Dreamiest Week of September: NY Fashion Week - Part 3

I tell you, next time you want to see what the designers are going to show on the runways, all you need do is head to the National Gallery in DC like I did.

Sir Joshua Reynolds' Lady Elizabeth Delme and her Children.

I loved the pinkish skirt juxtaposed with the paler hue on top.

And so did:

Oscar de la Renta

Jason Wu

Naeem Khan

Badgley Mischka

Erin Fetherston

Adam

Araks

3.1 Phillip Lim

There was actually quite a lot of pinks shown (and again, today's shows haven't even been posted yet).

So I guess in the Spring look forward to sporting various degrees of blush and bashful.

As well as shades of blue (especially turquoise) and mustard.

And maybe dressing like a chubby baby.

Christain Siriano

Dreamiest Week of September: NY Fashion Week - Part 2

Turns out the National Gallery really is the place to spot Spring/Summer 2012's trends.

The crazy prints continued, almost to the point of me asking the designers to stop (and NY Fashion Week doesn't even end until later today).

I couldn't help but notice black dresses with details that draw the attention to the shoulder in one way or another. A la Ingres' Madame Moitessier.

As seen at:

Monique Lhuillier

Jason Wu

Jeremy Laing

Guilietta

Luca Luca

Helmut Lang

Herve Leger

Victoria Beckham

(Yes, I struggled over whether or not to include this one.)

Prabal Gurung

RAD by Rad Hourani

Chado Ralph Rucci

Personally, I prefer Mme Moitessier's accessories better, but that's just because I'm a sucker for floral wreaths.

Dreamiest Week of September: NY Fashion Week

Last week as I was walking around the National Gallery I decided to snap photos of paintings that would showcase trends for next Spring/Summer 2012 (according to New York Fashion Week).

I started with this sexy gem, because I am not done with loud prints and I think the designers would agree.

Bingo!

Vivienne Tam

Cynthia Rowley

Peter Som

Suno

Rebecca Taylor

Adam

Costello Tagliapietra

Yigal Azrouel

doo.ri

Jason Wu

Nicole Miller

Actually, when I wear loud prints it's not as pants. Rarely. Never, even. Hmm, we'll see if I want to test this one out next year. But, maybe I'll be so inundated with editorial stories with tall skinny girls, dancing around Morocco in these clothes I'll be happy to try them out.

Our Dreamy First Ladies

The First Ladies at the Smithsonian

at the National Museum of American History

was a dream come true.

I loved seeing the real sizes of First Ladies.

Like Jackie Kennedy

really was as thin as she appeared

And Hillary Clinton's waist was much smaller than I thought.

Good for you Hillary.

What will happen if she's elected President?

Will one of Bill's suits be inducted?

But as far as skinny First Ladies go,

Mary Todd Lincoln was the thinnest of them all.

I was surprised because she had such a robust face.

Jason Wu's gown for Michelle Obama did not disappoint.

I loved Helen 'Nellie' Taft's dress.

The cascading details on the sleeve made my heart race.

I would wear Grace Coolidge's dress today.

The lighting made it look black but the

original color was much more fashion forward.

No one wants a First Lady who's always playing it safe.

And maybe I'd wear Florence Harding's gown too.

Could I get away with this dress now? Maybe to a wedding. Like my own wedding? I'd wear it to the Venice Film Festival for sure. Not Cannes though.

I must say Rosalynn Carter was an intrepid lady

for wearing an 'I Dream of Jeannie' themed

two-piece ensemble to the inaugural balls of 1977. Not because of the gold and blue chiffon but because she had already worn this six years earlier when Jimmy Carter was elected as governor of Georgia.

Cheers to you Mrs. Carter for wearing vintage.