Fashion News: Aritzia now offers online shopping!

This morning, one of my favourite imports from Canada's West Coast (the other being Purdy's chocolate, but let's stick to fashion here), Aritzia, presented their new website along with....(drumroll please)...online shopping! 

You may have seen from my previous posts that a few many of my pieces are from Aritzia, namely their house-brands like Wilfred and T.Babaton. Their pieces are well-made and fit petite frames like a dream. In addition, there are the tried, tested, and true brands like Mackage, J.Brand, Citizens of Humanity and Paige that make Aritzia a go-to shop for wardrobe basics. 

Online shopping also means that come Boxing Day this year there's no more fighting the crowds and  no more communal fitting rooms!

Happy Shopping!

Image credit: Aritzia

Starts with with a leather top...

Happy Monday! I hope you all had a great weekend!

I love, love, love leather details. I think they add a great unexpected twist to pieces, and really helps add some edge. This green faux-leather sweater is currently one of my favourite pieces and it can be worn dressed-down for weekends, or paired with wool cropped dress pants for work. The plain front lends itself well to adding a statement necklace, but the leather detail also works well on its own.

For this particular weekend I paired it with a geometric statement necklace and a slim leather jacket. This jacket has actually been a staple in my wardrobe for a number of years. Its clean lines complemented by its eye-catching stitching helps keep it timeless while being chic.

I can't wait to find more ways to wear leather this season!

Top: Zara ( here, or similar here)

Jacket: Mackage for Aritzia

Bottom: J Brand

Shoes: Christian Louboutin

Bag: Chanel

Jewellery: Tiffany & Co gold necklace, Club Monaco black necklace (old), J.Crew bracelet

Wishlist: Yves Saint Laurent Arty Ring

A few posts ago I talked about dress-shopping for the upcoming holiday season. But, should a new frock not be a line item in your budget, how about sprucing up an existing one with statement jewellery instead?  

I recently mourned the final end of a tried-tested-and-true little black dress. It was over thirteen years old (yes you read that right) and it's just not worth the money to have it repaired. Its clean lines and simple strapless style allowed this classic and eternally chic dress to be reinvented dozens of times. In fact, if I calculated cost-per-wear, I'd likely be in the pennies. For each event that I wore this dress to, I ensured that my accessories were different and where possible my hair style as well. Now that I'm shopping for a new staple LBD for my wardrobe, I'm also considering different ways to wear it. 

The YSL Arty ring has been on my radar for some time. But being as indecisive as I am I've never been able to commit to one style of this iconic piece. With the holidays coming up, maybe Santa will surprise me with one? I'm not picky - any one will do.

Image credit: Net-a-Porter

YSL Arty Ring available from Net-a-Porter and SSENSE (free shipping for limited time with code FREESHIPWW)

Starts with a graphic print sweater...

Happy Monday! This whimsical sweater takes the term "leopard print" to a whole different level. As a big fan of animal prints, how could I resist the print of literally, an animal?

 

Paired with my fall-favourite oxblood skinny pants, this is perfect for weekend lunches and casual Fridays. 

Hope you all have a great week!

Sweater: Garage (also loving this version here)

Blazer: Banana Republic

Bottom: Aritzia

Shoes: Cole Haan

Jewellery: Marc Jacobs watch (old), Hermes bracelet, Tiffany & Co necklace

Sunglasses: D&G

Wishlist: J.Crew Collection framed bow dress

Holiday party season is right around the corner and with it comes the familiar excitement of finding that perfect dress. Leading the race is this dress. It's chic, feminine, and perfectly exemplifies Fall's black and white graphic trend. The black framing creates the illusion of a slim waist, while the oversized bow provides an eye-catching and memorable dimension. No other jewellery is required with this dress - the details speak for themselves. 

Image credit: J.Crew

Fashion News: Joe Fresh launching online e-commerce

Fashion isn't just what you're wearing now - it's also what you're planning on wearing later. In this new segment, I hope to share with you fashion news that inspires, intrigues, and excites me. 

First piece of news? Joe Fresh is finally launching e-commerce! I've often drooled over a piece online only to find out when I visit the store that it's no longer in stock or no longer in my size. As reported by Glamour magazine, as part of a deal with JC Penny, Joe Fresh will be available online starting Spring 2013.

Until then, Joe Fresh is available to Canadians in select Loblaws stores, Real Canadian Superstores and standalone stores.

Better late than never, right?

Image credit: Joe Fresh

Starts with tangerine accessories...

Fall's ode to tangerine is either a blessing or a curse depending on your comfort with bright colours. For colour-phobes (like me), it's a good push to try something new. That's not to say you have to go all out at the gate - here are a few ways to incorporate tangerine (or as I like to call it, "electric persimmon") into your ensemble.

Novice

Starting small with accessories in this stand-out hue is a good, albeit more conservative approach to incorporating colour. 

For the truly faint of heart, a tangerine bangle is a good start:

For the determined novice, a statement necklace in this stand-out hue:

Intermediate

Ready for more? A tangerine scarf is the perfect way to elevate an otherwise neutral ensemble.

Colour Pro

Finally, a tangerine cardigan paired with golds and browns will make any Fall day seem sunny. Because of the cardigan's stand-out colour, I've opted to keep accessories simple to let the colour really speak for itself.

Jacket: Zara (old, loving this luxe version here and this fun version here)

Cardigan: J.Crew (currently on sale)

Blouse: J.Crew

Jewellery: Tag Heuer, Hermes, Tiffany & Co, custom pearls, J.Crew

Sunglasses: D&G

Scarf: J.Crew

Belt: Gap

Bottom: J.Crew

Boots: Cole Haan

Starts with a faux fur scarf...

Things are definitely getting chilly. In place of a statement necklace this weekend, I opted for a statement neck-warmer instead.

I paired this wonderfully cosy accessory with an otherwise neutral outfit for a brisk afternoon stroll.

Sometimes cold-weather dressing can be tricky. How can one elevate outerwear and make seemingly repetitive ensembles look different day to day? After all, one can only own so many coats. 

One way I do this is to keep a small collection of  outerwear with pieces that are distinctively different from each other but still highly functional. I have a warm parka for extra frigid days, and three wool coats: one short, one medium-length, and one long. Each wool coat is also a different colour from the other and with a unique detail (like a funnel collar or leather trim). The varying lengths also ensure something for every occasion. 

This olive wool jacket for example, has a great oversized collar for extra warmth and frames the fur scarf nicely.

In addition, I use scarves and other accessories to dress-up or dress-down the coats, allowing for even more versatility. And don't forget about bags and boots! As I rule, I tend to not spend too much money on expensive winter boots, as I know inevitably they will get damaged by the salt and slush.   

For those of you in chilly climates - how do you combat winter outfit blahs?

Scarf: Zara (this year's version here)

Jacket: United Colors of Benetton (also loving this version here)

Top: Joe Fresh

Bottom: Abercrombie & Fitch

Belt: Gap

Boots: Expression by The Bay (similar here and splurge-worthy version here)