My idea of fashion has always been simple, fitted and classic. Here's a typical Sunday ensemble. An easy outfit with a vintage Louis Vuitton bag.

Perfect fashion are pieces that don't require a lot of thought but still look great. They flatter the body and bring attention to the wearer instead of the clothes.

Quality pieces are the backbones of my wardrobe. A great handbag. Perfect-fitting denim. These pieces make all the difference and elevate everything else. Great clothes not only makes one feel great, beautiful, and polished, but they're also just darn easy.

Figuring out what to wear all the time can be taxing and draining. Nobody's got time for that!

Here's my newest Herve Leger top in action. It is my most wearable Herve Leger yet. Suited perfectly for everyday wear, see how it looked on a casual summer weekend.

I'm much more bashful about showing cleavage as opposed to legs, so this Herve Leger top is about as perfect as a top can get. It's really casual, sports a high but very flattering neckline, and most of all, has amazing hold.

This is the tale of the counterfeit Chanel brooch. The details of this tale are both illuminating and shocking.

This counterfeit Chanel brooch was purchased from a designer consignment store. The store provided a certificate of authenticity that they had procured elsewhere.

Upon receiving the brooch, the buyer had concerns, so she purchased another authentication service from Real Authentication. This authentication service also stated that the brooch was authentic.

Please do NOT use Real Authentication. Of all of the authentication services online, we have received the most emails from people complaining of their service being incorrect.

Yet, the buyer still felt something amiss and requested a Lollipuff authentication.

The brooch that this buyer purchased is obviously counterfeit which is what makes this tale so shocking! Anyone at all versed with Chanel costume jewelry would quickly recognize it as counterfeit. YET, this fake brooch had passed 2 different authentication services!

The above image shows the authentic and fake XXL shield brooch side by side. As you can observe, there are many obvious differences.

Sadly, there are many authentication services out there, some of which have convincing, beautifully-designed websites, that are unqualified to provide authentication services. These businesses are just as unethical as counterfeit sellers. Their assessment is about as good as a guess.

Unfortunately, situations like this are all too common. So, how can you tell if an authentication house is qualified?

Do they have a great reputation? Do they have proof? For instance, Lollipuff is also a marketplace that prescreens each listing for authenticity, and only authentic listings are published. We have been doing this dependably for years.

And, finally, do they specialize in select brands? Any authentication service that purports to authenticate nearly every designer brand is fishy. In our years of experience, we know that authentication requires a lot of brand-specific knowledge.

So, in short, don't rely on an authentication service that has little to no reputation, does not specialize in specific brands and/or does not demonstrate their expertise openly. It's like trusting a stranger who thinks they're good at telling fakes apart from authentic designer goods.

Before we end this story, what do you think of this last brooch above? Is it fake or authentic?

While it has differences from the 2 previous shield brooches, it is authentic. Chanel oftentimes produces items in similar styles, or a particular style may change if the style is produced in different seasons or years.

This last brooch is a smaller version, oftentimes called the XL shield brooch. It just goes to show how easily someone can make mistakes when authenticating if they are not a brand expert.

Don't let this deter you! Designer resale is an amazing thing not to be missed! Just get your item authenticated by a reputable authenticator (like Lollipuff 😉 ) if you're unsure. Buyers can easily save enormous amounts of money. I personally, have saved many thousands of dollars by choosing resale over retail!

If there's one fashion item that I love more than a Herve Leger dress, it's a Herve Leger top. Unfortunately, there aren't nearly as many HL top options, and many of them are too low-cut for everyday wear. So, I took it into my own hands and changed one of my beloved dresses into a top. Plus, a few pictures of the top with shorts, jeans, and skirts!

Here's the dress in its original form. This dress has phenomenal hold; it really cinches around the ribcage. For those of you who are interested in this dress (commonly referred to as the Pomy or Romy), it does run one size small.

I picked this dress to alter, as I have more Herve Leger dresses that I can wear (see my Herve Leger collection here), and I'm constantly enjoying my Herve Leger tops. Tops are just more versatile for my lifestyle.

The top sports a modest neckline making it perfect to wear any time. Also, the primary color on this top is black, making it super easy to match with bottoms.

To alter a Herve Leger dress to a top, all you'll need is a banded HL dress (can be faux banded or individually banded), scissors, seam ripper (if your dress is individually banded) and possibly some needle and thread in the color of the clothing.

As always with any DIY, please proceed with caution and at your own risk.

Step 1: Locate the bottom of the top

First, you'll want to figure out where you want your Herve Leger top to end. It should end on one of the lines of the bands.

Step 2: Cut

If your dress is individually banded (meaning stitches are holding the bands together), you'll need to separate the bands with a seam ripper. Please make sure that the dress is fully zipped up when doing this.

If your dress is faux banded, you'll just need to cut carefully along the band's line. See how I have done this in the above picture. Please make sure that the dress is fully zipped up when doing this.

For my top, the cut was conveniently below the entire zipper length. If the cut falls above the end of the zipper, you'll want to secure the end of it with a needle and thread.

Step 3: Secure any rough edges

I didn't really have too many rough edges. The only area was at the back where the vertical band was cut. I secured this with some simple looped stitches, but even without it, I think it would have been fine.

Now, for the fun part. Let's see how this new top looks with some different bottoms!

As you can see, the top works with even the most casual bottoms, a pair of super-distressed denim shorts!

And, here I've just pulled on the cut skirt from the original dress and wore it underneath the new top. Of course, it is now shorter than the original uncut dress, but it still totally works!

Time for an update on my current Herve Leger collection. Since the last post, I've added a few pieces. These clothing articles are by far some of the best things in my closet. 🙂

Hope you enjoyed seeing some of my favorite Herve Leger items and what's in my closet currently. 🙂

The exceedingly delightful and lovely ladywiggler from our community is sharing pictures of her giant and lavish Herve Leger collection. It is FILLED with some of the most amazing show-stopping pieces. Check it out! 🙂

This collection, filled with luxurious, embellished pieces (many of which are also runway), is inspiring. Notice how most of the garments differ greatly from the next! All the different patterns, studding, beading and more adds such spice to any wardrobe.

It's a beautiful collection that makes me think about my own Herve Leger collection from a different perspective. I need some studded and jacquard pieces stat!

Many thanks to ladywiggler for going through the trouble of photographing her impressive Herve Leger collection! This is such a treat!

The adorable discontinued monogram Mini Sac / Speedy is one of Louis Vuitton's smallest bags. Despite its appearance, this bag is surprisingly functional. Check out what can go in this bag and how it looks with an outfit.

Sometimes, this tiny beauty comes with an optional shoulder strap, so in addition to carrying it on the wrist, it can easily be worn crossbody.

Measuring approximately 6.25 x 4.25 x 3 inches, it can hold a surprising amount as the sides of the bag are not rigid. Here I have easily fit a fat compact wallet, a cellphone, a few keys and a lipstick.

The cellphone cannot be one of those over-sized phones. Measurements for the phone should be 5.75 x 3 inches or smaller.

As you can see, there's room for more! It can easily fit a few more small cosmetic pieces.

As it is a small handbag, it doesn't lose shape with things in it. In fact, it looks more shapeless with nothing inside.

This bag possesses no pockets.

The Mini Sac / Speedy works well with dressier outfits too. When the optional shoulder strap is removed, the handbag is a perfect complement to most dresses.

Made with the same materials used for regular-sized monogram, the Mini Sac is a very durable bag. While the vachetta handles and trim darken over time and use, the monogram canvas is crazy durable. One of the many reasons why so many adore Louis Vuitton!

From a unique runway piece to my favorite 2017 dress, check out 6 more Herve Leger dress reviews.

Noma

This dress has average hold. However, the thing to note for this dress is that it seems to widen significantly around the lower waist. I'm quite short-waisted, and yet, this dress had an unflattering ripple around the lower waist.

Janelle

The Janelle is a classy timeless dress adorned with sequins. This dress provides a sophisticated and polished effect.

Sarai

The Sarai has become a crowd favorite and one of the most produced styles from Herve Leger. It's not hard to see why. While, it provides average hold, its style is classic, sexy, and effortless. This dress in medium to dark colors is particularly flattering.

Kennedy

The Kennedy has a great concept, but failed to deliver. Why? The top is very pretty, assuming that you are unafraid of extreme plunging necklines, but the bottom is made of a flowy fabric that clings to the slightest bulge. And, the strong bandage material does not extend beyond the mid-waist underneath the dress either.

Alyson

Most Herve Leger dresses are incredibly beautiful and trump most other dresses easily. The Alyson is an example of the typical Herve Leger dress. It delivers on the expected body-shaping and timeless style. For those obsessed with Herve Leger, this is your average run-of-the-mill dress. Average hold, flattering fit, timeless style and a touch of interesting detail.

Kimbraley

The Kimbraley is a runway piece that has a lot interesting fringed trim running throughout it. In my opinion, many runway pieces that have a lot of detail overwhelm smaller frames. I think this dress is best on a more statuesque, taller frame.

Caitlyn

The Caitlyn did not appeal to me on the hanger, but once on, it became my favorite 2017 Herve Leger dress! I really didn't think I'd be able to pull off the shape, but the fit was a dream. According to the sales associate, this was his favorite HL dress currently in the store. He stated that it looks absolutely beautiful on many body shapes.

For those obsessed with Herve Leger, like myself, the dress also presents a cut that is uncommon to the designer.

For all dresses in this post, everything ran true to size. Herve Leger sizing started getting more consistent in 2011, and now, in 2017, it seems to be spot-on with pretty much all of their clothing!

Try on enough Herve Leger dresses or read enough Herve Leger reviews, and you'll get a good idea of how most Herve Leger styles will look on your body. Here's 6 more Herve Leger dress reviews to add to our large collection of reviews.

Check out part 1 for more 2017 Herve Leger dress reviews.

Blakely

It's good to have Herve Leger dresses that are not obviously sexy or formal. The Blakely dress has a modest neckline and a pretty flared skirt making this dress easy to wear for different occasions. The hold on this dress is below average.

Carlotta

If shoulder pads usually overwhelm your frame, steer away from the Carlotta dress. It can look amazing on the right figure, but if you are very small, short to average height with thin legs and arms, it can look too busy. Example: me. The hold on this dress is very good. Check it out on this thin, tall model here. Obvious proof that this dress looks amazing on some!

Maribel

The Maribel dress is a basic black gown with a very demure see through mesh neckline. The mesh neckline is VERY low and would not permit any banded bra. It has a timeless glamour to it. The hold on this dress is average.

Gaia

The Gaia is a classic black dress with above average hold. Based on the 2017 sleeved dresses I've tried, sleeves ran more roomy for this year than past. If you observe the pictures, you can see that the sleeves are not skin-tight which lends to a slightly sloppy look. Unless you have very thin arms though, this will probably not be an issue.

Alessandra

This dress is made for the "cool" girl. The design is spot on with the strap detail, colors, and strategic trim and color-blocking. This dress also has above average hold.

Haleigh

Last, but not least is my favorite of the 6 dresses, the Haleigh. It has average to above average hold. The grommet hardware further disguises any body flaws. And, the fringed skirt add beautiful movement to the dress. The style is also likely to look good on most body types.

All of the dresses in this post ran true to size. It seems that in the last few years, Herve Leger has become very consistent in sizing. 2017 has had the most consistent sizing yet!

As most Herve Leger stores are closing shop, I made one last trip to my nearest boutique to review the latest garments. Here is a review of 5 2017 dresses and 1 jumpsuit.

Imaan

Most of the jacquard dresses of 2017 have substantial amounts of trim on them. For instance, this Imaan dress sports substantial trim detail and as a result, has superb hold and shaping. I think that this classic dress would look good on most body types.

Celestina

The Celestina gown has above average hold and is a very sexy dress. The metal embellishments add drama, and the revealing neckline makes this dress a head-turner. One thing to watch out for is the length. For most average heights, a little alteration may be needed for the hemline.

Brianne

While the Brianne dress had below-average hold, the style of the dress is a personal favorite. The beautiful crimson red adorned with sparkly sequins in a one-shoulder style make it extremely flattering. It is both equally classy as it is sexy, and given the color and style, this dress would strongly appeal to men and women alike.

Izabella

This is by far the strangest Herve Leger I have ever tried on. The Izabella jumpsuit can only be pulled off by a physically flawless person IMO. The flared legs remind me of the 70's, while the rest of the garment is oddly futuristic... And, then, there's the fact that it's a onesie.

Delana

The Delana is another jaw-dropper dress. Fiery red, a defined bustline, braid-detail, and the thin double straps make this dress perfect for any girl who wants to be a knockout. This dress has above average hold.

Adrienne

The Adrienne dress comes in red and white. Between the two, go for the red. The bandage material has slightly below average hold, so lighter colors are less flattering in this style. The dress has iconic 1950's glamour, and the neckline would be particularly flattering on small to medium busts.

In regards to sizing, 2017 clothing was extremely consistent. Everything that I tried on was true to size.