No matter how hard high end department stores try to emulate the luxurious and magnificently tailored items of the masterful designers they carry, they somehow miss the mark when branding a generic line. Take Saks Fifth Avenue Signature Line, for example. The clothing is well enough made, but painfully boring.

After all, that emerald velvet blazer is merely an amalgamation of trends that splattered the runways of seasons past. Because the item is imperfectly perceived (if one isn’t marvelously in love with his/her design, which, if it’s a copy, presumably he/she wouldn’t be), execution will be inferior, the result of which will be a lackluster piece. It will no doubt be quite saleable to your fashionably-challenged woman- on-the-go or to an uninspired housewife on a sulky Tuesday morning, but it’s ultimately lacking the zest to attract any fashion minxes. There are, of course, exceptions to this. H&M has found tremendous success as the cheapie-knockoff king of fashion, but alas, there’s not one of us who wouldn’t love to own the real thing should we have the means. My question is, if you’re going to splurge at Saks or Nieman Marcus in the first place, why on earth would you settle for the uninspired and drab ‘copy’ line? It can’t be for the perhaps 5 or 10% savings you’ll get.

After ripping into department store brands, I would like to point your attention towards a defiant Barney’s Collection dress which sets my loins aglow. Man was I surprised when, while perusing the Barney’s website, I found a generic brand dress that actually caught my eye and sent my fashion frenzy-able heart into overdrive. Barney’s Monet Cotton Dress, priced at a cool $850, is magnificent. I think it best suits fair complexions; a red-head or a blond could stop traffic in this rust red, black and orange brushed dress which exudes robust vitality. There have been a lot of painterly designs as of late, but this pattern distinguishes itself. It is ripe with movement. Stretch cotton has long been one of my choice materials for fair-weather seasons like spring. Cotton itself has a sort of whimsical, no fuss feel which I like and which translates well to a season marked by mild, balmy days. In addition to the material, the cut is stunning. The gathered keyhole neckline subtly draws attention to an appealing part of a woman’s femininity; her neck. The cut also exposes shoulders, creating a fine balance between the strength in said structure and the soft quality of a woman’s silhouette. Good posture is an absolute must if you’re to pull this dress off.

If an April shower leaves you caught in the rain, you’re in luck. The large blotches of color on the maxi contrast just the right amount with the geometric stripes on the burnt orange umbrella (Barney’s Triple Stripe Folding Umbrella in Gold, $125). This ensemble is striking yet not too busy; you’ll be dressed to kill. So spring showers? Bring ‘em on.