Trending for Fall

Here in Calgary our fall was a bit different than in most other places. While the leaves turned golden and fell from the trees, the weather remained sunny, gorgeous and warm. So I kind of skipped over fall clothing. Now our true "fall" is here and we have snow on the ground. I am coming around to the idea of wearing fall clothes and have packed away all my summer things. So for you today I have rounded up some of what I think are the best trends for fall 2014.

Fringe
I cannot get enough of fringe. Continuing with the western vibe we saw this past spring, fringe is still going strong. Along with the western iterations we are also seeing a more glamorous flapper-influenced fringe. This is perfect way to add movement, texture and visual interest to any outfit, which is why I love it so much. Fringe can really work on almost any garment; tops, jackets, dresses, skirts, handbags, and shoes. I have even seem fringe trimming jeans! That might be a bit too much a literal cowgirl interpretation of the trend, but if you want to give it a go, then go for it.






Michael Kors suede fringe sandals.



A fringed shawl or cover up is the perfect way to inject some boho flare into any ensemble. This one is from Forever 21, and works equally well with leather pants or jeans as it would in summer over some denim cut offs.





Kate Moss for Topshop fringed leather jacket. This needs to be seen on. Amazing.




Valentino fringe clutches. I think one in each colour is an ideal situation.


Coloured Leather
Leather clothing has definitely become more than a passing trend over the last few years, with leather skirts, dresses, pants and jackets becoming wardrobe staples. The new leather is being reintroduced in a variety of neutrals other than basic black. Bordeaux, forest green, and navy are subtle updates that will work equally as well as black in your wardrobe. Think of these shades as neutrals. My personal favorite is a longer pencil skirt in one of these interesting colours.



Long pencil skirt in forest green from Zara.






A flared miniskirt option from Banana Republic in burgundy.


A fit and flare navy dress from Iris and Ink. This dress is a perfect blank canvas to wear in a number of different ways.

The Swinging Sixties
Last spring it was all about the seventies, and to be honest for me it is kind of always all about the seventies. For fall though, a number of designers have turned their attention to the sixties. The miniskirt is back in a big way, as well as the shift dress, and tall boots. As with any vintage-insired look, be sure it keep in the realm of inspiration, not exact replica. This can lead to a look that belongs more at a costume party than on a runway.




Ralph Lauren plaid shift dress. I love it styled with ankle booties, a turtleneck and stockings, but it would look equally good with a jacket over top and tall boots or dressed up with bare arms, tights and pumps.




Swinging sixties looks from the Gucci fall 2014 runway. I am loving the snakeskin boots!


Over the knee black suede boots from Stuart Weitzman.

Summer Vacation

It's summer vacation! Finally, after a long and brutally cold winter it is summer time at last. If you are lucky enough to be going on a vacation this summer then you will be wondering what you should pack for an efforlessly chic getaway. Look no further. Here I have outlined some essentials to pack for a variety of different locales.


Urban Jungle
If you're going to a city for your vacation, you will be sighseeing, museum-hopping, and dining out. Here are some of my top picks for what to pack. Whether you're going to London, Los Angeles, Tokyo, or Paris these items are must packs.


This romper by Rory Beca is such a versatile piece. It could be worn in the day with a jacket and flat sandals or wedges for sightseeing. At night, add some heels and jewellery and it easily transitions to a dinner out.






A pair of flat sandals are a must on almost any summer vacation, but a city getaway demands a slightly dressier pair. This jewelled pair from J Crew is the perfect option. The nude colour means it can go with everything, and with the embellishments you could even make it work for evening. Although, flats for nighttime is really not my personal preference.





A floral print jacket is a surprisingly versatile piece. Packing all black so that "everythign goes" is SO OVER. You want to look good on your vacation, otherwise, why bother? This blazer from Topshop would pair perfectly over denim (white, dark, shorts, etc.) as well as almost any solid colour dress. It would also look fantastic over top of the blue romper that I showed above.






A great pair of heels for any evenings out on the town are a definite must. This pair from Zara will add some neccessary edge to summery dresses, shorts or jeans that might have been worn with flats for day.




A pair of shorts are another must for any summer trip, but these blue denim ones are given some added charm with a scalloped hem. Paired with a simple T-shirt, the floral blazer and sandals this is a perfect ensemble for sightseeing. These are from Club Monaco and they come in a variety of different colours and prints.




Sand and Shore
If a beach vacation is in your cards you will need a very different selection of items in your suitcase. Your days will be spent sunning and swimming, and if you're lucky that is about it. Relaxation is the main goal of this type of vacation, but that doesn't mean that you can't do it in style.




A ruffled bandeau bikini is the perfect way to look fab while avoiding tan lines at the same time. This print is so cute, and the ruffles are a big trend in swimwear this season. This bikini is from Victoria's Secret.




A gorgeous cover up is a must for the beach. This one by Dreamboat Lucy works equally well over a swimsuit or a pair of shorts. It features printed sleeves and it can be tied up around the waist, to create a very flattering silhouette. Side note: I own this one and I love it!



Sunglasse are an obvious must for the beach, and how could you possibly resist these floral Dolce and Gabbana ones?



A pair of Levi's 501s cut off shorts is a classic summer staple, and any time you're not in your swimsuit at the beach, you will be in these.



If you decide to venture off the beach and perhaps into town, you will need a pair of fabulous wedges. This scarf print pair from Gucci certainly fits the bill.




A wide-brimmed sun hat is an absolute must at the beach. Perfect for fending off the UV rays, adding touch of glam, and hiding your beach hair.



Country Cabin
If your vacation is taking you to the countryside you will need a casual wardrobe for relaxing walks, , and cozy campfires. Be prepared for cooler evenings and bugs in the woods with the right capsule wardrobe .




A utiliity jacket is the perfect topper for cooler days or you have the misfortune to get some rain on your vacation. This jacket is from Aritzia.




A pair of cream lace shorts from Zara will be a great addition to your country wardrobe. Perfect for a stroll in the woods or just lounging on the deck. The utility jacket would be perfect paired with these shorts.







A pair of comfy shoes that you can walk is a definite must . These super cute navy and cognac Sperrys are the perfect choice.




A casual straw fedora is the perfect hat for a country retreat. Vacations often equal unruly hair that feels the need to act out, so a hat is always helpful for those situations.





A pair of jeans are no doubt a must-pack for a trip to the country. This faded pair from Citizens of Humanity are perfect an escape to the countryside.

Cannes Film Festival

My favorite fashion kickoff for spring is the ever elegant Cannes Film Festival. All our favorite red carpet stars gather in the south of France for a number of different parties, galas, and fim premieres. There is so much bad fashion out there, but I am only going to focus on the good here. Effortless glamour is the name of the game at Cannes, and here are some of my favorite looks of the week.


Lara Stone in Calvin Klein
This colour is absolutely to die for. Calvin Klein's simplicity of design is superbly showcased by this gorgeous shade of pink. I love the modern shape of this gown and the asymmetrical detail at the neckline. Definitely one of my all-time favorite colours. Hmm...why don't I have a dress in this shade?




Blake Lively in Gucci Premiere
This girl is truly a fashion goddess. The breezy ethereal feeling of this gown makes it a perfect choice for Cannes.




Rosie Huntington-Whiteley in Emilio Pucci
Another perfect goddess-gown for the French Riviera. I love the draping, and I think that blondes should wear more yellow.




Cate Blanchett in Armani Prive
Stunning as always, Cate simply dazzles in this blue-green gown, shimmering like the Cote D'Azure.



 
Rosie Huntington-Whiteley in Gucci Premiere
This is a perfect type of gown for Cannes: effortlessly glamourous. I have been loving Gucci Premiere gowns on the red carpet the last couple of years and this one is no exception. The icy blueish grey colour is gorgeous, and I love how the structured bodice becomes a flowing skirt.



Jessica Chastain in Elie Saab
This is the ultimate Greek goddess gown. Picking a breezy evening to don this number turned out to be an excellent choice, as the movement in this dress is simply beautiful.



Blake Lively in Gucci Premiere
This is simply stunning. She is giving major Grace Kelly. I wish that she had worn this to the Met Gala, since it is perfectly in line with the Charles James theme. Her golden goddess Gucci that she opted for would have been a better fit for Cannes. All of that aside though, she looks like absolute perfection. The black and which is a classic combination that I love, the tailoring is impecable, hair and makeup are on point, and the overall effect is exquisite.

The Met Gala Hits and Misses

The theme of this year's Costume Institute Gala at the Metropolitan Museum is Charles James: Beyond Fashion. Considered to be "America's First Couturier," James was known for his detailed, highly structured ball gowns which were worn by actresses and socialites throughout the 1930s, '40s and '50s. Despite alledgedly being an inspiration for Christian Dior's New Look, and his incredible skill James is all but forgotten as a great American designer. I had never heard of him until just a few months ago, when I read an article about him in Harper's Bazaar. I am so glad that his work is the subject of this year's exhibit. Now many others will  know this great talent.


 
Dita Von Teese in Zac Posen.
This is an amazing gown. The petal-like fronds of the mermaid skirt are an homage to Charles James's famous clover dress. I love how this stays within the theme, and yet is interpreted in a modern way, The only thing I would change slightly is the colour. This pale shade is just a little bit too close to her skin colour.





Blake Lively in Gucci Premiere.
This girl always looks amazing. I can forgive her for not really sticking with the theme because she looks so good. And, she's kind of wearing a cape. This make me think that I need to start wearing more champagne shimmer coloured things. And, obviously, more capes. Plus, Blake had the best looking accessory of all: Ryan Reynolds.




Nicole Richie in Donna Karan.
If you insist on rudely ignoring this theme of the night, then you really have no excuse for lookin like a total mess. Nicole Richie certainly did not follow the theme and she one hundred percent looks a MESS. The purple hair is just not cute, and her shapeless metallic patchwork gown jsut doesn't work. Sadly, I really think that her anorexia is back. She just doesn't look well. She truly looked her best ever when she was pregnant with her baby Sparrow or Swallow or Harlot or whatever.




Rihanna in Stella McCartney.
This is just plain trashy. The top is way too cropped (and it's also backless), the hair looks like rat's live in it, and the Star Trek shoulder pads combined with the turtle neck just does not work. The worst part though is her horrible ratchet tattoo peeking out of her top. So many "fashion commentators" loved this look, but I think that they are just caught up on the Rihanna bandwagon, and are blinded by past things she has actually looked good in.



Karolina Kurkova in Marchesa.
Now this is a gown. The structure and workmanship that went into this is incredible, and is truly an homage to Charles James. I would have liked if her makeup was a little bit bolder, so that her face isn;t quite so overwhelmed by the gown. Other than that I think this is a perfect choice.






Sarah Jessica Parker in Oscar de la Renta
Most fashion critics loved this look, but I think it's a miss. From the front this ball gown looks like a replica of an original Charles James, which I love. However, there is a big problem with wrinkling, the gloves are too reminiscent of a bad prom, the hair is terrifying, and then there's the back. The grid is really ugly and take away from the dress, and then there is the massive red Oscar de la Renta signature. I am not sure if there is anything more tacky. Poor SJP, normally she looks so awesome, even when she looks a bit nuts.





Rita Ora in Donna Karan.
This is a nightmare. The shoes are bad enough, but the arm band??? I think we can all agree that either Rita or some poor, misguided stylist decided at the last minute that an arm band would be fabulous. This was an unfortunate decision. She looks like a ballerina hooker.



Diane Kruger in Hugo Boss.
I love this. Simple, yet effective. The icy silvery blue shade looks lovely on her and I love the cinched waist. She chose not to follow the theme, but she at least looked amazing.



Lupita Nyong'o in Prada.
This is offensive to me. She could be forgiven if the theme was 1920s or flapper fashion, but there is absolutely no excuse for this under the circumstances. She has a flawless track record on the red carpet so far, so WTF happened here? She looks like something that got caught in a fishing net, but something that would have been thrown back. The feathers, the crystal netting, the brown slip, the headband, it is all completely idiotic. I would really appreciate it if Anna Wintour kindly explained to her that this type of atrocity is disrespectful towards the late Charles James and if she ever wants to be invited to any more fashion parties (or wants to be in Vogue), this better be her last disaster. To me it seems like she is almost making fun of fashion, which I really do not appreciate. Lupita, you get a FAIL.




Emma Stone in Thakoon
I love this pink on pink crop top and skirt combo. This is the perfect way to wear a crop top: NO BELLY BUTTONS PLEASE. I love the draping on the skirt and the slit is the perfect length. Her shoes and bag perfectly complete the look. My only criticism is that I don't think that this is quite fancy enough for the Met Gala, and I hate her braid. A side braid needs some mega extensions added to make it work.


Kate Upton in Dolce and Gabbana
This is awful. The shape is so unflattering on her body, I hate the sheer panels, and the thing on her head looks like something a Spanish widow would have worn in the 1900s. Overall, the whole vibe she is giving is that of a pirate wench, or one of Jack the Ripper's prostitute victims.



Charlize Theron in Dior.
This is a such an effortlessly glamorous look. I love the black and white combo (very Charles James). Maybe not quite as much wow factor as I would like for the Met Gala, but to be fair nobody really brought any wow this year.

The Duchess Downunder

Bloggers have been going nuts recently posting Duchess Catherine's outfits from the Royal Tour of Australia and New Zealand almsot as quickly as she can change them. The only thing competing for attention with Kate's fashion choices are Prince George's chubby cheeks. In general I find the Duchess's style to be be classic and chic, but pretty boring and conservative, which I suppose comes with the job (or is the Queen's orders). While she has whipped out the same tired shoes that we have been seeing her in for the past 3 years, Catherine has impressed me a couple of times. Below are my 3 favorite outfits from the Royal Tour.


Here she is in a Catherine Walker coat, stepping off a plane in New Zealand with baby George in tow. I love all her matching hats, and this pill box one is very Jackie Kennedy of her.




A simple yet effective Jenny Packham dress embelished with a fern, a symbol of New Zealand.


Here she is attending an Easter serice at a church in Australia. This look is my favorite. Obviously, since it's Alexander McQueen. I need to start wearing fancy hats like this. If people in Canada wore hats like this to church, it sure would make church a lot more appealing to me!

Spring Desires

It's snowing in Calgary, so we know that means spring is here. Or something. Aside from warmer temperatures, my favorite thing about spring is NEW CLOTHES!!! Obviously. I think that my favorite fashion season is spring. Most fashionistas prefer fall because the designers really bring out the big guns, but I would always take a tank top over a sweater, and bare legs over tights. I have compiled a list of the things that I want to add to my spring wardrobe. If only I could afford it all!


Long Pencil Skirt


 I am loving anything high-waisted, and especially high-waisted pencil skirts that fall below the knee. The particular one that I am coveting is this little gem from Dreamboat Lucy, in the top print.







The Statement Shoe
Apparently, the statement heel is "back." Was is ever gone? Not in my book. I think that a new pair of statement heels really is something that needs to be invested in every season. This season I have had my eye on a pair of hand-painted floral print python pumps from Stuart Weitzman, and last week I finally got them! They are going to pair fabulously with the skirt mentioned above, as well as the next item listed below. See? It's all working together, so it must be practical.










Faded Denim







I love the look of faded skinny jeans worn cuffed at the ankle. . I even more love the look of them worn with some seriously fierce heels, like these yellow Valentino Rockstud ones or the above floral pair. It seems like we have been wearing dark skinny jeans for so long now, that a faded pair suddenly feels very fresh for spring. The top jeans are the Avedon by Citizens of Humanity.

 Pleated Maxi Skirt










I love love love maxis. They are so easy and versatile. You can dress them up for a night out, or dress them down with flat sandals and a jean jacket. Pleats are a major trend for spring and I love them on a maxi skirt. I love the bright colours I'm showing here, but a pastel or off white would be really pretty too. The top skirt is by Ralph Lauren and the bottom one is from Victoria's Secret.

I feel like four items on my spring shopping list is quite restrained, actually. Oh, please, who am I kidding? There will be at least four more items added to this list by next week. Honestly, there are four more items in my head right now. Happy spring everyone!
P.S. It's snowing right now.