Runway-to-Freeway...Erdem Resort

Erdem's lovely lookbook for their Resort 2010 had me thinking about summer basics. One of my favourite pieces would be the very easy, feminine, shift dress (often in a floral pattern). Erdem had many great floral dresses in all different shapes and sizes, but I picked the one I thought would be the most flattering and versatile - and found much cheaper, inspired styles for you to check out and maybe even buy. Enjoy!

Erdem Resort 2010

By the way, the best ones I found just happened to all be from Urban Outfitters (and you can find them on urbanoutfitters.com)

Urban Renewal Cinched Waist Knit Dress (in Tie Dye) - $48

Kimchi Blue Cowl Dress (in Yellow) - $48

Ruffle Bottom Dropwaist Dress (in Blum) - $88

Kimchi Blue French House Dress (in Cornrow Bouquet) - $58

Inspired...Calvin Klein 2009 Pre-Fall/LBD

Lately I've been really into quality basics; trying to round out my wardrobe with those classic go-to items. Well I've found these fantastic outfits from the Calvin Klein 2009 Pre-Fall show to use for this segment of "Inspired" because it's a they're diverse styles of one of the basic items that every girl needs: the little black dress! I'll give you a few options because you need to find the right one for your body type cause you gotta remember that just because it's stylish doesn't mean it's gonna make you look your best. 

1.) - 3.): Looks from the Calvin Klein runway show (the first dress is my favourite!)

Got a little more junk in your trunk? Got a fuller figure? Just because you have curves doesn't mean you can't wear a beautiful black dress and look good! Here are some options:

4.) Flutter Chiffon Dress (in Black) - $23; forever21.com

5.) ASOS Pleated Dress (in Black) - $56; asos.com

Maybe you're body isn't the slimmest? Maybe there are some parts you consider "problem areas"? Cover them up and no one will be the wiser (they probably aren't anyway, it's mostly just yourself who comes up with such things)! 

6.) *Our favourite dress!* ASOS Drape Front Chiffon Dress (in Black) - $56; asos.com

7.) ASOS Asymmetric Ruffle Dress (in Black) - $56; asos.com

8.) Play by C. Ronson Obsidian Lace Dress (in Black) - $108; urbanoutfitters.com

Have a slim frame? Tall and lanky (maybe a little klutzy because of it)? Want to add some shape to your straight body? You may be ideal runway shape, but that doesn't mean every dress will complement your figure! 

9.) ASOS Backless Slinky Jersey Dress (in Black) - $33; asos.com

10.) ASOS Peplum Skirt Dress (in Black) - $44; asos.com

11.) Lark & Wolff by Steve Alan Bow Party Dress (in Black) - $98; urbanoutfitters.com

I hope I've given you some good options and that you find your perfect LBD!

Runway-to-Freeway...Stella McCartney Fall 2008 RTW

I loved the entire Stella McCartney Fall 2008 RTW runway show last season, but a few looks really stood out as chic, wearable, modern outfits that I immediately began to covet. But with a less-than-Stella budget, I'm limited to what I can find in my local mall or clothing store. So while it's not exactly like the runway outfit, I used the same colour palate, similar silhouette, and tried to get the accessories as close as possible to the actual runway ensemble; which are the guidelines for putting together a fashion-inspired, but not carbon-copied look. Here's what I managed to put together: 

1.) They're a dead ringer for the actual Stella shoes, but at a fraction of the price!

http://www.aldoshoes.com/us/women/shoes/dress-fashion/69712874-faroirle

2.) Cotton Spandex Jersey Legging (in Heather Gray) - $26; store.americanapparel.net

3.) Covet Bamboo Jersey Dress (in Navy) - $78; urbanoutfitters.com

4.) Caperton Jacket (in Brown) - $90; urbanoutfitters.com

5.) Mini Turnlock Purse (in Sienna) - $42; urbanoutfitters.com

Runway-to-Freeway...Loewe Spring 2009 RTW

I loved the collection that Loewe recently debuted, and I really wanted to recreate one of my favourite ensembles for all of you! And while it's hard to find an inexpensive dress that lovely, we found the closest match we could. It should have the same effect, but without the bank-breaking price tag (especially these days, considering that the economy has gone down the drain :p)

1.) Livia Dress (in Natural) - $44.50; store.delias.com

2.) Skinny Leather Belt (in Yellow) - $20; urbanoutfitters.com

3.) Lizard Platform (in Grey) - $29.50; store.alloy.com

4.) Peacock Bangle (in Tan) - $20; urbanoutfitters.com

5.) Poly Bangle (in Green) - $4; forever21.com

6.) Irregular Poly Bangle (in White) - $4; forever21.com

7.) Piccolo Framed Lady Bag (in Tan) - $42; urbanoutfitters.com

Runway-to-Freeway...3.1 Phillip Lim Spring 2009 RTW

I've loved Phillip Lim since the beginning and this season did not disappoint - everything was wearable and completely New York chic and I adored it. I'd wear every piece (maybe even some of the mens!) This look was one of my favourites from the show and I wanted to recreate it here for all of you so you can go out into the world looking fantastic :)

Note: I couldn't decide which was more important - the colour or the shape of the blazer. So I'll let you decide between both of these equally cute jackets. If only they'd combine the colour and shape, then we'd have a perfect jacket...

1.) Silence & Noise Seamed Blazer (in Washed Blue) - $68; urbanoutfitters.com

2.) Lux Little Brother Blazer (in Navy) - $68; urbanoutfitters.com

3.) I couldn't find a cute polka-dot bag, but this definitely has the same feel. It also integrates the trendy Ikat print I posted about before! Color Swatch Canvas Handbag (in Brown/Black) - $24; forever21.com

4.) The idea I had for the dress was that by wearing this one over (#4) over the slip (#5) it would create a similar silhouette to the runway look. Silence & Noise Lace Detail Tank Dress (in Cream) - $35; urbanoutfitters.com

5.) Sparkle & Fade Parfait Slip (in Ivory) - $32; urbanoutfitters.com

6.) Ronda Peeptoe Pump (in Tan/Black) - $26; forever21.com

Runway-to-Freeway...Lanvin on the Red Carpet

As I'm sure you know, the red carpets this year have been inundated with dresses by high-fashion brand Lanvin. Women (especially the always lovely Natalie Portman, who wore 3 Lanvin dresses at the Cannes Film Festival) are swarming to the heavily draped, grecian-style dresses in bold jewel tones that are as stylish as they are figure-flattering. But if you're not one of those who has millions to spend, we've found some great options that are just as stylish and just as figure-flattering - but without breaking the bank! 

1.) Zip Trim Dress by Boutique (in Mushroom) - $130; topshop.com

2.) ASOS Cowl Back Jersey Bandeau Dress (in Purple) - $77; asos.com

3.) Silence & Noise One Shoulder Ruffle Top (in Ivory) - $25; urbanoutfitters.com

4.) Chandelier Boob Tube Ra-Ra Dress (in Emerald Green or Sunset Pink) - $99; asos.com

5.) ASOS One Shoulder Tiered Dress (in Orange) - $77; asos.com

Runway-to-Freeway...Teen Choice Awards 2008 #2

(I apologize for the badly cropped photos - I couldn't find any better ones! If you have any, please e-mail them to me)

To get Kristen's look:

1.) ASOS Glass and Metal Bead Long Necklace (in Multi) - $18; asos.com

2.) Snakeskin Clutch (in Brown) - $13; forever21.com

3.) Unisex Fine Jersey Tank (in Sand) - $15; store.americanapparel.net

4.) Cinched Side Cotton Skirt (in Hot Pink) - $18; forever21.com

5.) Jelena Peeptoe Pump (in Tan) - $20; forever21.com