She really is more than just a dress girl and her first foray into fashion for the masses has unleashed her critics and rallied her fans. The truth is that there are some lovely, wearable pieces in the new Kohl's collection, as well as some slight misses.  Her use of a rich, purple dominated palette is no surprise, given her fondness for lavender (her bridge line is called Vera Wang Lavender). 

The colors are right on trend for this season and she’s used a deep, jeweled purple in my favorite piece, a silky, machine washable (yes!!!) deep v-neck ruffled top w/an optional rosette belt and bell-shaped short sleeves.   You’ll see this piece featured in the print ads as well as in several spots in the September issue of  Oprah's ‘O’ magazine...looks great alone with pants and skirts as well as under a jacket (the fabric has minimal wrinkling, so sleeve shape remains intact even after prolonged wear).   I also like the color block dresses in rich shades of purple, indigo and black--these make a sophisticated topper for tights or as a dress with strappy heels.  (They also look like pieces Vera has worn for numerous photo shoots over her beloved black tights.) For evening, the tonal, jewel-embellished dress features high quality silk, a flattering Empire waist, wider straps and the seaming, etc. is very well done….here’s a close-up of the embellishments at the waist--you can see the quality.

My other favorite piece is a long, wool blend, 60s-inspired jacket in tan or black--very Jackie O.  Vera specifically mentions this piece in a WSJ interview--she was surprised and delighted at a recent dinner with her two teenage daughters, when she realized they were all wearing the same jacket but had styled it completely differently.  This entire collection just feels more ‘personal‘ for her and looks like the effortlessly stylish pieces she  actually wears in ’real’ life.  

As for slight ‘misses’ in the collection, the shirred, cropped swing jacket looks great in the photos, but the fabric feels cheap and a bit like a burlap sack.  Likewise, I’m not impressed with the quality of the accessories or shoes--her usual licensee for shoes is Stuart Weitzman, so I was more than a little disappointed.  

Otherwise, definitely get thee to a Kohls and leave lots of time for mixing and matching.  Sizes run from 2-16 and are actual Misses, not ‘vanity’ sizes.  Viva Vera!

(sorry I can't show more photos...eBay only allows 6)