I am less interested in this frocky, unshapely, backwards-fitting, potato sack excuse for an outfit and much more in that octopus-inspired Rorschach inkblot featured quite artfully on our public street behind "Zoe the Fabulous." When looked at carefully, the blot is, strangely enough, almost perfectly reminiscent of the frizzy, unmanageable, and, almost certainly, detachable, head of hair featured on the subject of our photo. At least SOMETHING in this dastardly photo is interesting.

A Lady, I love your blog, and I will never be able to look at my Herve Chapelier gym bag again. But they are extremely practical.
[head hanging down in shame.]

I love it, but it needs to be shorter, or not worn with flats, or it gets a little dowdy. I also think metallic + metallic = too much metallic, but with some cute wedges, I think this would be amazing.
Ignoring the health ramifications, the Cigarette As An Accessory -- especially a long one, like this one -- makes a young woman look older, I think.

Thanks, Matthew. I agree with your post too--the Holiday Inn comment was so inspired I borrowed it--hope that's OK!

Point taken a. I just wanted you to give us a full plate. :)

Hey Matthew, I gave my feelings on the garment--but I also think it's an unflattering length. Nice fabric and trim, dull Holiday Inn like dress--this style rarely works in my opinion. Boring shoes too, but she seems confortable in them.
I commented on the cigarette, because it was part of the look (and I hate seeing smoking glamourized as it so often is), and also because I was thinking of this as a look, not a single garment but the whole style and the cigarette, for me, is part of that.

of course you can say that, and glad you liked it :)

Not necessarily, matthew, as there are many smokers in the fashion industry who visit this blog. I am happy and proud to say that I am not one of them.

A- you are preaching to the choir. I just wanted to know your real feelings on THE GARMENT. I think the cigarette and stance add to the Holiday Inn aesthetic. I mean, it could be dangling out of her mouth, but that might be wishing for too much. A Lady- looked at your blog yesterday and can I say that I think you may be brilliant? (even though we might disagree on the trim here.)

mm, now that I think about it more, I'd like to see this with heels...more calf-friendly.
and of course smoking is lame, but do we have to mention that anymore? it's sort of obviously tragic.

Precisely--and the point is that there is nothing stylish about smoking. The opposite, in fact.

wish she'd move that arm of hers so i could actually see how the dress fits. cute hair and headband/string.

Jesus. I'm not a smoker, but this is about style and fashion, not a sounding board for Truth.com.

Jesus. I'm not a smoker, but this is about style and fashion, not a sounding board for Truth.com.

Got to agree with Rachel. The cigarette immediately turned me right off and all I could think about was how bad that dress smelled and how much she's destroying her health as well as aging her face and polluting the environment. Yuck.
I also think I'd have preferred the dress in its before state (would be interested in seeig a picture of that). But the smoking detracts from everything else.

Ugh, smoking sucks. Way to age your face and lungs, ladies.

On the positive side, I like the gold, and I agree with A Lady on the agreeable sleeve length. However, that being said, the pink/red trim is horrendous, and the cut of the bottom of the dress (combined with the flats) makes her look like a cleaning lady at the Holiday Inn. I like clean sheets, but not my favorite look.

I think this is the best photo you've taken.

I really like this dress. a lot. particularly the trim and sleeve-length.
also, if you guys keep mentioning your office location, I'm going to be forced to walk by it a few times in my most eccentric outfits.