OPTICAL DELUSIONS

OP ART LESSON

Echoing the artistic style of Victor Vasarely, known for "op art" like Vonal Stri, the canvas pictured at left, designers are offering a variety of dresses this spring with dizzying geometric prints.

The optical illusion finds its expression in fuchsia, in Alexander McQueen’s stripe knit tube dress, pictured at right and available at net-a-porter.com.

Elie Tahari rounds out the edges of the trend with a lovely circle-sprint Resort 2009 frock in pale lavender and butter yellow (complementary colors, CoutureCarrie notes). Photo at left via style.com.

Karta's three quarter sleeve shift (at lower right) undeniably channels op art as well. Go to shopbop.com

These fanciful geometric designs not only delight the eye, but offer a clever distraction from figure flaws. This way, you can wear diaphanous fabrics like silk without fear of exposing your less artful aspects.