The ladies' paradise

Shoes for now and later

Here are some wonderful shoes for spring -- but you could wear them now in some parts of the country, or on warmer days, or for the evening. Available at Zappos.

Via Spiga Writer - Via Spiga Women's Collection.

Body envy

When you've got a body that's far less than perfect, like I do, it's easy to walk around envying those with perfect bodies.

Now for the news flash: There are very few perfect bodies. Lots of us could stand to visit the gym. Others weren't blessed with the body proportions that grace the covers of national magazines. (And, let's face it: That's why supermodels make the money they do -- they're freaks of nature!)

For the rest of us, it's a matter of asking our clothes to pick up where Mother Nature left off. Short in the torso? Short in the legs? Pick styles and silhouettes that will flatter. Do a good enough job of this, and no one will believe you when you whine, "But I'm short-waisted!"

I was reminded how powerful clothes can be on a recent visit to Loehmann's -- and its communal dressing room -- with two friends, both of them attractive and toned. One is very short-waisted, and the other very long-waisted. Funnily enough, some of the same pieces looked good on them both (and now they have matching green-mesh V-necks). But by no means everything. One shape that was friendly to them both -- and is flattering to a wide variety of shapes and sizes -- is the knee-length A-line or full skirt.

Diane Von Furstenberg full skirt, at Neiman's

Here's why: The A-line skims over big hips and thighs to flatter women with pear shapes. For those whose torso, hips and thighs are more straight than curvy, the A-line creates a waist and hips. Either shape looks wonderful in an A-line or full skirt. How the person wears it will depend on her body type.

Plus size? No problem

I've been talking a lot to people recently about where to find plus-size clothes that are not made for aging matrons. It's not easy. But a little Internet savvy goes a long way. So in the next few weeks I'll highlight what I've found online for women who wear plus sizes.

For starters, it may be time to take a second look at Lane Bryant. The clothes are trendy and, too often, really cheap looking. But if you look carefully you can find some great pieces. Now they've introduced a premium denim line, with great styling and details. ABS, which makes stylish standard size evening dresses, is now also designing dresses for Lane Bryant. And this morning I just noticed that Natori, which makes lingerie, is designing sleepware for the company. I really scored with this cashmere robe.

Lane Bryant cashmere robe

Oprah's Bra and Swimsuit Intervention: Best Breast Tips

I'm convinced that the right bra can compensate for a whole host of body issues, including both an overly endowed bosom and a miserly one.

Getting the right fit

Oprah recently had a "Bra and Jean Intervention" on her show, and the page on her site includes a whole host of fit tips for bras and jeans. Check it out! My favorite is this one: Your breasts should be mid way between your shoulders and your elbows. (Larger breasts tend to be somewhere below that mid point.)

Great long skirt

I'm experimenting with a technique that makes blogging with images absurdly easy. Or will, once I get the hang of it. Here's a wonderful skirt from Grechens Closet.

Seven Boycut Long Cord Skirt

Why great bags happen to bad people

Am I bad person just because I want -- I must have -- please, I just gotta have it! -- this spring bag by Isabella Fiore? Materialistic, perhaps. Self-indulgent? Definitely. But take a a look at this studded and embellished bag, available at Adasa, and if your pulse doesn't race and you don't break out into a bit of a sweat, then you simply must be made of stone.

Isabella Fiore "Ready Whip" Yvonne Large Hobo in Chocolate Brown