All photos by Real Life Runway.
When Chico’s asked me to be a part of their Canadian launch, I’ll admit I had my reservations. I mean, Chico’s is something my mom and her friends wear. And while my mom and her friends are admittedly super stylish, and I’m a mom of 2 myself, there’s that part of me that still loves to get carded at the LCBO, that gets annoyed when people call me ‘lady’ or ‘ma’am’, and that makes a point to know everything about Ariana Grande and Ed Sheeran so that I can stay 24 in my head forever. As for the brand, I knew the quality was there, their reputation stellar, but cool? Yup, Chico’s had some convincing to do.
I showed up at Square One in Mississauga on Thursday night to celebrate the exclusive VIP fête for Chico’s first-ever Canadian store. Rabid Chico’s fans craned their necks to catch a glimpse inside as my security detail (ok, fine, a pretty PR girl named Noelle), ushered me up the red carpet and right into the store. The Chico’s store itself is a stunner - massive windows flank an impressive lattice work doorway as you walk into the beautifully lit space. The other Canadian blogger invitees sashayed in shortly after - Iva Grbesic of Falling in Style, Afiya Francisco of The Style House, Lena Almeida of Listen to Lena, and Susan Liberatore of Ava Grace’s Closet - great crew of stylish somethings for this big deal Canadian launch. Servers plied us with wine and beef wellington bites as we chatted with Chico’s head honchos including the fabulous (there is no other word for her) Brand President, Cinny Murray, a glamazonian blonde decked out in head to toe black and gold, and Chico’s powerhouse FAS CEO, Dave Dyer.
We posed at the Chico’s Selfie Station, mingled with the other party-goers, and obviously, shopped. As I browsed the racks, there were some clothes that my (ahem) 24 year-old self isn’t quite ready to wear. But here’s the thing - I’m at the point where if I’m going to buy a white shirt, I want to buy a really good white shirt. If I’m going to get a sweater, I have no patience for one that's going to pill and stretch out. So I immediately honed in on some of the elevated basics that my closet is currently lacking - a leopard crewneck sweater (yes, this is a basic), a really good white no-iron shirt, a pair of beyond basic black pants, a beautiful striped long-sleeved tee and a great grey oversized cardigan. Chico’s, in case you aren’t familiar, is far from cheap. Prices are in line with Club Monaco/J.Crew, but the quality warrants the price tag. Sweaters are silky, shirts beautifully constructed and the pants fit like a dream. Beyond the basics, there were a few standout pieces I’d love to add to my closet: the Faux Leather Fringe Artisan Duster (Afiya and one of the Chico’s models were loving this one and it’s gorge in real life), the Logan Stretch Bracelet (gold. hammered. metal. love.), and the Faux-Suede Drape Vest and Cutwork Jacket (totally Can’t Buy Me Love). One other pleasant surprise to me was the stores line-up of amazing jewelry/accessories, which we blogettes spent loads of time swooning over.
I'll admit that certain pieces on the site/in the lookbook are styled in a way that I wouldn’t wear them myself, so it does take some imagination. But taken out of context, I am totally loving everything I’ve brought home.
Here are just a few ways I’ll style my easy-to-reinvent picks this fall and next, and the one after that. I’ll only be 26 by then...
Softest cardi ever. Love the knit detail on the back. Chico's Grey Knit Back Cardigan, $119
A little leopard goes a long way. Chico's Animal Print Neveah Top, $69
Drapey, silky pants, perfect for playing dress-up. Chico's Knit Kit Black Pants, $89
Chico’s will be opening another store on 8/29 at the Mapleview Shopping Centre in Burlington. So, have you been? Will you go? Can’t wait to hear what you think, and of course, what you buy!
My 6 year-old took this shot. Not bad, huh?
SPONSORED BY CHICO’S
Thursday, September 4, 2014 at 1:24PM 
