DENIM LOVE STORIES | My Spring Denim Test-Drive with Reitmans

 

When Reitmans approached me to collaborate on their spring denim campaign, I was excited to check out the collection and get reacquainted with the brand. Okay, hold on, put away your fashion snob hat for a minute. Don't be a hater with that whole 'ugh, no-name denim?' thing that I know some of you are doing. Let me tell you that Reitmans has actually come a long way. With Smart Set closing, Reitmans has shifted its focus to be younger and more trend-focused to appeal to SS's old customers, including women like me. I've always been a big believer in peppering your denim collection with well-made, inexpensive options, and if you can find them at a Canadian retailer, it's always a big bonus.

So, I headed to my closest Reitmans and got right to work. My fashion mission? Find a pastel pair, a bleached pair, and a boyfriend, then style them three different ways. I tried on loads of pairs, tossing aside anything I deemed too 'mom' (even though I am a mom), finally settling on a pair of cute marbled skinnies, a pair of pretty pale pink ankle jeans and a comfy pair of dark drawstring boyfriends. Also managed to pick up a super pretty lace tee, a classic black watch and a perfect long silver pendant (see below).

If you haven't checked out Reitmans lately, it's totally worth the visit to try on some non-budget-busting spring denim. In the meantime, scroll below to see how I styled my picks and don't miss the Reitmans Facebook contest at the bottom of this post where you could win a trip for 2 to the seriously dreamy 5-star Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit. Sigh...can I win, please? Oh, and be sure to tell me which look is your fav - would love to hear what you think! 

Cat-Eye Sunglasses, ALDO | Flower Necklace, J.Crew, similar here | Cheetah Coat, Bootlegger | Quilted Black Jacket, Old Navy | Non-Iron Fitted Dress Shirt, Brooks Brothers | Only Denim Skinny Jeans, Reitmans | Black Wrist Watch, Reitmans | Black Strappy Pumps, Nine West (top pic) | Patent Croco Slip-On Sneakers, H&M (bottom pic).

THE JEAN |  Only Denim Skinny Jeans (sku 312777)

WHY I LOVE THEM | Bleached denim is a tricky affair, usually best left to the designer denim pros. However, I fell for these bleached marble skinnies because they're just so eighties (in a good way), and made my legs look skinny. I'd say to wear them with a white blouse and keep it simple. But then again, if you're going to wear marbled jeans, why not go all out? Marble. Cheetah. Hot pink lips. Yes. Yes. Yes!

Ray-Ban Aviators, Sunglass Hut | Neon Earrings, J.Crew, similar but even cuter here | Lace Tee, Reitmans, similar here | Structured Trench, RW&CO. | Pastel Ankle Jeans, Reitmans | Leopard Calf Hair Pumps, J. Crew Factory.

THE JEAN | Pastel Ankle Jeans (sku 736949)

WHY I LOVE THEM | Pale pink jeans are so girly that I had to have them. Going head-to-toe tonal always makes a strong fashion statement, especially if you can add in an unexpected pop somewhere. I threw on a pair of neon earrings and they instantly finished off the outfit. I normally find pale denim super unflattering since they show the world every little bump but the Reitmans pastel jeans are the right thickness so they give you nothing but sleek, clean lines and legs for days. 

 

NY Yankees Ball Cap, LIDS | Mirrored Sunglasses, American Eagle | Navy Blazer, Banana Republic, similar here | Long Silver Necklace, Reitmans | Non-Iron Fitted Dress Shirt, Brooks Brothers | Printed Crossbody, ALDO | Elsa Peretti Bone Cuff, Tiffany & Co. | Only Denim Boyfriend Jeans with Drawstring, Reitmans | Patent Croco Slip-On Sneakers, H&M

THE JEAN | Only Denim Boyfriend Jeans with Drawstring (sku 313000)

WHY I LOVE THEM | For me, these jeans are ALL about the drawstring. They're crazy comfy like joggers, only with the option to wear them out. Since this spring is so heavily influenced by the '70s, I am loving the clean denim look right now and plan on wearing these with both heels and sneakers this spring. Yay spring!

It might be spring(ish) but anyone else craving a getaway right now? Then you do not want to miss this amazing Reitmans Facebook contest: Enter here for a chance to win an all-inclusive trip for two to the 5-star Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit resort in Mexico, courtesy of Transat Holidays. Good luck! xx

SHOPBOP SCORES | Bright Embroidered Bags

via Shopbop on Instagram

Sometimes more is more - especially when it comes to summer handbags. Forget black, beige and boooring, I've got my eye on a bunch of beaded, tasseled, fringey, embroidered beauties at Shopbop right now. Antik Batik has obviously mastered the look, but some lesser-known designers recently caught my eye. Both Christophe Sauvat and Star Mela have SXSW-style accessories down pat, and in the case of Star Mela, I wouldn't feel the slightest bit guilty in picking up a new summer handbag or two. 

And you? Are you loving these bright embellished bags, too?

Antik Batik Cuzo Clutch, $285

Christophe Sauvat Cover-Up, $210

Star Mela Jui Cosmetic Case, $65

Antik Batik Minette Baguette, $185

Star Mela Estee Pouch, $80

Christophe Sauvat Antigua Bag, $540

Christophe Sauvat Mandala Bag, $390

Shoshanna Rainbow Fringe Embellished Peasant Dress, $285

Star Mela Peri Pouch, $65

Antik Batik Gaspard Pouch, $225

Star Mela Jui Bag, $140

THE SOFTER SIDE | The Cool New Way to Wear Spring Pastels

via J.Crew

Originally posted in The LOOK

It's the last day of winter. Let me repeat that - the LAST day of winter! This is no joke. Hard to believe that the spring we've been waiting for has finally arrived, and with it, a new crop of pretty spring colours in stores. While I'll always rely on black and white, and do love my brights, there's something irresistible about soft pastels, especially this season. 

While pastels can be sweet and pretty and mega girly-girly, you might not think of them as cool. I mean, black is cool and metallics are cool but pink? Cool? You might be surprised. From the always on point J.Crew runway to the most-copied street stylers, fashion know-it-alls are already tossing off their blacks and switching them up for powdery blues, ballet pinks and vibrant yellows. 

So, how do you make pastels look edgy? Here are 3 easy ways:

1) ADD BLACK | It never fails to pair your pastels with black to add depth to a super-sweet shade. Bonus points if you can add some leather (faux or real) and either a leopard or snake print to the mix.

2) MIX IT UP | Instead of sticking to one pastel shade, why not mix them up? Shades of blues and pinks mixed up look amazing worn head to toe, especially when you add some distressed denim to the mix. 

3) COMBINE SOFT & BRIGHT PASTELS | Soft pink with white and a khaki trench is pretty but, let's face it, predictable. The addition of one super bright pastel (think a bright yellow like in the J.Crew pic above and the outfit below) totally takes your spring outfit to the next level. Neon orange looks amazing with soft pink, too. 

Looking for some spring outfit inspo? I've put together 3 cool pastel looks to try out now. Happy Spring!

SEE THE LOOKS HERE...

PATTERN PLAY | 12 Ways to Work Prints Into Your Wardrobe This Spring

via H&M

Originally posted in The CLOSET

Much like art, our taste in prints says a lot about who we are. On first impression, I'd say someone in florals is a girly-girl, a woman who loves stripes probably wishes she lived in Paris, and a lady who likes leopard is, according to my husband, on the cusp of becoming a cougar. A boho batik tells me she probably loves to travel and a loud '70s print says she's fun-loving and doesn't take herself too seriously. 

But our choice in prints is a far more nuanced affair than you'd think. Take florals - from tiny ditsy florals to exotic tropicals to splashy impressionistic buds, the print options are endless. And then there's the all-important way you wear your florals - head-to-toe like a boss, subtle and discreet as a clutch, worn prim and proper with a pencil skirt with heels, or in a dress paired unexpectedly with edgy black booties.  

When it comes to fashion, it just doesn't get more personal than prints, from the ones you choose to the way you choose to wear them. Luckily, spring brings with it an endless array of pretty options to please us all. 

Want some inspiration before you shop? Check out these 12 fun ways to work prints into your wardrobe this spring. Happy March!

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SHAKE IT OFF | These 40 Fun Accessories Will Get You in the Mood for Spring

You're lying on a beach...the sun in shining...and breathe....via Valentino

Originally posted in The LOOK

You might not be thinking spring yet. I mean, who can blame you? It's March but it feels less like a march and more like a drag, or a slow, weary slog. And I can't pretend that any footwear other than winter boots makes sense right now. I went to a fashion party in heels the other day, and let's just say my entrance was totally memorable - like, nobody at that party's going to forget me falling on my face on a patch of ice and the contents of my clutch flying all over the sidewalk. Yup, I'm the coolest.

So while I love to dream ahead, today's post is firmly entrenched in the reality of our current Canadian situation. I've picked out 40 fun accessories because you can wear them now to breathe new life into your existing outfits. Bored with your black sweaters? Add a fun necklace. Done with your parka? Add a bright infinity scarf. And that black handbag? Why not switch it up for a pretty blue? Luckily these small but mighty adds will hardly make a dent in your budget while giving your winter wardrobe a mini makeover. 

Consider spring accessories an investment in your end-of-winter mental health. I don't know about you, but I could seriously use a little pick-me-up right about now. Um, or two, or three... (who's counting?)

Happy accessory shopping and a bright and happy March to you!

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