Drape expectations

A week ago, I was talking about how the "Old Tyler" compared to the "New Tyler."

The thing is, the "Old Tyler" didn't really go away. It became "Harlan and Holden."

Yup, that nice clothing store in Shangrila Mall was the Tyler of old. When the Tyler brand was purchased by a fashion group, they old owners decided to still make clothes but under a new name. But even if the name was new, the clothing they made was the same. It still had impeccable tailoring, unique details and attention to fabrics and fabrication.

Just like this stunning draped dress, from Harlan and Holden, of course.

I'd like to see this dress in person. It looks like a winner from all angles.

Crimson Tied

Tyler has always been a good source of "classics with a twist."

When they were just starting, I'd often go there for their tailored pieces and easy fabrics. What I liked about Tyler's clothes was the fact that there would always be a nice detail. Whether it's a hidden pin tuck or a slight drape - it always added character to the garment.

After it was acquired by a big fashion company, I noticed that their clothes became more mainstream and commercial, and I didn't drop by as often as I did before. (Even though they have more branches now.)

But I'd still drop by occasionally, in the hopes of finding a piece that's classic Tyler. And when I did yesterday, I was rewarded with this great find.

It was a classic, well-tailored shirt dress in a bright, crimson hue. The top was cut close to the body, and the skirt had a lot of body and flounce. It was a fashionable and flattering combination.

What made it even more striking was this large ribbon tied in front. It elevated the dress from the usual to more chic!

Ate Bullet is a big fan of shirt dresses, and I'm sure she'll be glad to have this in her closet.

Three sheers!

It's sheer genius how trends from the runway are translated to fast fashion in sheer numbers.

The past month or so, I've been seeing dresses with see-through paneling in sheer volumes. It takes sheer tenacity to wade through all the items and pick out the ones that are sheer joy.

SHEER 1: The red dress from Topshop.

Leave it to Topshop to take some of fashion's trickiest aspects and put them together in a tasteful frock. Red is tricky. Sheer is tricky. Plunging necklines are tricky. But when you have them in a nice fabric and cut with precision, you've got a chic dress with a lot of attitude.

(You can't see it here, but the neckline plunges down to the waist.)

SHEER 2: The black sequined dress from Mango.

Here's the little black dress taken to another level. The entire bodice is fully sequined, and it creates this interesting pattern when the light hits it. The neckline is modest, the sleeves are long, making it very prim and proper up front.

Then, you see the back.

SHEER 3: The purple dress from Tyler

This is another case of "classic with a twist." The color, cut and fabric of this dress makes it perfect for everyday wear. If you see it coming, it'll look like an commonplace shift dress.

But when you see it going, you'll see a completely sheer back that goes all the way down to the waist. It's that element of surprise that makes people give the dress a second, or third look. And according to Ate Bullet, that's exactly what she got when she wore this dress.

I'm sheer - I mean, I'm sure - that there are more dresses like this that will pop up in stores soon. And I wouldn't be surprised if they re-appear in my sisters' closets as well.