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'.
                                                            

Festival Fashion (Feat. Friendly Alley Kitty)

Zara dress
F21 hat
old purse
sandals from India

Jazz Fest, Fringe Fest, FrancoFolies, Osheaga....A Montreal summer is never without a jam fest (especially outdoors!) for more than 30 seconds. And with that comes some boho festival fashions! This new Zara tunic dress I picked up earlier this summer perfectly embodies the free-flowing, breezy spirit of all the best outdoor music festivals. I'm pairing it with a basic strappy sandal I picked up in India and my favourite floppy hat.

And let me just tell you about this cat for a second. He was soooo cute, just following us around the alley as we were shooting, rolling around on the ground, begging for belly rubs, purring like crazy. I had to break character and cuddle the little fella while talking in a baby voice. I just had to.

Here's to a long summer of tunes and friendly kitties!
                                        

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.
                                                                   

This is the End

Scarf: Joe Fresh / Coat: Zara / Pants: Smart Set / Booties: Target / Hat: Thrifted

...Or at least I hope this is the end! For now, I'm wearing my favourite white coat from Zara, it is so light compared to most of my winter coats and so it literally feels like the weight of winter has been lifted when I wear it. Luckily, we are starting to see some warmer weather in the forecast so hopefully we can start fresh with some vibrant spring attire. I just can't wait! 

Winter Woes

Photos by Kyler Kelly

Restoration Hardware faux fur hat/F21 sweater/Primark jeans/Zara booties

Winter blahs. Need I say more? I'm deep into the winter semester and wouldn't you know it? Every day I have class just happens to be -20 with a nipping wind. Just great. I wish I had more time for blogging, but between work and school, it's hard enough to even put together a little punchy outfit let alone take some pics. But I'm taking a cue from Debbie and throwing on a statement hat. And along with my go-to remedy for any drab outfit (a red lip for the win!), I'm feeling 40 degrees warmer already.

                                                                                    

Cream of the Crop

Photos by Kyler Kelly

Zara dress/H&M cardigan/vintage flats

There's nothing that says fall quite like a dusty, neutral palette. I'm not a huge fan of browns in clothing, but I love creams, beiges, and nudes. Especially cream. It's so light, elegant and warm. This dress was a Zara find (gifted by my cousin Annie) and it just reminds me of a golden afternoon in a rustic country setting. I know, I know....spoken like a true city girl. This look is probably best for lounging in the garden! And what's more, the dress carries my all-time favourite print (floral, could you guess?) well into the autumn theme. Just throw on a light cardigan and neutral flats and voilà: a simple, cute, country, fall-chic look.
                                                                                       

I Love Love This Dress

Photos by Kyler Kelly

F21 jacket/thrifted (Zara) dress/Le Chateau pumps/thrifted sunnies

I can't even remember when I got this darling Zara dress from that consignment store in Vancouver. It must have been 6 or 7 years ago. It has been my favourite dress for many moons. Poor thing is on its last legs! I only bring it out for special occasions nowadays for fear it will simply fall apart while I'm wearing it.

We all have those pieces...those favourite pieces, torn and tattered from years of love, the ones we refuse to retire, the ones we push on passed their prime. It's rare for me to have a piece of clothing I love so much that it fades and wears out long before I grow tired of it. It's much easier to fall out of love than to watch it disintegrate. But boy we had some good times. Riding the carousel round with past flames, strolling along el Malecon in Havana....

Some people might not get it, but fashion to me is art. It's as real and beautiful as anything in nature, on the plates in the finest restaurants, on the walls in the loveliest galleries. Whether or not fashion is your cup of tea, you all know what I'm talking about! Finding something, anything, that really speaks to you, that takes your breath away and brings you joy....well that's just sublime.
                                                  

I'm Singin' The Blues

 

American Apparel dress/Aldo arm cuff/Zara clutch/le Chateau pumps

It's nice to rediscover old pieces you may have forgotten about or thought you didn't like anymore. Take this American Appareal number picked up at their famous warehouse sale a while ago. I had forgotten how much I enjoyed the rich colour and drapey skirt! Sometimes all it really takes is leaving something untouched in the ol' closet for a while to re-appreciate it.
                                                        

Drama Queen

 

Photos by Kyler Kelly

hat fr Hong Kong
sweater dress fr Korea
necklace fr Taiwan
Zara knee socks
vintage briefcase & shoes

I can hear the fashion police sirens now. What a faux pas! The burgundy lips, the smokey eye, the dark sweater dress, the oxfords, the cloche chapeau...this fashion story screams autumn fairytale, but I had to whip it out in May. That's just how I roll. I may love florals and circle skirts most days of the week, but I am never one to deny my heart's fancy. I dress how I feel. And I just felt like a little.....drama.
                                                                         

Tulle We Meet Again

 Photos by Kyler Kelly

One of the things I hate most about winter is the ritual of packing away our favourite skirts and dresses, never to see the light of day. I maintain a firm belief that trousers need not be winter's go-to garment. Though you may not want to venture out of doors literally in bare skin, who's to tell you a trip to the museum, high-tea with your cousin, or any ol' Tuesday can't be kicked up a notch? There's no lighter feeling than a tulle skirt that just seems to float around your body. Hello old friend, it's been too long...

Sammydress skirt/American Apparel turtleneck/Zara heels