Origami Couture Skirt ($26.00)

Rating: Trendy for now… and spring… and maybe next fall but certainly not a classic

Fit: If you’re worried about adding more volume to your bottom half then don’t even bother with this one. But if you have some wiggle room, then this is definitely a more interesting option than the usual full skirts we see at Forever. The thick waistband helps with proportion and the folds are so fun that you’ll just want to twirl like I did in the dressing room.

Versatility: You need something fitted on top. But this can range from a simple tee to a cashmere turtleneck. I haven’t seen the blue version in person but I’d still recommend gray or black. You have enough going on with the architectural folds that you don’t need a bold color.

Trend Factor: Draping is popular for fall, and this is actually a pretty unique take on the trend.

Demographic: Everyone

Belted Halter Dress ($44)

Rating: Buy it never

Fit: I appreciate Twelve by Twelve’s effort. I really do. From afar, and I’m talking all the way across the store, this dress looks uber chic. Then you get closer and the disappointment kicks in. But still, you want to try it on because a belted, bustier dress like this at Saks would set you back a week’s worth of salary. But all hope is lost in the fitting room. The halter strap is too thick, the padded bust too reminiscent of Madonna’s Blonde Ambition tour and the skirt makes you look like you regained the Freshman 15 you never wanted to see again. Fail.

Versatility: The jewels on the belt are pretty? Ya, not much else here.

Trend Factor: With the 80s back in fashion, peplum is huge again—but you need the bottom skirt to be more fitted to avoid looking huge. And Jean Paul Gaultier resurrected his infamous cone bras for spring. But that doesn’t mean you need to wear them.

Demographic: Nobody.

Blotchy Floral Woven Dress ($22.80)

Rating: Wear it Forever

Fit: Padded busts. A Forever 21 feature Jen and I absolutely despise. But there’s an exception to every rule and this is one of them. The subtle padding combined with the crossover sweetheart neckline actually enhances the bust, rather than making it look like you just got a bad boob job. Then there’s the waist, which actually hits at the waist. Hallelujah! The full pleated skirt is extremely flattering and unless you’re one of those lucky model-types, you shouldn’t have a problem with the hem. The only part I didn’t like about the dress was the straps, but those are removable.

Versatility: I adore florals for the winter. Make the dress cold weather appropriate with plum tights and gray pumps or ribbed charcoal tights, sparkly flats and a cardi. When it starts to heat up, this dress obviously works for spring and if you get bored with the bow, you can easily remove it and throw on belt to show off your waist.

Trend Factor: Florals are in, but really when are they ever not?

Demographic: Teens, 20s and maybe 30somethings might be able to get away with. I’d just recommend replacing the bow with a thin, sophisticated belt ASAP.

Floral Printed Dress ($39.00)

Rating: Buy It Maybe

Fit: This is a cute enough dress–nice print, 40’s inspired silhouette. For a lot of people this dress will work and look supercute while for a lot of other people the cut of the skirt will make them look like a bell. I happen to fall into that latter category. The way the skirt comes in to form the bottom ruffles really exaggerates the hips in an unflattering way. However for more narrow hipped girls, congratulations, this dress is perfect for you.

Versatility:With tights and boots you can probably wear this well into fall.

Trend Factor: The colors are definitely welcoming fall and being from the Twelve by Twelve line, F21 is trying to conjure up a little vintage feelings.

Demographic: 20s

Slinky Knit Dress ($22.80)

Rating: Wear it forever

Fit: If I didn’t know better, I would think Diane von Furstenberg was designing a affordable line for Forever 21. This dress fits just as well as printed DVF pieces in my closet. The piping at the empire waist draws attention up towards a flattering neckline and the subtle pleating below lets the dress drape effortless across the hips. If you’re better equipped than I am in the bust area, for starters I envy you, but you can always layer a colorful cami underneath when you’re at the office (Forever has them in basically every color for $2.50). And I’m usually not a fan of dresses that tie in the back but everything else was on point so I’m willing to let it slide.

Versatility: This is the perfect day-to-night piece. Wear it to work then throw on some bright lipstick and maybe Forever’s Crystal Mesh Necklace ($5.80) or Droplet Draped Necklace ($5.80) and you’re ready for happy hour.

Trend Factor: A printed dress that gives you a spectacular hourglass shape is always in style.

Demographic: 20s, Sophisticated

Velvet Sheath Dress ($29.80)

Rating: Wear it Forever

Fit: I had very low expectations when I saw this dress on the hanger. But after trying it on, it took an immense amount of will power not to buy it. And the only reason I didn’t buy it is because I already have a velvet LBD and I’m trying to save money. But it fits like a glove and reminds me on a vintage Jean Paul Gautier. Plus, since it’s part of the Love 21 collection, it’s not too short and the cutout is just the right amount of revealing. Even the beaded neckline was impressive. Up close, sure it had a few loose threads. But when a dress clings to your curves the way this one does, nobody is going to be staring at your necklace.

Versatility: I think Jen said three times what a great holiday dress this is (she came very close to convincing me to buy it). And she’s right: wear it with strappy gold sandals, black tight and pumps, with booties and a leather jacket, knee-high boots and a blazer and even sparkly tights with ballet flats and you have just about every type of holiday party covered. Plus, it’s stretchy. So you don’t have worry about indulging in the eggnog.

Trend Factor: Velvet is super trendy for fall. Forever 21 failed before but made up for it with this dress.

Demographic: 20s, Sophisticated

Scalloped Fringe Dress ($24.80)

Rating: Trendy for Now

Fit: It’s a shapeless shift, but it works. The hem is short enough to show off your legs and it’s not like those flappers in the ‘20s had defined waists anyway.

Versatility: You can wear a fringe dress more than you’d think. The most obvious is at night with a pair of heels. But I’ve seen girls wear similar styles with flats during the day and under a blazer at a casual dinner. I’d even wear it to the office with black tights, booties and a cardigan.

Trend Factor: Fringe has been all the rage for a while now. And it’s not going anywhere anytime soon. I seriously was drooling over this Monique Lhullier dress when I was at fashion week. What I like about Forever’s dress is it doesn’t look like a costume, thanks to the gray chiffon on top.

Demographic: Everyone

Romantic Flower Dress ($24.80)

1. Juicy Couture ribbed sweater, Forever 21 belt, Cole Haan Nike Air boots

2. Target belt from little boy’s department, lia sophia bangles, Manolo Blahnik gladiator heels

3. Forever 21 faux leather jacket, lia sophia necklace, MICHAEL Michael Kors Berkley sandals

It’s been abnormally hot in LA—I’m talking like 90 degrees. So I couldn’t bear to put on tights to take these photos. But if it’s actually fall where you live, try look #1 with black opaque tights or look #3 with gray tights and black booties.

Ruffle Front Shirt Dress ($39.00)

Rating: Buy It Never

Fit: This dress looks so nice and reserved on that lifeless mannequin but on an actual person such as myself, it looks more like a hot mess. At first I tired to tell myself, it must just be the awful placement of that security magnet thing (why do they always put those in the worst places?). I mean look how nice it looks from the back. But no, it’s just F21 trying to do too much with cheap materials. The simpler they keep it, the better it always works out.

Versatility: Fall is definitely here so sleeveless doesn’t always seem like the best choice. But if we were to pretend for a moment that this dress wasn’t a disaster and you pair it with a tights and a nice coat, that would be supercute.

Trend Factor: Shirt dresses are always just kind of there. They’re not super trendy right now but definitely doable should the right one come along.

Demographic: Teens

1. Vintage necklace, Coach bag, Manolo Blahnik sandals

2. Forever 21 cardigan, Wet Seal belt, Calvin Klein pumps

3. Amelia Rae designs necklace, Rebecca Beeson top, Michael Kors belt and no shoes!

4. Urban Outfitters locket necklace, So Good jewelry beads, lia sophia bracelets, Bernardo sandals

The dress isn’t available online anymore, not to mention it’s probably too cold to wear it in most places, but it was one of my favorite maxis this summer. Jen didn’t like the way it looked on her but I think she looks like some cool woman from Arizona when she wears it as a skirt.