragrance, $18 at sephora.com. The Crazylibellule scents are a bit more money for a bit less product, but $18 is still a steal compared to the $60 plus you'd pay for a regular, designer fragrance. Oh, and the lipstick-esque packaging is precious. Musc & Patchouli has notes of musk, patchouli, lily of the valley, and bergamot but doesn't smell at all dirty-hippie, and Vanilla Sucre Glace is a combination of caramel, vanilla, neroli, jasmine, musk, bergamot, and tangerine, which sounds amazingly warm and cuddly, if that makes any sense.

Image Sources:
Pacifica Blood Orange: sephora.com

Pacifica Malibu Lemon Blossom: sephora.com

Pacifica Ruby Guava: sephora.com

Pacifica Lotus Garden: sephora.com

Crazylibellule Vanilla: sephora.com

Crazylibellule Musc: sephora.com

Oh Reese

I have to confess I love Reese Witherspoon (and hate Ryan Phillipe). I mean, she seems relatively normal, shops at the Gap, is in a totally adorable relationship with Jake Gyllenhaal, and can actually act. Which is why I am seriously impressed by her gown at the Monster's vs. Aliens premiere. This is Rodarte straight off the Fall runways. The only thing that's been changed is the belt.



Girl is working that futuristic mini-dress! I'm in love with this look. Hollywood starlets practically never wear dresses this fashion-forward and adventurous on the red carpet. And they hardly ever pull those looks off. But Reese is wearing that dress with a heavy dose of confidence and a pair of fantastic legs, and I don't think she's ever looked better. Plus Rodarte is from my hometown, so major love.

Image Sources:
Reese Witherspoon: glamour.com
Rodarte Runway: style.com