Pink Rock Candy – Top fashion trends, news and shopping of 2010

When picking dresses, I have three criteria:

1) The dress isn’t so short it exposes butt cleavage.
2) The fabric quality is directly proportional to it’s price— I’m not paying over $30 for a polyester dress no matter who makes it.
3)  It has some waist-defining quality— including but not limited to: an empire waist, ruching, a drop waist, a detachable belt, or the ability to easily add a belt.

The Rachel | Rachel Roy Matrix Dress fits all my (dress) desires and so much more.

On the model, the hem looks at least four inches above her knees. I, however, am not a model, so through a very scientific formula, I’ve deduced the dress should hit me just above my knee. This means, in no way, shape or form will my tush be exposed.

The dress is made out of modal. Meaning, with a $99 price tag, this soft, wash and wear dress isn’t a bad deal. Not only that, but it will also be easy to pull on, no annoying back zippers necessary.

Last, but not least, it comes with a very cute belt to cinch the waist and further accentuate its lithe nature— if you got it, flaunt it! I’m very picking about dress-belt combos, but I’d buy this belt sepreately, so I have no worries.

Overall, the Matrix Dress gets a perfect score and bonus points for the fun heart print, and it will come in time for the first day of school.

Rachel |Rachel Roy Matrix Dress, $99, available at www.rachelroy.com (ships 8/4/10).

I bought a black and white giraffe print dress from Zara a week ago. I’m not particularly an animal print type of girl— I love prints, but animal prints sort of scare me— but the dress had a very magnetic effect. After wearing it today, I realized what I’ve been missing out on.

Having a slightly obsessive personality, I now want to buy only animal print dresses in non-traditional animal print colors.

The number one contender for my undying love is this Issa One-Shoulder dress.

I don’t have enough one-shoulder dresses, so this dress satisfies that lust. It’s super sexy and great for a night out— plus— and, the spots aren’t completely uniform and cheesy— plus, plus.

I just know I’m going to dream about this dress tonight.

Dress by BB Dakota, $88  •  Jacket by Topshop, $80

At the end of December, while lusting over the 3.1 Phillip Lim collection for spring 2010, I decided to bid the sharp Balmain trend adieu and go a bit girlier. That however, has quite gone as planned.

In the last month I’ve worn a skirt or dress 90% of the time, which is a much more feminine look than I used to rock, but I have also worn my favorite new faux leather motorcycle jacket over these dresses and skirts creating this girlie/edgy paradox.

I realize, this is not a new occurrence— people have been sartorial pairing contrasting shapes and aesthetics for years— this is more of a self-discovery. I’ve realized I am not just one type of person and my style tends to mimic this notion. I’m complex. I’m shallow. I’m sweet. I’m bitchy. I’m everything a person can be, and that’s why I can get away with wearing a flowy dress, moto jacket and power bitch heels or a cute floral dress and a western-inspired denim jacket, as seen above— new purchase here I come.

I’m slowly, but surely finding out my sartorial personality, and I’m beyond excited to meet the true me.

Talk Back: What pieces make up the puzzle that is your fashion sense?