GAME, SET, MATCH | 5 Winning Ways to Go Matchy This Summer

Matchy-matchy cuteness via GAP

Originally posted in The CLOSET

Summer is a time to just chill. It's about being carefree and worry-free and keeping it extra simple, sweethearts. While most of us don't have the luxury of lounging on a dock all summer (AKA #goals) we do have the option of stress-free dressing. My favourite way? It's all about going matchy matchy. No need to overthink it: matchy dressing lets you pick one colour or theme and be done with it. The result? A super stylish pay-off with relatively little effort. Scroll down for 5 winning ways to go matchy right now. Hope you're having the best summer EVER xx

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NINETIES BABY | 3 Throwback Summer Trends We're Totally Feeling

via Tendances de Mode

Originally posted in The Fashion Scoop

I won't tell you how old I am but let's just say that I remember the '90s. I remember them well. And I recall that for me, my sister's closet played a starring role. She was four years older, and I was old enough to know better - but that didn't stop me from devising 007-worthy tactics to raid her closet. She had the BEST wardrobe. I'm talking denim distressed in all the right places, perfectly worn leather belts, baggy boyfriend shirts & super soft tees, oversized blazers & body-hugging bodysuits that I had absolutely no chance of filling out (sadly). She had a job and I didn't, so she bought her own clothes while I had to make do with very uncool hand-me-downs. That first time I wore one of her jackets to school, let's just say that she wasn't super stoked to find it lying crumpled up on my bedroom floor. And the time after, once she'd put a sister-proof lock on her bedroom door which I figured out how to bypass with a bobbypin, she was even less stoked.

My obsession with my sister's '90s closet taught me two important lessons: 1) Never, ever touch your older sister's stuff. Definitely not worth it. I should know. and 2) If the opportunity ever presents itself to score an epic '90s wardrobe once you can actually afford to buy your own things, take it.

Luckily, some of my fave obsessions from the '90s are back and I can't wait to live in them this summer. Slinky slipdresses can go from sexy for date nights to playful by adding a little white tee underneath.  Sleek bodysuits are amazing for taking the frump-factor out of this season's high-waisted pants & shorts. And long blazers (either floral kimono-style or boss-babe businessy), look great with jogger-style pants (as shown below) or with distressed pale denim shorts (see above). Scroll down for some '90s summer outfit inspo, courtesy of my perenially cool sis (who has hopefully forgiven me by now) ;)

GET YOUR '90s SUMMER STYLE INSPO HERE...

DRESSED TO CHILL | 4 Off-Duty Looks to Try Out This Summer

via ALDO

Originally posted in The CLOSET

We wait and we wait and then, we wait some more. Canadians are SO good at waiting. But when July finally hits, make no mistake: we want summer. We want the feeling of the sun on our shoulders and an icy cold glass in our hands. And when it comes to fashion, we want to make the absolute most of our little window of warmth to look as cute as possible. 

So let's not wait a second longer. Let's push our basic shorts and tees aside and get a little cray. Let's rock little white dresses with cool silver accessories and head somewhere sunny for an epic weekend brunch. Let's book that girls night, even though it might seem impossible to fit in, and rock cool girl black from head-to-toe for the best night out ever. Instead of passing that patio, let's grab a seat right in the middle and stay there all day in distressed denim, a fun tee and a cute baseball cap. And for those oh-so-necessary date nights, let's rock sexy lace with playful floral sneakers to make the absolute most of it. 

Happy July, y'all. Let's do this...

SUMMER OUTFIT INSPO THIS WAY...

SPRING IN YOUR STEP | 40 Fun Spring Shoe Picks

TOPSHOP Flowers at your feet from Hudson's Bay

Originally posted in The CLOSET

Okay, so most of us don't really need new shoes. If we're lucky, we probably bought a pair or 2 (or 10, who's counting? It wasn't me...), last year. But here's the thing: shoe love, as they say, is true love. Barring injuries or pregnancy, shoes always fit. You may have hibernated all winter enjoying a steady stream of beer, poutine and Netflix and yet somehow, last year's shoes still fit. Magical. So like I said, we don't really need new shoes.

But here's the thing: shoes are incredibly important and thus, justifiable. Our feet are what keep us grounded. They get us from A to B and back again. We walk 10,000 steps in the pairs we wear and we literally cannot leave home without them. Unless you're a yoga instructor who teaches beach yoga. Otherwise, you cannot leave home without them. And casting needs aside, there's that emotional well-being part of us that we need to nurture. With a world in turmoil, shoes have this amazing ability to make us feel good. And so, while you might not technically need new shoes, you can't be blamed for wanting more. 

Speaking of wants, Spring '17 has some seriously cute shoes that have caught my attention. They all get the job done but the focus is on the fun. Block heels and slip-on loafers will help you look right up-to-date, while metallics, florals and beautiful brights will make any basic outfit bananas (in a good way)...

SEE 40 FUN SPRING SHOE PICKS HERE...

TOP MODELS | Check Out 35 Statement-Making Tops You'll Live In This Spring

via Fashion Jackson

Originally posted in The CLOSET

There's a backlash against basics going on right now and I'm totally ready for it; I'm ready to stash away my plain white tees and solid crew necks for now and replace them with something a little more amazeballs. I'm set to throw caution to the spring wind and step out of my comfort zone. I'm down with getting a lil' bit cray in my shopping cart. Don't get me wrong - I will never hate on the classics. Classics will always have a place in my heart. Classics are classics for a reason.

But if the Spring '17 runways were any indication, our top halves are about to get turned up. When you shop for new tops this season, remember this:

1) MAKE A STATEMENT | Statement sleeves are the major story this spring, allowing us to risk it all with seriously stylish consequences. Sleeves aren't just two tubes of fabric - this season, they're tied up, ruffled, bell-sleeved and dramatically oversized. Sleeves, once just an afterthought, have become the main event.

2) BRUSH YOUR SHOULDER OFF | Exposed shoulders are still a big story, but the game has been raised for Spring '17. Added ruffles, exaggerated openings and playful prints let you bring out your inner flirt, whether you opt for a cold shoulder sweater, an off-the-shoulder shirt or a one-shoulder stunner. 

3) PRINTS CHARMING | Speaking of prints, I'm excited to see the return of bright, bold, colourful prints this spring, after SO many seasons of solids. A basic bottom half calls for a gorgeous floral, a pretty gingham or an artful abstract to draw attention to your upper half. Add a pair of shoulder skimming earrings and you'll never go unnoticed. 

Read on for 35 statement-making tops that you'll live in this spring...

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