Transitional Dressing: Summer to Fall 2015

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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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Navy IS My Black!

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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

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Statement Jewelry Everywhere

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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!

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