Live from New York

I just returned from the spring market in NYC. It was a blast. Totally exhausting. But, it's always fun to see what's next in fashion.

The influence of the 1960s and 70s could definitely be felt. And, one phrase could sum up the styles for spring 2009: opposite ends of the spectrum. Bold colors and prints were used. But, so were neutrals. Short, dresses with straight silhouettes were dominant. But, so were long dresses skimming the floor.

From a tall chick perspective, if you have great legs, the short dress is for you. They typically hit above the knee so it's your chance to show off your killer calves. (Or, in my case, kankles.) As always, the challenge will be finding the short dress in an appropriate length.

The long "maxi" dress is another story. They make me pause. There's a lot of risk associated with something that looks so comfortable and easy. My advice here: use discretion. They're supposed to hit at the ankle on "normal" women so the risk for tall chicks is they'll hit at the dreaded mid-calf. Also, these dresses look best on women who are really thin. So, if you're like me and could stand to lose a few, this may not be the trend for you.