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4B LIFE/tt|ic C|irl(tte $ot Thursday, December 8, 2005 Stir it up with one of the season’s feminine, finely-detailed dresses im: AS^OClATtlD FRUS NEW YORK-CocktaU dresses are the toast of the town this season. Tlieyre the solution for any party, and most can be adapt ed either for daytime or black-tie occasions. “The return of the cocktail dress is really about fashion’s love affair with all things feminine and retro-inspired,” says Gregg Andrews, fashion director at Nordstrom. 'Hie 19408 and ‘50s seem to be particularly influential, he says, “Were seeing a fitted bodice, fuller skirt — often knee-length to mid-calf— with a raised or natural waist, a very defined waist.” Other details are ruching, ruffles, beading and even attached brooches Lace and chiflfon are popu lar fabrics for dresses as are sheer or “illusion” fabrics that allow you to see the skin througli “a veil of fabric,” Andrews says. ‘It’s not as overtly sexy while still being alluring” Hints of the 1920s can be seen in straighter-shaped dresses with dropped waist and asynmietrical or hand- kercliief hems and a little bit of beading It can be magical when a woman wears a “real” cock tail dress, one that was designed to be both chic and easy for when a woman was indeed drinking, designer Karl Lagerfeld says. “It’s an image very much from the ‘SOs. Chanel, Jacques Path and Balenciaga were famous for cocktail dresses.’ Women always wore hats then,” Lagerfeld says. His fall-holiday Lagerfeld Gallery collection features a dramatic one-shoulder sheer overlay with a hi^ waist over a strapless beaded sheath, and a brown sleeve less dress with a pleated hemline, beaded waistband and white hig^-neck collar. “Women are becoming more and more comfortable ^ “ of dresses with the idea because more dresses are available to them. They don’t offer the flexibility in fit that separates do, but the variety of styles makes up for it,” says Andrews. “Women are enjoying dressing in the more feminine way that is so fashion able now.” Banana Republic boots. One of Banana Republic’s cocktail looks is a pleated f taflfeta dress. ‘It’s just one ■ those dresses that work,” Lloyd says. “It’s very easy to wear. Who would’ve thought that of a pleated cocktail dress?” Pleats can indeed be hard executive vice presi dent of design Deborah Lloyd is one of the con verts. “I’m wearing dresses all the time now,” she says. “I love the fact that you don’t have to think sc much. The top and bottom to wear, but, first off, these pleats are vertical not horizontal, Lloyd explains that because the pleats are fine, they create a flattering fem- 'A^ inine line “and theyll y hide things i\_ under- neath.” There also is a sheen to the fab- h ric and the taffe- t a isn’t too are already togeth er. I find tliem easy” Lloyd says the silk dresses she’s relied on this fall are easily covered with a cardi gan to adapt for weather or work. She pairs them with cute flats, high-heeled strap- py shoes or higher-heeled heavy, so the dress has move ment. “This dress is nice because if you wear with denim jacket and boots, you can wear it in the day as well,” Lloyd adds. This particular dress is available in silver or black, which is die predominant color on retail racks. Jewel tones, especially ruby red and teal blue, are another option, as are other metallics, includ ing light gold and bronze. do tend to like dresses that aren’t too colorful. I like colors that are non-colors. They allow you to wear the dress. You can be chic and beautiful, but people won’t see the dress walk in,” Lloyd says. But with all the choices available, Andrews suggests trying something oth^ than the round-neck, sleeveless black sheath that’s become the standard “little black dress.” “There’s nothing wrong with that dress—it always looks good—but it’s not this season’s black dress.” Because of their flexibility, a cocktail dress generally is a wiser piuxihase than a ballgo wn unless you’re one of the few people whose calendars are filled with formal black- tie affairs. “Evening gowns Will always be a part of holiday fashion, but so few women have an opportunity to wear a true gown that, in most instances, women will find a codctail dresd a more practical, more wearable addition to the wardrobe,” Andrews says. “If you’re someone who travels, someone who takes cruises, you can take your new dress on board for your winter vaca tion. You can also wear it to evening weddings.” Andrews predicts that dresses will be popular for the next few fashion cycles. ‘*We’re definitely seeing dress es coming into spring 2006,” he says. Baby stroke and its treatment Continued from page 3B tion of her skull to relieve massive brain swelling and prevent further damage. When she woke up a week later, she was like a newboni, luiable even to hold her head up. After four months of hospi talization and intensive ther apy at a rehatttlitation unit, today the Connellsville, Pa., toddler can sit. roll over and stand with support, althou^ she still is weak on one side. “So far, she has beaten all the odds and has surprised everybody," Gonzales says. Doctors aren’t siu^ what caused Alexzandra’s stroke, but she was luclty: Her par ents raced her to a local hos pital tliat immediately recc^- nized she needed neurology care. Tbo often, children face a significant delay, say Pitetti and Goldstein. Hospitals fi^ quently make stroke a diag nosis of last resort. Parents may not recognize acute stroke symptoms—such as one-sided weakness, loss of speecli md, in babies, seizures AikI if your baby seems to favor one side, insist on a neu rology exam—it mi^t be an undetected newborn stroke that requires physical thera py, Goldstein adds “Moms need to trust their gut instinct,” she says. “Know THE STOCK MARKET this can happen.” Cl^arlotte Advertise, Subscribe, Today 704 376 0496 ^.Levine Children's Hospital DECEMBER ^ O WO«D W ClOf) HHC>AIX;ASriN4 Nf • WC.HK Ac WADE-AM 1340 WADESBORO, NC 'Tcay Ctwyf Surkrtt. ^kitUy 'IXiuii. «*»i tkt and ^ih and iftt UauAi »SO! N. i-as SKRvir.ft Road • CHAaLOTTr. NC 28216 704-3»:$-1940 House on Tke plaza A l.ow Country Restaurant Come see us for your Valentine’s meal!! J .linrh 11 tTO a ni - n m. I Where Everyday is a Holiday The Management cordially invities you to join in celebrating our Lots of good food and beverages We’ll feed’ you til we fdl’ you up, fuh true! Parking available on premises and shuttle services off premises. Carolina Voices presents SbrjistnicisiTKee Uniting the World Through Song December 10 at 3 PM and 8 PM December 11 at 3PM Ovens Auditorium Charlotte, NC Festive, family entertainment with orchestra. Grey Seal Puppets, Eddie Mab7 Dancers, Ballet Folklorico las Americas, Chris Thompson and the Cultural Ensemble, Santa and Sing-Alongs! $ i 5-$25 (kids half-price; discounts for seniors and groups) Ticketmaster, 704.512i6500 Cricket Arena or Carolina Voices 704.377.9124 or carolinavoices.org Science Co JOUNCIL AdMKing Am. Sonc* fe HMory Carolina Voices Your community of song
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