Tag Archives: Fall/Winter 2012

All Posts, Fashion, Holidays

Ten Best Holiday Dresses for 2013

We are in the middle of the holiday season with many social events that are going on. Have you found your ideal dresses yet? If not, here are my top ten picks, listed by the designer name, in alphabetical order.

Carmen Marc Valvo Embroidered Halter Cocktail Dress in Black/Gold ($585)  This black halter dress with gold embroidered leaves is simple yet elegant. The gold color highlights and compliments the black color of the dress well.

Carmen Marc Valvo Embroidered Halter Cocktail Dress in Black/Gold

Carolina Herrera – Strapless Beaded Chiffon Gown ($8,990)  If you are looking for a formal gown for this holiday, I’d suggest the strapless beaded chiffon gown by Carolina Herrera. This is a good replacement for the typical dark gown for evenings. The beads on the silk chiffon will catch attention with every step you take.

Carolina Herrera – Strapless Beaded Chiffon Gown

Dolce & Gabbana – Strapless Crystal-Belt Dress ($3.825)  This strapless Dolce & Gabbana dress emphasizes your neckline. The overall design is classic, but the crystal-mesh bow belt calls out the waistline and makes it one of a kind. This dress will never go out of style.

Dolce & Gabbana – Strapless Crystal-Belt Dress

Erin by Erin Fetherston – Lace-Bodice Combo Party Dress ($330)  This Erin by Erin Fetherston dress is made of metallic-print material, which is perfect for parties. The black lace layered on the top portion of the dress offsets the strong metallic look and adds some fancy elements to the design.

Erin by Erin Fetherston - Lace-Bodice Combo Party Dress

Herve Leger – Scoop-Neck Bandage Dress ($780)  Red dresses are always great for the holidays. Try to pair this sexy Herve Leger dress with Jimmy Choo’s famous Lang Metallic Strappy Sandal in Silver to show off your curves.

Herve Leger – Scoop-Neck Bandage Dress

Kalinka – Pink Metallic Floral Lace Cocktail Dress ($1,395)  Metallic materials are some of the essential elements for the holiday seasons. If you are tired of the typical black dresses, try this Kalinka dress in pink metallic floral lace and scalloped-eyelash trim.

Kalinka – Pink Metallic Floral Lace Cocktail Dress

Kay Unger New York – Illusion Lace Cocktail Dress ($460)  This Illusion Lace Cocktail dress by Kay Unger New York is another red dress I like for this holiday season. It’s not as revealing as the Scoop-Neck Bandage dress by Herve Leger (see above), but it definitely helps you to stand out in the crowd. This dress is made with lace (a popular trend for this year) in a relaxed sheath silhouette, which allows you to indulge yourself with a little bit more hors d’oeuvres without feeling the tightness around your waist.

Kay Unger New York - Illusion Lace Cocktail Dress

ML Monique Lhuiller – Sleeveless Belted Party Dress ($498)  If you want a dress that brightens up your complection at night, this Sleeveless Belted Party Dress in blue is perfect. The design also aims to flatter your figure and show off sexy shoulders.

ML Monique Lhuiller Sleeveless Belted Party Dress

Naeem Khan – High-Neck Ray-Beaded Cocktail Dress ($6,500)  It goes without saying, this light Naeem Khan dress with silver beads all over is a classic and elegant piece. It’s perfect for any evening occasion.

Naeem Khan – High-Neck Ray-Beaded Cocktail Dress

Oscar de la Renta – Scoop-Neck Belted Lace Dress ($2,890, now on  sale for $1,011)  I am very fond of Oscar de la Renta dresses. I think they are very elegant, but often too special for ordinary parties. However, I think this Scoop-Neck Belted Lace Dress is classic and ideal for most holiday occasions.

Oscar de la Renta – Scoop-Neck Belted Lace Dress

All Posts, Fashion

Wool Speedy “Kaki” (Khaki)-Continue

In my previous post I described the design and the materials of the “Wool Speedy Kaki”. Here is an additional thought.

The bag has a leather luggage tag attaches to a skinny belt that wraps around the top handle. And here is where I learned something new when the store manager showed me the “Wool Speedy Kaki” bag he reserved for me. The luggage tab and its skinny belt came in separately in one clear bag inside of the “Wool Speedy Kaki”. I watched him put the pieces together and learned the differences between the traditional versus Marc Jacobs’ way on how the luggage tag showcased on the bag. The traditional way is to hide the buckle of the belt inward (facing down); as a result, the luggage tab flaps up slightly. However, on Fall-Winter 2012-2013 collection fashion show, Marc Jacobs put the buckles on the show pieces outward (facing up), which keeps the luggage tab close to the body of the bag. After seeing the differences it makes on my “kaki” bag, I like Marc Jacobs’ way much better for two reasons: First, I like the luggage tab to be placed close to the body of the bag, and second, I like the buckle facing out with the luggage tab, which adds “flavor” to the accessory itself. As always, thanks to the manager of the store, I learned another new thing about the LV bags!

Buckle with the Luggage Tag

All Posts, Fashion

Wool Speedy “Kaki” (Khaki)

After I posted my last blog regarding the new Speedy bag (from Louis Vuitton’s Fall-Winter 2012-2013 collection) I purchased recently, some friends want to know more about it.

Well, the full name of this Speedy bag is “Wool Speedy Kaki”. (“Kaki” is in French, as “khaki” in English.) It’s the same size as the “Speedy 30”-one of the iconic LV handbags. However, unlike the traditional “Speedy” bags, the design and materials on the limited-edition “Wool Speedy Kaki” are very unique. It’s designed to be a structured bag and doesn’t slouch like tradition “Speedy” bags. The “Wool Speedy” is made of leather and felted wool embroidered with colorful sequins (whereas the traditional “Speedy” is made of leather and canvas). The top (include the handles) and the bottom of the bag are in brown leather, which keeps the bag in shape. On the bottom there are four round studs that support the bag and to protect the leather from rubbing against anything the bag is being put on. The felted wool is in light khaki color and embroidered with luminous sequins (all hand-sewed) in green and light green. The perceived sequin color varies depend on the light in the surrounding and the angle the bag is held. The color contrast between the wool and the sequins on this “kaki” bag really makes the monogram stands out, versus the “Wool Speedy” in other two colors (burgundy and mustard). See below for an example of the felted wool with the sequins on the bag.

Felted Wool Embroidered with Luminous Sequins

All Posts, Fashion

New Speedy For Fall 2012

Over the weekend I bought a new bag, Speedy in khaki, part of Louis Vuitton’s Fall-Winter 2012-2013 runway collection. The store I purchased it from is only scheduled to receive one of this limited-edition Speedy bag in khaki, and luckily, I was able to get it. I am so excited that I can add it to my personal collection. I can’t wait to use it soon!