As I put together my summer must-have list (which definitely includes stripes & tons of sunglasses), I find that #1 is a pleated skirt! So, I’m on the hunt, and I can’t wait to find the perfect style. These are a few on my radar right now. I can’t wait to pick one up & pair it with a big slouchy tee… Which is your favorite, and what would you style it with?
Check out more of my fashion inspiration & personal style at Endless Nights.

(skirts from ASOS & J.Crew, collage by me through Polyvore)

Recently singer/designer Gwen Stefani was seen wearing the A.L.C. Luca Maxi Skirt while in Cannes with her family. This 100% Silk maxi skirt is feminine and romantic, two of the hottest Summer 2011 trends. The skirt has an abstract watercolor  floral print over large portions of it but is not too busy and distracting at all. An asymmetrical hem allows the skirt to flow freely and billows nicely with every step.  This skirt can be worn with a simple solid top or with a slightly detailed one like in the model below. The skirt looks great as it but you can always add a belt if you prefer. Since the skirt is so long, there is a chance that your shoes will not be seen, especially if you are petite. You can wear sandals, wedges, or heels with the skirt  and there are so many colors from the skirt you can pick up from and carry to your shoes.

Please click on the links and pics to buy or for more information and pictures

A.L.C. Luca Maxi Skirt

If you want to dress like Gwen and wear the A.L.C. Luca Maxi Skirt with the matching tank top click the link  for more details.   A.L.C. ‘Karla’ Printed Silk Tank

Twenty8Twelve is a brand owned and designed by the actress Sienna Miller and her sister Savannah. Formed in 2009, this brand is gaining  momentum and is known for their unique styles flawlessly mixed with streetwise femininity. Most people know about Sienna but have not heard much about her sister Savannah. Savannah has a fashion background with experience working with Alexander McQueen and Matthew Williamson.  With Savannah’s fashion knowledge and Sienna’s styles being emulated often these sisters have put together a great line of clothing that appeals to a wide audience.

The Twenty8twelve by s. miller Driben Ottoman Shorts in White are the perfect summer short. I love the black grosgrain ribbon at the waist and the beautiful detailed embroidery across the shorts as well as the scalloped edges at the leg openings. This are a true ladylike feminine short and will be perfect all summer.

It is said that every woman need a Little Black Dress, but I would go as far to say for this spring and summer you need a little neutral dress. The Twenty8twelve Militia Pleated Belted Dress
is a great dress to fit this need. This a fashionable dress and the pleats and belt make it so ladylike.

Print dresses are popular right now and I love the Twenty8twelve Brown/Lobster Printed Double-Layered Tank Dress. The lobster red looks so great with the brown and the pattern is so unique. This is a great dress for day or night and can be worn as is or belted if you prefer.

Blue is one of my favorite colors and I am eying the TWENTY8TWELVE BY S.MILLER – Audrey (Ofili) Skirt. I love the detail of the decorative buttons and the large pockets in the front of the skirt. The shade of blue is great and i I love that it gleams in the light.

If you are frequent reader of this blog you probably have realized that I love stripes. When I saw the Twenty8Twelve ‘Marigold’ Tank Dress I was in love. This is not your typical simple striped dress since it has a bold and vivid color wrap around the base of this dress.

Alice + Olivia Clothing is a mix of sophistication and eclecticism. The clothes have a modern meets vintage feel to them that are of the highest of quality. When you wear Alice + Olivia know that the clothes are flattering and enhancing so you will look your best always.

Animal Print clothes have been popular for a while and the Spring/Summer 2011 Alice + Olivia Collection includes some great leopard print dresses, shirts, skirts, and a trench coat. All of the leopard print items are unique and very wearable. Even if you normally shy away from this print, you may be a convert after viewing these great Alice + Olivia Leopard Prints.

The Alice + Olivia Kelley One Shoulder Tie Dress in Leopard is a neutral dress with shades of brown and has an asymmetrical one shoulder and hemline. A great light weight silk dress and I love the oversized bow on the shoulder.

Alice + Olivia Kelley Leopard One Shoulder Dress

If you want a more fitted leopard print dress, the Alice + Olivia Nicole Fitter Dress is a great pick. This dress has a square neck and a mesh panel at the back of the dress. I love the look of the model with the bright green shoes with the dress. It just proves that you do not need to stick with a neutral color palette even with such a busy pattern.

Alice + Olivia Nicola Fitted Dress with Exposed Zip in Leopard Print

The Alice  +  Olivia Brazil Button Down Blouse is a sheer button down leopard blouse with a large fold down collar and french cuff sleeves. The back of this 6 button blouse has knife pleats. You can keep it casual with a pair of shorts but you can also wear it under a business suit to make your look more fashionable.

Alice + Olivia Brazil Button Down Blouse

The Alice + Olivia Kae Leopard Print Feather Skirt truly embodies the eclectic sophisticated look Alice + Olivia is known  for. This is a multi layer elastic waist skirt with ruching, frayed layers, and is trimmed with feathers. This is not a skirt for the timid.

Alice And Olivia Leopard Print Feather Skirt

My favorite leopard print Alice + Olivia piece of clothing is the Leopard Pleat Back Trench Coat. I love a pattern trench coat to begin with and the leopard print is great to pep up any outfit. I love the mix of patterns the model is wearing with the animal print over a floral print.

Alice + Olivia Klein Pleat Back Trench in Leopard Print

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Ever Since Jennifer Lopez rocked out at the Grammy Awards this year in her gorgeous Emilio Pucci dress everyone has been copy her fashion styles. Its obvious that Jennifer at 40 looked better than most starlets in their 20s. She loves sequins and she adores Haute Hippie.

We decided to review one  Jenny from the Block’s favorite fashion line. Haute Hippie. Haute Hippie was first launched in 2008 by designer Trish Wescoat Pound. Trish was well known in the fashion world from her stint with Theory and Michael Kors. She is know for he glamorous but simple designs that are reasonably priced for all budgets.

Haute Hippie Sequins Wrap Skirt. This skirt is gorgeous and so stylish for 2011. Sequins is in again and for good reason because it is glitzy and glamorous.

Haute Hippie Sequin Wrap Mini Skirt in Silver

 

On top Jennifer is wearing Haute Hippie Silk Cowl Blouse. This blouse is in a nice neutral tone that goes well with the sequins dress giving it a nice polished look.

Jennifer Lopez really shows that we all can look fun, youthful and sexy at any age. As a mother of twins and at 40 she looks absolutely gorgeous. With the right clothing and style we all can look as glamorous. I love Haute Hippie and will do a review of their entire collection for this year soon but make sure you check out the links for more details .

Alice + Olivia was first launched by Stacey Bendet in 2002 and has been successful ever since. The brand offers beautifully made vintage styled clothing that has been the it brand for many of their followers. The clothing line concentrates in form fitting clothing that both flatters and enhances.

This spring and summer Alice and Olivia has come out with some of the most spectacular ruffle and maxi skirts and dresses that you are sure to fall in love with . Lets take a look of some of the hottest styles for this year.

Alice + Olivia Leighton ruffle v neck skirt is so perfect. A fine mix of boho and chic.  This dress features a v neck along , that is sleeveless and draped. The top features wonderful ruffles all the way up. This is so gorgeous that I cannot resist it.

Alice + Olivia Leighton Ruffle V Neck Dress

Alice + Olivia Daisy v neck dress is much like the Leighton but much more subdue. This dress is fab and perfect for just about any occasion. Look at the fine details of this dress. I love it.

Alice + Olivia Daisy Ruffle V Neck Dress

Alice + Olivia Faux Wrap dress. This is light and airy. Features a faux wrap look and pleats. This v neck silk dress is adorable.

Alice + Olivia Faux Wrap Drape Dress

Alice + Olivia Jeanie Bustier Dress. This leather and silk chiffon dress is a mix of boho and style. This is a young styled dress with a wonderful pleated multi layered skirt

Alice + Olivia Jeanie Bustier Dress

This is just a small example of what makes Alice and Olivia so hot. If you have not taken the time please check out their whole collection.

For me polka dots always put a smile on my face. I really do not know what is is about them but I have always been drawn to dots ever since I was very young. Even today I have dots on my dishware. As much as I like dots though, for some reason, I do not have too muck clothing with dots on them but I have been on a quest to find some great dotted clothing for Spring and Summer 2011. I am particularly looking for some great polka dot dresses because I tend to wear jeans or shorts with a shirt and I am also trying to break that pattern. My favorite thing about all the polka dot dresses that I have found is that all also incorporate a second Spring 2011 trend.

The first dotted dress that I have found is the ROZAE R.N. Mixed Maxi Dress. The thing that I like the most about this dress is the mix of patterns on it. The top has a small band of polka dots followed by a section of shell shaped flowers then a vertical stripe section at the waist   ending with a polka dot skirt. The other factor that draws me to this dress is that it is a maxi dress which are high on my spring 2011 shopping list.

For More Information or To Buy Click Here

Another polka dot dress that I really like is Club Monaco Georgia Dress. This is a navy blue with white dots sheer dress that comes with a slip lining so there is no worry about having to find the right thing to wear under the dress. Since it is sheer it will be a great dress for summer as well.

For More Information or To Buy Click Here

The  Alice + Olivia Lulu Polka Dot Dress is the most feminine and girly polka dot that I have found. Not only is it pink but it has a three tiers of ruffles at the bottom and lace at the v-neck top.  This though is not a dress if you need to wear a bra because the dress has an open back.

For More Information or To Buy Click Here

The Marc by Marc Jacobs Day Dots Dress is very different from all of the other dresses. It has multiple colprs of overlapping dots and is more casual than the others. The only think I am unsure about with this dress is the shoulders since they are so pointy. Perhaps though they will lay down a bit when worn and washed.

Marc by Marc Jacobs Day Dots Dress

When I think of leather skirts I immediately think of tight short skirts in either black or red from the 80s that are not very sophisticated or classy looking. I have never really been drawn to them when shopping so I never paid attention to them to see that they have improved immensely. I have to say I was completely shocked when I started seeing skirts that are pleated , tie-dyed, and overall trendy and in fashion. I also have been pleasantly surprised to see that there are leather shorts that look great.

When I first saw the  Gryphon Tie Dye Leather Skirt I could not believe that it was leather. It is a gorgeous skirt that has ruching at the waist making it even more desirable.

For More Information or To Buy Click Here

A great light and neutral leather skirts is the Alice + Olivia Leather Tulip Skirt. This skirt like the Gryphon skirt has ruching at the waist and pockets at the hips. The skirt is the perfect color for oh so popular nude Spring 2011 season.

For More Information or To Buy Click Here

There are plenty of leather shorts to choose from if you would prefer them over a skirt. One of my favorites is the
Robert Rodriguez Leather Shorts. These short are longer than most other leather shorts and are cuffed, light-weight, have slanted side pockets, and are pleated in the front / darted in the back.

For More Information or To Buy Click Here

When I first saw the Veda Florida Leather ShortsI was a bit unsure about them. The style of them looks like shorts you would wear to the gym but the fact that they are leather makes that statement untrue. I am still on the fence about these and would love to know what you think.

For More Information or To Buy Click Here

Ruffles are feminine and playful. With their free flowing movement they add volume and fullness to wherever they are applied on an outfit.  You need to keep in mind though that since they add dimension that if you do not want attention drawn to an area of your body that the ruffles are not in that spot. Women with a larger chest should stay away from ruffles in that area and if you are self conscious about your bottom half then stay away from ruffle skirts. If you do have a troublesome part of your body that does not mean that you can not wear ruffles. It just means that you need to keep the ruffles far from that area to balance your body out or keep the ruffles to ones on the smaller side and not big and bold ones.

A nice casual ruffle dress is the perfect choice for summer especially when there is a light breeze. The way that a light wind just makes the ruffles billow makes any woman look great.

The Juicy Couture Ruffle Denim Sundress is a simple ruffle dress with ruffles at the bottom hem and trimming the top hem as well. This is a casual dress that can be thrown on easily and you will look casual chic. Keep in mind that with the ruffles right at the top of this dress, it will draw attention to your chest.

There is nothing more feminine than florals and ruffles. The Parker Ruffle Dress in Baby Floral has both. The dress has vertical ruffles from top to bottom which means that the ruffles will not draw attention to any one area of the dress making this a great choice for everyone.

On really hot humid days the minimal amount of clothing is desired to wear so you can be as comfortable as possible. The C&C California Ruffle Tank Dress is perfect for those days. A light weight jersey dress that is very fashionable and edgy with small unfinished edged ruffle tiers and v-neck front and a racerback.

Not all ruffle dresses are short, the Twelfth St. by Cynthia Vincent Long Ruffle Slip Dress is a long maxi dress in a zulu print and has a minimal ruffled bottom hem. This is a great dress for anyone to wear.

Striped clothing is a popular trend for Spring 2011. These clothes can be a bit tricky because much of it has a very nautical theme which is not what everyone is looking for. A.L.C. though has a great selection of stripes skirts, dresses, and shirts that have a edgier feel to them. Andrea Lieberman, the designer behind A.L.C. is known for fashionable separates, bold shapes, and the perfect must have basics for your wardrobe.

Thewhite / dark nayvy  A.L.C. Striped Twisty Skirt has ruching at the side of the skirt giving twists and turns to this skirt making the normally horizontal stripes twist and wave.

For More Information or To Buy Click Here

A great casual, fun stripe dress is the A.L.C. Striped Athletic Twisty Dress. This navy / caribbean blue dress looks like a standard horizontal stripe dress at the top but the ruching at the skirt area makes the stripes twist and turn. Adding to the edgy look is the exposed zipper in the middle of the racerback.

For More Information or To Buy Click Here

The blush and grey striped A.L.C. Classic Striped Pocket Tee is not your traditional colored stripe shirt that most brands make. This is a light weight shirt that works with jeans, shorts, or a skirt. You can throw a jacket over the shirt when it is not warm enough.

For More Information or To Buy Click Here

My favorite A.L.C. dress is the A.L.C. Striped Kate Dress. The Kate dress looks like a classic dress but has an elastic waist a cut out in the back with a hook and eye elastic strap in the cutout. If you want to wear this dress a bit more demure then you can keep the back cut out covered with a jacket.

For More Information or To Buy Click Here