From the back of Grandma's couch to your closet

Crochet and macrame - it sounds more like crafts at summer camp than something you'd want to buy at Bergdorfs.

But, of course, designers have found a way to bring this look from the back of Grandma's couch to the closets of fashionistas everywhere.

The idea of wear something more kitschy than silk or jersey first appealed to me when I saw Olivia Palermo in this DVF number at Fashion's Night Out last September. The dress was actually available - and on discount - when OP wore it (which I love... We can't all get pieces right off the runway).

Credit: Celebrity Fashion

Even though the dress was old, the look was very fresh. Olivia was wearing what had just been seen all over the New York runways for Spring 2011. Just look at the wide range of designers that featured the knit look:

Jen Kao, Christian Dior, Catherine Malandrino, Gucci

And now that it's actually Spring 2011, crochet and macrame looks are available to the masses.

For instance, I really adore this dress from lulus.com - proving you can wear the style and still look edgy and modern. (The dress is sadly sold out).

From lookbook.nu

So can you wear crochet without looking like a blanket?

I think yes. Here are some great starter pieces.

Edun dress, $238; Sass & Bide vest, $117

Ecote Belt, $38; Vasia by Ulla Johnson sweater, $79

Sit back and relax

Alexander Wang

Sometimes, you just need to let loose, and what better time do so than the weekends. On weekends, I love to wear skinny jeans and long tunic-y tees, or leggings, flat boots and grandpa cardigans - outfits I don't need to think too hard about.. During the work week, we are buttoned-up, straight edge and clean cut. But over the weekends, we can become unbridled, dressing for the sake of comfort and ease.

These looks from New York Fashion Week retain a modicum of high fashion while allowing for effortless comfort. From comfy slouchy pants to throw-on dresses, and from casual coats to flowy maxis, designers showed us comfort and chicness are not mutually exclusive.

Gant by Michael Bastian

Diane von Furstenberg

Gant by Michael Bastian

DKNY

Carlos Miele

Designer crush: Honor

I am just dying over this collection. It's so chic. I'll let the pictures speak for themselves

Credit: The Fashionista's Blackbook

And if Honor's collection is any indication, I need to run - not walk - to buy a turban.

Designer crush: Lorick

Abigail Lorick, well known as the designer behind Gossip Girl's Eleanor Waldorf, has been on the scene for a few years. A young designer, she's had several successful showings over the past couple years, and her stuff has sold quite well on Gilt Groupe (I'm never able to buy a piece!).

Her Spring/Summer 2011 collection, Linear Dawn, featured a very pretty, muted color palette with sheer fabric accents, cool hats, and socks with heels! Here are some of my favorite looks:

Credit: Style It

And here's a current look that just might make its way into my closet (Serena and Blair actually wore this dress on Gossip Girl during an episode where they act as models for Eleanor's line):

Barlass Dress, available at Revolve: $237

Now all I need is a pair of glass slippers

Sometimes, a girl just wants to be Cinderella.

Monique Lhullier

Naeem Khan

Monique Lhullier

David Basso

Donna Karan

Marchesa

Lela Rose

Reem Acra

Fashion Week for DC: Oh what a night

Earlier, we talked about Spring 2011 looks that the DC woman could wear to work. Now, we'll get to the fun stuff - what she's going to wear while she's out being a social butterfly.


1. The fun coat
DC's weather isn't the most predictable. Like, it's the first days of fall and it's over 90 degrees. A coat is crucial to taking your outfit into all seasons, but everyone wears a black coat. So a fun print or color coat says, "I live and work in DC, but I'm not restrained by suits and lawyers. I am an individual with taste."

Tibi puts a spin on the black coat with a spring jacket, complete with floral pattern.

Choose a bold colored jacket, like this Rebecca Taylor trench.

Or you can mix both color and pattern, like this fabulous Milly coat.

2. The party girl outfit
Every DC girl likes to live it up every now and then, whether it's dancing in Georgetown, chilling on the roof of Local 16 or even bar-hopping in AdMo.

Carlos Miele takes the simple white outfit up a notch with a gorgeous cropped jacket.

Not a white fan? Try Christian Cota's black formal shorts and super sexy deep v-neck top. I bet the boys will come a-knockin'!

Or go a little dressier, and mix two colors that aren't usually paired together, like in this DKNY look.

3. The chic cocktail dress
As much as I'd like to pretend I am always going to cocktail events, the facts of life mean that I have to work, and go to the gym, and run errands, and I cannot be a perpetual social butterfly. But every now and then, the savvy DC girl has a cocktail event to go to - Sinatra Soiree, Young Benefactor's Jolly Holiday, or even just a work function - and she needs a classy elegant cocktail dress.

This Erin Fetherston number is so spring, it hurts.

Naeem Khan put a floral befitting a vase on a modern, sexy cut and it totally works.

Juan Carlos Obando took bold colors and sexy shapes and made them seem tasteful and fun.

 Every girl needs something sparkly, like this Elie Tahari dress, in her closet.

A little bit edgier, this 3.1 Phillip Lim dress is a simple color, but the texture livens it up.

Fashion Week For DC: Take it day by day

No, this isn't a blog post about DC's Fashion Week. It's a post about the Fashion Week looks that we can wear in DC.

As I've said before, the Spring 2011 looks are actually very wearable, and most would actually fit perfectly into the lifestyle of the DC woman.

1. The versatile dress
My number one staple living in DC is the versatile dress - one I can take from day to night with the darkening of the eyeliner, the addition of a statement necklace or even doing nothing at all. Happy hours are DC-standard for social time, and, I'm sorry, but I don't want to look boring and straight-laced while I am seeing and being seen.

Michelle Obama favorite Tracy Reese made this great little shirt dress, which blends one of the big trends from the runway - bright poppy orange - with a perfectly versatile shape.

This Sophie Theallet dress, which boasts a super flattering silhouette, would transition perfectly from working hours to happy hours.

This Prabal Gurung dress is so fun and bold, but it's sleek cut makes it more universal.

Diane Von Furstenberg used the very popular chartreuse in a laid-back wrap-style dress.

If you want something a little more neutral, try this Costello Tagliapietra dress in a powerful shape.

2. The statement suit
Designers at NYFW showed a lot of killer suits. It was really hard to cull through and find the best of the best, but I think I did a pretty good job...

Phillip Lim used a grey with a fabulous sheen. Honestly, I think grey suits are a drag, but this one is a whole new story.

ADAM did menswear pants right, and matched with the cropped jacket, this look is chic and edgy but still work appropriate.

Bibhu Mohapatra made a suit that's girly, vintage and fun to wear to the office.

Words can't express my obsession with this suit from Cynthia Steffe, which manages to meld the formality of the three-piece with a slouchy aesthetic.

3. The intriguing skirt
Most young women in DC have a wealth of solid shirts and silk blouses, particularly ones from J. Crew, Ann Taylor LOFT and other chain stores. The way to elevate these blouses is with amazing skirts.

I love the textures and uneven hem on this Edun skirt, which makes for something so much more exciting than a black pencil skirt.

Erin Fetherston made this skirt with a great pattern, a great color palette and a great fabric.

Jason Wu used such a pretty floral pattern in a beautiful, deep lilac. A bold pattern and color like this will draw the eye downward.

This Milly skirt is a little preppier, but Michelle Smith shows you that the pattern on bottom doesn't mean you can wear a pattern on top.