Party dresses (and sweatshirts)
By Catherine Berlin
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Nicole Miller
“The last time I went to a party,” the businessman on the plane next to me complained, “all the women were either in black or white. What happened to color? I like color.” In our desire to look sophisticated without taking a chance on overstatement, perhaps we have learned to reach into our closets and grab the acceptable. Except when did “acceptable” ever really get you what your heart desired, or do anything for your husband? This season, when you want to make someone’s head turn, try color. Or go for a print that’s clever enough to get noticed, but not so loud as to drown you out. Looking through the Nicole Miller selections at Lee Lee, I found several of her signature prints and this blue stretch metal halter dress. I selected the blue because it gives whoever wears it a chance to showcase the season’s hot accessory, the bedecked clutch. Whether velvet, metal, plexiglass, python, or even wood veneer, a tiny but ornamented clutch makes a big, big statement. Here is Mary Frances’ Fortune Teller Bag. The dress goes for $385 and the clutch for $199. (5444 Main St., Williamsville, 631-0840.)
Chetta B Evening Wear in Plus Sizes
Yes, I know what I said about dressing in black, but what I meant was not to treat black as an absolute or even a default when dressing up. Still, you have to consider the dress, and although the Chetta B is all about black, sometimes the cut and material is so killer that you will shine no matter what. Designers Sherrie Bloom and Peter Noviello Shutter put together a gorgeous headturner guaranteed to highlight this season’s body showpiece: the decleté. That’s right. The legs and the bare-midriff have had their chance. This year’s turn-on runs from clavicle to cleavage, and this dress puts what you have in command. I found a few other sexy, up-tempo plus-size party dresses online at Nordstrom and Dillard’s, some incredibly reasonably priced (and in colors and prints). The Chetta B is at Bloomingdales, $580. Locally, pay a visit to Macy’s and Lord & Taylor.
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Maybe you have your favorite outfit all set and are only thinking of finding something to update it. Don’t spend a second thinking about straying, cloying scarves or whether you should be spending a mortgage payment on jewelry (save that for next month). This season’s accessory is the belt, and it’s not for holding pants up, but for cinching shear, flowing tops or adorning sweater dresses. This way you can still recycle something flattering from last year, and why not? That’s what all the designers have done this year. Shown here is the iridescent circle by Conchni, also at Lee Lee. About $100.
Dittos Jeans
I’ve heard it before and I’ve probably said it before. But forget it. The way designers keep grabbing from the past, it’s impossible to live up to the self-promise, “I’ll never wear the same fashion trend the second time around.” Actually, what’s even wilder about breaking that promise this time is that here you can do it with a brand-new pair of something old, the Ditto Jean. Higher-waisted than we’ve gotten used to, bottom accentuating, and wide-legged, it won’t let you forget 1978 no matter how much you might want to. Plus, this is one of the kinder, gentler ways I’ve seen this season’s super-high-waisted jean offered to a concerned consumer. Try them with a patent leather wedge, platform, or boot/bootine and enjoy your night out. Available on sale and in eight colors at www.shopintuition.com.
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If your party lifestyle includes yelling and screaming and beer, then maybe something from the I Heart collection is what you need the most. The sweatshirts come in a couple of different colors, and there is also a t-shirt. But if you are a serious fan, then you have to get the underpants. You never know when you might be forced to show your true spirit. Sweatshirt is $52. Underpants, priceless. Spoiled Rotten, 831 Elmwood, Buffalo, 884-3883.
Couleur Nature Table Linens
The trouble with china, and dinnerware in general, is that so much of it looks so fabulous. I want all the Vera Wang and all the Kate Spade and sometimes in the middle of summer I could switch in a heartbeat to Villeroy and Boch. But until I can come up with an affordable way to satisfy my table-setting appetite, I’ve found it a lot less crazy-making to consider other things, like, for example, beautiful table linens. The Couleur Nature line from France comes in a variety of colors and design motifs, in both table cloths and napkins, and are both warm and enchanting. Available at Cosefini, 660 Main St. in East Aurora (655-1900) and 1004 Elmwood (878-4050). $8 each for the napkins; the 59 x 86 tablecloth is $78.
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I’m a bit ahead of the season, but I’m told there are only a limited number of these available. I so appreciated the design that I thought I’d better share now. Actually, the entire Steuben catalog was stunning, but this piece, the menorah, captured my attention. At just under ten inches wide, its crystal base expanse gives the piece substance without demanding a lot of space. The candle holders are in silver plate. If you or someone you know prefers small and elegant, this might be the perfect holiday piece. $4,500, 1-800-Steuben.
Catherine Berlin is a writer, photographer, and lawyer raising children and a husband in Buffalo. Growing up around the Great Lakes, she has also spent time in California and Arizona, and currently has a second home in Sweden.
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