Margaret Logan Style

It is, perhaps, the most classic, most forgiving and most subtly sophisticated of all dresses. It is the wrap dress by Diane von Furstenberg. There are other wraps, of course, and generally the same might be said for them. But there is something about her touch. Her eye. Her particular cut. The silk jersey that feels as if it is exclusive only to her. The way her wrap dress frames a woman’s physique, be it curvaceous or straight as an arrow, is universally flattering. It’s quite miraculous. And worth every penny.

She once said, “…feel like a woman, wear a dress.” She should know. She built an empire around one, strong enough to come around not once, but twice. Her original wrap dresses from the 1970s have such staying power, they harkened her back to clothing design in the late 1990s after her dresses were being hoarded from thrift shops by smart, young, style-conscious socialites eager to duplicate a look their mothers no doubt wore, and beautifully.

And if that’s not quite enough to entice you? In December of 2006, according to USA Today, Diane von Furstenberg committed to donating $1 from every wrap dress sold, “forever,” to St. Jude’s Hospital. Forever, as in from every wrap dress sold, from that point forward.

Here’s to a dress with heart, history and soul.

The Justin silk wrap dress, from the Diane von Furstenberg Vintage Collection, $328. Pearls by Portia Clark. Available at Helene m. on Fore Street (207-772-2564).

May flowers? We can only hope. But for now, we’re still in March, it’s still snowing outside, and the idea of spring jackets is, well, just that. A lovely idea. Still, spring jackets are always a must-have, and it’s never too soon to find one you adore and snatch it up before someone else does.

The trench continues to be a staple, season after season, year after year. Originally created by Thomas Burberry back in 1901 – he also invented gabardine fabric, smart man – the trench has evolved from an alternative to the greatcoats British and French soldiers wore in WWI to stylish overcoats worn every day the world over by women and men.

Images of Catherine Deneuve and Audrey Hepburn walking about wet city streets remind us how far the trench has come in style and function, and what a fabulous and important wardrobe staple it really is.

Timeless, mysterious and always sophisticated. Rather like the ladies themselves.

A few eye catching trenches spotted about town…

As seen in In Style, the classic khaki trench with matching enamel buttons for a bit of feminine flair by Juicy Couture, $348. As seen in People Style, the Pique trench with ruffle detail and flower petal buttons, also by Juicy Couture $398. Pearls by Portia Clark. Available at Helene m. on Fore Street.

The Arriverderci coat by Nanette Lapore in Navy is a decidedly feminine approach to the trench. Perfect for evening and just right for day with jeans and a tee…$480, available at Chantal. on Middle Street.

Okay, where have I been? In this paparazzi-crazed, supermarket tabloid, celebrity obsessed no longer just pop culture of ours, I am happy as a clam with Anderson Cooper, Larry King, Antiques Roadshow and the Prime Minister’s questions on CSPAN (although, I must admit, I enjoy this a bit less since Tony Blair stepped down).

Could it be that I have been missing out? I mean, other than the occasional ten second glance at US Weekly and In Touch as I am checking out of the grocery store, I don’t give Britney’s delirium and Angelina’s growing waistband a second thought. And the red carpet? Please, it’s all so prepackaged and uninspiring, who has the time?

So you can imagine my surprise and intrigue when my friend Laurel, who has impeccable taste, a superb vocabulary (which she is not afraid to use) and a wicked sense of humor, mentioned Go Fug Yourself to me as we were chatting websites and style.

“Pardon me? Did you say f#@%$?” I asked, a bit incredulously. I could have sworn she dropped the F bomb. Well, kind of. Turns out she said “fug,” in that excited, two octaves too low, hushed voice that only another woman will find irresitible and chime right in, ready to dish.

I kept thinking to myself, what the hell is a fug, but I did not want to appear unenlightened.

If you consult Wikipedia, you will learn that a fug (n.), is a state of extreme ugliness. One could also surmise this is a combination of words, two to be precise. Google describes it as “Commentary on celebrities with unfortunate dress sense.” Nicely put. The Guardian describes the site as “Fantastically bitchy…great fun, unless you are famous.”

Ah yes, now we are getting somewhere. It’s a cruel, cruel world with an all too willing audience.

See for yourself at www.gofugyourself.typepad.com and join in.

Warm afternoon sunshine. Lemonade. Beach umbrellas. Wishful thinking? Thankfully, no.

This spring, not only is it once again all about bold, saturated colors, but one color in particular stands above all else. Yellow. It reigns supreme, in store windows, spring fashion magazines, online, and soon, no doubt, your closet.

Talk about primary colors, I can’t remember a time when one color predominated a season’s offerings like it does this spring. Yes, pink was everywhere back in 2004 when fashion went decidedly ultra feminine, but there is something about the strength and presence of yellow that makes us stand up and take notice.

Whether it’s a lemon colored classic trench by Isaac Mizrahi at Target or a whimsical clutch by Kate Spade (I’m thinking the Gemma), yellow makes an unforgettable statement. Sometimes with a wink, sometimes over the top, sometimes perfect (the Tarrytown tote by Kate Spade, in pink for me, thank you very much…).

Whether in clothing or accessories, there is a shade for every gal, so don’t shy away from such a sunny, happy color. It will do wonders for your spirits, especially this time of year when spring is so near, and yet so far.

Some other little enticing treats, all in yellow…

The Maxi coat by Shoshanna, available at Chantal on Middle Street. How very Jackie O.

The Venice, a truly delightful cashmere sweater by Tory Burch. Pearls by Portia Clark, available at Helene m. on Fore Street.

The Kay, a sleeveless silk top with ruffle in yellow leaf print, also by Tory Burch.

Soft woven polka dot jacquard tunic dress by Juicy Couture in Social Butterfly, available at Helene m. in Portland.