FASHION CLASS | 45 Ways to be Extra Stylish This Fall

Backstage at the Chloé Fall '15 show - via Style.com

Originally posted in The LOOK

It's the most wonderful time of the year. While most people are mourning the loss of summer, we style slaves are staring at the silver lining - poring over September issues, shaking out our summer closets and making room for the sweaters, boots and jeans that will define our fall season. Okay, fine, I'm totally going to miss the warm weather, too. But when it comes to fashion, no other season is better than fall. 

And this season, there is SO much to be excited about. From oversized cardis and distressed jeans to pretty dresses and jewels that will make dressing for work a joy, Fall '15 is loaded with tempting finds. While some of my fashion friends are snobs (and they know it), throwing their entire shopping budgets at designer pieces, I'm all about mixing the high with the low. If I see something designer that I know I'll wear forever, I don't mind saving up and making the investment. But most of the time, it just doesn't make sense to spend money when you don't have to, especially when you're just doing it for the label. 

I get some of my best jeans at American Eagle. I find some of the coolest random pieces at Bootlegger and edgy little accessories at ALDO (always a shock to my Toronto friends at Fashion Week). And with its new design team, RW&CO. is poised to become every working-girl's new favourite go-to.  I included just a few pairs of shoes as a teaser this time but count on a full fall shoe report in the coming weeks. 

Still need some convincing that fall is actually a good thing? Whether you're going back to school or just feel ready to refresh your wardrobe, I've handpicked 45 pieces (almost all under $100) that will make you extra stylish this fall. Don't you just love retail therapy?

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3 Reasons You Need a Shirtdress This Summer

via Stockholm Street Style

Originally posted in The CLOSET

If I was stuck in a heatwave (which we are), and had to choose only one item of clothing to wear (which I sincerely hope to never, ever have to do), I would always choose the dress. I love dresses. I live in dresses. And when it comes to helping my clients choose their dream summer wardrobes, dresses are always part of the equation.

While my obsessions come and go, I always come back to the classic shirtdress. It's easy to throw on, it's flattering on almost every figure, and always looks super chic. The menswear-inspired piece is inherently cool on its own of course, but as some of my fave street stylers have proven time and time again, it's all about choosing the right accessories to make the outfit epic.

See 3 cute & compelling cases for the shirtdress below. Stay cool (even though you already are....)

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5 Ways to Get Out of a Summer Style Rut

via Just the Design

Originally posted in The LOOK

While summer is the most laid-back of the seasons when it comes to fashion, I know so many women who still struggle on the daily with what to wear. More specifically, they struggle with getting out of their style rut. It's happened to the best of us. You know, your work uniform. Your weekend uniform. Your gym uniform. So many of us have the tendency to reach for the same colours, the same styles, the 'practical' choices when we're shopping because it's easy, it's safe and we know it's going to work on us. The result? Fashion fatigue. Zzzz...

Luckily, all it takes is a few key summer pieces to take your summer outfits from boring to beyooond. I've hit up some of my fave street style blogs to help inspire you out of your summer style rut right now, and they're all incredibly easy to pull off. Read on for my 5 simple summer tricks to add instant interest to your wardrobe...

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LIKE A BOSS | Your Fail-Proof Guide to a Chic Summer Work Wardrobe

via RW&CO.

Originally posted in The LOOK

I've worked in many different jobs over the years. And while I'm now the Director of my own company, I never quite reached boss status before Real Life Runway. In my adult life, I've been an Editorial Assistant, a Public Relations Coordinator and a Sales Representative. But when it comes to dressing for work, I've always been a boss. Sure, nobody's ever given me private jets or bottomless expense accounts, but I've always known that when it comes to dressing for work, I can roll with the best of them. I mean, if they gave promotions based on Footwear Focus and Accessory Deliverables, my raises would be totally epic.

Summer is a tricky time when it comes to dressing for 9-to-5. You want to be on vacation but you still have to get dressed every morning. Summer is the perfect season to loosen up at work but you walk that fine line between poor judgement and professional. Spaghetti straps are a no. Exposed bras are a no. Shorts can be a yes but only in a strict private school uniform kind of way. Plus, you have to contend with sweltering temps outside and freezing A/C blasting directly at your desk. The struggle is real. 

I've put together a list of fail-proof finds that will help you navigate your workplace in seriously chic style this summer. There, my work here is done. No, really, is it too early for sangria? 

SEE MY SUMMER WORK WARDROBE PICKS HERE...

#WIN IT | The Ultimate Queen's Plate Experience with Vaughan Mills + Watch Our Queen's Plate 2015 Style Guide

A behind-the-scenes shot of us on shoot day.

Yup, we're total posers.

Have I told you about my new job? As the Official Stylist of Vaughan Mills, I knew I'd have the chance to get out from behind my computer screen, but styling one of summer's biggest fashion events? Now that's awesome. Since Vaughan Mills has teamed up with Woodbine Racetrack as the official Fashion Sponsor of the upcoming Queen's Plate, my first mission (and I chose to accept it) was styling Queen's Plate 2015. As the most historic horse race in North America and the first leg of the Canadian Triple Crown, this year marks the 156th running of the Queen's Plate, one of Canada's top sporting and fashion events. We don't get too many chances in Canada to really dress up so this event is my jam.

Since it's hard to know what to wear to such a high-stakes fashion affair, we put together a Queen's Plate Style Guide for outfit inspiration. The best part about Queen's Plate? Anything goes. Custom-made fascinators are welcome, but so are ballcaps, flower crowns and oversized wide-brim hats. From short & sweet dresses, to flowy maxis to chic jumpsuits, it's all about using your creativity to stand out. Men show up in classic suits and dapper bowties but on a really hot day, pastel shorts and blazers can be a winning combo, too.

Don't miss our Queen's Plate Style Guide below (styled and modelled by me and my cute husband, who does a mean Blue Steel btw), then make sure you visit in-mall from June 23rd-July 2nd for a chance to win The Ultimate Queen's Plate Experience including a $500 shopping spree, a one-on-one styling sesh with me and 2 VIP tickets to attend the Queen's Plate on July 5th. To enter the contest, take your photo at one of the Queen's Plate Style cut-outs located inside the Event Court and post it to your personal Instagram account using hashtag #VMStylesQP and #QP15, making sure to tag @vaughan_mills in it so we can see your pic. Visit http://bit.ly/1Boyl1C for full contest details. Oh, and be sure to tune into Breakfast Television on June 30th live from Woodbine where we'll be showing more pretty Queen's Plate looks.

Can't wait for the big day! See you at Queen's Plate!