Sometimes women dress purely for themselves, sometimes they dress to impress other women, and sometimes they dress to impress their man. We scoured the net for a few fashion finds that we thought were cute, and then asked our boyfriend (who for the time being shall remain nameless) to weigh in. Mind you, our sweetie knows about as much about fashion as we know about cars—and that ain't sayin' much. Brace yourself as we go inside the male mind…


Exhibit A: Juniors' Mossimo® Red: Striped Tube Halter Dress - Coral/ Brown, $19.99 at Target.com

The Verdict: "Looks kind of like a beach towel."







Exhibit B: Wide Leg Linen Pant, $22.80 at Forever21.com

The Verdict: "Fine—they're pants."










Exhibit C: "Jayant" patent flat sandal, on sale for $65.00 at Ninewest.com

The Verdict: "They're sandals. They're regular."

It's like they read our minds: Forever21 is expanding business and adding a new affordable "luxury" line called Twelve by Twelve.

Naturally, this is a dream come true. First, because we're happy that they didn't decide to just raise prices on existing merchandise—you know, establish a loyal customer base, then raise prices once we're all hooked (the old bait 'n' switch). Second, because we were always willing to pay a tad more for Forever21 clothing if they could just come out with marginally better quality stuff. Hopefully, Twelve by Twelve will deliver!

Twelve by Twelve is priced about thirty-five percent higher than Forever 21’s usual ensemble, but each piece will cost less than $100.

“Forever 21 is fast fashion, it’s quick-turn, young and fun,” said Betsy Zanjani, vice president of merchandising for the project, “whereas Twelve by Twelve is a grouping of items designed to go together, to be worn together. It will be a little bit more sophisticated, much more luxury.”

Twelve by Twelve will launch its own Web site (twelvebytwelve.com) later this month, followed by 10 to 15 in-store boutiques at already existing Forever 21 stores. A stand-alone Twelve by Twelve shop is set to open by fall at the Beverly Center in Los Angeles.

UPDATE 9/26/07: Twelve By Twelve Now Available in Select Stores and Online!

Add some fun to your summer wardrobe with the perfect warm weather accessory: the tote. You won't be able to get away with one these bad boys in the winter, so take advantage of the flirty colors, unique textures and quirky prints that give summer totes their flair.


Show you have a sense of humor with this Jacobs by Marc Jacobs cotton canvas tote. The catch: it's only available in Marc Jacobs stores, but if you can get to one near you, you'll be rewarded by the $12 price tag.


Yummy orange and pink beach tote from Oldnavy.com let's you treat yourself for only $14.50.


We've had a soft spot for this richly colored Mexican blanket print ever since we took a trip to the Yucatan. Get the tote, on sale for $19.99, at Urbanoutfitters.com.


This vinyl tote is trendy and hip and we love the bright yellow. Keep contents simple and clean and you'll be chic carrying this full-exposure clear tote from Forever21.com, $26.80.


We're super impressed with the offerings from handbag designer Rafe for Target, and this Printed Straw Basket Bag is no exception. Scoop it up at Target.com for $39.99.

Glamour salutes the winners of their Top 10 College Women Competition in the June issue, a tradition they began back in 1957. When we heard that Martha Stewart was selected as one of the honorees in 1961, we had to investigate--and we're glad we did.

In honor of the 50th anniversary of the competition, Glamour.com put together a snappy slideshow with retro fashion flashbacks and informative anecdotes about how much we women have changed and, in many respects, how we've happily remained the same. A few highlights...

• Originally called “The 10 Best Dressed College Girls,” the contest's winners were chosen for traits such as “impeccable grooming” and “shining, well-kept hair.”


• 1968 winner Katiti Kironde II of Memorial University of Newfoundland made history as the first black woman to appear on the cover of a major women’s magazine.


• In 1969, the contest's focus shifted from fashion to overachieving, er, academics and leadership. In 1977, two honorees modeled the "perfect" college wardrobe—a far-cry from the sweatshirts and flip-flops that so many co-eds toss on today.


• Sheryl Lee Ralph was a 1975 winner who went on to star in the original Dreamgirls on Broadway.


• For the 1996 photo shoot, all the winners wore the present-day pariah of the fashion world: Mom jeans, in all their high-waisted, tapered leg, stone washed (or classic blue) glory.


• Former winner and novelist Heather Cochran shares this advice for younger generations: “Don’t be afraid to fail—well-told tales of spectacular risk and enthusiastic failure make for very good party conversation.”
  

A few things in the fashion world today that had us shaking our heads...

So Victoria Beckham aka Posh Spice has created her own line of denim, available in stores June 15. We checked it out on accident while surfing shopkitson.com and all we can say is, you've got to be kidding. It was so bad, we actually laughed. These Denim By Victoria Beckham - Medium Wash Cuffed Shorts are horrendous. Who in their right mind would pay $200 for them? And those big stars on the back pockets? Awful.


Moving on...this look from the Christian Dior 2008 Resort Collection is pretty horrifying. Off the deep end for sure, but it has it's redeeming qualities, I'm sure. We just can't think of any.


While surfing gojane.com, we were blinded by this...um...Munchkin outfit?? It's atrocious, and that makes it funny.