RIBBON CANDY COUTURE

Inspired by the classic confection, pictured at right via hammondcandies.com, this post is dedicated to ribbon candy stripes, which are sweetening the deal on everything from scarves to sofas!
We'll begin with accessories! Coach has branched out from basic leather goods to fanciful extras such as the striped cuff (top left) and tote (center) pictured in the collage above.

Couture Carrie is loving Fendi's leather and stone belt, pictured at left courtesy elle.com. It reminds me of the ones we used to wear in grade school with our Osh Kosh B'Gosh trousers, but with a decidedly more grown-up feel.

For you more adventurous
fashionistas, there is Missoni's classic weave fedora with striped brim and ribbon trim. Go to Net-a-Porter.com.

If your budget is scant, get the candy couture look with this rainbow lucite bangle from Forever 21.

Ideas for crafty types: If you have the DIY spirit, craft your own little clutch by affixing grosgrain ribbon to a cosmetics case you got as a freebie from Clinique! Or simply belt your favorite solid summer shift with a length of ribbon.

Now for frocks! The Narciso Rodriguez ribbon striped dress at left is currently half off at Net-a-Porter.com. Perfect for cocktails on the veranda!

If color isn't your thing, keep it simple and chic with this Mason black and white candy-stripe dress, made all the more delectable with a shoulder tie. Strap on some Dior gladiators and hit the club! Go to switchboutique.com.

Or tote a graphic Lulu Guinness handbag, like the bold black and white number pictured at the center right of this post's polyvore.

CC's favorite by far? Furniture for the fashionista! Behold, the most delicious couch ever - this candy-stripe sofa by Chair Couture. Good enough to eat!

Satisfy your sweet tooth without gaining an ounce - yum!

COLLARED

Necklaces these days are nothing short of spectacular! From bibs to beads to baubles, there are so many lovely options, from high end to low, and everything in between. Get wrapped up in these beauties, from top to bottom:

Iradj Moini necklace of aquamarine, sapphire, citrine and topaz, at domontjewelry.com

Lanvin fabric and pearl choker at Barneys New York

Mawi green teardrop and blue pearl necklace, half off at net-a-porter.com

Nina Ricci galvanized metal necklace with semiprecious stones; photo via style.com

Substance circle bib necklace of wood and laser cut acrylic on a gold cable chain at ravinstyle.com

Twelve by Twelve "jeweled" ribbon choker at Forever 21's sister site

Vera Wang fuchsia, orange and yellow glass necklace at presseboutique.com

BOW WOW!

BOWTIES . . . Not just for pasta and tuxedos anymore!

Ravishing ribbon details are omnipresent these days, as fashion goes girly. Beautiful bows abound on everything from coats to dresses to accessories.

Here’s a collection of the most beautiful bows on the recent runways . . .


At Valentino Couture, where femininity and glamour are always paramount, the bow took center stage quite literally, as it made a full frontal appearance on numerous gowns, both in the form of an elegant waist-cincher (right) and as a corset detail (left), in lovely pastel hues.

Exquisite detail photos courtesy style.com.


The accessories take a bow as well!

Behold this emerald green Christian Louboutin satin peep toe sling back (bergdorf goodman.com). What better way to showcase your gorgeous gams than with a glamorous great green pump, complete with a decorative bow tie to accentuate your toe cleavage?


These Valentino grosgrain booties, pictured at right and available at Bergdorf Goodman, illustrate that it isn't just satin that's kept "in the loop". The edginess of the black cut-out suede peep toe is offset by a dainty center ribbon.


And as for handbags, the bedecked options are limitless.

Dolce & Gabbana's patent bubble clutch (at left, for purchase at Neiman Marcus) has a bow, while Julie Brown's (at right, available at revolveclothing.com; also in black) is a bow!


Now tie a yellow ribbon 'round the old oak tree,
or at the very least, about your waist!