Awhile back we mentioned the fact that Victoria Beckham was getting into the designer dress business in an unexpectedly low-key way, and so it only seems fitting now to show off some of what she came up with. She clearly favors pencil skirts and below the knee lengths, although in the collection below she does have a couple mini-skirts and even a pretty wool cape for chilly evenings. But her style is hardly forgiving of less than perfect figures, and since most of her designs seem to be based on the same basic shape I think you'll either look great in all of her styles of none of them.

The floral and feminine styles of Vivienne Tam are a natural for spring. Ideeli is offering dresses from Vivienne Tam's Spring 09 show in their sale on April 8. Prices start at $170 and some pieces are up to 50% off. You can sign up here.

I first met Barb Polin when the two of us were stationed next to each other at a craft fair. I was showing fine jewelry and she had these gorgeous silk scarves... I basically spent all the money I made that day selling jewelry at Ms. Polin's booth. I should have known better than to actually visit her store, where I'd find more than small accessories -- whole outfits of the most beautiful marbled silk material I'd ever seen. Goodbye, paycheck.

I may have parted with more than I could afford at the time, but it was money well spent. Years later, everything I bought from Ms. Polin's studio, SoLace, is still holding up marvelously. The silk that she uses is extremely lightweight, but also very strong and sturdy, so these clothes are really an investment.

Most of her designs are made from a marbled fabric, which she dyes herself in her studio, making every piece one of a kind. She also marbles leather for accessories like wallets, photo albums, and various types of cases. Clothing styles are available for both men and women, and Ms. Polin has been known to take custom orders. You can browse and buy on the SoLace website, or catch her at a craft fair or in her studio in Elkton, Virginia, where you'll find an even better selection than what you see on her website.

The latest event to honor the ten year anniversary of Princess Diana's death is an exhibit of 25 designer gowns that Diana had auctioned off at Christie's a few weeks before her death. The "Diana, Princess of Wales: Dresses for a Cause" exhibit will take place at the Appleton Museum of Art in Ocala, Florida from October 14, 2007 through December 31, 2007. The dress owners will be coming from all over the world to deliver their dresses and the "dress reunion" is expected to be the largest collection of Diana's auctioned dresses ever assembled since the original auction in June 1997. Special events such as appearances by Chef Darren McGrady, Diana's personal chef; Jayne Fincher, Royal Photographer; and Nigel Arch, Director of Kensington Palace are also planned. Tickets to the exhibit are $12 for adults and will raise money for breast cancer education, prevention and research initiatives in Central Florida.

Wedding dresss fashions change just like everything else does, though they are far more likely to keep to tradition - something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue - than other types of dress. The waists move up and down and skirts getl alternately fuller and slimmer, but the elegance is something that is never overlooked. Here are the top wedding dress fashions for this year's spring/summer season. All the dresses shown here are from runway shows.

 

Anything by Caroline Herrera, because not only are the dresses gorgeous, but when women who have worn them actually want to alter them for daily wear, they must be something special. Dress by Caroline Herrera.  

  

Sundresses are on the casual end of elegance. Largely sleeveless, they are perfect for garden parties, a lazy Sunday brunch or a picnic at the park. They should be comfortable and easy to wear, but classy at the same time; sundresses are not too casual and should look good with strappy sandals or thong flats. This spring, there are a couple of trends that are showing up in the sun. The biggest one is white. White is the must-have shade for spring dresses. It is flattering and cooling, simple enough to be paired with any other shade and bright enough to be eye catching. Large print patterns and stripes are popular, too, but are definitely coming in second to the simple white dress. Other trends to look out for are dresses with empire waists and fuller skirts, as well as easy-to-wear shirt dresses, all of which can be very figure flattering.

This white Vintage Lace Shirtdress from ABS by Allen Schwartz has a lace overlay over an empire chiffon slip. It is flowy and flirty without being too revealing. Price $230.