DRESSed down?!?

for fashionistas who like comfort as much as the next person...

i give you, the sweatshirt dress. its bloody briliant!

my obsession with sweatshirts&tshirts began as a 3 year old toddler who wanted to wear her favourite ones to church and fancy family dinners. it worked in my favor to a degree in the 80s that were fond of blucky sweats&long tees with leggings but a mother who worked in fashion for years and burgeoning interest&obvious skills in ensemble assemblage put an end to all that nonsense early on.
but, alas, the urge has returned and now it can be satiated with the uprising of sweatshirty/tshirty dresses out there.
the classic lines &stitching of old skool tees, heather greys, and those comfy cozy fabrics that only get better with age.
[i was already obsessed with the fabrics enough to invest in several sets of tshirt sheets and a sweatshirt blanket for my luxurious bed hah]

i believe the tshirt dress niche to be occupied nicely by the HIP SIMPLE clean lines at american apparel.
my focus is on the sweatshirt dress today. the thick but soft&fuzzy 'on the inside' texture that reminds you of college midterm mornings when you didnt have the strength to throw much else on as you were running on several hours of sleep for 7 days and perhaps stomping you way to impending doom. But that piece of clothing gave your the security and mini-indulge that when it was all over, you'd soon be at home in bed.
the one i got was from forever21 (i know the shame, but its adorable-i can't stop the compliments EVERYTIME i wear it)
the reasonable retail circuit has cute cheap ones at the likes of old navy and urban (respectively). honestly, the dresses are built from basics and these companies has built their empires on that premise, i think they are making these dresses are out quality materials stitched in quality ways.
[these both come in BLACK as well]


the high fashion conquistadoras of ELLE featured the sweatshirt dress (or tunic) as a shop musthave for Fall '07 and i couldn't agree more. They suggested looks from Vera's lavender label hemmed in sequins, a Rebecca Taylor look taken up a notch in puckered merino wool and a Lela Rose jersey tee dress with rouched taffeta sleeves. they (and i) suggest taking your DRESSed down look UP, when necessary, to another level with a chic-chic (think sequins, feathers, evening fabricated, and/or bejewelled) mini/knee-length skirt or cocktail frock underneath with some (Spectator or Low Bootie) spectacular high heels (or new studded Marc flats) to make the comfy, also tre chic.


in conclusion, you know you want to go out there to buy one of these DRESSed down sweatshirt dresses for running out to do errands with your Chucks or out on the town like an ELLE lady. good luck! send pictures of success stories pleaseeeeeeeee*