sagaciously is...

Well, that's not actually true, is it? Because I've actually been obsessed with Bottega Venetta for a couple of years now. The first time I really eyeballed their Spring 2006 collection, I was intrigued. Tobacco brown paired with gray? For Spring? It was so anti-spring, yet bold that I was lusting for one of his chocolatey confections. But it was a passive lust, one of those "oh, I'll never be able to pull it off, but it's cute" affections. Me, thinking: "If only I were skinny, I could pull off one of those waspy white gauze sundresses, or the gray shorts with chocolate brown leather jacket looks". I sighed audibly and moved on.

Until Spring 2007. Tomas Maier reeled me in fully, with a complete study in neutrals, that ran so completely against all the colors other houses were showing, that I forgot I was supposed to want a Crayola 8 pack from April through September. I wanted Khaki, Ecru, Stone, pastel Peach, Blush, Nude, pastel Gray and every subtle shade between. Click the pic for a view of the whole Bottega Venetta Spring 2007 collection, and thanks to Style.com for being an invaluable resource for all my fashion research.

And even almost 2 years since I originally saw this dress, I still think this is the banging-est (yes, that IS now a word) dress I've seen in 7-8 years. I still love this dress.


So with Spring 2008, I knew they'd break me off with a new dress that I HAD to have. I wasn't disappointed.

This is my perfect spring obsession.

I love the Chemise. The line, the structure, the form fitted-ness that is ultimately forgiving, and the neutral pallette this creates. It's the perfect "base" on which I can build an extensive (trust me, E.X.T.E.N.S.I.V.E.) spring-summer wardrobe. Now this color isn't my fave (I like cooler neutrals, preferably Stone with some serious gray undertones) but I'd rock the HELL outta this dress, with my dangerous curves (junk in da trunk) and all. Click the pic for a view of the whole Bottega Veneta Spring 2008 collection.

I'm picturing it solo, with the gladiator sandals I posted previously, a nice chunky wooden beaded necklace and a substantial dark brown leather bag (like this Loeffler Randall for Target I just bought). Or paired with a safari jacket, and some killer Snakeskin pumps in Ecru, and a pale Hermes scarf. Or maybe as a jumper, with a gray, beige and stone animal print shirt, and some funky peep-toe Mary Janes. But beyond that, the silhouette extends to varying the neckline and giving it a collar, and it's a whole new dress. Or substituting the skirt with some straight-leg pants. Or maybe an A-line skirt. Adding sleeves. Changing the color. The perfect base is now a whole new wardrobe.

And this is why I like Bottega Venetta so much, because the pieces work well alone, together, and with the rest of your existing wardrobe. It's not just the design, but the versatility that I'm obsessed wtih. And I love that they can take a basic piece, in a neutral tone, and execute it so simply, yet divinely. Take their whole collection in it's entirety - see the one-off colors below. Like, just adding a slight change in tone, a lil blush, a splash of peach...which are barely one-shade off the base - and you have this whole new outfit, that works so well with all the other piece. i love the one-off looks:





I'm so completely infatuated. Too bad it doesn't come in my size. But my sewing machine still works....lol.