APPAREL

Once upon a time, on the Upper East Side, a genius writer pitched a television series that would soon become the glory and demise of New York City. Empowering high school prepsters and tracking UES trends was destined to spiral out of control.

Last night, I sat bored and snobby in the musicless lobby at the Bowery Hotel listening to my hyper friend explain away her decision to wear a bathrobe out. The after shower satin cover was apparently a nod to the D&G Spring 2009 collection, but a bathrobe nonetheless. In walked a certain Spence senior we both know and love, and she paused at our pathetic party. I sipped my wine as slowly as possible and rolled my eyes as she chided Hugh Hefner’s apparel selection. She pranced away to join her friends. Bored, as I said, I couldn’t help but overhear their conversation.

Serena-esque blonde: “What schools have you gotten into so far?”

Trendy gay kid: “GW.”

Serena: “That’s so great! Congratulations. Are you waiting to hear from others as well?”

Trendy gay kid, who is starting to look kind of hot: “Yeah. UVA, Columbia, Kenyon. I’m checking my Blackberry like every two seconds.”

Um, breaks please. It is Friday night, and I am out trying to pretend I’m not trying to have too many cocktails and set to flirt with some men to at least suppress the withdrawal I’ve been feeling ever since my flavor-of-the-month left on business. A few things are really not okay here: 1) Srsly? I’m surrounded by college acceptance convos? 2) I’m so not in the mood for this kind of competition tonight! and 3) I REALLY do not need this kind of competition!

With Park Winter’s school girl spectacle, I mean special, last week and giddy college convos south of Houston this week, I can’t deal. A girl is supposed to return from her European vacation relaxed and peaceful not terrified by the amount of high school girls dressed in grown up clothes…and vice versa! running amok of Gotham. Unfortunately, bitter envy isn’t going to help this time. I can scowl myself premature wrinkles, but you bet your Original Car Shoe loafers that the former are smiling because they are wrinkle free and have cute butts and the latter are happy nibbling away at allegedly delicious free eats at Park Winter. I could give up. Or I could man up and resurrect my high school uniform. Come to think of it, I may even have a too short plaid kilt around here somewhere…

When shopping for wardrobe staples, a wrap dress ranks right next to basic black pantsuit and white collared shirt as an every woman essential.  Whether worn with heels and a proper pair of hose or an open-toed embellished sandal, the wrap dress is a versatile, four-season piece that fits virtually every body type from long and lean to fantastically curvaceous.  Without further adieu, I encourage The Vogue City readers to tie one on – proper hose optional.

It wouldn’t be right unless I started this post with a bow and smattering of applause for Diane von Furstenberg, the venerable wrap dress baby momma who brought the style to fame in the 1970s.  Like any true classic, a DvF never goes out of style. 

Made from silk, cotton jersey, polyester viscose and occasionally wool, her cuts drape the body so perfectly you’d swear they were created just for you.  I should know:  I own three.  With prices starting at just under $300 for the Julian (a simple, collarless matte jersey style that appears in her collection every year) and upwards of $450 for specialty pieces, it’s a piece you’ll want to treat yourself to – but will, not coincidentally, own for years.

Banana Republic featured this style in navy, $79.99 on sale, exclusively on their website. 

The lines look clean and the hem seems to hang well, but I advise TVC’s shoppers to be wary of wrap dresses that contain spandex or other elastic additives, as this one does.  A wrap dress should hug the body with a slight give; it shouldn’t stretch over your shape like a rejected piece of Juicy Fruit chewing gum.  Neither is particularly tasty.

If you’re still not convinced that a wrap dress will paint you prettier than an Easter egg, try this plum colored style from Target’s ultra affordable Mossimo line for size at $25. 

Aside from a bell-shaped sleeve, this dress borders sweet and simple to positively boring; try dressing it up with a chunky statement necklace or larger-than-life hoops.

The wrap dress:  keeping it classy has never been so effortless.

-Karyn Polewaczyk 

With spring just around the corner and the ghost of winter past finally fading away, fashionistas everywhere are eager to don this season’s finest looks.  But with dollars stretching tighter than a bad pair of skinny jeans these days, how does a girl make a decision as to which trend to adapt and which to nix?

Luckily, many of Spring 2008’s styles are not only wearable in 2009, but are still in vogue.  We’ll show you how to revamp last year’s wardrobe with a few key accessories and a bit of attitude. 

It’s Greek to me

Gladiator sandals, passed down by Grecian warriors from yesteryear, remain strong.  With such footwear being a bit on the fussier side (have you ever seen so many straps on a shoe before?), keep the rest of your outfit on the simpler side.  These sandals pair great with eyelet cotton skirts, wrap dresses and Bermuda-length shorts.  Aphrodite who?

Ships ahoy

Stars, stripes and anchors:  a seaside inn isn’t the only place you’ll spot these classic nautical themes.  A look once favored by Jackie O, nautical pieces – a navy and cream striped boatneck sweater, an oversized canvas tote bag, washed red khaki pants – look great on just about everyone. 

Juicy

Flowers won’t be the only thing popping this spring.  Bright, popsicle-inspired colors – juicy shades of raspberry, cherry, orange and banana – have made their way down the runway once again.  To keep your look streamlined and less Madonna circa 1987, pick one piece – a blouse, a bangle or even a pair of peep toe flats – and let it stand out on its own.  Don’t be afraid to mix and match:  bright colors swirl especially well with grey and khaki tones.

If you liked it then you should have put a belt on it

Grommeted, ornate, plastic and leather:  with a seemingly endless variety of styles and colors, belts reign supreme once more as the most versatile accessory under the sun.  Wide, obi-style belts were all the rage this year, marking a vast change in comparison to the skinny belt that was wrapped around every waist last year.  Whether looped through loops or riding high on the rib cage, pick your width and make it your own. 

Pretty in pink… and lilac, and peach

Pastel shades are the epitome of ladylike.  Washed shades of rose, lavender and dusty blue gain an edge when matched with a dark, contrasting color.  Try a sunny, butter colored tunic with dark denim, or a peach knit dress over black leggings. 

Remember:  a trend is only hip if it works for you – confidence is the one accessory that money can’t buy. 

-Karyn Polewaczyk

New York Bargains

Intimacy Retail Sale

On my way back from yet another orgasmic breakfast at Sarabeth’s on Madison, I stopped to check out one of the sales we have on the site. As I’ve only just moved on the UES, I don’t yet know all the stores in the neighborhood — so I was delighted to find just a short walk from my apartment. The sale is definitely worth checking out, but even without it, it’s a must-see.

There’s a glimpse of cleavage in my B-cup bra, so I don’t think I’m their ideal client (having-the-right-size-bra-changed-my-life kind of thing) but the lingerie was absolutely dreamy. Designer names that you don’t find in department stores and fabric that screams “touch me”.

It all kept my attention long enough for my husband to have made a friend by the time I got back to him. And apparently, the new friend told him that, in Russia, husbands get treated with caviar and champagne when waiting for their wives. WOW, is all I can say — they’ve come a long way. Just wish Doctor Zhivago had lived to see it.

WHAT: Intimacy Retail Sale

WHY: Save 40-60% on designer lingerie from La Perla, Chantelle, Lise Charmel and more.

WHEN:2/18-3/8
M-Sat 11-7 Sun 12-5

WHERE: 1252 Madison Avenue (nr 90th St)
Telephone  (212) 860-8366