There are few designers out there with the caché of Oscar de la Renta. He did his tutelage under the magnificent Cristobal Balenciaga, and then went on to start an incomparable line of his own. He has been a favorite of Hollywood starlets and First Ladies alike for decades. 
I always swoon for his ready-to-wear line, but it is seldom within my financial reach. Lucky for all of us, Gilt is having an Oscar de la Renta RTW sample sale until Friday at noon. I love this Hammered Silk Halter dress. It is perfect for your next wedding or black tie …read more

I like the trim at the bottom of this classic black dress and how the dress becomes sheer at the bottom.  It comes in sizes Small to Extra Large.
 
You can buy this knee-length dressy black dress at Esprit.  They only ship to the United States, but they have stores all around the world, and you can probably find a shop near you by using their store finder.  If you are in the United States or you are using a mail forwarding service (see bottom of this post for details), be sure to stop by their online women’s clothing outlet store.
If you liked …read more

This JS Collections dress is fantastic.  A lot of clothes tend to follow the same pattern, but this one is different while still being in line with current trends.  I love the sleeves on this, the little bows on the sleeves, and the piping; the black floral print against the white background is really exquisite.

Available at Barrie Pace which ships to the United States.  See their women’s clothing sale section, too.
Photo Courtesy of Barrie Pace

Does this company not ship to your area? No problem! Learn about mail forwarding.
Not sure how the sizes listed convert to the sizes used in your …read more

Nordstrom has a list on their site of 10 Things To Add A Glamorous Global Twist to Your Look for Spring 2008.  Want to know what’s in style right now?  Let Nordstrom point the way.
1. The Gladiator:  This look features any kind of shoe reminiscent of ancient rome.  Shoes come in all heights, from heels to flat sandals.  It’s all in the straps.  This L.A.M.B. stiletto heel is made of metallic leather.

Explore more of the Gladiator Look. 
2. Primitive Prints: Animal prints, batik, and geo-ethnic designs define this style.  A good example is the pattern on this Diane von Furstenberg dress, made of …read more

The Audrina dress pictured below features draping reminiscent of ancient statues of greek goddesses, a style that’s very *in* right now.  What I especially like about this dress is that it has the fittied piece beneath the draping.

Available in other colors, as well; get it at Lauren Conrad which ships worldwide.
If you liked this post, you might also like my previous post about another dress with a draped effect:  Mini Dress — Pale Blue and Just Right for You.
Photo Courtesy of Lauren Conrad

Does this company not ship to your area? No problem! Learn about mail forwarding.
Not sure how the sizes listed …read more

The draping at the neckline and the jewels on the shoulder straps contribute to the chic look of this little black dress.

Notice the ruching on the entire dress and the little upturn at the side seam hem, which show off the figure.  This dress is sexy while still being elegant.  It’s currently on sale.  Complete the look, and pair it with these silver T-strap high heels:

You can get both at Carabella, which ships worldwide (non-U.S. shipments go through a third part; see their shipping page for more information).  They have a lot of clothes on sale right now, so be …read more

A prom dress can take weeks to be made and more time to ship to you.  It’s never too early to start looking for that perfect dress.  Following are 5 online stores where you can find formal and prom dresses.

Christina’s (ships to the U.S.)

Tiza (ships worldwide)

New York Prom (ships worldwide)

Find My Prom Dress (ships worldwide)

Sophisticated Lady (ships worldwide)

If you’re last-minute shopping, many prom dress stores also have web pages that contain pre-made, in-stock dresses which they can ship out quickly.  The bad news is that you’ll have to search through them for your size, but the good news is that the …read more

Flatteringly fitted yet full and feminine, this dress is perfect for when you want the best of both worlds.

I like the pink gloves with it, too.  This dress is called Satin Doll, and the bodice is bejeweled.
 
Pair it with this cute little prim and proper clutch:

All of the above items can be ordered from lorelie.com, which ships worldwide (customers outside the continental U.S. should visit their shipping page for more info).  Visit the sale rack for more beautiful dresses at bargain prices.
If you liked this post, you might also like my previous post featuring a long pink dress called Versatile Evening Gown Can be Worn …read more

Short in the front and long in the back, this halter dress by La Femme shows off your legs while giving you the elegance of a longer gown.  I love the multiple satin bands around the middle which end in the bow.

It’s available in gold and a variety of other colors (including white, which isn’t shown).

Get it at Prom Girl, which ships worldwide.  They have a great Prom Tips section on their site, too, and much of the advice could apply to other formal events or nice outings, as well.  If you’re looking for a bargain, see their sale page.  If you’re …read more

Unique and elegant are good words to describe this formal dress, from the way the seams are sewn and fitted to the strappy bodice to the beautifully low-cut back.  You can get it in red, white, or gold.

Trains seem to be a red carpet favorite recently, and I can see why.  They add an extra touch of elegance to an already special dress.   Get this dress at Elegant Mart, which appears to ship worldwide.  See their pre-made dresses in the clearance section, too.
If you liked this post, you might also like my previous post featuring a floor-length purple gown with a slight train.
Photos Courtesy …read more