Thursday 20 December 2012

A Guide to .. Baby it's Cold Outside

For most of us Canadians, the winter is a very difficult time when it comes to fashion. When the ideal winter day is one where it's about plus 5degrees C and with a light snow and the sun is shinning brightly, Canadians can get down to -40degrees C with windchill. Toronto definitely has much more pathetic winters being south and a large city, but this past weekend I was in Montreal and boy was it cold! My friends and I planned a full day exploring Old Montreal and Mont-Royal, meaning bundling was a necessity. My question; how do I look chic while dressing warmly? Enjoy and stay warm!!!

A Guide to .. Winter Wonderland Chic


  • First and Foremost; dress warmly. There is nothing chic about being freezing. Looking comfortable is always essential in regards to fashion, and dressing appropriate for the weather is always chic. Meaning layer up, wear wools and don't be afraid to wear boots, hats and mittens! Faux fur is in right now which is perfect! I've seen wonderful shawls, Russian hats, vests and more!
  • Boots are essential for keeping warm and the great news is women now have lots of options! My winter getaway outfit included Sorels, but these are not the Sorels you wore as a child. They come in different styles and colour combinations and what's perfect is they have a short booties that come just over the ankle. They are made a little bit more narrow which prevents the foot from looking like big-foot. UGG also has a line of winter boots ranging up to about $400. These are waterproof as well however probably not as warm as Sorels which promise warmth up to -40degrees C. 
  • Hat Tricks - Wearing something on your head is just as important as wearing something warm on your feet as heat escapes from your feet and head. Below you will see I wore earmuffs which protect your ears and part of my head. Although probably a hat would be best, my ears were warm and they are super cute in white, pink and red. Note: I have a hand-knit, hand made headband to cover your ears however the wind goes right through it. It's super cute and I got it through a friend but it's more for show then for really cold days. Make sure the material of your hat or headband is thick enough to hold up against the cold!

Below is my adventure to the top of Mont-Royal in Montreal, Quebec with some of my friends. Please note my boots in the second picture. They are basic Sorels but I am head-over-heels in love with them. We spent the entire day outside and my feet were never cold. On the other hand my friend in her Steve Madden black boots thought her feet would fall off. Never forget that dressing smart is dressing chic!



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Old Montreal Lights

Jacket: Espirt, Cashmere Scarf: Burberry, Earmuffs: Coach, Boots: Sorels, Mittens: Talula


- M

Wednesday 12 December 2012

Read My Lips .. or rather, Shoes

I would describe my style as rather simple, I do not like to go over top, but keeping it clean, chic and fashion-forward. However when it comes to shoes, that's where I like to have my fun. Having a bold shoe can turn an outfit from boring to fab in one swift motion. As noted on my Fall Fashion Wish List, I really wanted leopard print shoes, and here is my first of many pairs to come.

A Guide to ... Wearing a Statement Shoe

  • The purpose of a Statement is to let the item speak for itself. Try to keep all other loud items to a minimum, especially items of the same nature. I would not pair another leopard print item with my leopard print shoe, as it would take away from the shoe's wow factor. In my outfit I paired a very simply ensemble, with neutral colours, with the focus being on my shoes and with a little pop of dark brown lipstick to add fun around my face. Although in the pictures it is difficult to see, the T-Shirt I am wearing has interesting side slits for detailing to keep the outfit still interesting.
  • Make the outfit flow. Even though the focus is on the statement piece, your outfit still needs flow and balance. Keep in mind the basic elements of a chic outfit and don't get too carried away. Remember to balance the top with the bottom, keep everything well fitting and not too tight, and have fun!
  • Don't go outside your comfort zone!!! A statement piece is supposed to be bold, but it can not outshine you. Clothes and fashion are meant to let you express your inner self with your exterior. Don't try to wear something you don't feel comfortable with because it will show. Never sacrifice your own personality and comfort levels for fashion or trends.





The Statement Shoe.

Leopard Print Bootie: Kate and Mel, Spandex Leggings: American Apparel, High Slit T. Shirt: Wilfred, Jean Jacket: Guess

- M