3 New Ways to Work a Turtleneck

via For Love & Lemons

Originally posted in The CLOSET

If there's one hero piece that stood out this season, it's got to be the turtleneck. Yup, the humble t-neck is back in a big way, ready to keep us covered through all the cold months ahead. Designers showed tight layering mocks and full-on turtles under errthang on the fall runways - from flowy tanks to power suits to dresses. For party season, the newest versions come patterned and pretty (see the sequinned stunner below) so you can layer one under your dress to make all those boring LBD's jealous. But the turtleneck is turning out to have serious star power on its own, too. For this fall, I'm liking my statement turtlenecks extra loungey and oversized. Whether you wear it with a skirt or perfectly distressed jeans, XL turtlenecks make your scarf redundant so you can just throw on your coat and go. Oh, and btw, since your neck and wrists are already covered up, too, simply hone in on a pair of edgy little earrings to perfectly finish off your look. 

Take a look at the 3 pretty turtleneck looks below and get ready to get seriously cozy. 

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MAD FOR PLAID | 3 Ways to Wear It Now

via FashionVibe.net

Fall and plaid are my idea of the perfect partners. When faced with a cold day, a great plaid accent always warms things up. Sure, a solid scarf, flannel shirt or cozy coat all get the job done, but it's the bold print that puts a unique stamp on any lacking outfit, adding colour and texture to any solid ensemble. This season, it seems like every store has checked off checks on their must-have lists. 

Here are my 3 fave ways to do plaid right now. Scroll down for outfit inspo:

1) THE REVERSIBLE SCARF | While silk scarves might be a Parisian thing, I see the chunky plaid scarf as our Canadian signature. Wear it draped over your shoulders or neck and belted around your waist, leave it long and flowing, tie it artfully around your neck or even toss it over your couch when you get home. This season, even the chain stores are doing luxe-looking reversible scarves so you don't have to commit to just one print. Genius. 

2) THE DRESSED-UP PLAID SHIRT | You can always wear a plaid shirt with jeans but this season, why not give it the glam treatment? I love a plaid shirt worn with a pencil skirt and sexy heels for a perfect date-night/going out look. The unexpected combo will help you achieve cool-girl status, no matter what your age. 

3) PARTY PLAID |  Tired of being stuck in a sea of LBD's? Plaid skirts, dresses and scarves are an easy way to look instantly festive and stand out in a crowd of black. If you've already got black pants and a white shirt, simply add a plaid coat or blazer, then tie a black grosgrain ribbon around your neck for your next cocktail party. Easy! 

CLICK HERE TO SEE 3 PLAID-PERFECT LOOKS...

INCOGNITO | 3 Fun Last-Minute DIY Costumes to Try This Hallowe'en

via Elle Spain

Dressing up is my jam. As kids, we'd tag along with my mom to the fabric store where she'd pick out pretty material, then magically produce the most gorgeous costumes you've ever seen. As I got older, I'd plan out my Hallowe'en costume months in advance, dreaming up ambitious DIY's that could be assembled with tape and glue since I never really learned how to sew. Some exceeded expectations, most didn't quite hit the mark (turns out it's impossible to sit down in a lifesize Smarties box). But no matter what costume came to mind, I'd always give it my all. 

Now, with two kids of my own and way too many to-do's to count, costumes are the last thing on my mind. I pick up my kids' costumes at HomeSense ($24.99 for the win), throw on my orange coat for trick-or-treating, then spend the next two weeks eating my kids' stash. This year, though. This year is different. We just got invited to a Hallowe'en party with a group of families who take this Hallowe'en thing very seriously. There's talk of sewing machines, late-night trips to craft supply stores and (duh duh duhhhh) Matching Couples Costumes. Um, I was just going to wear my orange scarf. 

Okay, Pinterest? Help? I have a white tulle skirt that I've never worn so I typed in 'DIY costumes with white tulle skirt' and happened upon this super cute ice-cream cone girl. White tank, white tutu, multicoloured popsicle sticks doubling as sprinkles pinned everywhere and a brown paper ice-cream cone hat. My husband doesn't like dressing up but he agreed on this one - a white shirt, black pants and a red apron. All we have to do is add a white paper hat and an ice-cream scoop and his costume is done.  I happened upon some other ideas that I thought I'd share in case you've been invited to a Hallowe'en party and are on the hunt for some last-minute ideas, too.

BAD BLOOD | Whether you go solo or want to achieve your #SquadGoals, I can't get enough of the Bad Blood girls. Grab any form-fitting black pieces you have, from a tight black dress to a black biker jacket and leggings. Add a pair of sexy (ideally over-the-knee) black boots. Now add a super smoky eye, a slicked-to-the-side low chignon and clear safety glasses. Training gloves will help you look extra bad-ass. 

PINK FLAMINGO | Safety pin 5 to 6 pink feather boas to a pink shirt and voila - instant flamingo! Add a pink baseball hat (you can attach a large black beak made out of construction paper to the brim if you have the time), pink nailpolish and black leggings. Oh, and if you're looking for an excuse to buy a new pair of kicks, $45 pink Converse are a super cute finishing touch.

DAY OF THE DEAD | The bright colours and spooky makeup make Day of the Dead costumes some of my all-time faves. Simply wear a boho white peasant blouse or lace-detailed white tank and a black maxi skirt, then pile on loads of bright flowers and beads. To get that signature candy skull look, face tattoos are a brilliant idea if you don't trust your face painting skills.

SEE ALL THE COSTUME DETAILS (& WHERE TO BUY 411) HERE...

 

WORK IT | 12 Ways to Wake Up Your Work Wardrobe

via Le Château

Originally posted in The Fashion Scoop

When it comes to getting ready for work in the morning, the struggle is real. And while we all face challenges at our jobs throughout the day, from uncooperative co-workers to a lackluster boss, a bad work wardrobe can make it all so much worse.

Okay, before you pass this post off as a first world rant, stick with me here. I mean, fretting every morning about what to wear must wreak havoc on productivity. Wearing the same suit day after day has got to cut short your creative flow. And all black everything? Depressing. No matter what job you have, your work wardrobe should be inspiring. It should help you bounce out of bed every morning, ready to face your closet with a smile. Okay, fine, coffee first. It should help you strut into your office, telling your company in no uncertain terms that you are not someone to be messed with. And of course, it should be ready for cocktails after work to celebrate a sartorial job well done. Make that a double. 

Whether you're on the hunt for a job or just want to shake things up at your current office, it's all about thinking outside the box. I've gone beyond the basics for this post (good tailored trousers, a fitted white and blue button-down, a beautifully-fitted blazer, a black pencil skirt, a suit if that's how your company rolls) and rounded up 12 ways to wake up your work wardrobe like a boss. Now all you have to do is work it...

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FALL FASHION CLASS | Midi Dressing 101

Prabal Gurung Fall '15. via Vogue.com

Originally posted in The LOOK

You may have already noticed this: sweaters getting longer, knits going head-to-toe, layers becoming a way of life.  We're Canadians - we were born to get cozy - and so of anyone, we can totally appreciate this midi trend that's taken over the fashion world. I don't know anyone who wants to wear a mini skirt in a windstorm. And short toppers might be cute but we need a coat that's got us (and our bums) covered. This fall, it's all about going long and I'm loving it. 

While you might love the concept of long layers, too, you might not know exactly how to pull off the trend. Since most of our closets are stocked with neutrals, I thought I'd start there today. Here are 3 easy ways to do midi dressing this fall:

1) THE LONG VEST | Winter white in loads of different textures looks amazing all piled on. If you don't have a longer sweater, add a long vest to the mix to achieve a midi-length look.

2) THE DRESS/CARDI COMBO | For work, I'm loving the idea of a knit black midi dress worn with a matching black cardi. The key? Make sure the cardi and dress are the same midi length to score that refined loungy look. 

3) THE MIDI SKIRT | Some midi skirts can easily feel dowdy but the new form-fitting midis are surprisingly sexy. Choose a side-slit midi pencil skirt and pair it up with an oversized chunky knit. A long moto biker coat and pointy-toe boots will help finish off your look.

SEE THE LOOKS HERE...