CANADA 150, EH? | These Fashionable Finds Will Make You Feel SO Canadian

via Roots

Originally posted in The CLOSET

Campfires. Gord Downie. Timmies. Pond hockey. Muskoka chairs. Loon calls. Bautista bat flips. Complaining about the weather. Saying sorry. A lot. Paleness. Patio parties. Backyard bbqs. Justin Trudeau doing push-ups.

We might all be different but there's something about being Canadian that unites us. We work hard but we play harder. We love fiercely, we're polite and we're kind - buuut we still like to cause some trouble because how else could we possibly get through 8 months of winter? We love our nature and we love our summers because we know that before too long, they're gone. We're far from perfect but we're working on it. Most of us have never seen a beaver. And most of us will find that last sentence funny. 

Unlike our American counterparts, our patriotism is a steady, quiet sort. While we love Canada, it's not the decal-your-car-in-Canadian-flags kinda love. But with Canada 150 just a few weeks away, this might be the year to get just a little bit loud. 

Rock maple-leaf hats & sweatshirts from Roots (one of our country's biggest retail success stories) or Made in Canada finds from Le Château. Try flirty dresses from stores that you didn't even know were Canadian or homegrown beauty products to help you embrace your short-lived summer glow. Pick up some new shoes from a Canadian fave (shout-out to ALDO) or treat yourself to a few things from Hudson's Bay.  Love this country as much as we do? Scroll below for some fashionable finds that will help you wear your heart on your sleeve this summer.

Happy 150th birthday Canada! We love you xx

SEE OUR CANADIAN FASHION FINDS HERE...

Fashion Finds for the Queen's Plate

There’s getting dressed and then there’s getting dressed. While Queen’s Plate might have horse racing at its roots, everyone knows it’s really all about the fash-un. I mean, where else do you get to wear a bright floral formal dress for day? Where else do you get to hang with loads of dapper dudes all decked out? I’m talking suspenders, bow-ties, jaunty hats and pastel jackets - sometimes all at once. And unless you find yourself on the guest list at a British wedding, when else will you ever get to wear a fascinator? Never. Which is why Queen’s Plate should be on everyone’s summer bucket list.
While the Queen’s Plate event might seem intimidating to a first-timer, it’s so not. When it comes to Queen’s Plate, I’ve learned that anything goes. The best part? You don’t have to spend all your winnings to look amazing. Head over to the Vaughan Mills blog to see the need-to-know Queen's Plate style tips I’ve gleaned over the years...

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#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!