Recently in Skirts Category

Ladies - all I can say is click and buy! I'm just now back from a trip to San Fran/Napa and while shopping at Saks in San Fran, the Fendi manager told me that I had to get my bum to this boutique called MAC. Think of MAC as the San Fran version of NYC's Opening Ceremony. They stock a bunch of brands you know (Dries, Martin Margiela, Jil Sander...), but also a bunch of ones you've never heard of (posts on those to come!). The owner is super laid back and helpful (she says "right on" and "groovy" a lot, which I loved), so much so that while I was there I OD a bit (I figured I - inadvertently - walked through what I later found out was San Fran's only "bad" area, the Tenderloin, to get there, so I deserved some treats...).

My best buys however were no doubt the seven S/S 2010 Jil Sander pieces I bought - all of which were marked down so much I'm on a natural high just thinking about them! Unfortunately MAC is old school and doesn't do e-commerce, but you can still scoop up the fabulous pieces I bought, on sale, on Jil Sander's website. My fave piece is the 3/4 length dress which I also got in black; this is the dress that opened the S/S 2010 runway show (not the best pic, but that's me wearing it below!). I also got this dress, this skirt, this skirt, and two tops, one white and one black, that match the dress below.

Everything from S/S 2010 is on sale, I highly recommend checking-out some of the pieces. The craftsmanship, fabric, and timeless feel of these looks are euphoria inducing:-)

In a surprising deviation from her usual monochromatic minidress look, Jennifer Aniston opted for a two-piece Lanvin for the red carpet premiere of her new film, "The Switch," Monday night in L.A. While she usually wears either some form of nude or black, Aniston chose to combine her two favorite hues (black is technically not a color, but a shadow). Can I be honest? Not a fan. Is it just me or does she look squeezed into the outfit? I love the skirt but the top isn't doing it for me. I would've paired the asymmetrical ruched skirt with an oversized crisp white man's shirt and pulled her hair back in a tight ponytail. It's a look she's done before--and with much aplomb. The shoes, however, are classic and the clutch--a black croco Ferragamo maxi clutch--is divine.

Tory Burch

I can't help but love feathers, I mean how glamorous do you feel wrapped in feathers (just beware if you wear contact lenses, can be quite painful if you get in the eyes)! I especially love feather skirts for the holidays (I have a gray one) and Tory Burch has a fab one in black this season. Can't wait to get this to wear with a simple white tank and a big chunky necklace. The thing about feather skirts is you have to make sure there is a solid waistband or it gets all funny not to mention you'll look like a pouf. Tory's bird feathered skirt has inset waistband and wool backing so it will keep its shape really well. Is it me or is Tory's collection getting better by the season? I have a huge long list that I want from her A/W season! The Fawn Feathered Skirt is $525.00 at Tory Burch for pre-order!

I went to Madrid a few months ago to visit a friend who moved there for work. While the gorgeous city has got every designer brand you could think of (and many of them are conveniently close to the city's major museums!), the best discovery I made while I was there was Bimba & Lola. I keep meaning to start a Facebook group "Bring Bimba & Lola to the US!". The store has an amazing selection of affordable (think about double the price of Zara), ready-to-wear, shoes, handbags, and jewelry. They have a slew of boutiques around Spain and recently expanded to Asia (they have locations in Portugal, France, and a few other countries as well...). If you're traveling to Europe or Asia I urge you to look at their site to see if there's a Bimba & Lola boutique in the city where you'll be! The boutique targets 20 to 40-somethings and they've got a slew of original pieces that will take you from the office to the bar. The over-all aesthetic is feminine, but understated and most of the designs come in both neutral as well as popping colors.

Now that we are done opening presents and and giving lots of holiday hugs and kisses to each other, we can start thinking about the next big party-- that's right, New Year's Eve!  I don't know about you but I have not ventured out on NY's eve in years.  The hubby and I like to stay at home with our little one no matter where we are.  Plus no matter if we are in Texas, NYC or Beaver Creek, Co-- we fall asleep way before the countdown (total losers, I know).  A far cry from our younger days, back then, I would have grabbed this glittery skirt, thrown on a slinky little top and danced til the next year.   Adam Sequin Wrap Skirt $346.50

I have the Herve Leger High Waist Stretch Skirt but I got it on sale last season for 50% off. If you cannot spend $650 on a skirt, the BCBG Knit Skirt is almost the exact same thing for $138. It is the same designer so you get the same look. The difference is in the fabric, the Herve Leger is much thicker and tighter so you get a better "hold", as in your tummy. I love this skirt for bloated days when I'm feeling fat, I pull it up so it completely smooths out any unwanted rolls. Absolutely perfect with everything, I even dress it down with a cute casual top. At Saks Fifth Avenue for $138.

I'm the first to admit that I absolutely love Herve Leger bandage dresses, but these days it seems that everyone and their mother owns one (and I have to say I don't think these dresses are appropriate if you're 40-plus no matter how hot your bod is -- am I right!??). I'm one of those people that hates seeing someone else in a similar dress when I'm out and while there are about a million variations on the bandage dress -- as evidenced by the three above: Classic bandage dress ($790), Bow bandage dress ($950), and Rainbow bandage dress ($2,250) respectively --I've seen so many of them that I never wear my classic one out anymore (thankfully I bought it on sale at Intermix so I don't feel too guilty:)). That said I'm absolutely loving the Herve Leger High-waisted bandage skirts ($550). You get the sexiness of the bandage dress, but it's not something that you'll feel like every other person owns. Plus fitted skirts and simple t-shirts are such an easy and sexy look to pull-off (see Jess Simpson and Amanda Bynes below). What do you think about Heve Leger's Bandage Dresses?

Photo from People.com

This is one of the most beautiful outfits I have ever laid eyes on.  Say what you will about Tomas Maier but the man knows how to wrap a piece of fabric on the body.  Bottega Veneta has long been known for subtle elegance.  From its iconic woven bags to draped dresses-- it's not a brand the Britneys and the Pam Andersons seek; it's more for the Reeses and Jen Anistons.  The neckline of the top makes the entire outfit.  Without it you just have a top with a skirt (albeit an interesting skirt with side pleats that will hide a generous belly.  I am really in love with this top-- it's almost sheer perfection.  The open collar dips just so in to the decollatage and the small cap sleeves will hide any flaws on the upper back arms.  Even if you are not a lady who lunches, you need this for champagne brunches!   I'd rock this with a pair of leggings for casual dates or wide legged pants if you're not into the skirt length.  Bottega Veneta Shantung silk top at Net a Porter.  Bottega skirt also at Net a Porter.

OK, I am totally behind on my movie watching but on my flight back from NY I finally saw Quantum of Solace. I didn't even care that the movie made no sense because I was sucked in by the clothes worn by Olga Kurylenko. In the opening scene, she has on the perfect bubble skirt with a tank top and I knew I had to track it down. I found 2 options, one by Opening Ceremony which is actually a skort, at Saks Fifth Avenue for $290 but the one I actually bought was the Pretty Party Skirt from Twelfth St. by Cinthia Vincent, on sale on Shopbop for only $64.80. T-shirt, tank, flouncy top, whatever you got this summer, just throw it over this skirt for the perfect easy and chic summer outfit.

Another lust must from the movie is the Tom Ford aviator sunglasses worn by Daniel Craig. He outfitted him for the entire movie but of course the sunglasses are the only things that I lust for. Silver James Bond Quantum Of Solace Sunglasses are $313.50. These unfortunately are not so frugal!

As much as I love my cocktail dresses and ball gowns, I can't very well run around in them daily with a toddler (though I wish I could-- one day!). One of the designers I wear often is Rebecca Taylor. Not only are her designs easy to throw on, they are always feminine and stylish so you know you'll be fabulous without giving it much though!

I've appeared on television in her designs and worn them to the park with my son-- that's how versatile she is! I'm currently obsessed with florals and frills for resort; and though I love the wholesome look of the model above, I plan to wear these dresses with my hooker platform heels and fishnet tights (it's a weird phase I'm in). Rebecca Taylor at Net-a-Porter.com
Prices average $200-$400. (My favorite is the Blue Silk Chiffon Ruffle Dress- $390!)