Now that November's arrived (along with a little bit of snow and Starbucks' red cups), it's all about the holidays. Before you know it, you'll be getting invites - whether it's to your office mixer, a New Year's party, or a fun little gift exchange with your besties. There are so many reasons to celebrate in the coming months and since parties generally mean dressing up (yay!), we thought you might need a little inspiration. Here are 3 pretty looks to help get you prepped for the madness. Though dresses are always a safe bet, I love the idea of trying something new and fun, especially around the holidays, whether it's a sweater and skirt combo in chic winter white, an edgy lace blouse with rockstar accessories, or an eclectic mix of printed pants with an easy chambray shirt. The best part? You'll be able to add these pieces into your wardrobe all year 'round. Then, all you have to do is brush up on your Gangnam Style moves so you can properly hit the dance floor. Seriously.
So, I realize that you probably haven't even bought your Hallowe'en candy yet. And I know that the holiday season is probably not the first thing on your mind. But, you have to admit, the scattered mentions of parties, presents and the chubby guy in red mean that Christmas, Kwanzaa and other merry festivities are really not that far away. And since several friends have mentioned that their offices have already booked their holiday fêtes (crazy, I know), it means that now is a fabulous time to start pre-planning your party wardrobe.
This season, step away from your basic little black dress and instead, think outside of the perfectly wrapped box. White Oaks Mall is full of pretty finds sure to set you apart from the crowd at your next office party, cocktail toast, or full-out holiday bender. Here, we share 3 chic, party-ready looks (PS - Be sure to check back next week for 3 more)
I know it's early but I'm already excited. You? xo
1. Pinstripe Trousers, $69.50, Gap; 2. Statement Choker, $24.95, H&M; 3. Leather Bomber, $349, Danier; 4. Stretch Cami, 2 for $26, Smart Set; 5. Mimi Bow Belt, $59.50, Club Monaco; 6. Schutz Eunice T-Straps, Club Monaco; 7. Gemstone Flapover Clutch, $69.95, Le Château
1. Red Carpet Collection Clutch, $89.95, Town Shoes; 2. Red Peplum Dress, $39.90, Dynamite; 3. Erickson Beamon Earrings, $149.50, Club Monaco; 4. Calvin Klein for Town Shoes Strappy Heels, $170, Town Shoes; 5. Sephora by O.P.I Trend Tips Real Lacquer Strips, $14, Sephora
Everybody loves a good designer collab, allowing those of us who a) don't live in a big city or b) don't have an unlimited budget, to gain access to some of the world's top designers. This season, there are plenty of ways to do just that with a slew of covetable capsule collections. Here, some of our current faves....
The Store: Danier
Friends w Benefits: Greta Constantine & Philip Sparks
Collab Deets: Danier's ever-impressive list of designer collabs continues this Fall, with new capsule collections from Canadian designers Philip Sparks and Greta Constantine SKIN, as well as the release of Meagan Johnston's DANIER DESIGN CHALLENGE winning jacket (recognize any of this year's judges?) Each collection reimagines leather in beautiful ways - from Greta Constantine's sexy, modern take to Sparks' decidedly nostalgic flair.
Available: Greta Constantine SKIN items are available now at danier.com with Philip Sparks for Danier to be released later this fall.
The Store: ALDO
Friends with Benefits:FLARE Magazine‘s fashion director, Liz Cabral
Collab Deets: Liz Cabral has teamed up with ALDO Shoes a second time for Fall 2012. The editor, internationally admired for her flawless taste, has designed 2 pairs of covetable shoes for fall; an oxblood colour-blocked shootie ($155) and a lace stiletto bootie ($175, not pictured) as well as a roomy faux croc bag in red or blue ($70).
Available: In select ALDO stores now, online later this month
The Store: ALDO
Friends with Benefits: Preen & Patrik Ervell for ALDO RISE
Collab Deets: ALDO RISE, ALDO’s fashion week collaborations program, gives designers the chance to create and showcase the footwear they envision for their collections at accessible price-points. For London-based design duo Justin Thornton and Thea Bregazzi of Preen, the current crop of shoes is reminiscent of an English Garden, featuring striking butterfly and botanical prints in lush suede and rich leather perched atop a skyscraper heel. Meanwhile, Patrik Ervell combines various materials such as classic leather with utilitarian rubber soles and technical fabrics like nylon to create functional/fabulous footwear for both men & women. The ALDO RISE collection retails between $180 - $190.
Available: Now at select ALDO locations and online at aldoshoes.com
The Store: ALDO (again..I know)
Friends with Benefits: Manhattan's ultra-chic shop, WARM Boutique
Collab Deets: Taking a cue from The Shops at Target, The ALDO BOUTIQUE is a new collaboration program that seeks to discover great partnerships amongst ALDO's global network of talented tastemakers (think artists, musicians, architects etc.). Winnie Beattie and Rob Magnotta of WARM worked alongside ALDO's in-house designers to design a plush suede bootie for all seasons, available in taupe, camel & black ($125). Says Beattie, “I love this style because it can be worn with a runway dress as much as it can be thrown on after a surf on a cool day at the beach. It is cool, casual, and reminds me of something a girl from the Marais would wear if she was on her way to Biarritz for the weekend."
Collab Deets: For Vera Wang, simple, classic, elegant designs come naturally. The designer, best known for her luxurious bridal frocks, has created an extensive diamond ring collection, Vera Wang LOVE, available at People's, a next-to-foolproof way to thrill any girlfriend, wife or bride-to-be. The collection launched last year but it's worth a shout-out because sometimes, if you mention it enough, somebody (nudge, nudge) might get the hint.
Collab Deets: A few years back, silver fox Jay Manuel was appointed Creative Director of ATTITUDE Jay Manuel, Sears Canada's private label collection, which includes current, cool and (since it's Sears) blissfully affordable women's apparel, shoes, and accessories. This season's collection was inspired by the best of Britain - imagine colour-blocked cobalt blue and poppy red, plus studded Peter Pan collars and of-the-moment peplum accents.
LINE Knitwear x Roots Maple Intarsia Crew, $128, Roots
Preloved x Roots Mitts, $25
The Store: Roots
Friends with Benefits: LINE Knitwear and Preloved
Collab Deets: Roots always chooses the most interesting partnerships and this year, the collabs are especially cozy. Haute label LINE Knitwear is a go-to for celebs like Jennifer Garner, Kate Bosworth and Taylor Swift. The LINE Knitwear x Roots collection features iconic Canadian prints (beavers? check. maples leaves? ditto.) worked into cozy-luxe sweaters at an accessible price ($128 for a sweater). Next up? Preloved, a Canadian design co. that cleverly reworks vintage sweaters and fabric into pretty new pieces like cozy toggle scarves, and homepun-looking mittens. Devotees of the brand include Julia Roberts, Kate Hudson and Kirsten Dunst. Oh, and yours truly. Does that count?
Available: LINE Knitwear pieces available now at Roots and roots.com. Preloved in stores mid-October.
The pretty, party-ready MARTIN LIM for Reitmans collection
The Store: Reitmans
Friends with Benefits: Danielle Martin and Pao Lim of Martin Lim
Collab Deets: Partners in both love and business, Danielle Martin and Pao Lim, founded their label, MARTIN LIM, in 2010. Ever since, the fashion industry and customers alike have fallen for their sleek, sophisticated designs. The just-revealed MARTIN LIM for Reitmans capsule collection comprises 10 gorgeous dresses in regular, petite and plus-sizes, perfect for dancing your way through the upcoming party season. I'm most excited about the plus-size body-con dresses - such a welcome (and flattering!) change for curvy girls. Oh, and the video above? A hilarious must-see.
Available: Online Nov 1st at reitmans.com. In select Reitmans stores Nov 2nd.
Frye for Coach Fur Lined Engineer Boot, $398, Coach
PS - Couldn't include this one in my article for New Sudbury Centre but worth a mention:
The Store: Coach
Friends with Benefits: The Frye Company
Collab Deets: Founded nearly 150 years ago in Marlboro, Massachusetts, Frye has made boots worn by pioneers, cowboys and style icons. Frye now makes the coolest and most coveted boots in the world with their authentic styles and perfectly worn-looking leathers. For the Frye for Coach collab, Frye updated its famous Campus Boot and Engineer Boot, among others.
Available: Now at Coach stores nationwide and coach.com
As Rachel Zoe says, "An outfit is nothing without accessories. I don't get dressed without them!" Let's analyze that. So, if Rachel Zoe were to be believed, then if someone took all of her accessories away while she was sleeping (ie. a burglar or perhaps a wily raccoon) the next day would be a total write-off. I mean, she would rather go naked, stay in bed all day, and call off every meeting if she didn't have the earrings, the shades, the sparkle to help her get on with her day. Call them the finishing touches, the icing on the cake or the Michelle to your Obama, but no good outfit is ever really complete without rockin' accessories. And though I will get dressed without them, I'd rather not. I mean, seriously, where's the fun in that?
Now comes the tricky part. How do you ice yourself without looking like a Vegas showgirl? Simply follow these tips for accessory nirvana:
MATCH YOUR MOOD: Instead of trying to match colours, choose pieces that reflect the mood or tone of your look. So, try a chunky heel with an oversized bag, or a refined pair of python gloves with pointy-toed pumps.
OPPOSITES ATTRACT: On the other hand, you can play with opposites to either tone down or edge up a look. Want to take some of the too-too sweetness out of a floral dress? Edge it up with a wide statement belt or studded pumps.
MAKE A STATEMENT: Love your eyes? Use earrings or a statement necklace to draw attention to your face (and conversely, away from hips, a tummy or any areas you want to minimize).
PICK & CHOOSE Did that necklace come with a cute pair of matching earrings? The general rule is that if you've got a great statement necklace, keep your lobes bare. Amazing chandelier earrings? Leave the necklace at home. How about a busy neckline on a sweater or dress? Try wearing a great stack of bracelets or oversized ring instead of a necklace or earrings. So many women feel the need to wear a bracelet, necklace, earrings & a belt and the message gets completely lost in the process. Choose 2 (max) and load up.
BIGGER IS (usually) BETTER Go big or go home. Instead of a single bangle or bracelet, mix and match to your heart's content for major impact.
ADD SHINE Metallics always add interest to your outfit and a little goes a long way. If your outfit has yellow undertones, try gold jewels (real or costume..I won't judge) to enhance your look, even if you're not a 'gold person'. You'll be amazed by how quickly you'll convert. With grey undertones, go for silver pieces to add shine.
Check out some of my fav new fall accessories for work, after-dark and the weekend. Speaking of which...Happy Friday! Time to play! x
It's funny but every fall I do the exact same thing. Sometime right around now, when the mornings are just starting to feel crisp and the leaves are gradually leaving the trees (is that why they call them leaves?), I find myself doing the fall change-up. I'll pack away all of my bright summer dresses, skirts & tees and shove them into an empty closet in our guest room. The more I pack, the darker my closet gets as yellow, pink and orange make way for loads of grey sweaters and black pants. Um, depressing much?
There's absolutely no reason (especially now!) to live in a black hole for 6 months of the year. I've slowly been building up my colour arsenal and this year, I'm happy to report that my fall/winter wardrobe is equally as exciting as my spring & summer stuff. I can't tell you how much more inspiring it is, especially on a cold, grey day, to have shades of rich yellow, bright reds and deep greens to get me going in the morning. This season, I'm obsessed with bordeaux and mustard and can't wait to work them into my look (see below for cool new ways to wear them).
Since I've been on a bright binge for a few years now, I'm actually equally stoked about the black on black trend for fall - great news for colour-phobes, and perfect for those days when you need a colour detox. The key to keeping it interesting? Try mixing and matching loads of textures - pair a great chunky knit with a pair of leather leggings, shiny patent black boots and a bright red lip. Or, pair your black with either deep navy or bright cobalt blue for a dose of Parisian chic.
Happy Friday! Is it bad that all I want to do this weekend is shop? x
Friday, November 2, 2012 at 9:52AM 
A Holiday '12 look from 3.1 Phillip Lim 
