As part of their Gap Design Editions, the Gap enlisted 2007 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund finalists 3.1 Phillip Lim, Band of Outsiders, Michael Bastian, and threeASFOUR to design a limited edition collection of white shirts, each putting their own spin on the classic white button-down. The collection looks pretty stunning on the models in the ad above, but keep scrolling...


Here's how the shirts look on yours truly: Not good. Not good at all. Yes, I took a trip to my friendly neighborhood Gap (a very rare occurrence) to scope out the collection, and while I had a very pleasant shopping experience (I forgot how oddly relaxing the Gap can be), the four shirts I tried by Phillip Lim were sub par considering the $78 pricetag.

Lim's Bell-sleeve shirt fit best (above left), but the ruffles would be difficult to layer under a cardigan or blazer without bunching and wrinkling. The Picot button-front shirt (above right) featured an uncooperative tie detail. Sorry, but I can't be bothered with buttoning and bow-tying. Pass.


A 3/4 sleeve top (above left) felt more like a mock-up than an actual finished garment. And it had a sort of "mad scientist" vibe that I wasn't feeling. Scary. Finally, I slipped into a low-tie neck top which made me look prego. Nothing wrong with that...but it's not the look I'm after. And again with the bow - please don't ask me to tie my own bows. The results ain't pretty.

In a nutshell, I felt the collection was unflattering, fussy and stiff. There's a reason that classic white button down shirts are universally appealing - it's that classic shape, cut and silhouette. So save your $78 and spend it on a great classic that you'll wear over and over again instead.

Love it or hate it, the romper is making a comeback for Spring. And we gotta admit, it's got some redeeming qualities. For starters, you can just toss it on, add heels, bangles and a clutch, and you're good to go. It's also a sexy way to show off your legs without having to wear, well, a skirt. If you're ready to romp, take your pick from one of these budget-friendly finds. Click the pic for product details...

Topshop seems to have taken a cue from Luella Bartley with their floral ditsy mesh top (right). We think the sweet blossoms and edgy black lace make it the perfect blouse for a girl who wants to show her nice and naughty sides all at the same time.

>> Floral ditsy mesh top at Topshop.com, £28.00

I stopped by my local H&M over the weekend in hopes of finding a cute bathing suit with Marimekko's cheerful, retro-fabulous patterns, but alas, all they had were a few skimpy bikinis that could have been from just about anywhere, i.e., they were nothing special.

Some colorful cotton tops and a graphic black and white sundress were instantly recognizable as Marimekko designs, but the quality wasn't up to snuff. Other pieces in the collection included white pants, black shorts and some solid color camis to complete the looks, but it was kinda like, what's the point? We came for the prints!

As for accessories, there was a black and white graphic tote, a beachy white bucket hat, two different styles of signature-print scarves and a blue & pink print coin purse. I was tempted to buy a Marimekko scarf to use as a wall hanging or something, but decided it wasn't worth the $24.90 pricetag. Who knows, though…I might go back for something just so I have a sort of "souvenir" (as strange as that may sound).

Overall, I was bummed. The Marimekko for H&M collection wasn't bad - it just could have been so much better. Perhaps they can team up with Target and do a line of home furnishings. And then we'll call it even.

Unfair comparisons are often drawn between floral prints and Laura Ashley or Little House on the Prairie. I say "unfair" because, as British designer Luella Bartley so cleverly proves with her Spring 2008 ready-to-wear collection, floral prints can be fierce. It's all in how you style them (and to a lesser extent where you buy them, because let's face it, the florals at Eddie Bauer won't pass for fashionable no matter how you work those buds).

So yeah, we're lovin' Luella and her diminutive, ditsy print designs. These sweet blossoms have an old-school edge that makes them good enough to pluck - and with our budget-friendly finds (they're everywhere these days!) you can afford to update your Spring wardrobe with an entire bouquet.

[1] Ditsy Flower Print Blazer at Topshop.com, £55.00
[2] Spring Chiffon Blouse at Forever21.com, $22.80
[3] Kimchi & Blue Dolly Shirt Dress at Urbn.com, $48.00
[4] Floral Cinched Bandeau One-Piece at dELiAs.com, $38.50