For Your Fashion Library: 100 Unforgettable Dresses

SJP as Carrie Bradshaw in a billowing gown spread across the bed in her Paris hotel room. J. Lo's chiffon palm-print Grammy's dress with a V-neckline that plunged well below her belly button. The tight red number Julie Roberts as the-hooker-with-a-heart-of-gold wore to the opera with borrowed jewels. (If you're keeping score: Versace, Donatella Versace, Marilyn Vance-Straker.)

You know all these dresses--as well as the 97 others profiled in Hal Rubenstein's new book 100 UNFORGETTABLE DRESSES. And if you are a lover of fashion it's a must-have for your library--or coffee table. The book itself is beautiful to behold with with its embossed cover featuring a close-up of the bodice of a Jackie Kennedy dinner gown by Givenchy. (I was all set to buy this as an ebook and read it on my iPad, but it's only available in hardcover. Thanks the sartorial gods!)

The beautiful photos of the exquisite frocks in 100 UNFORGETTABLE DRESSES make my heart beat speed up a little. Each photo gets a page or so of accompanying text talking about when the dress was worn, the designer who created it, and why it made such an impact. The dresses featured span decades--Coco Chanel's LBD to Kate Middleton's McQueen wedding gown. (Princess Diana's is featured as well.) Plus there are special sections discussing the most memorable dresses of Grace Kelly, Sarah Jessica Parker, Cate Blanchett, Cher, and other fashion icons.

Black Friday is almost upon us, fellow shoppers. Material Girl recommends you add 100 UNFORGETTABLE DRESSES to your holiday I Want It list. (And look for more book recommendations on Material Girl in the near future.)

SJP On Vouge--I Couldn't Help But Wonder Why They Chose This Cover Shot

Beautiful photos of Sarah Jessica Parker (with Chris Noth) inside the mag--but this cover--it is not good.

I Saw Sarah Jessica Parker at The Mall

When I got to the office today, my coworker, most casually, asked, "Are you going to The Mall today to see Sarah Jessica Parker?"

"What!?" I replied. "SARAH JESSICA PARKER? AT MY MALL? RIGHT OVER THERE? SARAH JESSICA PARKER?"

(Note: I'm not a fan of yelling in capital letters, but in this instance it couldn't be helped.)

It seemed SJP was appearing at Macy's, signing bottles of her fragrance Lovely. Of course I got online to get the scoop. I called the Sarah Jessica Parker hotline. (I kid you not--that's what they called it.) Tickets gone!

Fear not fellow shoppers and SJP fans. I soldiered on. SJP appeared at noon. I left the office at 11:36 (not before asking my coworker if I should change my shoes. I was only half kidding) and zipped home to grab my Canon. I sped to The Mall, running several red lights. I got rockstar parking in garage by the men's store (the secret best place to park--don't tell everyone).

As soon as I walked through the doors, I saw the line.


Hundreds and hundreds of people who purchased $150 fragrance gift sets in pink canvas bags. I walked past them all and slipped into I.N.C. past the security dude up to the railing and staked out a spot mere feet from where SJP would appear in less than 15 minutes.

Okay, I have to tell you--I was really excited. I could actually feel my heart beating faster. I think my palms may have been sweating a little. I weird guy waiting next to me with a camera and his mother asked me how long I've been a fan. "Since Square Pegs," I told him. He looked confused.

Finally I heard cheering. More cheering...there she was. This was not a celebrity sighting, people. This was the celebrity sighting. I felt like Chris March on Project Runway about to tear up. I took a picture of her shoes.


I think her fragrance is aptly named--she was indeed lovely. Sweet and friendly. Fabulous hair. Darling dress. Her wheelchair-bound elderly kindergarten teacher came to the event and SJP hugged her and talked to her and was so gracious. She smiled for every photo. She chatted. She's left handed like me.


It was practically religious. All day I was filled with SJP joy. My almost daily Sex & the City reruns viewing suddenly has new meaning.

I almost wish I liked perfume.

I Can't Wait for the Sex and the City Movie

Because I get to see outfits like this without watching TBS reruns. It's as if the big flower pin exploded. But, you know, I like this on SJP. And if I had the right occasion (renewing my wedding vows on a tropical island?) I would wear this dress.