I went to a school where I was required to wear a dress or skirt every day from kindergarten through twelfth grade. I used to think I'd grow up to never wear a dress again. I also thought I'd leave slips behind too when I ditched the dresses. I fought my mother every morning in elementary school to let me leave my slip behind. I hated them. I still hear a lot of people say they hate slips. I think this is because they've never found one that properly fits, especially when it comes to full-length slips.
Well, I didn't ditch dresses. In fact, I've had friends ask me if I own pants. I have also came to love slips. (I'm sorry six-year-old me. I've let you down.) Slips are handy when a gust of wind suddenly lifts the hem of your skirt. They're also very nice for keeping your tights or leggings from catching on your skirt as you walk (this is a bad look and it's happening if you want to pretend it's not). They can help fight bad bouts static cling too. Best of all a full slip smooths out all the lumps and bumps in an outfit. This works best with a slip that only has a little bit of spandex in it. I much prefer a loose slip with very little give to tugging my way into those super tight, super spandex slimmers, and I must say that I get almost the same effect.
This Harmonizing Slip from Anthropologie is made of Nylon with a little spandex. It comes in grey (pictured) and nude. The sheer accordion pleats at the bottom would even been cute peeking out from the bottom of a dress. It costs $48.
Monday, February 8, 2010
Editor's Pick of the Week: Harmonizing Slip
Red, Carmine, Rose, Ruby, Scarlet, Vermilion
Valentine's Day is coming up and it's American Heart Month, meaning pretty red clothes are in order. Much as I'm a lover of red, it seems to have evaded my wardrobe almost completely. (Thank you red envelope dot top and dead-sexy dress for sticking with me!) Methinks this needs rectification.
long sleeved jersey dress, eDressMe $103.20
gingham dress, Fred Flare $54
retro dress, Stop Staring $178
sheath dress, Tahari at Lord & Taylor $128
Top: ruffle blouse, Charlotte Russe $19.99
draped chain top, Forever 21 $24.80
chunky sweater, Victoria's Secret $49
Bottom: stripe tee, Anthropologie $68
tunic with contrast trim, Mod Cloth $59.99
flutter sleeve top, Dillard's $58
Saturday, February 6, 2010
This Week On Fashion Me Fabulous
This Week in Pretty Dresses: See which Grammy Red Carpet looks we love and which looks we're putting to a vote. Also, we're ogling couture and getting gussied up for Valentine's Day.
This Week in Shopping: We're loving Plan C vintage, wondering what you would pay for these stud shoes, picking up affordable Super Bowl party attire, undecided about this glove-belt skirt and recoiling in horror at these black bathing suits.
This Week in Underpinnings: We've rounded up bedtime bralettes, bright slips and camisoles on Etsy. Plus, we want to know what you look for in a bra.
Our Project Runway Recap has been delayed by circumstances beyond our control, but don't worry--we'll have it up at the beginning of next week.
Friday, February 5, 2010
Project Design: Camisoles
Project Design is our own friendly competition where we put together collection of independent designers for you to rate on your very own imaginary runway.
Years ago I walked into a clothing store and asked the sales girl if they had any camisoles. She blinked and me and repeated the word with a question mark, "Camisoles?" I took a step back and responded, "Yeah, the little tank top like things with adjustable straps." Her face lit up with recognition, "Oh! You mean 'camis'!"
I almost explained that "cami" was short for "camisole," but I figured it be a waste of breathe if she hadn't already made that connection. Like slips, the cami is a forgotten underpinning. In fact, most of these are pajama-style camisoles because I'm almost positive you have to shop in vintage stores and specialty shops to find a proper undergarment-style cami. With sheer clothing regaining popularity, I hope the cami sees a revival too. I don't want to see the trend bots' bras or worse. And I'd like to see something more interesting that the $2.50 Forever 21 cotton cami. I want pretty, and I want it sold by cup size/band size like a real undergarment.
Which camisole would you pick for comfy jammies or leisurely lingerie?
Rayon and organic cotton jersey camisole by sandmaidensleepwear 
Parisian Scandale Camisole by Swoon 
Silence nightgown/camisole by MajoReyStore 
Ruby Red Bamboo Camisole by luvahuva 
Lacy purple camisole and panty Set by intima 
MANU bamboo lingerie by manukasanyal 
Brody Red Silk Camisole with Navy Bow by Hopeless 
The Horror: Black Bathing Suits
Victoria's Secret is promoting black bathing suits for summer, and oh are they precious. For some strange reason, the slashed one-shoulder suit makes me think of Lindsey Lohan. Perhaps I've seen her wear it before with cut offs and a fedora. The strappy monokini "with minimal back coverage" has even less material and costs the same $140 as the slasher number.
But the jewel of their collection is the topless bikini. It comes with a removable bandeau. This look didn't take off for Rudi Gernreich in the 60s, but then the push-up purveyor has a different clientele.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
$150 Challenge: Super Bowl Party
Being a girly girl who likes comic books, war movies, football and other "guy" things, I always cause a bit of a stir with my outfits at "guy" events. Rather than try to fit in with jeans, a sport tee and sneakers, I choose to crank up the fem. For something like a Super Bowl party, I'd flip the male uniform on its head. A tee with a feminine image, colorful jeans (in case I end up sitting on the floor), killer heels, a few girly accessories, and a nice blazer to give it all formality. This party (before spinach dip, pizza and a Colts victory) adds up to $121.79.
tee shirt, Forever 21 $8.80
stud blazer, Forever 21 $27.80
wedge buckle shoes, Forever 21 $29.80
striped bow headband, Forever 21 $3.80
purple fabric flower ring, Forever 21 $2.80
pink rhinestone ring, Forever 21 $4.80
lip stain, Victoria's Secret $12
FMF Reader Poll: Bra Styles
Spend any time in lingerie department or specialty bra shop and you'll encounter such and array of bra styles your head may spin. I enjoy trying different styles for different looks. My cousin worked at Victoria Secret for years and would always provide me with new styles to try when she found good sales or when my birthday came around. I'm a demi t-shirt bra girl, but many of my dresses look better with a balconette style. What do you look for in an everyday bra? (You can choose multiple options).
