The April showers came - oh did they ever - and with them, naturally, the flowers. Hooray! And while those darling buds of May are a joy to behold in our gardens, wearing them can be a little tricky. I mean, you don't want to look like a teenager (unless you are a teenager, in which case, go on with your bad self), and you definitely don't want to look like a grandma, even if you are one. The florals of Spring '13 are, as always, bright, cheery and fun but to make the most out of the season's best buds, it's all about how you wear 'em.
I've put together 3 looks to show you how easy it is to pull off florals in a super modern way. Whether you go for the bold with a bright mirror print frock or keep it subtle with a blue & white boyfriend shirt poking out under a lightweight sweater, you'll look positively Spring-y with the right floral print.
Happy May 1st to you! xx
P.S - For the first outfit, change up the handbag for grass green, bright yellow or even pink to reinvent the look over and over again. Oh, and that amazing Cleo dress? How Mary Katrantzou is that??
Certain people just know how to rock cool slouchy pants and drapey shirts, giving off that laissez-faire vibe without looking the least bit slovenly. Ever wondered how to pull it off? I've got 5 Stylist Secrets to help you go with the flow this Spring. Hint: it's way easier than you think...
Snakes suck. I mean, not literally (I don't think?) but let's face it: they're cold, and creepy and can kill you. And so, I've never really been a fan. Now that I think of it, I don't think I know anyone who likes them. The sad part? It's so not their fault. A little baby snake with its cute little baby snake diaper is probably pretty sweet and I'm fairly certain it doesn't actually want to hurt anyone. It's just that, if someone was coming at me with a pitchfork or a shovel, I'd probably lunge, too, wouldn't you?
As it turns out, most people are almost as afraid of snake prints as they are of the slithery beasts themselves. And I'm here to tell you, as a full-blown ophidiophobic (yes, I looked that up), that when it comes to python, it's just not that scary. In case you missed the memo, 2013 is the Year of the Snake - that's right, the year where we celebrate all things serpentine - so I can't think of a better time to face our fears head on. So how do you wear python print? Think of it as the leopard's slightly edgier younger sister, something that's good in small doses, say in a shoe or a bag or a statement blazer, to add an instant dose of cool to any solid ensemble. Want to go all out? Try pairing a neutral python with a summer floral or opt for snake print done up in a pretty pastel or bold bright.
Before you know it, you (and maybe even I) will be sssimply sssmitten for snakes. Well, the print at the very least...
It might be what's inside that counts but it's also what's underneath. You've witnessed it firsthand I'm sure - that girl at the wedding trying so desperately to look ladylike as she wrestles her strapless bra back into place; that lady in line at Starbucks whose granny panties are losing an epic battle with her bum. Oh, and the unassuming woman in the demure plain white tee (Um, excuse me but I can see your Hot Pink Bra!) Sure, we talk about clothes, clothes, clothes because, let's face it, clothes are exciting and fun and pretty. But here's the thing about clothes - they can look pretty tragic if you're not armed with the proper tools. (read: unless you're 14 or happen to be blessed with a supermodel bod, most of us need a little help to keep things tucked in and held in place as we move about our day.)
In honour of Valentine's Day, I've rounded up some of the top underwear essentials so you can rock that new wardrobe you've been waiting to bust out this Spring (pun totally intended). Check out my article this week at iVillage.ca, then read on for 10 more top-drawer finds (plus David Beckham's new ad for H&M directed by Guy Ritchie. Nothing says love like...)
Happy Valentine's my sweet cherubs!
x
1. THE SEAMLESS THONG
Awkward as it may appear, there's no better way to avoid panty lines than the thong. To avoid scratches, chafing and otherwise-super-uncomfortable 'situations', look for these three S's: soft, stretchy, seamless. Most important of all - you should really not feel a thing.
First things first - go and get a proper bra fitting. Most women are wearing the wrong size bra resulting in cups that spill over, straps that dig in and bras that don't support the cause. Once you get the right size (and the right bra) your clothes will instantly look better and you'll immediately look thinner. True story. Though we all love pretty bras, every woman should own a great microfibre t-shirt bra that will disappear under your sweaters, blouses and tees. If you're wearing white or anything sheer, always (always!) opt for a nude bra rather than white.
If your underwear drawer is filled with stretched out, worn-in granny panties, it's time for an update (even if you are a grandma) Look for seamless options (again to avoid panty-lines) in fun colours and prints to add some excitement to your everyday. I love the seamless hipsters from Garage, La Senza and Aerie.
Lace is beautiful to look at, but cheap lace can feel like someone is applying sandpaper to your boobs - not a good feeling. This bra looks AND feels great, so you can feel just as sexy as you look. Plus, its full coverage style and no-slip straps perform just as well under clothes as out of them.
There's nothing worse than feeling paunchy, or not feeling paunchy and then looking at pics later and wondering why nobody told you that your tummy was hanging out. Whether it's post-babydom, an indulgent weekend or just good ol' genetics, a little tummy can wreak havoc on your look. Consider these shaping briefs the corset of the 2010's. If you're looking for a full-body slimming effect under a dress (without the tell-tale muffin-top effect you get with some bodyshapers) nothing beats the high waisted shapers from SPANX. Two words: Life. Saver.
Dresses and tanks come in all forms but sometimes, our bras just aren't quite as flexible. These strap converters allow you to clip your straps in place to help your bra go totally incognito.
If you consider yourself lacking in certain, um, departments, this bra is an absolute miracle-worker. Wear it anytime you want to achieve enviable cleavage for date night, or just because you can. And the cake meets icing bonus - this bra is actually super comfy, too, since the underwires are padded. Heaven! If you're looking to give your other bras some added oomph, silicone inserts are a great way to look instantly well-endowed. Now va, va, voom voom, you!
Most strapless bras are fighting a losing battle with gravity, which makes strapless dresses a dance floor nightmare. This rave-reviewed bra lifts you up and actually stays put, making it totally worth the splurge.
We've all heard that you shouldn't sleep with underwires yet we also know the importance of being supported while we sleep to avoid the dreaded droop that happens over time. These 2 options (1 in sporty cotton, the other in sexy lace) are light, airy and breathable so you can rest easy.
If you spend most nights in flannel jammies or shorts and a tee, we get it. I mean, unless you're in the honeyoon phase of your marriage, or in the throes of a bad (good) romance, comfort usually wins out over come-hither. Still, every woman should own something fun, just in case (wink, wink, nudge, nudge).
P.S.- If for no reason other than the fact that it's David Beckham running around in his underwear, check out this hilarious new ad for H&M, directed by Guy Ritchie. And if you haven't already, be sure to check out the David Beckham Bodywear line in the men's section at H&M for your favourite boy. Really, truly, awesome underwear for men)
I remember it well. Toronto Fashion Week, Fall 2012 (my powers of recollection are staggering) and the editors, bloggers and remaining fashion flock were rocking their finery in front of the wind-blown tents at David Pecaut Square. Girls in neon short shorts, sky high heels and super bold frocks and of course, the too-cool-for-school editrixes in their bright coats, flat brogues and crazy expensive shades. As always, it was a rainbow of notice-me hues as the peacocks (myself included I'll admit) tried to get captured by the street style paps.
Then out she walked. A blonde, bobbed 20-something. Stark black and white striped pants, a black sweater and red lips. Simple, cool, in a throw-back Mary Quant meets Taylor Tomasi Hill kinda way. And while the bloggers all backflipped their way around the windy square, she simply stood there and waited. And the mesmerized photographers all circled the girl, lured to her like moths to a super fierce flame.
As much as I love colour, black & white can be equally striking. Whether you opt for graphic stripes, checks, polka-dots or fearlessly wear them all together, nothing looks more modern, more right, right now.
Check out some of my fave black & white finds in stores now - a perfecly seasonless way to get a jump on spring (no backflips required) x
Wednesday, May 1, 2013 at 9:05AM 
