A Luminous Summer - The Sheath Dress

\ˈshēth\ \ˈdres\

A sheath dress is designed to fit the body tightly (YUM!) and can be strapped, strapless, or have adorable cap sleeves.  The skirt, which typically falls around the knees or lower thighs, is usually a pencil with a slit. Personally, I love the ones that are made of cotton or silk and have little embellishments, like sequins or buttons, to keep them from being too plain. 

One of our Wear It Out models, Nicole, gives us her take on the sheath dress for work.  She's wearing a brown, midi-length sheath with a jean jacket and drawstring leather tote (tassel!).

Can I say how much I love that she's rocking the dress with those boots and the leather bracelet?

Here are some additional options for work:

And, of course, the shoes:

Questions?  Want to know where to find something?  Just comment or email me at wearing.it.out@gmail.com.

Happy Memorial Day from Sophia

Please remember those who have given their lives in service to our country. 

'til tomorrow!

Mama's Got a Brand New Bag

Proenza Schouler PS1

Well, she would have a brand new bag, if it didn't cost $1,595.  That's right, I'm all a-shiver over the Proenza Schouler PS1 leather satchel that retails for the same cost as the monthly rent for a 2/2 condo in Buckhead.  Sigh.  

Even though I may not be able to afford this bag anytime soon, we can rest easy knowing that the gorgeous Leighton Meester wears it well.  

Here are more bags that I'm drooling over, and, happily, some will not bust my Starbucks budget:

Nine West clutch

Miu Miu Leather Satchel at Net-a-porter

Forty-Eight Hours Duffle by Anthropologie

Chloe Leather Bucket Backpack at Bluefly

Deal of the Day Saturday

DKNY and www.dkny.com are having a Memorial Day Sale on clothes, shoes, and bags.  You can get up to 60% off of your favorite DKNY items, including jeans!  No coupon code needed.

 Sleeveless V-neck wrap dress for $95.99

You know you want some DKNY jeans for $44.99

Happy shopping!

A Luminous Summer - Evening Deck Party

Finally, before the holiday weekend commences, we needed to give you some options for those evening outdoor parties that you may be attending.  This is my version of the shorts and cotton tank combo.  I chose to dress it up with some sparkly wedges and industrial jewelry.

Fluxus sheer tank/Candies wedges

 

Benetton shorts

I hope that your weekend is filled with many opportunities to be fabulous.  Ciao!

Deal of the Day Thursday

Equipment sheer blouse

SeenOn (www.seenon.com) is a members-only shopping site that offers clothes and accessories that we've seen on TV and in movies.  Once you sign up, you'll have access to their daily sales.  Today, they have super deals on Equipment blouses and D6 tops and dresses.

D6 boyfriend tee

These tops are perfect for achieving that effortlessly sexy summer look.

 The site also has a sale scheduled for TAG Heuer sunglasses.  Eeeek!  Happy shopping! 

More BBQ Wear

Thanks for sharing your suggestions for what to wear to this weekend's BBQs.  One of our Wear It Out models, AE, shows off in a cute cotton dress that is perfect for a breezy afternoon in the sun.  In case you haven't noticed, our ladies love to wear Coach bags and Nine West snakeskin sandals to a barbecue.

Will you wear a cute outfit this weekend?  Share with the group by sending a picture (JPEG or GIF) to me at wearing.it.out@gmail.com.  Ciao!

Deal of the Day - Tuesday

This just in: Annie Sez (a designer discount retailer and online private sale company) is having a sale on Vivienne Tam and Chaus until Wednesday.  You read that right - Vivienne Tam!  You can get adorable dresses, pants, and tops for $16-$50.  Sign up for their private sales at www.anniesez.com.

Vivienne Tam print dress for $24.99

 Happy shopping!

Deal of the Day - SHOES

The first item that ever made my heart go pitter-pat was a pair of pink jelly shoes that I had when I was 4.  After that, I fell hard for a pair of black patent leather Mary Janes.  Then light pink Mary Janes.  Then knee boots with side zippers.  I could go on and on about my passion for shoes.  If you're like me, then you're always looking for deals on adorable styles.  Go Jane (www.gojane.com) has given me some of my favorite inexpensive stilettos.  The company is offering 25% off regular priced styles until May 26th.  Use offer code SHOP25R. 

Sample Selection

A Luminous Summer - Barbecues

SETTING: In-town patio at dusk
DRINK: Corona with lime
SCENT: Daisy by Marc Jacobs

You've received a midweek invitation to the summer's first barbecue, so you and your guy head out for a relaxed evening.  When you arrive, you hug the hostess and hand her the Valrhona chocolate cupcakes you've brought for dessert.  You mingle with the guests and discuss a wide range of topics - from Beyonce's "Run The World (Girls)" video to the likelihood of an NFL lockout.  While dressing your burger, another guest, who is wearing an adorable brown jersey dress, asks you about your Charles David platform wedges.  You show off the woven jute wedges and rave about this season's plethora of towering, yet comfortable, options. 

See below for our model's submission for what to wear to a barbecue.


Bootcut jeans
Crisp white cotton tunic



 

Leather platforms with woven jute bottoms
Multi-color canvas bag with wooden handles


  More BBQ options coming soon...ciao!

Deal of the Day Saturday

Need some new tops for Spring?  Swirl by Daily Candy (http://www.swirl.com) is having a fantabulous sale on blouses and tees by KAS, Charlotte Ronson, Bensoni, Hanii Y, Loeffler Randall, Twinkle by Wenlan, Wren and many more.  Sign up for a free account with Swirl, so that you can have access to designer mini-sales.  All together now...eeeeeeek! 

 

Bensoni Gingham Voile Cami $49 (Reg. $335)



Happy shopping!

A Luminous Summer, Part 1

Shopbop's "Moment of Grace" Lookbook

A FEW TIMES PER YEAR, I select a different term that inspires my fashion spirit for that particular season.  Funny though it may sound, these terms help when I have to dress for particular events and occasions.  For example, in Autumn ‘08 I drew constant inspiration from Mommie Dearest and all things Joan Crawford.  I wore oodles of silky tops, high-waist pants and skirts, pearls, and neutral colors.  I wore Chance by Chanel. 

This summer is no different.  Over the past month, I've been drawn to golden makeup and radiant accessories.  So, I've decided that my Summer '11 will be luminous.  Shopbop (www.shopbop.com) gives us an interpretation in their “Moments of Grace” lookbook.

One of Wear It Out's models, DB, gives us her take on luminosity with this look for Sunday brunch with the girlfriends:

Notice the lace accents on the ivory blouse and the way that the copper bracelet pops against the espresso midi swing skirt. 

To be continued...

Wednesday's Deal of the Day

I received an email from Anthropologie (www.anthropologie.com) yesterday entitled, The Big Sale.  The high-pitched "eek" that escaped my lips might have sent the neighbors' pets running. 

Sunny Soiree Dress

 Want to peek?  This gorgeous piece of art is on sale for $80.  [Fans self]

 And, FYI, here are the shoes that I'd wear with such an adorable Soiree Dress (sigh).

Happy shopping!

White Hot Summer

SETTING: Rooftop patio at sunset

DRINK: Gin & tonic with a lime twist

Striped Summer Scarf

SCENT: Honeysuckle

June in Atlanta - Midtown.  You're having drinks on your BFF's rooftop patio while overlooking the night's revelers on their pre-party stroll.  Commiseration with your BFF is interspersed with sips as you laugh about the latest episode of "Mob Wives."  As you head to the impromptu bar to freshen your drink, the soft smell of honeysuckle wafts by.  The same wind that carries that aroma ruffles the hem of your wide-leg pants.  A mix of cotton and linen, the pants are a shock of white - the perfect foundation for a summer uniform.  See below for some additional white hot options for your summer enjoyment. 

 

My "Cougar Town" Obsession

Recent Obsession

EVERY NOW AND THEN I BECOME enamoured with some amazingly gorgeous accessory.  And, I'm not the only one.  Our usual suspects are shoes and purses, but the object of desire can be a little more specific.  FYI: I recently disentangled myself from a 2-year Pashmina scarf relationship.   We still see each other, but not every day.

Enter, stage left, my current obsession: the "Cougar Town" necklace.  The first time I saw that delicate gold chain with those tiny gold discs on Courteney Cox, I felt the familiar warmth on my cheeks that only comes with the onset of a fevered accessory obsession.  I doggedly searched high and low for a knockoff (I think that Cox's version is in the 3-digit arena).  I was ready to call off the search party when, lo and behold, I found a few independent jewelry designers on Etsy (www.etsy.com) who were selling handmade versions.  I selected the 44-inch version from designer Bijouxbydesif's online store.   I'm currently focused on wearing only v-neck tops, so that I may properly display the necklace's delicate beauty.

*Bijouxbydesif also has a ridiculous amount of other obsession-worthy items.  If you find something you love, please share a pic with the Wear It Out galère.

The Gown Game

glam·our–puss noun \-ˌpu̇s\

: a glamorously attractive person  

 

Knotting Hill Gown by Tibi

 
OH MY.  WOULDN'T A GLAMOURISTA LOVE to have a place to wear this gown?  This is the piece that you buy first and find an occasion to wear it later.  And, is it just me, or is the navy color just too gorgeous for words?  If the $825 price tag is a shock to your system, you could always rent it for a couple of days from Rent the Runway (www.renttherunway.com).  Rental price: $150.  It's free to join RTR and the site stocks other fantastic dresses by designers like Herve Lager, Yigal Azrouël, and Catherine Malandrino.  There's my shameless plug for today.  Ciao!

Wednesday's Deal of the Day

Shopbop (www.shopbop.com) stocks some of the best designers at designer prices.  I'd love to have a friend or family member who worked for that site.  But, for today at least, we don't have to wish for connections.  Shopbop is offering a 15% "Friends & Family" discount off your order (not just one measly item) until 11:59 PM tonight!  Enter code INTHEFAMILY15 at checkout.


   

Spring Tweed Jacket

 

Casual Elegance

WHEN I NEED INSPIRATION FOR AN OUTFIT, I'll surf through my favorite sites while drinking my morning coffee.  This tweed jacket ensemble from Ann Taylor (http://www.anntaylor.com/) immediately cured my normal Monday doldrums.  My interpretation:

• The tweed jacket that contained a blend of pale blue, caramel, and white
• Cuffed, white, wide-leg cotton pants
• White lace-trimmed spaghetti strap tank top over a pale blue sheer sleeveless top
• Finishers: "Cougar Town" gold disc necklace, multi-hoop gold earrings, yellow moc-croc peeptoe d'orsays pumps, a caramel colored leather bag, and oversized black sunglasses

When a friend told me that I was channeling Jackie O, a happy day was born!  

Tuesday's Deal of the Day

WHAT IS IT ABOUT OFFICE WEAR that has the tendency to make it simultaneously the most oft-worn, yet the least fashionable ensembles we own?  There's just something draining about wearing the same black skirt-white blouse-black pumps outfit 5 days a week.  So, stop it!  Revamp your office wardrobe with pieces from Chadwick's.  This online retailer has several inexpensive options for biz cazh environs.  And, they give us today's Deal of the Day.  Chadwick's (www.chadwicks.com) is offering 50% off one item when you buy 2 or more items.  Code: CH40159 - expires 5/22/2011 at 11:59 pm ET. 

Here's the kimono wrap dress I've been lusting after for 3 months:

Kimono Wrap Dress by Chadwick's