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This particular piece is definitely going to be a hodgepodge of fashion news and opinions, since I couldn’t’ quite decide on a particular theme. (It never hurts to break the mold, does it?)

OK…looking at what’s considered “in”, I found that ruffles may be big, especially on the tops of dresses held up with spaghetti straps, then fall simply to below the knees. Personally, I don’t remember ever having such a dress, so I guess I should go and try some on. Other than needing a strapless bra, I don’t see too many problems with the style.

Nextis something termed “water color tweed”, per May’s Lucky Magazine. Now, the versions they exhibited ranged from $200 to $350, but sooner or later we should be able to find it at Macy’s or Penney’s for a more realistic price. The moniker is a term for the print used on silk or chiffon tops, which are simply button down, sleeveless tunics of a white background, but with an overlay of black lines that appear to be smudged. (They don’t particularly move me, but to each their own.)

Then there’s the “train hem” which is simply a dress that is longer in back than in the front, basically for fancy wear, since the front is short enough to show some thigh, with the back hanging down to the model’s knees. I’d wear it, depending on the rest of the dress, although it may take some getting used to in having more material hanging down your back than down your front.

Finally, there’s what’s called “cropped vests” over sundresses. Hmm…let’s think about this for a moment. If it’s warm enough to wear a sundress, it’s got to be, what, at least 75 degrees? Why, then, would anyone want to wear something more on top of the dress that doesn’t even reach across their chest? (They’re made to skim down the areas to the side of the bust line.) The way I see it, if a gal is concerned about her upper torso or upper arms, this vest hides absolutely nothing. Since it’s so short, and made to be worn over a loose fitting garment, it doesn’t hug her waist, either, so provides no definition whatsoever. If it’s a matter of wanting something more to wear in an air conditioned restaurant, forget it; this is purely ornamental, and rather a stark contrast from the lightness and femininity of any sheer, gauzy, flowery smock. It is very doubtful I would wear this, let alone spend $375 for a wool vest made from less than ¼ yard of material to just go over my shoulders.

Now, on the less cynical side, I happened to find an unusual pair of sandals over the weekend. They’re by a company called “The Hut” and I bought them on the spur of the moment even though I don’t really need another pair of fancy flip flops. But, since they weren’t expensive, and they were several steps above the ordinary, I figured I could use them next year if not this year-they won’t go “out of style”. The sole resembles a thatched island hut, with little crosses etched into the straw background. The bands that go from between the toes and down to the sides are covered with beading reminiscent of natural jewelry that I could imagine tropical natives wearing above their grass skirts. With a choice between turquoise, amber and something resembling peridot, I chose the turquoise. (I figured that when the shoes fell apart, I’d have enough beads to make myself a short necklace or two bracelets.)

Not for one second do I think it strange that what I found, up close and personal, appealed to me much more than images in a magazine, touted by professional models in practiced poses. Women need to see how things really look in person to judge if something would be right for them. That is why, as difficult as it may be, it’s necessary to get in a car and drive to a store for a first hand look at what’s available. You just never know when you may find something that seems perfect, even when you’re not searching for it.