Oh, Prada wallets! Thank God Prada understands this one basic tenet of fashion — we women want even the most utilitarian of objects to be stylish while still being functional. That’s why each of their wallets this season is gorgeous, but still work in the ways we want them to. Here are my picks for the top nine Prada wallets this season.

1. Prada Coin Purse with Flap

Price: £270 at prada.com
Do you need the most basic of all wallets? Then this one is ideal for you. All you want is a small, sleek coin purse with a slot for each of your eight charge cards or pieces of identification. Available in inky black or the darkest graphite grey with gold-plated hardware and a snap to close. Slide this into your purse or pocket.

Looking for something that flatters curves and makes you look amazing? Then you should definitely check out saks.com and its new selection of plus size clothes for women between size 14 and 24, where they have some of the best dresses I’ve seen this year. Here are some of my favourites!

1. Taffeta Party Dress

Price: $495 at saksfifthavenue.com
This is a really well made dress, that looks gorgeous on! The skirt is perfect for evening out figures, and I love the style of the top, which allows you to show off your favourite curves! The matte material of the top ensures it will flatter any shape without being restrictive, and the length is perfect to team with bare legs and high heels, or glittery tights if you are feeling shy. I love this!

2. Silk Shutter Dress

Price: $415 at saksfifthavenue.com
This is a sexy cocktail style dress, which is packed with style! The bright colour is divine, and the dress is shaped to ensure that the detailing enhances curves and makes you look your best. I love the sleeves, too! Cap sleeves are perfect for the Winter, as they are much easier to team with a shrug to keep you warm! If you are feeling brave, try neon heels and nail varnish, and a statement necklace. It looks divine just teamed with black heels, though, for a sexy low maintenance look.

3. Silk Chiffon Pleated Dress

Price: $415 at saksfifthavenue.com
I love this dress!! From the stunning colour to the flattering cut, it ticks all the boxes to be a wardrobe favourite for years to come. The pleating flatters curves, and the satin contract draws attention to your bust. Add a messy chignon, dangly jewellery and a big smile, and you’ll be the Belle of the Ball.

4. Ruched Knitted Dress

Price: $375 at saksfifthavenue.com
This is a very versatile dress, which will look perfect for daytime wearing or dressed up for a night out. The colour is gorgeous without drawing attention to the wrong areas, and the side slits and sleeves make it so comfortable! The ruching and natural gathers are very flattering, and it even comes in black! It’d be the perfect little black dress, too. I’m in love!

5. One Shoulder Cocktail Dress

Price: $375 at saksfifthavenue.com
This is a bang on trend dress for Winter, combining the very now draping fit with a slightly rock-star styled one shoulder. This dress is perfect for days when you aren’t feeling your best, as its an instant confident boost without hiding your figure! To jazz it up more, try a glitzy belt and matching shoes, and messy curled hair. Chic!

Whether you opt for a soft rose or a vivacious hot pink, one thing is clear as spring approaches: The most feminine shade in the book is also the color to wear during the season. If you favor the latter type, you’ll flip for this Lauren Merkin Sequined Clutch. It’s a great way to incorporate the glitzy, dressy side of this bold color into your wardrobe without breaking the bank. Merkin’s purses are abundantly roomy and generally put other handheld bags to shame with their endless charm. The ruching adds a bit of texture to the already lively silk georgette material, and a splash of sequins dresses it up a bit. Available exclusively at Bergdorf Goodman for $225.

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If I could carry only one color next spring, it would probably be something like this delicious shade of papaya. Marc Jacobs’ Small Cecilia Tote is a great alternative to a vibrant floral print – it allows you to infuse the same sort of excitement into your outfit without going overboard with something too graphic. Not only is the color luscious, the bag itself meets all expectations. The quilted leather is unmistakably MJ, and the ruching at the top gives it an unexpected (and very welcome) twist. As usual, the gold hardware complements without competing. My only slight complaint is the black canvas strap – what’s that doing there? Fortunately, it’s detachable. Available for $1275 at Net-a-Porter.

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Sometimes it’s a bit tough to make your work wear go…there. There meaning the world of high fashion and looking as if you stepped out of a magazine as you step out of your 200 square foot cramped apartment. If you don’t work in a creative industry that allows you to express yourself, the world of brown suits and stacked heel pumps can become a bit tedious.

Which is why I’m loving the Marni Balloon Tote, which retails for $1,317. At first glance, the purse is a little shocking and perhaps too futuristic for some, with it’s leather body and balloon-shape bottom. But when you pair it with a look that’s a little more reserved, the result is a great shot of energy into an office full of clones. The ruching at the bottom of the bag allows you to play up a more feminine side, and its generous size will easily fit legal pads, and most laptops. It also has the option of being a tote or a shoulder bag, leaving you to decide what works best for your lifestyle. Marni’s designs can be a little kooky for the most part, but they’ve struck gold with this great oversized tote that will amp up any office look with little effort.

Check out the bag for $1,317 at net-a-porter.com

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This Miu Miu Mateleasse Handbag got big at the latter part of last year, but thanks to its double whammy hit of style and function, it’s still going strong. This is my bag of choice when I travel in the city because I can wear it facing in (keeping my valuables close to me) and I can also wear it messenger style, keeping my hands free for shopping, lugging work stuff, or simply being comfortable as I run for a taxi. The leather on this purse is second-to-none, and has only become more soft in the past year that I’ve had it. I was never much of a Miu Miu girl (a little too young and gimmick-y), but after getting this bag, I’m always keeping my eyes peeled for more great bags from the label. While some can be a bit too large or too whimsical for my taste, or age, the Matelasse is a great addition to any handbag wardrobe. Thanks to the ruching in the leather, the bag can be folded or packed flat and come out looking great when you unload if from your suitcase.

The Matelasse is now available in bluch at bergdorfgoodman.com and retails for $1,445.

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Strangely glamorous and casual all at once, this Zagliani Ruched Python handbag is undeniably enigmatic. The white hue pops against anything boldly colored – try it with red or navy – and the design is really rather clever. Here, the usually creepy python doesn’t look quite so genuine (even though it completely is, of course). That’s due to the bag’s soft ruching and demure gold hardware, which serve to really bring the purse down to earth. Even though it’s constructed of that oh-so-exotic material, it still manages to look very fresh and relaxed. Available for $1150 at Browns Fashion.

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It’s nice to see something a little different from Dior. While it’s not my choice for practical bag of the year, the Le Plisse Medium Tote is certainly attractive, boasting an interesting romantic/edgy vibe. The metallic leather looks ultra cool here, with its accordion-style ruching and clean finish. Meanwhile, the decorative trim and tab, adorned with a blue gemstone, look vaguely ethnic, lending the tote an unexpected twist. It’s a fun carryall for vacation, and there’s nothing here that won’t stand the test of time. Available to pre-order for $1990 at Saks.

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Ruching

n. A French word which means to plait. It is a very ancient sewing technique. A strip of fabric or ribbon is gathered in a repeat pattern and as the gathering thread is drawn up the strip forms scallops or petals. Throughout history ruching has been an embellishment or trim on women’s clothing often seen on a neckline, sleeve, hem or bonnet.

Get this Norma Kamali Elijah-Pleat Swing Halter, $242.

I don’t normally care for an all-black look because, in many instances, it can look boring and blah. That is definitely not the case for Sarah Michelle Gellar, seen here roaming the streets of NYC. I think the actress looks fresh and sleek in her head-to-toe black ensemble. The reason this monochrome look isn’t drab to me is because the ruching gives the trapeze dress character, and the low v-neck shows some skin!

Source

I’m iffy about this Vera Wang Lavender Cotton Voile Strapless Dress, $430, posted by SaraSmile in the Love It or Hate It? group. I would totally rock it if it didn’t have those huge, heavy pockets. For such a delicate frock, the pockets are too harsh. Plus, they take your attention away from the pretty ruching at the bodice. Do you agree?

To post your selections go to the Love It or Hate It? group. And if you want to learn how to do a blog post click here.

There’s nothing quite like a great big slouchy ball of a bag. Just ask Marc Jacobs. His Marc line is packed full of some of the most plush purses available. This Slouched Leather Bag, for example, might be a bit on the plain side, but its beauty is in its amazingly supple material. Its rounded shape is cute and classy at once, thanks to the slight ruching on each side, and the khaki color has a golden quality that’s not quite metallic, but infinitely more interesting than a simple neutral. The interior is lined with Marc Jacobs’s standard floral print, a playful contrast to the casually sophisticated exterior. And for just $286, it’s a great deal. Available at net-a-porter.

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Nice! Leaving the baby hues behind for a moment, Juicy Couture heats things up a little with the Haute Leather Bowler. It boasts a chic shape that’s just slightly softened by gentle ruching near the top. Silver-tone hardware and studs accent the neutrally glam beige leather well. Of course, it wouldn’t be Juicy without something eye-catching like the heart and rose decor on the purse’s front. It lends the bag a slight rocker chic vibe, which plays perfectly with its otherwise polished attitude. For $575 at Neiman Marcus.

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It’s not hard to take a shine to anything metallic. That’s especially true if Stella McCartney is the brains behind the brass – or in this case, the gold. The surprisingly luminous Tiana hobo may be made of canvas, but this versatile bag is anything but dull. Ruching and knots give it a relaxed feel, while the gold hue, although glam, is still more subdued than what you’d find on, say, an evening bag. It’s a perfect everyday purse that offers plenty of room and infinite style possibilities – you can wear this with just about anything. Available for $556 at Bluefly.

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Designed in Florence, Italy by David Dewar McMillan and made from parts around the world, “Made on Earth for David and Scotti” embodies casual elegance for the modern day woman. This collection is dedicated to the magical powers of the human hand, knotting and braiding leather to exceptional shapes and styles utilizing ancient manual techniques of indigenous origins. This is such an adorable bag, the ruching, the shape, it’s just so squeezably cute. I also love the elongated handles, Kelly will love it too as she is always complaining that bag handles are getting so short she can’t put them over her shoulders anymore. The only place I’ve been able to find a large collection of David and Scotti bags is Zappos.com. This is a bag from the new season so you’ll have to check the site often to catch it when it launches. $475 (when was the last time you saw a bag worthy of purchase under $500?)

When we saw Jamie-Lynn Sigler wearing her gold dress to a Factory Girl screening in January, we thought how adorable and easy-to-wear the frock was. But when we saw Lindsay Lohan wearing an identical dress out on the town in L.A., we thought it’s a fashion faceoff! But, with a little bit of digging (actually a lot of digging and emails later), we found out that while the dresses look the same, they are actually by two different designers! Lindsay’s dress is by ABS, while Jamie-Lynn’s is by small designer label Fighting Eel — but are virtually the same, down to the shoulder seats and ruching above the bust. Well, in the name of a good fashion faceoff, we say it’s close enough to ask the question: Who wears it better? Lindsay or Jamie-Lynn?

Buy Jamie-Lynn’s Fighting Eel dress for $150 at rafaelhawaii.com.

Photo: PhamousFotos/Splash News; Dave Allocca/startraksphoto

An IT bag from Miu Miu offers more of the ruching that Miuccia Prada likes to do, but is otherwise completely new and different. The Miu Miu Coffer’s front flap with lock tab and flap pockets give it a unique look, sitting on a round body a single short, braided handle and detachable long strap.

Like it, hate it? I can’t quite decide, but the general bag-loving public has spoken about this IT bag. Have to have it? This Italian-made piece of camel nappa leather costs $1,445 and sells at Neiman Marcus.

For those of you gals graced with long legs: get psyched! We all know dresses are hot for Spring and this includes long, flowy, effortless dresses. These particular dresses are slimming, comfortable and sexy. For those of you who are a little more petite, all you’ve got to do is throw on some wedge platforms and you are good to go! Here are a few of my new favorite long dresses for Spring:

Scoop Printed Tube Dress, $345, is 100% silk and has elasticized tube banding on the chest area. It is available in six different rockin’ patterns.

This Nieves Lavi Silk Halter Dress, $350, is made from 100% silk as well and I think is simply gorgeous. It is a long navy stunner with a multicolor floral print and halter straps that tie behind the neck. It’s flattering to all bust sizes because of the ruching!

For a few more long dresses,

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Man-made materials aside, these Nola boots from Alloy look more expensive than their $39.50. Also available in a dark brown that is probably more forgiving, I think the ruching on these is just right and the strap and buckle take…

Wool trapeze coat
$2,195.00
Stone funnel neck wool trapeze coat with a textured wool panel across shoulders and a curved hem. Stella McCartney coat has raglan sleeves with a ribbed cuff, a ribbed collar, concealed stud fastenings and a pocket on each hip.

Ankle boots with sock
$635.00
Black ankle boots with removable knitted sock detail. Points have a pointed toe, a 100mm red stiletto heel, seam detail and ruching on top and a chunky knit sock over the top.