Transitional Dressing 101

A perfect transitional look from street-styler Elizabeth Victoria Clark.

Originally posted in The CLOSET

I'm done. Like, SO over it. Aren't you? I'm all about being a glass half full kinda girl but this unrelenting winter is enough to transform even the most optimistic among us into pouting, snivelling, whiny, cranky babies. Waahhh.

Happily, fashion has a way of tinting the lenses of our ski goggles rose-coloured and since we've been lucky to experience a few days of balmy weather lately, that means it's officially time to think spring. 

If you're super sick of your parkas, puffers and Sorels, it's time to take our basic course in winter to spring fashion. Welcome to Transitional Dressing 101, where the lecture discusses pretty shoes, the only test involves shopping, and instead of a diploma, you can win a gift card. Now this is the kind of continuing education I thoroughly enjoy...

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Trend Report: Spring Pieces We Want Now

Happy Monday! How gorgeous is it out there today? Nothing gets me in the mood for shopping quite like a sunny pre-spring day and I've been doing a lot of research for iVillage.ca to get properly primed for this new season of wants. From the new bomber jacket to the skirt length you need to try, check out the top trends we'll all be wearing this spring...

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Sarah Stevenson Debuts Collection for Target

Photos courtesy Target

The Sarah Stevenson for Target collection was unveiled at an intimate fashion show last night in Toronto, which I could not attend because (broken record) we are packing. Still. Humph.  As the winner of Toronto Fashion Incubator’s New Labels® fashion design competition in 2013, Stevenson was given the rare chance to create an exclusive Target collection.  The 15-piece Sarah Stevenson for Target collection features  dresses, blouses, pants and a statement blazer ranging from $24.99 to $59.99, making it the most affordable clothing collab at Target to date.   

“I’m so grateful to have had this opportunity with Target and TFI,” said Stevenson.  “It’s been such a great learning experience and I am really proud of my collection and how my vision came to life.  I’m excited to see my designs on the streets in addition to the different style interpretations and pairings by everyday women.”

The pretty collection stays true to Stevenson’s romantic aesthetic, featuring richly-hued florals and feminine, sophisticated styles.  One of the few designers to still create fabrics herself, Stevenson was inspired by flowers she saw throughout Toronto last spring. The result? A few blouses, silky pants and dresses that will be promptly added to my closet once the collection hits stores.

Mark your calendars: the collection launches in stores on March 23, 2014! But first, make your shopping list below...

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Nautical by Nature

A refined Spring '14 take on the nautical trend from Pringle of Scotland.

aaand, a much more literal interpretation from Olympia Le-Tan.

Originally posted in The LOOK

I grew up surrounded on all sides by land. Instead of a lake or ocean, my water came mostly in the form of bathtubs, lawn sprinklers and friends' backyard pools. But there were those rare times when we'd make a day trip to the beach, and even more rare times when we'd make it all the way to the ocean. And it was in those times that I realized how much I love the water.

Whether swimming in it or staring at it, the water just has this way of winning me over. And anytime I get the chance, I'm on a boat, a beach or a dock, waiting for my yacht to come in.  Or a canoe. A canoe is fine, too...

For Spring '14, designers showed their love for all things nautical, too, with stripes, blue and white looks, and even fun anchors, fish and sailboat patterns at Olympia Le-Tan. Whether you like to keep your seafaring style subtle or totally in-your-face, there are plenty of fish in the sea for spring.

Here are some tips for going nautical this season:

• Stripes are a classic that will never go out of style. But fear not, figure-conscious females, stripes can be super flattering. Simply opt for narrow stripes over wide to appear thinner.
• Not sure which metal to choose to complement your blues, whites and reds? Gold is the perfect fit for all of your nautical looks.
• Keep It Simple, Sailors! A delicate starfish necklace here or an anchor charm bracelet there is all you need to amp up your stripes. Read: don't go overboard. 

Read on for my fav nautical finds in stores right now and get ready to sail away...

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Bag It Like Burberry

Clutches seen on the Burberry Spring '14 runway. Photos via glamour.com.

Originally posted in The LOOK

While I don't normally condone overt copycatting, be it bad Liza Minelli impersonators or fake Louis Vuittons, there are some instances where I'm totally okay with it.  Case in point: this Burberry doppelgänger from ALDO. While I don't personally know anyone willing to fork over $1550 for a bag as season-specific as The Petal, I do know loads of women willing to part with $45 for a bag so similar in style, colour and feel as the ALDO version below, without having to resort to fake tags and loud logos. Yes, it's a direct copy - no original ideas here - but do we really care, especially when the attention to detail is so impressive? 

Pick up your Floral Appliqué Clutch (in white, mint or pink) at ALDO now. 

ps - Speaking of Liza Minelli, I would normally have done a full Oscars fashion recap yesterday if I wasn't so busy moving. To make it short and sweet, loved Lupita (the lobe cuff was amazing but wish she hadn't done the headband), thought Kate Hudson and Naomi Watts both looked amazing (as always) and that Cate Blanchett's dress was lovely (but she should have worn more blush). Jennifer Lawrence and Julia Roberts didn't get the memo that peplum is O-VER but their dresses fit them beautifully which counteracted the trend ignorance. As for the worst? Anna Kendrick, hands down. Chick seriously needs to get a stylist. Kerry Washington gets a hall pass bc she is 9 months pregant and if you've ever been 9 months pregnant, you know that absolutely nothing fits your body at that stage, that there is nothing graceful or elegant or unwrinkled when you are that close to D-Day, so I really wish everyone would leave the poor girl alone. Thoughts?