Shameless Heidi Montag fan, but NOT of the nails! I love a label here and there, especially if it’s fun and kitschy, but multiply it by 9 and it’s a little too much for me. Secondly, the one time I had the most fantastic nail art done, it was in East Elmhurst, Queens - so if I would have rolled in there asking for those adorable interlocking CC’s, I probably would have been laughed out of the joint.

Image taken from People.com

So I had thought that Express was moving in a more refined and forward direction with their most recent Holiday assortment - but CLEARLY not with this unnecessary flash back to dorm life & pointy toed heels.  I’m convinced that this camisole/négligée/boudoir wardrobe as ready to wear was a look coined by LA.  This look was the “going out” uniform for all undergrads circa 2003, with some flare jeans and perhaps chandelier earrings thrown in to impress (for normal college kids - that cute, yet always hammered frat boy - but for FIT girls mostly a bouncer or old man who will buy you dirty martinis).  Regardless of incentive, I hope it takes a lot more than Express to bring this trend back, especially to mass.  It wasn’t that long ago, it doesn’t need to be resurfaced - and apparel has been moving in such a feminine and polished direction, I’d hate to see it go back to the days of glorified lingerie that screams beer pong.

Alba Image taken from People.com

I fully predict seeing a Super Sweet 16-er flying to Milano and begging for this dress from the Blumarine Atelier. The jeweled cutouts are reminiscent of Cavalli (who can at least get away with this from pure repetition) as well as the tart everyone had at their senior prom. To add salt to my fashion wounds this was the finale look for Fall 08! There is a very fine line - and I just don’t get it!

For less showgirl, more shamelessly feminine look - I choose Ungaro (in my dreams):