Autumn Street Style

Zara coat
Le chateau trousers and shoes
Costa Blanca top
Scarf from China

A classic trench is a fall staple. I recently got a new one from Zara that is surprisingly warm and fits like a glove. It's been one of my go-to jackets this fall because it protects you so well from the wind and happens to also be water resistant, although for those really wet days, I'd probably stick with a rain coat. I love how it looks with a pair of wide-legged trousers and a pop of colour. And by the way, if you ever want to feel like a detective, just throw on some black gloves, boots, and collared-shirt. Just sayin'.
                                                            

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.
                                                                   

More Street Style

Photos by Kyler Kelly

Zara booties/Simons mittens/vintage skirt/handmade scarf/coat from Korea

                                                                     

The Two-Sided Scarf

Hey all! Just wanted to continue the scarf theme this week and share with you my number one for this winter brought to you by none other than one of my faves, JOE FRESH. You would think that we'd be starting to pack away our winter gear by now, but not so! Winter is still alive and well here in Montreal and no sign of dying down just yet.
Let me start by saying this scarf is huge! If you're going for that big scarf bundled-up look, this is perfect. It's also a very cozy scarf and the two sides make it super interesting. Two classic patterns coming together, houndstooth and tartan, it's a beautiful thing.

All Wrapped Up

H&M sweater and pants/vintage shoes/scarf from India

I'm trying to tell myself that we're in the winter home stretch but you really wouldn't know it from the weather we've been having lately. Sharp winds, never-ending snow and the mercury dipping below -30 are just some of the fabulous features of a Montreal February. And as many of you may know by now, I refuse to heat my apartment to an adequate degree (re: I'm cheap) so you'd be hard pressed to find me sitting at home without being wrapped up in some kind of blanket or scarf or even wearing my coat indoors.

Enter this delicious teal patchwork scarf I snapped up in India! I just love the colours and haphazard design of this scarf and it is so thick and warm. And you guys know how much I love my mismatched prints....I just had to add this to my winter rotation! Keeping warm in a Montreal winter is no joke and this is the next best thing after wearing my bathrobe everywhere. Has that become a thing yet? No? Didn't think so....
                                                                          

The British Isles

F21 hat/Le Chateau gloves/vintage boots/coat and scarf from China

My favourite winter coat is a keeper for a reason. You too can achieve countless cute looks with something so classic and versatile. If you're like me and don't really have a few extra hundred bucks lying around to buy new coats every winter, you end up repeating a lot of looks with the same coat. But what's so great about your classic coats is, you can build around the main piece with accessories. Not only do they add that extra bit of warmth you so desperately need in the dead of winter, but they can really diversify your wardrobe in a way to make you feel like you practically got a new coat without forking much dough!

And ever since my trip to Scotland this past summer, I've been kind of obsessed with tartan. It's so colourful! And it's a print that's pretty timeless and easy to pull off. You really can't go wrong with a plaid skirt or scarf in the chillier months. Throw in a neutral wool hat, brown tweed gloves and some lace-up boots and you're ready to frolic in the snow. I just love the "British" feel to this look! It's so simple, but all class with none of the drab.

Stay tuned on the blog for another globe-trotting winter look with my favourite camel coat!
                                                               

Ode to Spring

Photos by Kyler Kelly

 Lightinthebox coat
Zara booties & dress
Modcloth headband
faux fur scarf fr Hong Kong
vintage handbag & gloves
handmade belt

It may be late April, but you wouldn't know it some days. The wind seems particularly bitter this year. I had to go into the closet where I thought I could give my winter gear a well-deserved rest, but alas...the fickle Montreal weather had other ideas. The worst is when it looks sunny outside and that tricks you into thinking it's warm. As soon as you step outside...BAM! I should have worn a thicker coat. Luckily, there's pretty much nothing cozier than my faux fur infinity scarf, picked up in Hong Kong for a song. I'd hate to say it, but I'm getting really tired of my boots and wool coats. Worse than waiting for Christmas or the last day of school...is waiting for spring! Truly, it is a test of sheer will and endurance. The marathon of marathons. We keep rounding the corner expecting to see the finish line...could the next corner be it? Here's hoping!
                                                                      

A Very Long Engagement

Hat: Custom Made / Jacket: Thrifted / Scarf: H&M / Jeans: J Brand / Cardigan: Target / Boots: Etienne Aigner / Handbag: Michael Kors

The army green jacket is a style that seems to reappear every season and for me, it is most definitely a staple. This particular army jacket I'm wearing is actually both thrifted and a hand-me-down. The jacket was first spotted at our local Village des Valeurs (french for thrift store) where I was shopping with a friend. We inevitably both fell in love with it and found ourselves in a difficult situation. I decided that whoever the jacket looked best on would take it home. Needless to say, I lost this contest as I was up against a redhead...and we all know what the colour green does for redheads. Five years later, when said friend was ready to give up the jacket, I finally inherited it. Don't you just love clothing with a story? A big thank you to my friend Vanessa for passing this jacket down to me :)

The Cape Crusader

Photos by Kyler Kelly

I really can't say enough about the benefits of a good cape when traveling. There's nothing quite so enchanting and surprisingly versatile. You don't need punchy colours, heavy accessories or second-guesses. It elevates itself into the fashion stratosphere.

I recently went on a trip to China and this number really came through for me. Whether it was paired simply with jeans, a short shift dress or knee-socks and booties, I didn't spend a single sight-seeing day feeling dowdy. Despite the simplicity of the colour and design, the whole idea of a cape just adds intrigue to any outfit. In order to steer clear of the potentially frumpy silhouette, I made sure my legs were always well-defined in some classic skinny jeans or shorter hem-lined dresses. And for those brisker days, I threw on a dusty rose scarf and wool gloves. Granted, a cape may not be the best choice if the mercury drops below the double digits, but this beauty got me from Beijing to Guangzhou in style. What are your favourite travel must-haves?

                                                                

Walking On Clouds

 Photos by Kyler Kelly

I recently learned that until snow hardens, it absorbs sound. That's why those snowy winter nights seem so calm and tranquil. I also learned to think of walking on snow like walking on clouds. I can't remember a time when winter wasn't just to bear and survive, yet I have the photographic evidence of conquering the snow banks in Newfoundland, grinning in triumph. It's funny what time does to the things you used to love. Nowadays, I'd rather cozy up under some blankets than scale Mount Parking-Lot-Snowbank. But for those lovely winter walks (on clouds), I love pulling out this coat I picked up in Seoul. For this look, I added a pop of colour with a cozy red sweater (also from Seoul) and some of my favourite winter classics. I feel as light as air.

American Eagle jeans/Simons mitts/old hat, scarf and booties

                                                                

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