Fall 2009 Little Black Dresses (Images: Neiman Marcus)

Blumarine Lace Neck Dress ($945) – The lace on the neckline of this dress makes it sweet but not too girly. The off centre slit on the front is sexy but demure too!

Missoni Bateau Neck Knit Dress ($1335) – This is a great alternative to a basic black dress, the subtle pattern gives it interest without overwhelming the shape.

Dior Embossed Sheath Dress ($2990) – A classic sheath dress gets an update with the embroidered necklace, gorgeous!

Valentino Sleeveless Dress ($1890) – This is as classic as it gets! A beautiful sleeveless black dress with a defined waist will make any girl look like a million bucks!

The dresses above are stunning examples of the diversity you’ll find when shopping for a little black dress. Even though the colour is a basic black, it’s the little details like the cut and embellishments that make a dress truly special. Every woman needs a few little black dresses, make sure to check out the new selections at Neiman Marcus!

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Ladylike Little Black Dresses

(Images: Nordstrom)

Missoni Acqua Eau de Toilette ($60-$80) is  for the woman who is passionate about love, family and life.  The fragrance is a blend of  fresh grapefruit, bergamot, melon and sensual narcisse with muguet, violet, freesia and peony. The dry down is a mixture of Tuscan iris, jasmine and sole.  The bottle is a lovely  translucent green that’s accented with a cabochon cap and the signature multi-coloured zig zag Mission pattern.

Prescriptives Calyx Sheer Exhilaration Eau de Toilette ($39) is exactly what a summer scent should be; fresh, sparkling and exhilarating. This is a limited-edition all-over scent that’s a lighter version of the original Calyx scent.  It has a blend of fruit such as grapefruit, mandarin, mango, passion fruit and guava. The exotic fruit is then paired with florals; freesia, muguet, neroli, rose, lily, jasmine and marigold with base notes of oak moss, sandalwood and vetiver. The pretty yellow-green bottle is etched with the name of the scent and is capped off with a silver top.

Marc Jacobs Rain Splash ($68) is perfect for those hot summer days. This refreshing body spray cools the skin while leaving a light and fresh scent.  It has notes of cut grass, wild strawberry, clementine zest, cypress, tropical rain accord, passion flower, sunshine flower, white orchid, amber, musk, tree moss and teak wood. The bottle is huge at 10oz so it will last a long time even if sprayed liberally.

Estée Lauder Beyond Paradise Blue Eau de Parfum ($50) is a scent that incorporates the color of the sky, water and paradise.  The floral scent is sparkling and cool with a mix of citrus notes, combined with bergamot, Belle de Nuit flower, jasmine, orange flower templar, frangipani, vanilla sands, vanilla absolute, melaleuca bark, sandalwood and finally a dry down of cananga flower, neroli and lavender.

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Sweet Summer Scents

I’m head over heels for this satin peplum Napolean dress by Vena Cava. Everything about it is romantic to me, the pale washed out color, the simple sexy silhouette. I think it’s just dreamy. The gathering along the armholes and gentle shirring create interest in the bodice, and the peplum conceals the muffintop region, making this a good option for pear shapes. Available for $218 from Gilt.

And how perfect is this chevron stripe halter dress by M Missoni RTW? It’s styled for fall, but it would be perfect to wear to a daytime wedding this summer. The simple strappy top looks fabulous with the completely open back and circle skirt in trademark Missoni knit pattern. The color palette is pure sherbet, but with a lovely neutral taupe thrown in for good measure. Available for $248 from Gilt.

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This abstract print dress by Vera Wang Lavender is extremely versatile and beautiful option for wedding season. I can see it with strappy sandals for day, or with stockings and stilettos for evening. The sheath silhouette is one that will work for a lot of women. The dress itself is simple, but the complex print and subtle beading at the neckline make it dressy enough for a lot of occasions. Available for $144 from Ideeli.

This sweet white eyelet dress, also by Vera Wang Lavender, would make a great wedding dress for a simple, casual affair or a destination getaway. The peter pan collar opens with a sweet row of buttons to the waist. If you wanted less contrast between lining and shell, you could just wear a simple white slip underneath, since the lining is detachable. Available for $144 from Ideeli.

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Photo Credits: Gilt, Ideeli

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Sample Sale Explosion!!!

I’ve found a few jackets that fit the bill:

I love the print on this 100% wool coat by Paul Smith Blue.

Or how about this fiery red embroidered wool jacket from Ungaro Fever?

Okay, so red is a little bold for you…

What about going with this soft grey printed wool trench coat from Missoni?

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it’s possible to be warm & fashionable