Week In Review: The Return Of Dork Couture, Gladiators Still Going Strong, And More…

Required Reading: 

• According to the Wall Street Journal, wearing glasses is cool again. But isn't wearing glasses when you don't need them a tad bit mocking? And if not mocking, perhaps just plain silly? Check out the latest styles and decide for yourself.

• Comfort meets sanity somewhere in between Balenciaga blood-suckers and the traditional flats and we get gladiator-inspired heels that stop comfortably at your ankle. Check out our top picks for the season.

• Does the ever-worsening state of the economy have you feeling a bit down? Fight your blues with red… or pink, or bronze or mauve. Instead of inviting a whopping case of buyer's remorse by plunking down for a break-the-bank pair of shoes, invest in a few new feel-good tubes of lipstick.

• Schleping from home to work to the gym to dinner is nothing if not traveling, so make sure to stock your gym bag with the essentials for a sweaty to chic transition. 
  

Steals and Deals:

• 30% Off Flat Sandals at Banana Republic

•  Up to 50% Off Milly Dresses at Tobi

• 70% Off Cozy Transition Sweaters at Pink Mascara

Just for Fun: 

• There’s a pretty significant cost gap between these two sandals – can you tell which one is the pricier pair?
  

• Scarves are hot this season. And with Ikat and tie-dye coming back in fashion, you can't go wrong with one of these trends wrapped loosely around your neck. Can you guess which scarf is double the price of the other?

We Heart Our Advertisers:

• We want to send a big thank you to Donna Ricco - our featured advertiser in this week's Travel Essentials Guide. You rock! Click here to find out how to advertise with SheFinds. 

Blog Round-Up: Heard On The Web This Week

SheFinds wonders are you a Carrie, Samantha, Miranda, or Charlotte? New Sex and the City Lingerie by Cosabella helps you discover your inner sexy city girl.

Zakkerz save the day when Girlawhirl’s wearing flats. 

I'm Not Obsessed shows you how to get Eva Longoria's entire look for under $190.

Trying to break in a new pair of shoes? The Beauty Brains blog about Band-Aid Blister Block.

SeenON! wants their readers to get excited (as well as a cosmo) and prepare for their upcoming Sex And The City Movie Feature.

Top Button knows how hard it can be to find the perfect summer suit:The Striped Bikini by Voom is a perfect mix of glamour and punk with a modern edge!

At Real Simple's Simply Stated, we explore the adventures of at-home hair removal.  

SheFinds Favorite Celeb Swimwear: Which Star Is Queen Of The Beach?

So the weather might not be beach-friendly yet, but that doesn't mean we can't fantasize about sporting itsy bitsy bikinis poolside while sipping margaritas and working on our tans. And who better to look to for the perfect suit than celebs who can afford full-time stylists who know the hottest swimwear on the market. Below are our top picks for celeb swimwear - let us know your fave of the bunch, and if you have one of your own, post it in the comments section and share the love!

Fergie looks pretty darn cute in this Maya Calypso triangle top and contrasting print bikini. No wonder she snagged hottie Josh Duhamel.

Full-figured diva Liv Tyler dares to bare it all in this fabulous retro Lisa Curran bandeau bikini. We say power to ya, Liv. Who says curvy girls have to cover up? Remember the whole Jennifer Love Hewitt butt thing? She sure showed the paparazzi who was boss.

Ed Hardy is known for his crazy, collage-esque, tattoo-inspired designs. And now that he's ventured into swimwear, celebs like Denise Richards are snatching them up. What do you think of the controversial prints?  

Liz Hurley has come out with her own line of sporty swimwear for Mango, and although it's not stateside yet, we think this James Bond bikini fits the bill just fine.

And be sure to check out our Guide to the Best Swimwear.  

Should We Stop Hiking Up The Hemlines and Just Dress Our Age?

Gwyneth Paltrow has been turning more heads than usual at the premieres for her new movie Iron Man. Paltrow, 35, showed up to a string of screenings wearing tiny black dresses paired with towering pumps.

The dearth of fabric has caused some media types to encourage women – even ridiculously fit women with fabulous, flauntable legs – to tone it down a bit. Be fashionable, they seem to say, just don’t do it in a miniskirt.  

But it doesn’t seem that the whole issue here is about moms wearing minis. At least part of the issue appears to be about women wearing skirts that are entirely too short (see above, left). Some things should, in public, always be covered by clothing. When it looks as though the public (whether lucky or unlucky is a different issue entirely) will be able to see those things if one bends to pick up a pen, I think that, plain and simple, your skirt is too short.

I firmly believe that confidence and a bit of style – not a birthday after 1980 – should be the only requirements for pulling off a short dress. But if your bare bottom is sitting on the screening room seat because that one yard of fabric can't quite cut it, at least put on a pair of leggings.

What’s your take? Should there be a direct relationship between age and skirt length, or should we all just try to keep from flashing one another when we cross our legs? Post your comments and tell us what you think.

And check out at the two dresses below – they're far from frumpy, and we think they’d look great on women of any age.

Nanette Lepore must have had this debate in mind when naming the "Alluring" Minidress ($130). It's covered up on top and short enough to show off a bit, it's got all the visual balance you need built right in.

This stretch satin dress ($160) makes a sexy, curve-hugging statement, but doesn't shout out the cut and color of your lingerie.

And believe it or not, this is not a new debate. Check out the hot topic of whether women like Hally Berry and Kate Moss are too old for a mini-skirt. 

Freebie Friday: Win A $500 Shopping Spree At BethChurch.com

What: $500 Shopping Spree at BethChurch.com

Why: With the economy going down the tubes, we could all use a little pick-me-up, and what better way than with some fabulous new jewelry? And for free, no less? This week, SheFinds is giving away a $500 shopping spree at BethChurch.com, an online jewelry boutique full of chic, edgy accessories that happen to be favorites of celebs like Paris Hilton and Christina Aguilera. Her pieces are part glam, part rock n roll, with a whole lot of attitude to match. We can't get over this Mixed Metal necklace  - it's like a work of art dangling from your neck.  

So in order to win, read the rules, then go to bethchurch.com and pick out our favorite piece. Then come back to SheFinds and tell us about it in our comments section.  

Can't wait to win? Shop the site for 50% off select pieces this week only. Or get an additional 10% off purchases when you use coupon code SHEFINDS at checkout.  

1. Post in the comments section your favorite pick from bethchurch.com.

2. You must supply us with a valid email address and sign up for the SheFinds newsletter.

3. The contest starts now and entries must be date stamped by our server no later than Friday, May 9th, 2008 at 11:59 AM Eastern Time to be eligible.

4. One winner will be selected during a random drawing and will be notified via e-mail to receive the prize.

5. No prize substitutions.

6. You must be 18 years old or older to enter and a resident of the USA.

7. No purchase necessary.

8. Void where prohibited.

9. Click here for the full rules.

And don't forget to check out MomFinds for a chance to win a $200 shopping spree at BloomMaternity.net. 

Deal Of The Day: 30% Off Flat Sandals At Banana Republic

Good news, stiletto-phobes—it's sandal season, and flat-as-a-pancake sandals are back in. Set your tootsies free in barely-there thongs, fab flip flops, and gorgeous gladiators that make those spike heeled winter boots look like a flat out mess. Score these three pairs from Banana Republic for under a hundred bucks a pop, and cut out all that teetering and tottering for awhile.


These persimmon-hued Angelina sandals ($61, were $88) are the footwear equivalent of a sexy g-string. Practically weightless and embellished with tiny reflective panels, these thongs are the next best thing to going barefoot (maybe someone should slip Britney a pair before her next trip to a gas station bathroom!)


Find your inner Roman warrior in woven leather Gaia flats ($62, were $88). Get fierce with these studded metallic stunners, keeping in mind that, while bronze may traditionally signify third place, it's edging out gold and silver as this season's most wearable metallic shade.


Don't ditch your trusty two-for-five rubber flip flops altogether, but do be sure to have a slightly more sophisticated pair in your fashion arsenal. These platinum Emilia flip flops ($90, were $129) are a pretty alternative, with shiny, dime-sized discs setting off an unexpected, pearly color you don't see everyday.

More deals on the web:

Select Botkier and Bulga bags are up to 70% off at ShopBop.

20% off your entire order at HeadGamesOnline.com with coupon code She Finds.

Save 25% on Jockey women's styles at Bare Necessities.

And go to our forum for the latest sales posted by SheFinds readers. 

Solution: What’s In Your Gym Bag?

Most days I set my alarm early to workout in the morning; nine times out of ten I go right back to sleep. So I've sort of accepted that I'm an evening gym person--which is fine, except that it does mean leaving the house fully prepared for work and excercise, and, as often as not, a late dinner out. It's that third event that's the real kicker. I have to transition from Sweaty Me to Pretty Me in a matter of minutes, step out the door of my hot, humid gym and into cool, chic New York City and look the part. I've got it down to a science at this point, so here's what's in my gym bag:

In the shower…

Schleping from home to work to the gym to dinner is nothing if not traveling, so I keep my gym-related bath and body products in this clear plastic travel kit ($10.49). It comes with four reusable bottles, which I fill (and refill) with shampoo-and-conditioner in-one (Pantene Pro-v Classic Clean). I'd never use this product every day, because, well, Pantene is just so 1992. But it's perfect for these purposes: when used once or twice a week, there's no build-up problem, and it really is the best of the two-in-ones. The refreshing scent of Organics Rosemary and Mint Body Wash ($10.99) will get you ready for a night out and leave you lightly perfumed. Cetaphil face wash ($11.99) is a mild classic, but strong enough to really clean your post-gym face, and Relief moisuturizer ($7.99) is an all-around great moisturizer (and fragrance-free).  HINT: Take this kit with you when you travel, too. It's security checkpoint-ready!

Out of the shower...

I keep the following products in a compact clutch by Escama Brazil ($39). (You can keep yours in anything you want, so long as it's space-efficient. I just love the recycled pop-top design and fair trade background of Escama's stuff.) Tinted moisturizer serves the two-in-one purpose of moisturizing skin and evening its texture. I currently use Shiseido's version ($36) for its easy squeeze container and dinner-ready matte finish. Maybelline's Define-A-Lash ($7.95) is my new mascara of choice. Not only does it lengthen lashes amazingly, but the waterproof version is smudgeless, which is importantísimo when applying in a steamy locker room. Nars Duo Lip Gloss ($28) is genius: one tube, two colors, two uses (it works as both lipstick and also as wonderfully shimmery blush).

Almost ready...

No post work-out routine is complete without deodorant (at least I hope not...). This Degree travel size stick ($.99) takes up virtually no room (I carry it in my purse for other times, too), and is a powerful antiperspirant. After a workout, you're likely to keep sweating a little even when showered, so extra strength is a plus. And finally, since there's never time, space, or blowdryers enough to style my hair, I always keep bobby pins ($2.99 for 48) and a few elastics ($3.59 for 12) ready to create a quick bun, spunky pony tail, or sexy updo.

Now it's time to show off that hot bod on the town! 

Click here for more SheFinds Solutions.   

Oprah Brings Sex And The City To You Just A Little Early

Yesterday's Oprah featured the cast of the upcoming Sex and the City movie: basically the only movie any of us care about. It has been generating buzz since the show ended, and with filming going on all over New York City last year, us Big Apple fashionistas have been foaming at the mouth for any info we can get our tiny little hands on. 

Well, it comes as no big shocker that Oprah would have the ladies on her couch just in time for the May 30th premiere - and looking oh-so-fab, might I add. While we are still left guessing about what our four best pretend girlfriends will be wearing to the premiere (oh, and throughout the movie) we got to catch a preview of their personal styles from yesterday's show. Below are some options for each - which one is your favorite?

This retro floral dress by Plenty by Tracy Reese ($150) is great for channeling your inner Carrie (um, we mean Sarah Jessica Parker).

Cynthia Nixon looks demure and ladylike - not very Miranda - in a light purple halter. We suggest this silk chiffon dress ($98) for a slightly more vibrant option.

A simple, sexy, no-frills, contrasting dress like this Cynthia Steffe number ($230) that Kim Catrall was sporting leads us to believe she might be more like Samantha than we think.  

This classic wrap blouse ($59) looks fantastic on Kristin Davis' petite frame. It also happens to be a perfect Charlotte staple.

Can't get enough Sex? Buy the lingerie that fits your SATC character - available now from Cosabella .