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...

SUMMER STYLE CLASS | 3 Must-Try Trends

via Stradivarius

Originally posted in The CLOSET

Summer is nearly here and while I've been lusting after the season's top trends for months now, many of them haven't felt all that feasible until now. I mean, busting out floral shorts on a frigid day just didn't seem right. And all that girly gingham really only makes sense during picnic weather.

For Spring '15, designers sent loads of tempting trends down the runways but as we all know, so many of them look better in performance than in practice. Luckily this summer, it's easy for even the most cautious dressers to diffuse the big trends down into outfits you can actually wear. 

Florals can feel too precious but the right blooms make for the perfect summer look. I'm loving the floral high-waisted shorts at H&M right now - add a chic white shirt and block-heeled city sandals and you're good to go for the Best Lunch-Date Look Ever.

The Seventies has been the biggest trend of the season so far but I like my disco-era in small doses. You dig? Round sunglasses, wooden accents and clean, pale denim feel like just enough to give off the right vibe. I'll be rocking summer's must-wear shirt - the short-sleeved chambray shirt - with my white girlfriend jeans and easy slides (another huge summer trend, btw).

And while stripes are a perpetual summer staple, the most fresh print of summer is gingham. The picnic print is back in a big way and will ensure you'll look right on point this season. I love the idea of a sweet gingham dress worn with sneakers or gladiators. I've shown a mildly risky pair but if you feel like pushing it even further, I'd highly recommend a pair of super tall gladiators this summer. 

Check out the looks below for some hot-weather style inspiration. Happy (summer) shopping! 

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SPRING STYLE | 17 Fashion Finds Bloggers Can't Live Without

via Krystin_Lee on Instagram

Originally posted in The CLOSET

It takes one to know one. As a Fashion Blogger (the capitals make me feel legit) I can spot another member of my 'crew' at the drop of a fedora. It has nothing to do with her # of Instagram followers because, let's face it, some bloggers buy those. And she might not even have a proper blog yet. But all stylish fashion bloggers, wannabe or full-time profesh, have certain key pieces they rely on to look stylish on the daily. They're not always super expensive, and some pieces change from season to season, but there's a certain savoir-faire when it comes to shopping for that perfect blogger wardrobe.

For spring, it's all about the mix - that perfect combo of street meets chic. Bold standout pieces reside next to classic keepers, sporty finds balance out super girly scores, and ideally, there's always that amazing conversation piece to keep your 'followers' interested.

From cute dots to culottes, I've rounded up 17 blogger-approved finds you can add to your spring wardrobe now with the insider secret ways to wear them. Enjoy!

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FRINGE FESTIVAL

Now that Coachella has kicked off festival season, I can’t get enough of all the perfect boho looks I've been seeing on Snapchat. MY favourite festival trend? Fringe, baby. I've handpicked 25 fun fringed finds for W Dish this week to help ease the blow of my #NoChella show...

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SPRING STYLE CLASS | 3 New Ways to Wear Wide Pants

via H&M

Originally posted in The CLOSET

There's no denying the staying power of the skinny. Some of you might not remember when skinny jeans blew up but I remember it very well. I was living in Toronto in 2005 when I started to notice women give up their bootcuts in favour of calf-clenching skin-tight jeans. I remember waiting for the subway, watching girls of all shapes and sizes get strangled by their new skinnies, thinking how super awkward they looked, and how I would never, ever intentionally choose pants that made my bum look big.

Of course, I gave in. We collectively figured out how to wear them right. We learned to balance out our super fitted bottoms with loose sweaters, long tunics and oversized cardis. We discovered in pictures how cruel white skinnies could be and how tan skinnies made it look like we weren't wearing pants at all. Stores finally started offering us varying styles of skinnies to suit our bods, from jeggings to skinny boots, with loads of stretch thrown in for good measure.  And while I swore I'd never go there, turns out skinny jeans are pretty much all I've worn for the past 10 years.

I'm not going to claim that this is the end of the skinny but there's clearly a style shake-up happening with the fashion pack right now. Cool girls everywhere, from Jennifer Lawrence to Kendall Jenner are currently opting for wider leg pants - think super flared '70s jeans, wide cropped culottes and flowy palazzos that make skinnies look SO last season. I don't know about you but I'm ready for some breathing room. They might look a little funny now but remember - we said that about the skinny, too. 

Read on for 3 cute ways to wear wide pants this spring. And breathe...