The fabric! I know! It’s so soft and delicate and dark and dreamy all at the same time. The draping is seriously masterful. The little pintucks at the center are really flattering and the shortie batwing sleeves are really elegant.

I wish there were one pic of the whole garment, but there isn’t. I think I like the silhouette, but I’m not completely sure how to read it, since she’s sort of pulling out the edges. In any case, I can’t wait to see more from iheartfink. Available for $65 from iheartfink.

Photo Credits: iheartfink

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Space Girl Blues Frock by iheartfink

I love the sweet flutter sleeves, and the way Supayana has reincorporated the original sleeves into the collar of the shirt. This top has an appeal that is edgy, avant garde, and feminine all at the same time. I can’t wait to see more from this new designer. Available for $59 from Supayana.

Photo Credit: Supayana

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Supayana Grey Reconstructed Top

The high fashion world is your playground, if you want it to be. The romantic in you, who also likes some ruffles to cover up her extra bits, won’t be able to resist the Colette Jacket & Bell Tolls Top by Nanette Lepore. The top portion of the outfit is the perfect example of how designer looks can work for moms, even the jacket alone with a belt and tee or tank underneath and jeans would work for a stylish but flattering look. The asymmetrical detail at the back adds that extra pizzazz wardrobe weary moms are looking for. The blouse, on the other hand, can be worn alone with pretty much anything on the bottom (jeans, skirts, slacks) but is breathtaking worn with the jacket.

Image: Neiman Marcus

Though the look is matched with black skinny pants on the Neiman Marcus website, the average mom just isn’t comfortable wearing anything that skin-tight to school fundraisers or play groups (or at all.) Do what you need to do to make it work for you. If jeans are your staple, throw on your favourite pair, but make sure they are a perfect fit on you. I could see this paired with a pencil skirt or even black knickers and heels. I can even imagine trouser jeans and a white tee with the jacket.

Though I am not a fan of the leopard print belt, it complements the subtle colours in the jacket and animal print is very in. I’d probably swap it for something simpler. After all, the look has to fit in to my day-to-day mom lifestyle. I’m not looking for outrageous, just fun, a little daring, and fashionable. I might suggest doing a leopard shoe though; imagine an animal print tucked under your perfectly fitted jeans. It’s like a little wink and nod from an über-fashionable mom at the PTA meeting.

Nanette Lepore is a favourite of so many fashion lovers. Beautifully designed and adaptable for women of any age, with gorgeous patterns, fabrics, cuts, and colours, her line is found at neimanmarcus.com. However (I say this with just a hint of a twinkle in my eye), beware of that website, because you can get caught up for hours drooling over the luxurious fashion eye candy.

More Mom Style Fashions:

• Etsy Style
• Go Anywhere Classy Casual
• 5 Old Navy Essentials

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Mom Style: Nanette Lepore

These days, however, I need the little girl cuteness of bow-adorned clothing to be balanced out with sophisticated silhouettes and modern sensibilities. I am not, after all, trying to relive my childhood, I am just trying to repurpose a childish aesthetic.

This stripey bow tank by Erika Hendrix is girlish and cute, but the stripes give it a nautical, tomboy look that makes it totally wearable by grown up women. The drape is also lovely for us lesser busted ladies. Available for $80 from Smashing Darling.

This Check Mate Slanted Bow Top by La Mixx is basically perfect, as far as I’m concerned. Its plaid, it has a poufy, easy-to-wear cut, and it’s cotton. Plus the slanted bow neckline is interesting and a bit avant garde. They suggest wearing it with leggings, but I might try it with short shorts and some boots. Available for $56 from La Mixx.

Photo Credits: Smashing Darling, La Mixx

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Two Kinds of Cute: Bow Tops

Zuma Press

If you’re in the first group, I feel your pain. While my thermometer currently reads 102, I am sitting at computer wishing for a frozen margarita and a pool to magically appear. I’m doing this while wearing the #1 summer essential for those of you that endure the summer heat from May to September, a sleeveless top.

At this point, I don’t even care that my arms don’t look like Michelle Obama’s arms and that I still look like the ghost of Christmas past (I’m still working on that tan!), it’s just too darn hot to hide those arms! So, biting the bullet and going sleeveless is the obvious route when the temperature is way up.

True story: I bought a cheap tank top and ended up ripping it on a file folder at the end of the day at work. I think three offices down heard me yell some inappropriate obscenities in several different languages when I heard my shirt rip.

I’m always going to tell you to go with the luxurious options, so let’s take a look at a few of our less boring sleeveless essential options for 2009. Wearing a plain camisole or a plain jersey knit top day after day is just like wearing black pants or dark washed jeans everyday. It’s sad! And I don’t want anyone to be sad!

theoutnet

T-Bags Printed Detail Chained Cami

This is pictured with a white skirt, but paired with some dark jeans and some funky heels or flats is how I would wear it…all the time. I love the colors. Brown, blue, red, yelow, white…all in one. Who could ask for more? Oh, the luxury shopper could! Because the chains give you even more of a boost. Now you don’t even have to wear a necklace…how cheesy! The top is $87.50 now…that’s 50% off the original price.

theoutnet

ALLDRESSED UP Ballin Tunic Top

If you’re not as daring as some girls are with a cami, then this tunic top may be a good choice. How about some light khakis or some linen pants with this top? It’s 60% off and is currently $82.

Net-A-Porter

Vivienne Westwood Anglomania Jersey Knit Top

Who said that jersey had to be boring? I didn’t! I love the pleats throughout this Vivienne Westwood top. The square neckline is to die for. This top is a bit pricier, it’s $335, but for Vivienne Westwood..I’d pay $335 for sure.

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Going Sleeveless: An Essential Summer Look

What do I like so much about this particular piece? It has a nice long appearance, but it’s not technically tunic-like, so you get the best of both worlds. Plus, all you need to do is throw on some red for an awesome Fourth of July ensemble.

Image: Missphit

Whee! Up to size 3X.

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Missphit’s Newest Plaid Picks

Another one of the Australian Indie labels I came across, Bethany Joy is a celebration of beauty, artistic vision, luxury, and femininity. And they cater to women who adore the feeling of silk against their skin, stunning design details, and flattering cuts.

It’s actually a great break from the usual contemporary designs. Bethany Joy reminds me of the romance you often feel with period films. It certainly has that vintage feel.

Bethany Joy has a new collection out, Dainty Dish (as in photo) for the Spring-Summer 2009.

Image: Bethany Joy

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Celebrate Your Artistic Vision with Bethany Joy

Contemporary cotton fabric and vintage kimono fabric sourced from Japan are used to make these shirts and other apparel being sold in the Store. Shirt prices range from AUD $99 – $125.

The Yoshi Jones store is at 134 King St, Newtown (near the intersection of King St & Missendon Rd). If I’m guessing it right, this is in Sydney. Feel free to correct me, the article I came across wasn’t entirely specific, I guess the writer (and even the Yoshi Jones site!) was primarily addressing locals and automatically assumed all the readers will know where Newton is.

Anyway, Yoshi Jones offers stuff for women, too.

You can check out this article for a bit more information on Yoshi Jones or you can check the YJ website directly.

Image: Indie.com.au

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Yoshi Jones, Vintage for Men

Browsing through designs that are heavily influenced by East meeting West, I had a hard time choosing just one so I ended up picking out four (4) favourites of the lot. Mind you, the decision wasn’t easy.

KISU Red Leaves Dress

You’ll notice how Japanese accents are prominent in the designs. I love this Red Leaves Dress most.

Red Leaves Dress, $99.

KISU Red Rose Dress

I’m currently obsessing about floral prints and patterns. I like the prairie look, I guess. It’s very feminine and I like how its quiet chic-ness. This particular design is getting quite popular. The Red Rose Dress mimics a high-waist skirt + blouse outfit combo.

Red Rose Dress, $119.

KISU Jasmine Dress

You can also see the contemporary designs and trends being incorporated like in this Jasmine dress. It’s their version of the boyfriend dress, me thinks.

Jasmine Dress, $139.

KISU Wild Cherry Hood Top and Red Dragon Skirt

I really don’t know why I’m so fascinated with hoodies. I guess I love how it looks young and casual, something you can use to style into an Urban outfit. I’m also looking into investing in more skirts and this one takes home the cake. I think it’s very unique.

Wild Cherry Hood Top, $59.
Red Dragon Skirt, $89.

Images: KISU Designs

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Store Spotlight: KISU Designs by Mylinh

I’ve always loved silks and I find sequins fascinating so wouldn’t this top be an interesting addition to create a Vintage look?

Amazing vintage top covered in sequins. 100% Silk. White with sequins in shades of white, blue and light green. Zips up the back. Perfect for an evening out.

Era is around mid to late 1970s.

Femminastyle Vintage Silk & Sequin Top, $38.40.

Image: Femminastyle Vintage

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Silks, Sequins, and Vintage Fashion