We love watching these beautiful photos from the Paris Spring Haute Couture shows roll in.
Sure, these gowns are pure fantasy for 99% of us who could never afford such outlandishly priced creation… but what wonderful eye candy to inspire and uplift us during this cold, drab winter!
These dresses are from the Christian Dior Spring Haute Couture Collection. The detailing and colors are exquisite!
Chic in Paris has a great post that takes you up close and front row to some of the top shows in Paris.
Michelle Obama wore a white ballgown by Jason Wu on Inauguration day. Now we’ll probably see other high profile women and celebrities turning out in white too thanks to the new Chanel Spring Couture collection by Karl Lagerfeld. His mostly all white (with some black) paper theme was designed to show you that you can have luxury without the bling; that luxury is in the details, and that this collection expresses a “new modesty.”
There were a lot of A-line dreses, classic cropped Chanel jackets,detailed beading, applique floral detail , lace and frills. It’s a very fresh and feminine collection but created for “the very rich,” not the “nouveau riche.” Still, the idea of white with gorgeous detailing is bound to trickle down to more affordable styles.
White is a beautiful option, but after 40, can look a little stark against aging skin, so be sure to choose a soft white, or even something slightly creamy if you have yellow undertones. 
Aren’t the headpieces wild? Works of art! To see more of the collection click here.
Fit to Be Tied
This is the headline at Elle.com where at least one Spring trend has us shaking our heads. An endless stream of oversized bows appears to have taken over the runway! Although a bow can be a fun accent on a cute sandal or top, a gigantic, floppy bow on a grown up gal can make you look like Bozo the clown.
Seems that we are not alone in our nick pickyness about what truly is wearable this season… Over at the blog, Omiru, you’ll find a list of trends that are also hard to swallow. For instance, feathers:
Here’s a good example of how feathers can look silly, even on a skinny model!
Why are there so few designers who get it?
For more tips on what looks to steer clear of this spring visit www.omiru.com
We were just flipping through a Valentino spring slide show at In Style and noticed many new and unusual color combinations for Spring.
It’s been a long time since we’ve seen pink and purple together. Love the way he has color blocked this cute outfit on the left.
He’s done something similar with this coat/
dress? Like the periwinkle color, but in reality, not too many women can wear this unusual shade of acid green.
Here’s another fresh combo. (Deb says these are the same colors, + pink , that are in her 5-year-old daughter’s ballerina themed bedroom.)
As for the style, must admit, it kind of reminds me of a hospital bed sheet pulled across a strapless sundress. (I think it’s that shade of green that’s making me think hospital). Cute style….. if you are young.
Elegant off the shoulder look on the right. Sort of Grecian meets modern woman. The pink and green combo is pretty, but reminds us of upholstered furniture we had in the 80′s. Remember all those soft greys with pinks, peaches, mauves, and this shade of green that was so in?
Finally, if you can’t make up your mind what colors you like, here’s a dress that has them all.
This pretty pink sheath is so Spring-like, all shimmery on top with bands of pastels underneath…kind of like a painted Easter egg.
Maybe Easter is what Valentino was thinking about when he created these beautiful dresses.
Our thoughts on this colorful palette. Careful here. Although gorgeous on these 20something girls, pastels can be aging on a 40+ woman. Think Grandma at the Sunday Easter Egg hunt. You don’t want to look like a sweet little old lady.
Deborah found these gorgeous photos of the latest couture gowns from Versace at Style.com, and we both started drooling!!!
JJ: “Oh, my gosh, aren’t these just gorgeous!!!”
DEB: “To die, for! Can’t wait to see which celebrities turn up in these!”
Can’t you just see Elizabeth Hurley in that sexy blue gown? How about Michelle Pfeiffer in that nude, jewelled waisted one?…(even though she is loyal Armani fan)
Lots of bold color, curves, ruffles, Grecian Goddess looks. They’re the ultimate in femininity!
We know that most of you won’t be running out the door to purchase one of these ultra pricey designer creations, but we still thought you’d enjoy this little taste of glamour.
Do you have a special event that you have to buy a dress for? Study the color and style of these gowns and look for something similar if you want to look updated and fabulous!
Looking fashionable and being comfortable don’t always go hand in hand. But this Spring it’s different. Just take a pair of comfy khaki shorts and add some drop dead accessories for the latest look from down under. We love this cool white pairing by Belfstaff. Prowling around in this Crocodile Dundee inspired outfit with flat boots and aviator sunglasses, is pure Safari Chic.
You’ll find dozens of versions of the classic Safari jacket out there, in neutral shades from taupe to stone, army green to khaki and black.
Most are cotton or linen but we found a knit one from Diesel that’s a sharp little sweater jacket.
So, what nail color will you wear with this look? This just in… OPI has announced their newest shades of nail and lip color, inspired by Down Under. 
G’day, Mate!………………
There must be something in the air because the tide seems to be turning. Our image of the perfect body is shifting and suddenly it’s o.k. to have some meat on your bones.
First there was the news from Spain that underweight models had been banned from the runway. Next we started seeing curvy Dove pro-aging nude grandmothers popping up on billboards in Times Square. Just recently, we all went wild cheering on full-figured singing sensation Jennifer Hudson, who has since landed the gold stamp of approval and cover of Vogue.
Now, this just in…Michael Kors and Calvin Klein are finally jumping on board this “bigger is beautiful” bandwagon and have begun to produce designer clothes for plus size gals. The lines are being sold sold at Macy’s, Bloomingdales and Lord and Taylor and run from $50 for a blouse to $250 for a trenchcoat.
It’s a godsend for boomer women who still want to look stylish and chic despite some extra menopausal pounds. After all, 62% of American women are a size 16 or over. It’s unrealistic to think that we are going to stay our high school weight forever.
Trying to find high quality, fashionable goods for those of us that are over size 16 has been a struggle for years. The high end fashion designers have thumbed their noses at the plus size market for far too long. We salute those designers and stores that are finally waking up to reality.
Women of all ages and sizes still want to look and feel fabulous!!
