Extraordinary Etsy

One could argue that when something hits the New York Times Style section, it’s as good as over. But they, and everyone else, is dead on about Etsy, the online shopping resource that has become something of a savior for indie designers who lack funding (and who doesn’t these days?) to lease a space for their wares.

Etsy is just amazing — a virtual Brooklyn flea where one-of-a-kind accessories and clothing (though I find it has better accessories than clothing) can be had for a song.

Here are some designers who caught my eye this week…starting with…

Twistedbag. Why is this necklace all in knots?

Rainbow Copper Necklace -- $35

Why is the purse called “Lil Titties All in a Row?”

Lil Titties All in a Row -- $145

I don’t know and I don’t care. I want them both.

Animal Prints

Ah, evolution.

This past February, darling Darwin would have turned 100. Count Cavalli and Zac Posen as fans.

In real life, a little goes a long way:

BCBG Printed Strapless Dress on Sale — $92.10

BCBG

Kensie Dresses “Animal Attraction” Printed Dress — $148.00

Kensie

Yes, those are giraffes!
Peoples Market Giraffe Applique Empire Smock — £65.00

Dodostyle Animal Print Dress with Dangle — $48.00

Dodo Style

Buffalo Jeans Bretton Animal-Print Double-Breasted Coat Sale $124.00

Buffalo Jeans

Express Cotton Sateen Tube Dress — $79.50

Express

Forever 21 Strapless Leopard Dress — $19.80

Forever 21

Forever 21 Cropped Leopard Leggings — $13.80

Forever 21

Forever 21 Color Snake Belt — $2.50

Forever 21

GUESS Women’s Animal-Print Watch — $105.00

Guess

Stuart Weitzman — $143.00

Stuart Weitzman

Glam Rock

This season I have become obsessed with Sumie Tachibana. As much as I love the glam rock look so many designers are rocking — case in point, Balenciaga, Derek Lam and Vena Cava:

Balenciaga Spring 09

Balenciaga Spring 09

Derek Lam Spring 09

Vena Cava

Sumie incorporates a tough, rocker look with more romantic “gothic-y” flair. Oh, the hood. The darling hood on this one:

Sumie Tachibana

So, I am going to make an attempt to find affordable rocker pieces that are both kickass and interesting.

Sequins used to remind me of my grandma’s more glam friend — the one from Vegas. Older and wiser now, I’ve learned it’s all about the cut of the dress.

French Connection Sassy Sequins Dress On sale — $99.00

French Connection

Forever 21 Sequin Soiree Dress — $19.99

Forever 21

Bebe Scattered Sequin Cashmere Sheer Dress — 97.99

Bebe

National Jean Company Sequin Racerback Dress — $68.00

National Jean Company

Arden B All Over Sequin Dress Style Number — $59.99

Arden B

These Kerouac Ripped Leggings are $125.00

Kerouac

Same concept, different price at American Apparel — $32.00

American Apparel

New York Couture, an indie label, understands the balance of the glam rock look better than most:

New York Couture Limited Edition Sequin Halter Bubble Dress — $150.00

New York Couture

New York Couture Limited Edition Graffiti Print Halter Bubble Dress — $150.00

New York Couture

Glam Tees and Tunics:

New York Couture One of a Kind Sequin Zebra Flutter Sleeve Top — $75.00

New York Couture

Princess of the Posse oversized top featuring the girls from Echo Park — $44.00 Where is their s/s 09?

Princess of the Posse

Urban Outfitters Members Only Skull Cami — $48.

Urban Outfitters

Bebe Vamp Vixen Art of the Tee Tank Dress — $59.00

Bebe

Just a hint of glam on an otherwise great fitting pair of white jeans: Free People Blank Studded Skinny Jeans — $78.00

Free People

Free People

Accessories!

Spooky, eerie and well-made: Atelier Iona Loyola Lattice Scarf – comes in Amethyst, Harvest and Ebony (pictured here) — $72.00

Atelier Iona Loyola

Free People Eclipse Satin Flat — $88.00

Free People

Takes an artist to envision a scary, truly rocker piece of jewelry crafted from — forks.

Indie Luck Vintage Fork Cuff Bracelet — $18.00

Indie Luck

Indie Luck Vintage Fork You Necklace — $22.00

Indie Luck

Feeling Blue

It’s official. Blue — Poison Dart Frog blue — is spring’s answer to last season’s eggplant. It’s as attention-grabbing as fire engine red, but much less narcissistic. Michael Kors did it best in his Spring 2009 collection.

Michael Kors Spring 2009

Michael Kors Spring 2009

Michael Kors Spring 2009

Michael Kors Spring 2009

Luckily, some equally colorful, less horrendously expensive alternatives can satisfy your blue cravings.
This Etsy blue silk swing dress is made from 100 percent Dupioni Silk and is only $109

Etsy Blue Dress

Kill two spring trends with one stone in this Express jumpsuit for $79.50

Express Modern Jumpsuit

Two great options that channel Kors’ sporty colorblock frocks

Forever 21 SS Colorblock Dress $17.80

Forever 21

Stephen Burrows Steel Jersey Stripe Colorblock Dress $53.99

Stephen Burrows Steel Jersey Stripe Colorblock Dress

Blueberry topping:

Express Scoop-Neck Dolman Top $39.50

Express Dolman Top

This cowl-neck dress from Modcloth.com could easily double as a tunic over jeans $49.99

Modcloth.com Violets are Blue Dress

The cute pockets on this halter dress from Modcloth.com help tone down the va-va-va-voom factor, making it feel cool and casual — $54.99

Modcloth.com Rebel with a Blue Dress

Short and sweet — Raycestyle Nissen Fringe Collar dress — $35.90

Raycestyle Nissen Fringe Collar dress

Sure, this Blue Jersey Knit Dress from Target could use a serious belt and heels, but for just $29.99, you can easily afford to jazz it up

Target Merona Short-Sleeve Crewneck Sweater Dress

A sale that won’t last: this Banana Republic Jersey Empire Waist Dress is only $59.99

Banana Republic Jersey Empire Waist Dress

The Maxi dress is alive and well — at least for one more season — $54.99

Banana Republic Silk Maxi Dress

I can think of 10 places to wear Ellen Tracy’s amazingly chic belted satin dress with unique envelope neckline — $140.00

Ellen Tracy Belted Dress

Not to worry. If designer label Zero + Maria Cornejo’s fall 2009 collection is any indication, we’ll all be black and blue for a little while longer…

Zero +Maria Cornejo fall 09

Zero +Maria Cornejo fall 09

Flower Girls

When I first got a glimpse of the many, many sartorial floral bouquets that spilled across the Spring 2009 runway, I immediately thought of that scene in the Devil Wears Prada when Miranda Priestly basically shoots down a fashion editor for suggesting the magazine incorporate new floral patterns in a spring spread.
Miranda: “Florals..for spring? Groundbreaking.”

Well, actually..I wouldn’t go as far as to say the new florals are groundbreaking, but here’s what they aren’t (thankfully): washed-out, pastel, fatiguing.

Spring’s flowers have a bit of 80s big-color allure..some even seem downright stimulating.

On the Runway..

Oscar de la Renta Spring 09

Oscar de la Renta Spring 09

Oscar de la Renta Spring 09

Oscar de la Renta Spring 09

Tracy Reese Spring 09

Tracy Reese Spring 09

Marc by Marc Jacobs Spring 09

Reality…

Heavenly Couture Red Rose Fitted Spaghetti Strap Dress — $17.95

Get Heavenly

A floaty ivory number by Heavenly Couture — $17.95

Heavenly Couture Ivory Dress

Heavenly Couture Flowy Black Floral Summer Dress — $17.95

Heavenly Couture Black Floral Summer Dress

If you haven’t heard of Modcloth.com, get clicking.

Modcloth.com Floral District Dress — $74.99

Modcloth.com Floral District Dress

Modcloth.com Aloha dress — $74.99

Modcloth.com Aloha Dress

Modcloth.com Grassy Meadow Glam dress — $59.99

Modcloth.com Grassy Meadow Glam Dress

Who knew? Nine West makes more than shoes — Sleeveless Floral Dress — $134.00

Nine West Sleeveless Floral Dress

Kensie Floral-Print Sleeveless Dress with Sash Belt — $98.00

Kensie Floral-Print Sleeveless Dress

Three Forever 21 tops that brim with bohemian wildflowers:

Fab Floral Chiffon Top — $12.50

Forever 21 Fab Floral Top

Forever 21 Floral Chiffon Kimono Top — $19.80

Forever 21 Floral Chiffon Kimono Top

Forever 21 Floral Portrait Chiffon Top — $17.80

Forever 21 Floral Portrait Chiffon Top

One vivid flower packs a powerful punch.
Democracy Sleeveless V-Neck Flower-Print Dress — $126.75

Democracy

A flattering high-waisted skirt coupled with just a peek of flower — Love Tease — $69.00

Love Tease Short-Sleeve Floral Dress

There’s nothing like a shift dress to make girly flowers look grown up:

AGB Sleeveless Belted Floral Print Sheath Dress — $64.00

AGB Floral Sheath Dress

Maggy London Floral Print Dress — $120.00

Maggy London

I would pair this one with metallic sandals and gold earrings..so casual and chic..Donna Morgan Floral Matte Jersey Dress — $120.00

Donna Morgan

Old Navy Women’s Cinch-Waist Sundress — $29.50

Old Navy

Old Navy Women’s Floral Crinkle-Chiffon Tops — $26.50

Old Navy

Avoid inducing nausea in those around you by keeping this bag away from other floral items — Old Navy Women’s Floral Canvas Hobos — $16.50

Old Navy

Oh my goodness. These Heather Clutches from Madimports.net are on sale for only 29.99. I want.

Madimports.net Floral Clutch

J-Crew Metallic Flower Belt — 68.00

J-Crew Metallic Flower Belt

Nelda’s Vintage Clothing floral black skirt from the 1970s — $25.00. Measurements: Waist: 28″ Hips: Full Length: 29″

Nelda's Vintage

This 1960s Blouse from Nelda’s Vintage Clothing is brand new — $30.00 Bust: 30″ Waist: Full Length: 21″ Sleeves: 13.5″

Nelda's Vintage

How cool is this? Urban Outfitters Chiffon Leaves Back Applique Tank — $38.00

Urban Outfitters

This gorgeous piece, which is made from vintage crystals, glass leaves and vintage lucite flowers from West Germany, was inspired by a trip to the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens. Rubytone is an amazing indie designer. $48.00

Rubytone

Old Navy Women’s Printed Maxi Dresses — $34.50

Old Navy Maxi Dress - Front

Old Navy Floral Maxi - back