If you have been following our blog, then you will already know that this season I am completely and madly in love with scarves. Some day I hope to be a rich woman so I can buy a scarf for everyday like Jessica Alba does. LOVE her! It seems that in all of her celebrity shots (other than red carpet) her outfit is completed by some amazing ‘pièce de resistance’ tied around her neck!

A scarf for all seasons:
When you mention a scarf what first comes to mind is a warm, wooly necessity for the wicked wind of winter. Not anymore! There are so many fantastic fabric options; there is a perfect scarf for anytime of the year. During the summer, lightweight jersey and cotton scarves are great for cooler mornings and even colder air conditioned spaces. They take up so little room and are such a tremendous life saver. Moving into cooler weather, options abound! Scarves range from traditional wool gifts from grandma, to pashminas, to fashionable finishes, to elegant ensembles!

Scarves for your outerwear:
Select something that works well with your coat. You need not worry about what outfit you are wearing underneath as you will remove your scarf when you arrive at your destination.
Pick a COLOUR. Your scarf is the closest thing to your face. A pop of colour can be as effective as an extra few hours of sleep. Beige may be safe but it makes everyone look like they have the flu!

Scarves indoors:
This is the fun part! Typically a scarf you wear inside will be less bulky/ large and a lighter weight than your outdoor scarf. After all, it is not designed to help protect you from the elements. Rather, this piece should compliment your outfit. It can be that finishing touch that pulls your look together!

With so many fantastic options available, now is the perfect time to fall in love. Not sure where to start? Come visit us this Saturday October 2 from 12 – 5. We will have Ali the stylist on location to help you pick from scarves of all shapes and sizes. We’ll get the perfect one for you!

Angie Says: I am one of the types that dress to specific fashion rules as you
know Ali. And right now with a change in season there are many that I question while trying to be stylish. Can i still wear sandals? When do I need tights with a dress? What kind of outer wear should i be using? Do we move to dark handbags? I love the jean jacket, but can you do it with jeans? Does your scarf have to match your outift, or coat? What do you think?

Ali Says: Yes the transition to fall continues to be confusing, but the balance has shifted and we are now getting more of the cool and less of the glorious warm.

First let’s discuss phasing out summer: Can you wear sandals? Yes, if when you leave the house it is warm and sunny and you will be home before the sun (and the temperature) goes down.

Dresses are still great but I highly recommend wearing them with tights which happen to be another of my favourite accessories.

Welcoming in fall: Yes! It’s coat season! I LOVE coats (yes I know, I love everything!). Coats are just so much fun. They say so much about where you are going and what you will be doing. This time of year popular picks are:

Trench Coat – this piece made its debut as a functional item during WWI. It has since become a classic because not only does it keep you warm and dry, it always looks so darned good!

Jean jackets are fantastic and iconic as well however they are just a little less easy to wear. Pair them up with anything other than denim in a similar colour.

Does your scarf have to match your coat? Yes! Does that mean it has to be exactly the same colour? No! Pick a colour that flatters your complexion as your scarf is the closest thing to your face. The guidelines for scarves are very flexible so just throw one on!

Angie Says:

Ali, I am not sure about denim this season. What washes are in, and what styles? There are jeggings, skinny's, wide leg ... it's all so confusing. What should I be wearing?

Ali Says:

Jeans are a piece of clothing that have endured fashion eternity. And even though they are our favourite things to wear, they can be the hardest to shop for! Getting the perfect pair of jeans is like searching for the perfect man. If I knew the secret, I would be a millionairess! I will save the in depth denim shopping tutorial for another time. Right now, let's enjoy the excitement of pieces we are seeing this season.

Key pieces to look for:

Dark - always your no-fail go-to when looking for denim. Not only are they dressier and easier to mix and match, they are also very slimming!

Skinny -not a new trend, but they are still hot. The skinny leg has been around long enough now that those who hate it have complained enough and are over it. The rest of us love the convenience of sliding them into boots!

Torn - okay on the runway but challenging in real life. Unless you are super confident with wearing these, you may want to steer clear for fear of looking like an 80's headbanger.

Rolled - MUCH more user friendly! What I love about this trend is that you don't necessarily have to go out and buy a new pair. This is a perfect opportunity to shop in your closet. Find a pair of jeans that fit but are either too short or just need a new lease on life. Roll them a few times or do one deep cuff. Play a little and find what works best for you!

Flip flops or boots?

Angie Says:
Help Ali! I see people wearing flip flops still .... and the boots are already out. In fact, the stores are full of them. When and how are we supposed to be wearing boots? Should we be buying them, wearing them, or both?

Ali Says:
The shoulder season (the transition from fall to winter) creates wardrobe challenges for even the savviest fashionista. Take a look out the window for proof that no one is really sure exactly what to wear at this time of year. Today’s debate: flip flops vs fall boots. I’d say they are both okay. Depending on the day, depending on your look, the unpredictable weather means you can go with whichever you prefer. Here’s how:

First let me reiterate that we are not talking about one dollar rubber shower shoes one picks up at the discount store. Rather, we are referring to actual footwear that has a flat sole and a narrow strap typically between your big toe and the rest of your toes.
At this time of year the clock is running out on days that one can actually get away with wearing flip flops (or open toed shoes of any kind). Soon it will simply be too cold. Avoid wearing them with shorts and skirts as you run the risk of looking over exposed (or feeling overexposed which leads to goose bumpy skin which is never in style!). If you aren’t ready to let go, make sure you balance your ‘skimpy’ shoes with warmer layers on top. Think jeans and a long sleeve top with possibly a pashmina.

Boots are one of my FAVOURITE things to collect. Leather, suede, tall short, black, brown, beige, green navy, I cannot seem to get enough and I feel no need to justify! A great pair of boots is always in style. That being said, it’s tough to make a pair of boots work during the hot summer months. Now that the temperature is markedly cooler it’s open season to bust out your boots and get struttin! Take my advice from above and do the opposite. Temper your excitement by pairing your ‘heavy’ boots with something lighter on top. Boots look awesome with dresses (in denim, or knit as opposed to a cotton sundress), capris, or even shorts (in heavier fabrics like wool). Even though our winter season can seem too insufferably long, I always take solace in the fact that we have the perfect excuse to buy more and wear more boots. Game on!!

White after Labour Day?

Angie Says:

Hey Ali! I have no idea if I can wear white after Labout Day. I know it used to be a no-no, but times have changed. Are there new rules? I am looking at white all over my closet and have no idea what to do with it!

Ali Says:

Labour Day Monday has to be the most powerful of long weekend Mondays. It winds down summer and ushers in fall signaling the end of freedom and return to routine. Moreover it wreaks havoc on the wardrobe of fashionistas everywhere. It’s tough picking the perfect outfit when it’s warm during the day then cool at night; one day crisp and sunny, the next dark and rainy. And the single most debated issue on every girls’ mind: Is it okay to wear white after Labour day?

The origins of this ‘Rule’ are unknown and even if we did know where it began, I am not one to promote ‘Rules’ when it comes to dressing. Rather, I am a believer in promoting guidelines. So, when it comes to this question here are my thoughts:

The rule about white after Labour Day is a non-issue if you live in a hot climate. Crisp white cotton and linen clothing look fantastic in brilliant sunshine. There is something airy and glamourous about dressing head to toe in white. It evokes thoughts of beachy afternoons and looks marvelous as a sharp contrast to yachts sailing in deep indigo or turquoise waters.

The same is not so true here in the North on a blustery afternoon when winds are whipping and leaves are blowing all around. After Labour Day, there is normally a distinct change in the weather: days are warm but evenings are markedly cooler. The weather at the start of the day is no indication of what is in store for the day to come. Risking white pants or dress when a dark downpour is never too far off the horizon is high stakes not worth the return.

This is not to say you should banish white all together. Well that is exactly what it is to say: you should banish white all together. White from head to toe is too much. The hours of daylight are getting shorter minute by precious minute, and the leaves already beginning to change colour. An all white outfit looks off and out of place. One should aim to have their clothing be complemented by our surroundings/ backdrop. Warmer tones are a safer choice with the cooling temperatures.

White shoes and bags can be traded out for camel, toffee and chocolate. Crisp white t-shirts, pants or even dresses however can still be worn. After all it is still hot out there. Just opt to pair white with darker tones like plum, navy, olive or brown. Use gold and bronze accessories to smooth the transition. Your aim should be to downplay the brightness of the white and balance it with cues from seasonal colours like my personal favourite burnt orange!