Fashion Notes: Spring 2009 Shopping List (Dorothy)

At present my wardrobe is rather too big than too small, even keeping in mind the skinny jeans I had to retire (for fashion, yes, but I also gained five pounds). I am trying to purchase more selectively, bearing in mind that sometimes it is the impulse buys, the things one has to have on sight, that see the most use. My student life is (I hope!) coming to an end, which means most of my purchases for the future should be work-appropriate, but at present, when I look forward to spring, I'm dreaming of the weekends.

I don't normally care for prints, nor am I normally flattered by Empire-line tops that cover up my waist, but I would love something like this Liberty print top from Cacharel. This muddy, muted floral print remind me of fairytale books of a certain age, specifically a version of Red Riding Hood that was read to me when I was a small child, published at that time in the '70s when homespun "naturalness" was the thing and clear, bright colours were out of fashion. Red Riding Hood -- there depicted without a hood, as a pale-faced little girl with thick black hair -- followed a trail of pink, white, and orange flowers into the murky darkness of the woods. I can't do simple, sunny prettiness -- this iteration of the top would look awful on me -- but in spring, one wants something with flowers.

I've become a fan of Level 99: their trousers are cut well for my slim-but-hippy frame, their fabrics have the right blend of heft and give, and they generally avoid the rhinestone-on-the-butt affectations of other brands. I rather favour the Ariana trousers above: casual and stretchy, yes, but that purple shade is such fun -- almost, but not quite, neutral.

My love affair with Re-Mix Vintage continues, although shipping their shoes up to Canada is a pain. (Trove, in Toronto, has apparently taken on some stock, but that doesn't help me much out East.) These 1920s-style vented T-straps have shot to the top of my summer list: so light and fanciful, yet prim, and I have enough black shoes.

With spring comes the search for a truly easy summer dress, one I can throw on with a cardigan and go -- to work (at least casual Friday), to shop, wherever. I like the lines of this Vanessa Bruno Athé dress, twisted jersey is a great weakness of mine and the fabric actually looks substantial enough not to cling in awkward places, but honestly, I will probably end up sewing my own. Current fashions are turning my shopping list into a list of nos: no bagginess, no mini, no maxi, no strapless bra required, please.


Fantasy item:

This RM by Roland Mouret dress is absurdly beyond my budget. It would refuse to speak to anything else in my closet. I would have to put on a full face of makeup before even going near that startling, uncompromising blue, somewhere between the Pan Am logo and the deepest of swimming pools. But oh, that pencil skirt, those perfect little cap sleeves, that sharp, precise pleating -- an origami Galaxy. I love it.