Sand Dune Lane: fashion

Showing posts with label fashion. Show all posts

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

White Hot

My summer go-to is the white dress. In cotton, lace, chiffon, crochet, eyelet or decorated in a wash of color or beading, a white dress never fails to show off tan skin and paint a blank canvas for accessories in warm golds, ocean-like turquoise, or bright corals. Or simply throw on a pair of neutral wedges or sandals and skip out the door - either way, you'll look effortless chic. With temps soaring near 100 degrees over the next couple of days (I'm so not complaining, I love the heat), there's nothing better than a cool white dress (just don't wear it to a wedding - I'm talking to you, Ramona and Alex from RHNY). Some white dresses on my summer wish list...

(Kiki Dress)

(Edith Eyelet Dress)

(Slim Haley Dress)

(White Fluorescent Embroidered Bandeau Maxi)

(Indie Dress)

(Crochet Detailed Dress)

(Blythe Dress)

(Lace Embroidered Dress)

(Baylyn Dress)

(Bardot Dress)

(Tulip Crochet Dress)

(Pleated Strap Dress)

(Della Dress)

(my all time favorite summer-white dress, the Halston Heritage Stretch Knit Cocktail Dress)

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Royal Wedding Week: Oscar de la Renta

I am obsessed with all things British. I lived in London for a year, fell in love with the city, and am just dying to go back sometime very very soon. I am also obsessed with the Royal Family, as I find their history and their lifestyle to be so intriguing. And considering I work in the wedding industry, I therefore am completely CONSUMED by the upcoming royal wedding. So, for the next week leading up to the big event, Sand Dune Lane will be overtaken by all things royal, wedding, and British...

After months of speculation, rumors began circulating this week that the lovely Kate Middleton had chosen Sophie Cranston, of the British label Libelula, as her wedding gown designer. Cranston, who has worked with both Alexander McQueen and Alice Temperley, seemed like an obvious choice. Check out a few of her bridal designs here. Sure enough, I read this morning that Cranston is denying rumors that she will design the princess-to-be's gown. Perhaps the coveted role will go to Sarah Burton, who took over as Creative Director for Alexander McQueen. Burton's name has been in the running all along and her latest collection at Paris Fashion Week was heavily bridal inspired.

Nevertheless, I think we'll be waiting until April 29th to find out the official designer. I'm ok with that - I like surprises. However, if I were shopping for a wedding gown now (and had unlimited funds), my first stop would be Oscar de la Renta. His Spring 2012 Collection at Bridal Fashion Week proved to be elegant and chic but with modern, often colorful, and detailed twists. I love the idea of wearing a short wedding dress and his collection was full of many different lengths - from mini to tea length to full train.

LOVE how the Oscar de la Renta for Lee Jofa collection was incorporated into the bridal collection - check out the beautiful embroidery on this skirt. Very fresh and cool!

My favorite? A tie between these last two!...

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Jenna Lyons does it again

Alright, I know, I know. Spring has barely sprung and we're already talking about fall. Not to worry - at last week's J.Crew Fall 2011 preview, warm Mediterranean influence shown through in colors of burnt orange, rich teal, deep plum and brilliant golden yellow.

The collection clearly showcases the chic sophistication of the 1960s and 70s as Creative Director, Jenna Lyons, and Women's Designer, Marissa Webb, were influenced by the movies Bonnie and Clyde and The Great Gatsby. Menswear-inspired rust colored trousers with a mint green sweater tucked in, an English schoolgirl camel cape paired with cuffed relaxed jeans, a military-inspired classic camel coat with hydrangea cropped trousers and buckled heels, leopard driving shoes, longer hemlines, structured feminine bags and resin jewelry - yes, yes, yes! Glad to see J.Crew is returning to their preppy roots and featuring classically tailored clothes in saturated colors. While we still have a while to go until these pieces hit stores, it certainly gives us a little glimmer of goodness once summer comes to an end. Here are a few of my favorite looks...

Images via style.com

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Girl on a Budget: Spring Wardrobe

I'm back from a great weekend. I hope you all enjoyed a weekend full of friends, cocktails, laughs, sunshine and warmer temps, just like I did:)

A few days ago, a good friend asked for my help in finding new wardrobe items for spring but at LOW prices. I am, shall we say, overly excited to whip out sundresses, loose cottons, bright colors, tanks, shorts and sandals for spring and summer. This winter has done a number on me and i. am. over it. In fact, I am wearing flip-flops and a neon short sleeve shirt today. Yes, I do realize it's 50 degrees and raining here in NJ and that people are looking at me funny (the cast on my arm doesn't help matters), but I don't care - March is the beginning of flip-flop season in my book. I also just got word that ice cream is being delivered to my favorite ice cream shop down the shore, Skipper Dipper, which means that summer is a'comin!!! See, I told you I live in the wrong state. That said, like most of us, I need to keep my springtime shopping budget to a minimum. So I got straight to work in finding the most budget-friendly wardrobe updates for spring. My best advice is to take good inventory of what you already have in your closet, make note of the basics and classics you'll need and spend a little more money on those pieces (make a list and stick to it!), then infuse some of these less expensive, fun and trendy pieces in there. Don't be afraid of color and pattern and keep in mind what's big for spring - pretty florals, printed dresses, crochet, stripes, 70s, longer hemlines, tribal prints, wide legs and flares. Voila! Spring has sprung.

Forever 21: