Frock Files

it's that time…

Ginger — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 20:05:44 +0000

Now that it’s cooled down and we’re back to crisp air and turning leaves, I’m back to my love affair with cashmere and boots. Just when you think that there couldn’t possibly be an original way to style a sweater dress, you find one that you absolutely fall in love with. This time it’s a tulip shaped wrap dress by Karoo, which is on Bluefly. I love the bottle green color, but it also comes in classic black, which could easily be dressed down for the office or up for a party. With your favorite pair of leggings, this dress would be comfy and chic paired with the Harness Tall Buckle Boot in cognac. The boots are somewhat boho-cowgirl while still quite clean and elegant — and, of course, I am totally in love with them, as they have a 15.7-inch circumference, which means they’ll actually fit! But of course, a girl can’t go anywhere without her bag, and I oftentimes can’t go anywhere without my laptop, so I’ve picked the Edena from The F’ace Brand which is roomy enough to fit everything I need in it. Of course, every girl needs some accessories, and I am in love with Vanilla Moon’s convertible earrings. Designer Cathy Okinaka is a genius at making pieces that are perfect for going between home, office, and fancier outings, and these earrings are my number one favorites!

summer plum

Ginger — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 02:26:27 +0000

September is as indecisive as I am when I haven’t had enough to eat (and believe me, that’s pretty darned indecisive)! Today it was summer again, at 85 degrees and humid, which made me glad that I haven’t put all of my summer dresses back into storage yet.

In the summery heat, I found this dress by Ella Moss at Shop LA Style…which is actually a perfect transitional piece, as it’s in that plum purple that is oh-so-in this fall. Comfy but elegant and wearable anywhere, this dress will become a staple in anyone’s closet.

undeniable autumn

Ginger — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 15:58:56 +0000

Even those of us who were clinging to the last bit of summer cannot deny the fact that autumn is definitely in the air. While some people are happy to wear their trench coats in the summertime when it’s nippy, I’m a steadfast believer in not taking out my coat until the leaves show their first hints of change…which I did yesterday! It’s coat and boot season again, ladies, and luckily there are some super fantastic deals out there, like this ladylike trench from Forever 21. After searching for a trench coat for two years, I finally found this one, which actually fits my five-foot-nothing frame! You can’t see it online, but it also has a really sweet beige and red lining.

Of course, fall doesn’t mean that the dresses need to be put away! I’m absolutely in love with this sunshiney number from Anthropologie, which I think would brighten even the gloomiest of days. Doesn’t it remind you of golden fall leaves?

And, of course, there is nothing harder to find than a pair of boots when you’re a) short and b) blessed with…er…athletically muscular calves (or, as a girl in a shoe store in London once called them, “Nice, chunky calves!”…or, as they were once described as, “Daikon calves”). This pair from Naturalizer is a wonderfully roomy 16 inches around for their regular size and is also available in wide sizes.

Happy autumnal shopping!

covetous

Ginger — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 22:11:11 +0000

Recently, I’ve been on the prowl for a bag that isn’t brown. I know that this sounds silly, but I honestly have about a dozen brown bags and not a single one that I could wear with a black coat. There are, of course, other stipulations: it must be big enough to fit my laptop in, it must not have ugly straps, and it absolutely must be something with some shape and structure to it (my current bag is just too floppy). It was then that I found the Play by C. Ronson bag at Urban Outfitters. Perfectly preppy and just right for fall! So now I am coveting it…

And no, I haven’t forgotten that this is a DRESS blog! It’s just that I’m oh-so-excited about this bag! But I think that the structure of it would be a wonderful contrast with the Sister Vilnius dress by Paul and Joe, also at Urbans. So pretty and feminine, and perfect for the upcoming tights and boots weather…or with a great pair of pumps.

Speaking of pumps, my favorites of the season are the Westport by Me Too. You know they’re going to be comfy if they’re Me Too, but on top of that they have a fabulous heel and that to die for glossy patent leather finish. I. Am. In. Love. So far, though, this is an unrequited love, as these beauties haven’t hit stores yet. When I called to ask about them, I wasn’t given a definite ship date. So if any of you ladies has any clue about where and when I can get these, I will be forever indebted to you!!!

falling for fall

Ginger — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 22:50:20 +0000

Hey all, sorry for the extended absence! I know it’s no excuse, but the weather’s been so nice that I just wasn’t doing very much actual shopping…clothes shopping anyway. Of course, that couldn’t last for very long at all, and I’ve found myself feeling the need for clean, ladylike lines this fall.

Although I hardly ever find anything that fits there, I just bought two fantastic dresses at Old Navy this week! They remind me of dresses that I tried on at Sak’s with my girlfriends a few weeks ago by Theory, except that they had a much sweeter price tag. At less than $30 how could I resist? I didn’t even try.

And where, you might ask, do I get fabulous patent leather flats in that gorgeous silvery gray? Well, I’ve been telling myself that I’d stop blurting out how cheap — I mean inexpensive — my stuff is whenever anyone compliments me, but I’ve got to let you ladies in on this one. I got these lovely pumps at Target for $25! They’re so cute, and they’re actually comfortable too, which earns double chocolate brownie points on my list.

Have I told you guys that I love fall? I love love love it. There’s no better time to feel like a lady.

fabulous mommies

Ginger — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 18:53:50 +0000

Speaking of fall, I’ve been really into the clean lines and classic hourglass shapes of 40s and 50s inspired clothing, and recently, in a fit of passion for fashion blogs, I stumbled across this post about a line called Stop Staring that creates just these types of dresses. The post belongs to a blog called The Fashionable Housewife, which is, indeed, very fashionable. I also love the message of the blog, which is that even moms — especially moms — deserve to feel sexy and beautiful!

Here’s a peek at the Stop Staring dresses featured on The Fashionable Houewife:

fabulous fall fashion

Ginger — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 18:33:07 +0000

I know, I know, I’m the one who was all excited about the arrival of warm weather — but I can’t help being excited by the debut of the fall collections and all of the glory that goes with them (ie: pashmina scarves, cashmere lined gloves, leather boots, coats)! And let’s face it, I end up wearing most of my frocks during the fiercely cold months anyway, layered with sweaters and knit tights anyway. So, here is my favorite new transitory piece, the Silence & Noise dress at Urban Outfitters:

Rumor has it that purple is the color for fall, and this shade is sort of plum-purple, which is my absolute favorite. I would pair it with a great pair of high heeled leather boots (Frye Catherine 10, below), which I know I will probably not be able to wear without sweating until October, but a girl’s got to be prepared, right?

all about autumn

Ginger — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 20:47:31 +0000

While I’m all about living in the moment, it’s hard not to look forward to fall with all of the shops putting their pretty autumnal clothes in the windows already…and it’s not even August yet! Perhaps it’s the influence that Italy had on me, or maybe I’m just growing up a little, or perhaps I’m finally taking to East Coast style, but I am smitten with the sharp, 40s inspired office wear that I’ve seen in fall previews. This one by Black Halo on Shop LA Style:

And, as my friend Emily has pointed out, snake skin is all the rage recently, and the Gwyneth “Quartz” Pump is particularly fabulous! I have recently become a fashion blog addict, and I must say that HeelCandy.com has got me salivating over a whole range of shoes that I never would have found otherwise. These are sexy but still subtle, and I think that’s sort of the theme of the whole outfit, don’t you?

frequent flyer

Ginger — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 20:14:02 +0000

I am fresh off the plane from Italy, where my girlfriends and I had an excellent time shopping, quite literally, til we dropped! After a veeeeery long plane ride, though, I’ve decided that dresses are the best things to travel in. True, I’m a little biased here, but they are definitely more comfortable than jeans and easy to layer to adjust to the ever-fluctuating temperatures on board.

This kimono inspired number from Banana Republic is really pretty, and I think that it would travel well, too. I know all of the stores are coming out with their fall lines already, but remember that there are at least two more months of warm weather left, and even once they’re gone, this will look great with tights, boots, and scarves!

Traveling has become a tad tedious with all of the security restrictions, and fussing with straps and shoe laces is a hassle, so the ingenious Anna at Shoe Smitten Blog has created a list of fashionable shoes that easily slip on and off at the security checkpoint…any of which would look mighty fine with this shift!

proud mary!

Ginger — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 05:15:55 +0000

I love my sandals!!!!! After falling in love with these, oh, four months ago, they finally went on sale at Lindsay Lou. They are the BEST. SANDALS. EVER. Soft, supple leather like velvet. Okay, I know this is a dress blog, but I had to post about these because I had to share the loveliness.

But, of course, I didn’t forget about dresses. It’s just that to balance out the hefty price tag of these sandals, I’ve had to be a little more budget conscious. That doesn’t mean complete deprivation, though. Check out this sweet little number from Old Navy. It looks like they’ve come out of a long, dark winter after all.