ModernGear Women: Getting tiery-eyed for maxi dresses

Sometimes I feel like if I never had to put on a pair of pants again, it would be too soon. Dresses are just the ultimate in style, femininity and comfort, and the current maxi dress trend is tops for me. Within the maxi dress category, we're seeing a lot of long tiered dresses and though a more petite woman might need an length adjustment lest she drag six inches of fabric on the ground if she doesn't bother to have it hemmed, otherwise this style is very wearable. Here is a round-up of some of my favourites:

To me, no-one does French style like Gerard Darel. I've waxed poetic on this designer before and still contend that no-one does a better handbag or sweater coat, but his long tiered dresses are divine as well.

Long dress, flower motif print
Long dress, four tone patchwork with Knitwear jacket
Apparently, Angelina Jolie agrees with me as she is rumoured to have had her stylist Jennifer Rade pick up a few Gerard Darel long dresses to see her through her pregnancy.


It's not easy to find an online list of stores in North America where you can find Gerard Darel but I have left a message with their US office and will be back with a few stores where you can pick up one of these beauties, as well as price information.

Continuing on the tiered maxi dress path, online boutique Pink Olive (click on logo below) has a gorgeous offering.


Rebecca Taylor Long Dress
100% cotton
$416.00

From shopbop (click logo), three for your viewing (and wearing) pleasure:




C&C California Kendra Tube Dress
$195.00
Juicy Couture Smocked Maxi Dress
100% modal
$278.00
Ella Moss Sunshine Maxi Dress
95% rayon, 5% spandex
$167.00
And I love this one from Garnet Hill:

Linen Tiered Dress
$128.00

It's important to keep in mind that maxi dresses can mean maxi prices as well - an instance of you get what you pay for, like, more fabric. But there are also some more affordable options as well, such as this style found at Gap.

Long tiered sundress
$54.50
Perfect for a pregnant tummy, or just one that had a little too much lunch, this feminine and flowy style will be great throughout the entire summer. Click here to read rest of story...

ModernGear Women: Equestrian-inspired footwear

Last summer's "IT" shoes were Yves Saint Laurent's "Tribute" Mary Janes:












At the time (and still) I just couldn't seem to fathom the idea that a designer could take a perfectly beautiful pump and add this:
to suddenly invent the fashion world's most sought-after shoe. These puppies were going for upwards of $1200 on ebay!




































They were seen on girls who could afford them in all colours, like Christina Aguilera...













Gwen Stefani...












Minnie Driver...












And Posh...












I wonder how many sprained ankles were directly attributable to these platforms that took women to new heights?

I'm not sure what shoe is looking like the front-runner yet for Shoe of the Year 2008 but I think a contender is a spotted-everywhere, (and easier-to-wear) gladiator sandal, either high or low:











"Lauren" by Ralph Lauren, for $120











"Jobilyn" by Nine West, $80

The gladiator style is a very "important" look (as fashion pundits would breathlessly announce) for Spring/Summer '08...but I am afraid we're not going to get away from the YSL "Tribute"-inspired look either.

Hollywould's Diane Platform

















Max Studio
"Riley" Slingback Sandal
$159.00























And I'm sorry, but they remind me of a classic pump or slingback, standing on a horseshoe (which I am sure is very lucky)...

I suppose we should just be glad that this isn't the way we get them on and off:

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ModernGear Women: Crazy for Casch Copenhagen

Hold me, for I'm about to swoon...I've just spent altogether too much time on the web page for Casch Copenhagen, collections from Gro Abrahamson (my new favourite designer), and then on Travelocity, checking out flights for Copenhagen. And then on e-mail with my husband, bringing up the possibility of a move there. Well okay, that last one is an exaggeration, but as a lover of things European and having made this new discovery, I can't say that won't ever happen.

A glance at Casch Copenhagen's Fall/Winter 07-08 lookbook might have you contemplating a move as well...











This line is, as are so many of my Euro faves, infinitely wearable, flattering, feminine, hip AND classic. The best word to describe the model's look is ingénue. I just love the pieces I've chosen and would love to own any of them.

One of my favorite online shopping sites, Active Endeavors, has this little beauty called the Lesley, for $288:

I LOVE the mod inspiration and would wear this with black tights and white patent go-go ankle boots I saw in a shop while scouting Danish mid-century furniture. Yes, white, to set off the contrast stitching...yuh-mer.

I'm not likely to get over my love of (obsession with?) European design, but as it turns out I might not have to book the international movers so quickly. Instead of relocating myself to Denmark, when the baby weight is gone then I'll at least make the move to a store that carries the line, credit card in hand. Maybe I'll see you there...In case anyone wants to beat me to the punch (and because I couldn't button it up over the baby belly right now if I tried), please let me borrow it some day? I'll be a size 2 again soon. Click here to read rest of story...