F21, Our BFF

F21 jeans, jacket/Restoration Hardware faux fur scarf/Zara booties/Louis Vuitton handbag

It's every frugal fashionite's best-kept secret that's actually not so secret. I'm talking Forever 21 y'all! Along with Zara, H&M and a slew of other designer-inspired discount boutiques, F21 offers basic and trendy garb for much less. Is the quality the best there is? No, and I don't think anyone shopping there is under that impression. It's a place to take some fashion chances without the guilt of spending your entire shopping budget on a single shirt. Go ahead and experiment with the peplum silhouette, crop tops and floppy fedoras. F21 is the place to do it.

I'm a strong believer that despite the fashion industry's elitist and exclusionary undertones, there's no reason why average Joes and Janes can't partake in making some style magic, simply because they can't afford $1000 shirts. Forget $1000 shirts....I don't even have the stomach or the means to drop a hundred bucks on a single top, no matter how many angels spun the threads from golden looms. The guilt would just keep me up at night....

Don't get me wrong. If we can afford it, there's something to be said for supporting our local designers and boutiques. They are attempting something I would never have the balls to do and supporting a principle is something that's worth a few extra bucks. But for those of us who can't, we are pretty glad we still have some options.
                                                                   

Back to Black

 Photos by Kyler Kelly

This is the versatile coat that got me through a whirlwind tour of east Asia. As some of you may know, I went on a trip to Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and Hong Kong last November and this coat saw me through the brisk Tokyo evenings, the first snow in Seoul, the unexpected chill of Hong Kong and the return to the imminent winter in Canada. 

What I love about this coat is its many faces. You can dress it down with jeans and mitts or dress it up with a dress and silk scarves. And this modest piece of outerwear never needs to be the hero of the story. In this look, I've thrusted one of my favourite long, thick scarves onto centre stage and its rich details are the perfect compliment to the blank canvas of the coat.

Although I do need to trade this model in for a more down-y coat on those sub-zero days, I'm just gonna go ahead and add a black wool peacoat to the list of every woman's must-have winter essentials. 

Lightinthebox coat/Winners scarf/Simons mitts/F21 pants/Aldo booties/Louis Vuitton handbag

                                                                

Leather Pants Puzzle

Photos by Kyler Kelly

Putting together an outfit is like putting together a puzzle. Not in that there's only one right answer, but the pieces do have to fit together just so. It's that same satisfaction and triumph in finding the perfect shoe or earring to pull an outfit together.

No question about it, this outfit is built around these faux leather pants, a staple in any fashion lover's portfolio. Throw on a warm cardigan, a pair of aviators and all you cool cats need is a wall to lean on. Check, check and check.

***LOYAL FROCKERS, BOUQUET OF FROCKS NEEDS YOU!***

We are in the running for a best blog contest in three different categories: Fashion, Beauty and Lifestyle.

If we've made your interneting more enjoyable and you like our content, please take a moment to vote for us by November 18th 2013! You can vote once in each category by clicking on the icons below.

  
                                       

Montreal Fashion Week: Day 3


Hi Frockers, what can we say? Day 3 of Fashion Week pretty much left us speechless. We headed on over to the main site around 6ish yesterday to attend what were really the three best shows thus far: Nisse, Annie 50 and Rush Couture.

Each show really offered something special and different. Nisse started the evening off with a lot of ready-to-wear classic pieces and gorgeous separates. The style was very accessible, combining flattering feminine silhouettes with a more modern, urban edge.

Next on the schedule: Annie 50! You know how much we love our vintage frocks, and this show left us drooling over the designer’s retro-inspired pieces.  Polka-dot flared dresses, high-waisted shorts and capris, sweet denim dresses, floral prints, you name it, this show had it all.

The evening's climax was really the Rush Couture show where the fashion lept to a whole new level with Claudette Floyd's signature high-fashion formal gowns, as well as some outstanding separates. Claudette, we love you girl! And shout-out to all the gorgeous models of colour in your show, something we noticed was lacking in other shows we've attended.

And talk about your fashion SHOWS! Everything from the lighting during the Nisse show, to the music for Annie 50, to the models boogying off stage for Rush Couture, each "performance" really complimented the fashion in just the right way and turned each show into an experience.

Day three has been the highlight of Montreal Fashion Week, by far!
                                         

Montreal Fashion Week: Day 1

Hey Frockers! If you aren't already aware, it's Montreal Fashion Week! Jackie and I will be attending as many shows as we can (using our super awesome Industry passes) and sharing the experience with all you fashion lovers.

The chosen location for this week's events is L'Arsenal, a warehouse turned chic venue in Griffintown. Jackie and I headed on over to attend two shows: Bodybag by Jude and Melissa Nepton. Both shows were enjoyable but Melissa Nepton was obviously the must-see show of the evening, starting 20 minutes late allowing time for each and every seat to be filled up. My favourite piece would have to be the flared shorts that were featured in various colours and patterns. Many of the looks had a very loose but structured silhouette which was interesting and definitely felt very modern. 

Jackie: La vie en rose faux fur vest/American Apparel lace top/American Eagle skinny jeans/thrifted shoes/Louis Vuitton handbag
Debbie: F21 top and jacket/H&M hat and skirt/Winners shoes/thrifted purse

Can't wait to see what the rest of the week will hold!