As soon Ann Taylor's terracotta color appeared online, I knew that I had some shopping to do. Here’s my process:

My style statement is Structured Organic. Using words from the Style Statement book, that mean's I'm 80% carefully built, sturdy, solid, bold, attention to detail, well-engineered, ordered, and tidy (that's the structured part).

The other 20% is an aesthetic is based on sensuality, quality, and construction—whether structured or flowing, shape is important. Timeless or simplistic styles, handcrafted, socially responsible or eco-friendly materials. Pure, essential, enduring.

First is the sleeveless wrap top. I was smitten when I first saw it online (http://www.anntaylor.com/p/sle.....op-5.shtml). The neckline and pleating are structured, while the fabric and cut at the bottom of the garment seemed more organic. The waist sash reigns it in while creating a new flow - the perfect marriage of my style statement words! In reality, the top is too much organic and not enough structured for me, with a bit of fussy thrown in. The pleats don’t offer enough structure to stay organized the way that they’re supposed to, so I was constantly tugging on bits of the top to make it lie just so while taking the pictures. I’m still in love with the neckline and pleating, but the sash didn’t work as well in person as it does in the picture. I tried trading out the sash for a belt to add more structure, but I was still fussing with the top. I could keep it and try to make it work, it's not that bad, just just not right for me.

Second, there’s the knit wrap crossover dress (http://www.anntaylor.com/ann/p.....Color=4246). I think it fits every single one of the words I listed above. I can throw it on without any fussing (or wrapping a piece of cloth around me 5 times), it’s structured in a way that makes my life easier. It has some of the same “organic” flow as the wrap top and many of the other terracotta tops, but in a much more structured and symmetrical way. It’s simple and timeless, yet far from boring. It’s a much better fit for both my body and my style, and it also allows the focus to be on me (or whoever wears it), not on the dress. (You can see Debbie rock it in black here: http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....lack-dress)

What do you think?

And as always, please excuse the smudges on the mirror.