Touché, Targét

Typically I am beating down the doors at my local Target the Sunday morning that the newest Go International collection launches. However, with the newest collection by Jovovich-Hawk, I slowly strolled in around mid-afternoon just out of pure curiosity.

I was just as disappointed in person as I had been when I first glimpsed their images online. Hippie, slouchy and very beachy-surfer-thismustbewhattheywearinCalifornia-ish.

Perhaps that it's just not my style, or maybe the fact that not a single piece on the rack was in season or "in" this year, or maybe it was just that everything looked like a thrift store find that Mischa Barton would have donned and looked awkward and frumpy in; regardless of the reason the collection was overwhelmingly disappointing.

When I returned home I scoured the Internet, trying to find some tid-bit of information about the next incoming designer collection, so that at the very least I had something to look forward to.

And while I found countless websites raving about Gryson's bag line that was on
its way, or the jewelery by Subversive that was itching to explode off of their website and into the stores; I could not find a name for the next Go International label
that wasn't any more than a speculation.

And I quickly found (by my uber Sherlock-like detective skills) that that's because Target plans to launch their own Go International line, aptly titled the "GO International Private Label Collection 1". Not exactly catchy, but to the point.

And, I'm afraid and slightly excited to say, I think that Target may have blown all those big name designers out of the water. For their own personal "inspired by" line is fabulously impressive. No styles from five years ago, no out-dated prints, no giant culottes that give you an insta mom-jeans pooch!

This painterly patterned dress is very reminiscent of the Dolce & Gabbana dresses that sashayed down the runway this year. The black and white dress is fantastic; you could easily wear it as just a skirt with a bright sweater over it to break up the painterly look a bit, or even put a tie-neck satin shirt underneath for a modern secretarial look.

This black paper-bag high-waisted skirt is so flattering and surprisingly easy to pull off. Simply tuck in an attractive blouse or shirt and viola! They've paired it with a red ruffle neck tunic, which would easily translate to a dressy going out outfit with straight leg dark denim and heels.

Part space-age, part Disco, this shift dress can easily go from day to night with a few key accessory changes. In the picture, they've layered a bright yellow tank underneath the dress, which can help play up the playful nature of this outfit for daytime wear. Pair it with flat black studded gladiator sandals for the day, and with heeled or wedge gladiator sandals for night. (While I know other shoes will work as well, I want to wear gladiator sandals like it's my job, and this dress would work well with the style.)

Also, it has pockets. And who doesn't love pockets?

Another pocketed shift dress, but this time in a color-blocked pattern with two of the seasons biggest color trends; neon and metallic. As fabulous as it is on it's own as a dress, it could be easily worn as just a skirt or just a blouse. By draping a black tunic over the top, you can let the neon take center stage as the boldest part of the outfit, or cover the neon with a grey skirt for a classy monochromatic outfit. Besides the obvious patent leather black pump, be bold and wear a metallic or neon shoe to play up that part of the dress.

Also, pockets!

Another shift dress (I seriously, cannot wait for this collection to boost my work/going out wardrobe!), this one in a beautiful shade of blue. It also has the painterly pattern that is similar to the black & white dress, yet it's more muted because of it being only varying shades of blue.

Perfect with a statement necklace and opaque black tights and booties for those colder days. Toss the tights but keep the necklace and add a wedge heel in a patent leather brights when the weather warms up.

Also, I love that almost everything in this line has pockets!

From the runway to the red carpet, one-shoulder dresses have been everywhere this season. It's in a great shade of cobalt blue, and with the jersey knit it's guaranteed to drape beautifully. It appears to be incredibly figure flattering because of said drape, and since it doesn't hit too high on the leg, it can be a classy take on the typical going out dress.

No pockets it seems, but hey, can't win them all!

Vests were all over the runway this season; from Proenza Schouler's Militant-Safari double vest approach to YSL's boyish blazer-like vests and Vena Cava's sexy halter-neck vest, they were inescapable. This vest is multi-optional- button it up and belt it and then toss another vest on top to recreate the Proenza Schouler look, or throw a prep school blazer over it for that undone businessy look. Or, (depending on how low it's cut when buttoned+ the size of the chest of the wearer), wear it with nothing underneath for an unexpected sexy night look.

And while there are many more pieces that I could easily talk about, I want to end this post with this beautiful dress. Grecian inspired, it gives the one shoulder illusion while still having a slightly more modest cover-up underneath. Its soft draping and color pallet of peach and grey almost invokes a image of a ballet dancer. If you wear this dress, you will no doubt be pirouetting and twirling all night long.

A ballet slipper may seem like the obvious choice, but err more to the side of a heeled gladiator sandal in a neutral tone.

Aren't you glad-e-ator?

When the first Balenciaga knee-high gladiator sandal strutted down the runway I knew it was love.

When I saw the ankle version on Jennifer Connelly I knew I was ready to make a commitment.

When I saw the price... I felt that I was dumped by a thousand exes... or, better make that six thousand, nine hundred and forty-five exes.

While I sadly cannot afford to purchase the fabulous Balenciaga gladiator sandals and still afford to pay rent, I have found other amazing gladiator sandals that just might fill the void.

These amazing, camel leather gladiator sandals are from Nine West. While the brown version is timely for its safari inspired style, it is also available in black for that Balenciaga-esq feeling.

Calvin Klein's take on the gladiator sandal helps bring it to a new level of sophistication. Stylish and classic, it could easily be worn with an evening gown to bring a bit of edge; or pair it with shorts to completely showcase the shoe.

Typically, an ankle strap can shorten a woman's leg, but this high-wedge nude version by Twelfth St. by Cynthia Vincent is extremely leg-lengthening. Its thick silver buckles bring a bit of shine to the overall clean, stream-lined look. This also can pair well with the Safari look of this season. These would look best with a short skirt, dress or short; absolutely best to show some leg with this pair!

For those women who want to remain stylish, yet need to don a flat for their day-to-day activities, fear not, there are styles for you as well! Amazingly, these flat bronze gladiators are from Target, and will only set you back $24.99!

Another flat gladiator sandal, this strappy black number by Farylrobin is a bit pricier at $190, but is still considerably less expensive than the Balenciaga version. It has a tough Roman-esq feel, but could easily transition from day to night with the right outfit change. A worthy investment.