We at Thread just adore ruffles. See this for proof. Or this. (Told you!) So, last night, when we were aimlessly cruising the web, we naturally flipped upon finding what surely must be the Holy Grail of evening bags: Ruffled. Clutches. There they were, just about everywhere–in all colors, fabrics, sizes and price ranges.

Our favorite part? These puppies are fancy enough to carry at any wedding out there, but are also just plain chic enough to dress up ye ol’ jeans and flats combo on any given day.

(Two of our fave picks above. From top, J. Crew Soiree clutch; Prada Royal Calf Rosette clutch.)

We’ve been waiting months and months (and months) to break this little number out, and now, finally, we can. So, come Sunday afternoon, you will find us BBQ-side, white wine spritzer in one hand, hot dog in the other–in this perfect little dress. Sigh. Does life get any better?

Happy weekend!

(Above: Thread Social Summer 2009 Crepe de Chine tunic dress. If you love it as much as we do, you can buy it on net-a-porter.com.)

Since the dawn of time, brides-to-be and their bridesmaids have struggled to find the right shoe for the Big Day. Some were too expensive, some too uncomfortable, some just downright ugly. Many unspoken little prayers were thus answered when, in 2003, Melissa Pins Bergetz decided to do something about this shoe conundrum by launching Blue Tux shoes, a line of superchic heels at (gasp!) affordable prices. Below, the saintly Melissa offers some much needed shoe-wisdom for brides and bridesmaids alike.

When choosing a shoe on their wedding day, what is one thing a bride or bridesmaid should keep in mind?
You don’t need to sacrifice style or heel height for comfort.  One of my goals with Blue Tux was to make shoes that a bride and her bridesmaids could wear comfortably all day–and night!–long. We don’t want to see any bare feet or flip-flops on the dance floor!

How should a bride go about approaching her bridesmaids’ shoes?
One word: Metallics. There is a metallic color to compliment every bridesmaid dress out there – and your bridesmaids will love you because they can wear them again and again.

Wedding season is officially in full gear. Is there one fool-proof shoe style that a girl could buy and wear to any sort of wedding?
A wedge is definitely the best all-around option for any surface: sand, grass, concrete – you name it. Blue Tux actually offers a wedge that’s available in both dyeable satin and metallic colors. (Ed. note: Done and done.)

Any advice for lasting in a pair of heels for the duration of a wedding, from arriving to the church to downing the last glass of champagne?
Make sure your shoes are comfortable from the moment you try them on.  You shouldn’t need to “break in” your wedding shoes – or any shoes for that matter.  If they are uncomfortable when you try them on, the pain is going to be unbearable several hours later.

Got a bonus tip for us?
Tips for sling-backs: Position a “halter pad” on each shoe under the ball of your foot.  This will stop your foot from sliding forward and making the strap loose in back.

(Above photo: Melissa and her husband on their wedding day. For more information on Blue Tux, visit the website or email info@shopbluetux.com.)

Listen up, ladies: The time of year every last one of you waits and hopes and prays for is FINALLY here. Yes, you guessed it–it’s our Thread Social Summer Sale. (Deep breath.)

Styles from Holiday and Resort 2008 are up to 75% off, while Spring 2009 is up to 50%. Our super cute bow belts? 45% off. And the best part? For the first time ever, our sale will be available online, as well as here in our NYC showroom. Shopping for everyone, everywhere!

We were enjoying ourselves a nice little Thursday night on the couch–popcorn in bowl, Ugly Betty on the tube–when suddenly we realized our favorite fictional magazine staffer was running around the Mode office in none other than a Thread Social dress! Of course, it took us a few moments to realize this, as said dress was, in true Ugly Betty style, layered under a printed long-sleeve shirt, a striped jacket and a butterfly belt. But, sure enough, there it was: Our pink shimmer jacquard dress from Resort 08. With bright yellow tights. We love.