GOOD JEANS | Get to Know Spring's New Cleaned-Up Denim

A relaxed but refined denim look from Chloé Spring '15

Originally posted in The LOOK

When it comes to fabrics, nobody has it as tough as denim. Seemingly gentle women have been known to go to violent extremes to get what they want out of their fav pair of jeans. In fact, I've committed a few heinous denim crimes myself - I'm ashamed to admit that I've thrown acid on, rubbed sandpaper across, even ripped apart the knees of a perfectly innocent pair of skinnies, just because they didn't look cool enough. Well, enough. The guilt is too much. 

For Spring '15, designers must have been feeling a little remorseful, too (or, um, maybe they just missed the seventies). From Chloé to Michael Kors to Stella McCartney, taste-makers opted to return to pure, clean denim in everything from wide-legged jeans to denim shirts to refined little dresses and long skirts. While dark indigo is back in a big way, powder blue denim is right on trend, too. The key? Keep it simple, sweeties. Step away from the sandpaper and give your jeans a break.  I've handpicked 30 pieces from Intercity Shopping Centre to help you as you shop, plus a few slightly distressed picks for those of you who need a little time to transition...

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Uniqlo is Finally Coming to Canada

No trip to NY is complete without a stop at the massive 89,000 sq. ft. Uniqlo on 5th Ave.

While some of us continue to mourn the loss of Target, today's news (kind of, sort of) makes up for it. After years of speculation, Uniqlo is finally coming to Canada! The Japanese fashion-fashion giant announced this am that it will open its first two Canadian stores in Toronto in 2016 - the first at Yorkdale Mall and the second at Toronto Eaton Centre. “We embrace this milestone as an important step in the growth of our brand,” said Larry Meyer, chief executive officer of Uniqlo USA and Canada.

Uniqlo is a powerhouse in the cheap-chic world of fashion, with over 1,500 stores now operating worldwide. The store carries well-designed basics in every colour, making it a go-to for stylish minimalistas everywhere, including celebs like Gwyneth Paltrow. So what makes it different than a Joe Fresh or GAP? While Uniqlo has the power of scale to keep its prices low, its focus remains on fabric over fashion. According to this article in NY Mag, Uniqlo keeps a team of takumi, or textile “masters,” on staff who specialize in areas like dyeing or sewing. A typical order will be around a million units of denim, fleece, or cashmere—often all the material the supplier makes. The company further increases its buying power by offering a smaller selection of fabrics, across a more limited selection of styles, than most other retailers.

We can't wait to finally be able to shop Uniqlo at home but as always when a retailer enters the Canadian market, we approach this new relationship with a healthy amount of cautious optimism. Will the prices be as awesome as they are in NY? Will we get the selection we expect from a giant like Uniqlo? And most importantly, how will this takeover affect our beloved Joe Fresh?

 

Happily Ever Après

via Vogue Australia

Originally posted in The CLOSET

I started skiing at Chicopee Ski Club as a tween, and it was all downhill from there; I experimented with powder, drank too much, and I'll admit that at one point, I even turned a few tricks.  Looking back, I blame it on the fact that there just wasn't much else to do in Kitchener back then, especially in the long cold months of winter.   As soon as school was over and pretty much every weekend, my friends and I would get dropped off at Mount St. Chicopee where we'd hit the slopes (okay, fine, it wasn't exactly powder) until our cute, snowpant-clad selves couldn't handle the cold anymore, at which point we'd hit the chalet for some hardcore hot chocolate and serious boy-watching. 

I still ski today but I'll admit that one of my favourite parts of the experience remains the 'après' - the part where poutine is not only available but encouraged, where I get to catch up with my favourites by the fire, and where ski bunny style is embraced in all its cozy glory.

Luckily, you don't  have to know how to step into a pair of bindings to score that coveted après-ski style this winter. From chunky knit sweaters and headbands to the best wind-burn simulating bronzer, every self-respecting ski bunny knows that when faced with a big hill on a cold day (or not), looking good really is half the battle...

SEE MY CHALET-READY PICKS HERE...

LABEL LOVE | FRAANKLIN

The Souvenir Toronto girls show off their FRAANKLIN scarves. Via FRAANKLIN on Instagram

Have you heard of FRAANKLIN yet? My stylish cousin just introduced me to the Toronto brand and I have to share the label love with you. FRAANKLIN scarves are total stunners. The team works with its designers in Germany and NY, then sources the finest materials from around the world - New Zealand wool, German blends and Inner Mongolian Cashmere. Scarves are then produced in-house under strict socially responsible standards. 

Aside from that, here's all you really need to know - no matter what material you choose (yes, even the acrylic ones), FRAANKLIN scarves are so cozy, so generous, so luxurious-feeling, they will ruin you for every other. I wore mine all week and have never enjoyed the winter weather quite so much. Whether you're gifting or simply want to treat yo-self, here are some of my top picks rocked beautifully by those in-the-know (I'm especially smitten with the reversible line - I'm convinced every cool girl needs at least one). 

Happy, happy Fri! 

via big.chantelle on Instagram

Grey Plaid Reverse Houndstooth, $85, FRAANKLIN

via 6 by Gee Beauty on Instagram

Hunter Green Reverse Plaid Herringbone, $85, FRAANKLIN

via dearlynnjewelry on Instagram

Contemporary Royal Plaid, $65, FRAANKLIN

Lauren Soper via FRAANKLIN on Instagram

Merlot Plaid Reverse Herringbone, $85, FRAANKLIN

See the Joe Fresh Summer '15 Lookbook

Pics via Joe Fresh

I'll do anything to avoid the cold right now - and if that means jumping on a plane and heading someplace steamy, I'm willing to do it. However, since 'willing' and 'able' are unlikely to coincide this month, I've settled on vacationing vicariously through other people's hateful Instagram feeds. It's just mean, isn't it? I've found that browsing the spring/summer collections also helps. The Joe Fresh Summer '15 Lookbook just dropped if you're looking for ways to escape, too. It's a bit of a slow burn, this one - but I've found a little black jumpsuit (see above), some sporty mesh and some head-to-toe whites that will def be making their way into my wardrobe once the snow melts. Enjoy!

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