Street Style in Autumn

One of my favourite hobbies is people watching. It's the perfect past time in your own city and especially while traveling. You really get to soak in the sights by discovering and marveling at all the newest trends. But, since I haven't traveled outside of Canada lately, I have had to resort to browsing the latest street styles via internet.

Below are some fashionable looks for autumn I found on the streets of Stockholm, Paris, Milan and London.

Comeback Clothes

So... Chloe Magazine can now be found in Chapters Indigo across the Greater Toronto Area. And I'm proud to declare that the first issue to grace its shelves had a lil influence by yours truly. I contributed this summer's feature story on country singer Tara Oram as well as a piece about the revival of 80s fashion. If you've already flipped through the pages, you'll also notice I styled and headed the fabulous beach photo shoot.

By now, you're all probably very aware of the 80s comeback into todays fashion. But, if you'd like to read it all in my words, then take a peek below :)

Going green can go beyond just helping the environment. It can provide a new wardrobe while maintaining a replenished wallet. No need to chuck those old clothes because fashion is always recycling itself. It’s difficult to stay innovative in the fashion industry and as designers struggle to find new ideas, there’s a piqued interest in changing and improving upon what once was. Next to recycling newspapers and tin cans, the fashion savvy are vintage shopping and looking to old trends like new.

The revival of the 80s in particular has been easy to spot over the last few years. The geometric and paint splattered prints on jumpers, the shocking neon coloured T- shirts and the aggressive shoulder pads put on blazers have all made their comeback. Leather jackets popularized by Michael Jackson and the film The Lost Boys are extremely stylish to strut around in. They were studded and left undone to create a messier look back then and the same trend seems appealing now. High top Converse sneakers, headwraps and bold jewellery have all filtered into the hip hop community again and trendy stores like American Apparel are carrying body suits, tights and workout attire to wear outside of the gym. Even Tom Selleck’s popular mustache has reappeared as an increasing amount of young men are sporting the Magnum P.I. facial hair with pride.

I admit to being a big fan of this recycling fashion idea. I’m lucky to have quite the stylish mother and even luckier that she’s held onto some key designer pieces from the 80s. Today, shopping second hand is encouraged and vintage boutiques are gaining popularity among the young, but I’ve stumbled upon a real goldmine– my mother’s closet. I adore mixing her vintage clothing with my own updated wardrobe to create a look all on my own. I’m not just being environmentally friendly by reusing the clothing, but this doesn’t put a dent in my piggy bank and I can rest assured that no one will be wearing the same outfit at an event or a night out.

I’ve taken new ownership of the amazing long sleeve dresses from Paris, the crisp blazers and a couple pairs of high-waisted pleated pants that my mother rocked back in the day. The accessories and handbags are simply icing on the cake. It’s these high quality and unique garments that get me the most compliments in and around the city. Fortunately not everything needs to be recycled when it comes to the 80s. I’m positive most are not missing the unflattering MC Hammer pants, the mismatched fluorescent socks or the perm for that matter. All those faux pas can stay back in the 80s where they belong.

As the world of fashion borrows elements from decades past, there’s still much to be considered. When looking at the bigger picture, a fashionista must ask oneself if we’re still making moves on the fashion front. I’m all for vintage goods, but I often wonder if we’re still setting trends and not just recycling or tweaking them all.

I'm back...

And ready to blog... Did you miss me?

Cover Girls

Vogue Italia is always ahead of the game and I'm hoping more magazines around the world look to them for inspiration. For the June 2011 issue, Italian Vogue featured three plus-sized models posing for the cover. I couldn't believe it at first, but the surprise was a pleasant one.

By now, everyone must be tired of hearing about the stereotypical weight issues associated with the fashion industry. Model weigh ins, skeletons walking the runways and even deaths caused by anorexia.

Lately many women have been speaking out about having lower self worth after reading a fashion magazine. Air brushing and unhealthy models do not make the average woman feel good about herself or her body. And just because the models featured in June's issue are bigger, it doesn't mean they aren't as beautiful. In fact, these women have bodies, real bodies for that matter.

Editor-in-chief Franca Sozzani told Women's Wear Daily, "We help [plus-size women] dress fashionably. We say: It's pointless for you to buy leggings, take this because this will look good on you. We help them choose. We don't talk about diets because they don't want to be on a diet, but it's not a ghetto. Why should these women slim down? Many of the women who have a few extra kilos are especially beautiful and also more feminine."

Finally, someone is catching onto the idea that not all women are below one hundred pounds while being six foot something accompanied by stick legs and a teeny tiny waistline. And in no way do I believe this is a publicity stunt to increase sales. I am seriously impressed with the cover and the inside spread featuring a lot of food, a lot of nudity and a whole lot of woman.

Tribal Trend

The tribal fad is back this season with a brighter and bolder colour palette than ever. Patterned frocks, aboriginal jewelry and African head wraps can all been spotted anywhere from luxury runways to the racks of trendy shops this summer.

Missoni, Oscar de la Renta, Matthew Williamson, Naeem Khan, Pollini, Lanvin, Just Cavalli, Diane von Furstenberg and Proenza Schouler all have beautiful tribal-inspired pieces in their spring/summer 2011 collections. Any shopper can score affordable tribal clothing and accessories in every day stores like H&M, Urban Outfitters as well as Anthropology.

There is a certain way to wear this look successfully though. Be cautious that an all-tribal ensemble could easily look like a Halloween costume. The key is to stick to one or two pieces at a time. A detailed frock doesn't require any accessories or over-the-top shoes. Let everyone marvel at the prints and patterns of the dress instead of trying to keep track of everything going on with the outfit. My favourite look is a white summer dress with a tribal bag and matching heels as pictured above. I also adore white skinny jeans, a loose fitted tank top and a multicoloured Peruvian belt.

Enjoy the warm weather with this fabulous look. And for those globe trotting this summer, be sure to pick up lots of tribal-inspired accessories while vacationing in those exotic locations and touring through the local markets.

Dior Homme

Sometimes my blog posts can get a little girlie, but this particular one is for the hommes. What do you get when you put Jude Law in a tailored suit and give him the keys to a posh ride in the most romantic city in the world? Why you get a Christian Dior campaign of course! And what a sexy little campaign it is.

Thanks to director Guy Ritchie, this Dior Homme commercial is the perfect combination of sophistication, sex appeal, luxury and a whole lot of mystery. From the initial phone call to the drive around Paris, viewers will be trying to piece together the puzzle just as I was.

My favourite detail about this video is JL's charming London accent typical in any Guy Ritchie film. The dramatic pauses and exaggeration on adjectives simply add to his debonair vibe. It just so happens that my all-time favourite Muse song also plays in the background making this love triangle all the more intense.

First Day of Summer

Dear Summer,

It's about time you got here! I've been anticipating...

beaches, BOATS, lakes, SUNSETS, bathing suits, BRAIDS, bicycle rides, SUN, swing sets, SHORTS, cottages, TANS, floating docks, WAVES, fruity cocktails, HAMMOCKS, tropical colours, ICE CREAM, parks, BBQ'S, sand, PATIOS, surfing, SANDALS, camping, LOVE, popsicles, BEER, patios, FISHING, festivals, TANK TOPS, concerts, FLOWERS, seashells, OCEAN, bonfires, SANDCASTLES...

Love,

Me

String Bikini Anyone?

Bathing suit season is just around the corner. And after watching that video and gawking at all the unique, playful and sexy styles from MIKOH's 2011 swimwear line, I've had to reintroduce myself to Mr. Treadmill and Mrs. Yoga Class.

This is the second collection by the sister duo who make up MIKOH. Oleema Miller and Kalani Miller were both professional surfers for Roxy who began designing swimwear after wearing bathing suits on the California coast most of their lives.

Swimwear is currently an oversaturated market with far too many brands to keep track of. For this reason, the sister's wanted to create something special a woman could slip into ensuring no copy cat suits at the beach or poolside this season.

Miss Wasson

There has been a lot of female bloggers confessing their girl crush on Miss Wasson lately, and I can definitely see why. This simple girl from Texas with a simple style has media chatting about and photographing her beauty and bohemian look on and off the runway.

Erin Wasson is best known for being a model and appearing in various campaigns, on the Victoria Secret catwalk and smack-dab on the front covers of French, German, Spanish and Australian Vogue. She is an occasional stylist and recently designed lines for RVCA and her personal jewelry line, Low Luv.

Although she's extremely accomplished career wise, it's her creative personal style that has caught the attention of fashionistas around the world. This tatted up bombshell looks just as great when professionals dress her for work as she does in her every day. Messy hair, no bra, cut off jean shorts and clunky boots are all key ingredients for her daytime signature look, while tight dresses and ankle booties are part of her evening attire. Add a little SPF face cream, funky hats, vintage accessories and voila - the perfect summertime outfits.

I adore her street style so much because it's effortless and natural. I along with many other women have become inspired by Wasson's look. Not only is it unique and trendy, but it's also very comfortable.

Key pieces in my closet for this spring and summer include:

-loads of cut off jean shorts

-vintage blouses

-worn in leather belts

-over sized tank tops

-bohemian scandals

-vests

-jean shirts

-loose blazers

-long chained necklaces

-men's ankle boots or oxford shoes. I just found a beauty pair of brown men's Italian leather snakeskin oxford shoes while vintage shopping and it has been the highlight of my month! Every time I leave the house with them on, I get at least five compliments. One of my best investments so far.

I could probably post pictures of Wasson all day long, but here are just a few boho looks that I'm into. Keep reading because I will post pictures of her eclectic NYC apartment very soon. It gives me goosebumps just thinking about it!