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I posted about polka dots in the fall but it is becoming even bigger in the spring and summer collections so I thought it warranted another look.

Black and white is always the classic for dots but be brave and go for some color. Spring is great for the bright reds, yellows, greens and blues.

Dots are ranging from small classic to big and bold. Even we caught the fever.

Check out these Kling dresses at our shop.

Dress at Heart by Kling

Blonde Back by Kling

Big Bardot by Kling

Remember when everyone wore jeans all the time? Well that is out! Now it’s all about skirts. In fun prints and all types of cuts we are seeing a skirt bonanza from short and flirty to long and flowing.

Here’s a look at all the fun and beautiful ways to skirt up!

Flirty Minis

Most flattering on medium to petite women, the mini is a great way to make those legs look long and slender. Pair with a tank or tee tucked in and accent the natural waist line by adding a belt.

Everyday Midis

The skirt for any occasion. The midi can be casual or formal depending on how you dress it. But most definitely it is always classy and comfortable. When sporting a midi it is very important to wear shoes with some height. Unless you have legs up to the neck like Audrey Hepburn then by all means go wear flats with everything. However the rest of us with medium to petite body types even just a one inch heel or wedge will help balance the look.

Maxi Epidemic

By far the most popular look this year is the maxi skirt (and dresses too.) This look is great for tall women but a bit trickier for the petite. Heels is always the obvious solution. However a few tricks can allow the petites to wear these long skirts with comfy flats. First thing is make sure you hem the skirt to about ankle length so that you are not drowning in fabric. Second you’ll want  the skirt to start above your natural waist paired with a cropped or tucked top. By shortening your upper body it gives the illusion of a longer lower one.

Sexy Legs

Lastly we have the showing some leg skirts. Whether its the long slit up the side or the flirty sheer maxi with a mini slip we can all agree it’s all about the legs.

Many customers ask this question, so I thought it would make a good post. Rayon is found everywhere in the apparel industry.  It can be found in almost all kinds of textures from a cotton feel to a silk one.

So what is this stuff? It’s actually the world’s oldest man-made fiber developed in 1855 as a silk-alternative. However it is not a synthetic material because it is actually made from wood pulp not petroleum. As a result it’s texture and uses resemble that of cotton and linen rather than spandex or polyester.

Viscose is also rayon. It is a specific processing method of making rayon developed in the 1920s that uses viscose organic liquid. Your garment label may say viscose rayon or often times for short just “viscose.”

Maintenance and washing of this material is relatively easy. Cold wash and line dry of course is always the best for the longevity of any materials. However if you throw it in the dryer on a medium to low setting it won’t be the end of the world. If you do choose to machine dry be aware that, like cotton, the material will eventually yellow and fuzz over time.

The beauty of viscose rayon is that it drapes like silk and is able to retain vibrant dyes. Thus making it very ideal for dresses and skirts. It is also even more moisture absorbent than cotton, making garments that allow the body to breathe.

Now that we’ve rung in the new year and spent a month getting used to writing 2012 on bank forms, lets look forward into the year’s fashion future.

There are key elements every year that you can invest in for year round wear. Buying for year round wear is especially useful here in San Francisco where we only have fall and spring weather and layering is key 365 days a year.

From Spring to Fall  key items for 2012 are:

Fun prints and retro cuts.

Pleated skirts from mini to maxi and beyond.

Cropped jackets from bombers to puffers.

Yes owls are still popular and accessorizing with them has reached a whole new level with these nail art tutorials. Note: you will need some steady hands.

I love red carpet events because everyone gets to ogle at couture together!

Here are some of our favorite looks from the red carpet.

Angelic White Gowns

Left: Angela Kinsey in Romona Keveza. Middle: Zoe Saldana in Givenchy. Right: Judy Greer in Collette Dinnigan.

Radiant Reds

Michelle Williams in Valentino

Emerald Lady

Emily Blunt in Oscar De La Renta

Classic Black

Left: Jayma Mays in Reema Acra. Left: Amber Heard in Zac Posen.

Little Black Dress

I decided Emma Stone and her perfect Alexander McQueen dress should get it’s own mention. Paired perfectly with flirty delicious heels and knuckle duster clutches.

Yes every woman needs to have that little black dress, but why stop there? Is there ever such a thing as too many chic black dresses? Obviously not! According to Oscar De La Renta’s beautiful inspirations there are so many ways to do LBD. The best part of investing in the classic black is that it will never go out of style and it is appropriate for many occasions. From weddings to holiday parties to gala events, you can never go wrong with that little black dress.

It’s getting chilly and nothing warms the body and soul like furrrrrrrr.  Depending on your preferences faux or real, it’s a luxurious texture that adds instant chic to your autumn and winter layers.  Here’s a few examples of our fav fur styles from Oscar De la Renta’s Pre Fall and Fall 2011 runway.

Runway colors don’t always take with the real world ladies but this season emerald has really made a hit. This rich color always reminds me old Hollywood glamor.  Perhaps it’s because of Vivian Leigh’s stunning green eyes or that famous emerald gown in Gone With the Wind that made every girl drool. Whatever the reason Emerald is here to stay and this classic  color is definitely a must have for the holiday season.

Lace is an age old decadence that makes everything beautiful. An obvious choice for formal wear but casual lace is becoming a favorite too. Find lace detailing on tank tops, t-shirts and casual dresses.

Left: Soft White $45      Right: Elise $60

Left: Lace Detail T $32     Center: Juliette $44     Right: Lilac $32