Transitional Dressing: Summer to Fall 2015

September 27, 2015October 8, 2015 ~ sweetlifestyle ~ 2 Comments

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Fall officially arrived this week and, although we are still enjoying some summer-like weather, the cooler mornings and evenings make us think a little harder about what to wear!

Transitional, or trans-seasonal, dressing is a way to bridge both the summer and fall styles. It’s a way to hang on to warm weather thoughts while being excited about the next season.

Here are some tips on transitional dressing:
1. Base outfits around a blazer, jean jacket, leather jacket, wrap, or sweater and around pants or a longer skirt
2. Layer, layer, layer: cotton with wool; cotton with fleece; light wool with heavier wool, etc.
3. Incorporate upcoming trends, textures, and colors into your outfit
4. Wear closed shoes, open-toed shoes/boots, or unlined boots that won’t be too warm; include textured or colored tights
5. Add a scarf that can be used as a wrap in the morning or evening

In these photos, I am wearing Velvet jeans – my go-to outfit base – along with a navy J Crew Schoolboy Blazer, which I admittedly wear year-round. The blazer is one of my favorites because it is an all-season light wool and comes in petites, so no alterations are required! Under the blazer, I am wearing a cream, long-sleeved, cotton, waffle-knit sweater, from Velvet. The scarf is a rectangular wool/cashmere/silk blend, from Tilo, in a color that is in for fall. The smooth texture of the scarf is enhanced by the suede fringe, another fall trend. Because the boots, a staple from Browns Shoes, are unlined, they are more of a transitional shoe than a winter boot. Finally, the statement necklace in blues and forest greens works well as a transitional piece.

Do you have a transitional go-to outfit?

(Jeans and sweater: Velvet; Blazer and necklace: J Crew; Belt: Marc Cain; Boots: Browns Shoes; Bag: Massimo Dutti. Photos: Lauren R)

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Monochromatic Dressing: A Very ‘Late Summer’ Edition

September 23, 2015September 27, 2015 ~ sweetlifestyle ~ 2 Comments

Monochromatic dressing, or dressing in colors and hues that are very similar, keeps cropping up on the runways. Both InStyle magazine and The Globe and Mail have covered this trend for fall.

It’s pretty easy to pull off this trend by choosing a color that you like and that looks good on you, then finding items in the same hue or tone. Of course, you can break up the look with a color very close to the one you have chosen, or a neutral, like I did in the feature image.

I like monochromatic dressing for a few reasons. It’s relatively easy to find items that are the same color, especially if you purchase them from the same store or designer or go through your closet looking for that one color. Also, wearing one color palette gives an outfit a look of elegance and style. The outfit feels simple because the color flows from one part of the outfit to the other. It is also sophisticated because it can indicate a certain effort has gone into putting together the outfit to make a statement. People notice when you are wearing one color!

Altuzarra at Vogue.com

Brunello Cucinelli at Vogue.com

Elie Tahari at Vogue.com

In the photos below, I am wearing a khaki blazer, with a tank top in the same color. When you choose pieces from the same designer, monochromatic dressing is that much easier. The blazer has two textures, a smooth twill in the body of the jacket, and a ribbed t-shirt fabric in the sleeves. The tank top is made of the same fine ribbed cotton as the jacket sleeves. You give interest to your look when you mix textures within the same color. The statement necklace, another way to add interest to mono-color dressing, is brushed nickel and is in the same tone as the rest of the outfit. To tie it all together, even though there are white pants featured, the shoes are khaki/taupe toned and the bag is in the same color family.

Photo: Lauren R

So, I thought I would sneak in this one last summer-styled post, even though Fall officially arrived early this morning. When you live in Toronto and the weather is still summer-like in late September, you just go with it!

Let me know if you have a favorite monochromatic look, and…stay tuned for a fall/winter post as well.

(Blazer and tank: Marc Cain; necklace: H&M; jeans: Jessica Simpson; bag: Massimo Dutti; shoes: AGL)

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Navy IS My Black!

September 9, 2015September 16, 2015 ~ sweetlifestyle ~ 2 Comments

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I’ve worn the color navy for as long as I can remember. It’s my ‘black’, the basic color that my wardrobe is built around. If I tell my family or friends that I just bought a new shirt or dress, they’ll ask ‘don’t tell me, it’s navy, right?’ The answer is invariably yes!

Navy just looks better on my coloring (I’m a Fall) – and, there must be something appealing about the color from my childhood obsession with all things blue. In any case, I am attracted to navy clothing like fire is to air. My Little Black Dress is really a Little Navy Dress! So, I recently sat down with Toronto stylist Penny Blais to talk about navy and fashion. Continue reading →

Backpacks As Purses

August 19, 2015August 25, 2015 ~ sweetlifestyle ~ 8 Comments

This fall, backpacks continue to be everywhere. And, they are beautiful! They offer a practical yet stylish alternative to a purse. Almost every designer has created a version of the backpack. Have a look at some of the styles out there:

Alexander [email protected]

StellaMcCartney.com

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Rebecca [email protected]

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Here are some options to consider when choosing a backpack: Continue reading →

Statement Jewelry Everywhere

August 11, 2015September 3, 2015 ~ sweetlifestyle

I’ve been buying statement jewelry, especially necklaces, for a long time. I find it the simplest way to dress up an outfit and look pulled together. It’s easy and the piece you choose is not only unique but it reflects your personality.

Statement jewelry is just that: it makes a statement. That necklace, bracelet, or ring attracts attention because it is either big, colorful, noisy, glittery, or just plain unusual. Its very role as part of an outfit is to be the center of attention.

This fall I am seeing statement pieces everywhere. Shoes, clothing, and handbags are wearing jewelry, too!