Charles & Marie

Deliciously scented underpinnings by Melon sure do give us a giggle, but make no mistake: They’re actually quite clever and eliminate the need for pre-date parfum applied near the nether regions (this ritual “ups the sexual ante” gal pals tell us). Select from full-back or thong designs in powdery scents like waterlilly, sure to arouse the opposite sex.

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Zac Posen recently made a cameo at Saks Fifth Avenue for an event benefitting one of our favorite Bay Area charities: Children of Shelters. The designer showed up looking dapper in Dior (natch) and revealed a few key looks from his fall collection—it’s nothing short of ravishing, as you can see in the accompanying pic. But we’re just as giddy about the fact that Children of Shelters will be hosting several intimate gatherings in coming months, all of them featuring top designers. Count on us to keep you posted. We hear Jason Woo will be the next to grace us with his presence in June more to come.

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Our stylish friends at Daily Candy love Papinelle for its playful collection of nighties, which transition from boudoir to last-minute BBQ bash. We, on the other hand, love the line for this ruby spot cami and knicker set made from the softest silk blended with cotton. The oh-so-adorable cami is cut on the bias with adjustable straps and double lined bust cups for well endowed swans. Color options include tan, blue and purple. What’s not to love?

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Akris is the hot Swiss label that’s thrown out all the rules of couture—namely, extravagance and general unwearability. Their dashingly elegant pieces are, however, no less unique than those of the runway vulgarians. This gorgeously classic piece is both timeless and revisionist. A yummy caramel button-down tweed dress, its straight skirt and square neckline scream of 40s elegance, while organza lining and a textured elastic waist belt add touches of luxury to an otherwise tried and true fashion standard.

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Itching for that all a-drip with sea foam deity look? Fashionistas and demigoddesses alike will just die over AKA New York’s elegant Grecian dress. The label, launched by three former Elle magazine fashion editors, is rife with personalized touches. This gorgeous satin caftan comes with waist ruching and a bust inset, and kimono sleeves that spill luxuriously over you and anything you touch. With a dress like this, it’ll be hard to return to the mortal realm of jeans and casual adornment.

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Juan Carlos Obando has professed to create the perfect dress, and his collection proves that he’s on the right track. This classic gown is full of surprises—on the surface, it’s distinctly prim and proper, with its ruffled high neck and ladylike bubbled hem. But take the luxurious satin lining on the bustier, a nipped waist, and an open back that goes all the way down to your secret tattoo—and this dress is anything but predictable.

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The shirt dress doesn’t have to be passé anymore, at least not if you’re wearing one of Rebecca Taylor’s flirty, feminine designs. This sexy, kitten-soft silk and cotton piece turns the ultra-conservative traditional shirt dress on its head, instead opting for girlie ruching, a satin belt at the waist, and an oh-so-sweet ruffled hem.

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With eco-conscious clothing finally making a splash on the runway, Deborah Lindquist has become the go-to gal for au courant recycled designs. With eco-friendly materials like recycled cashmere, repurposed saris, vintage silk scarves, and organic fiber, Lindquist has created exquisite cutting-edge garb for stars like Charlize Theron, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Cameron Diaz. Her romantic hemp and silk dresses rank among our most coveted favorites.

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So you’re in a pre-spring fashion funk and on the hunt for the perfect dress to usher in sunny days and garden parties, you say? Look no further. Mark Jacobs’ silk dress with contrast floral lace is a winner. This filmy shift is ideal for outdoor soirees, but black-tie nights do it a good turn as well. A folded hip ruffle and ruched waist make it lovely on all kinds of figures, while tiered seams, satin ribbon shoulder straps, and contrasting black lace that runs down the middle of the dress add some sass to the virginal white.

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Designer Charlotte Solnicki has taken the basic smock and transformed it into a dress befitting of the goddess in us all. A simple, off-the-shoulder cotton dress with crochet banding and a ruffled bottom hem make us want to toss out our sweats and glam up our lounging habits.

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