Outfit Post: Turn Summer Gear into Winter Wear

First, let me just say that these seemingly gratuitous selfies seriously induce a major existential crises for me  every time I post one. However! The only saving grace is if they serve a purpose that is higher (and/or more divine) then just showing off a great hair day or non-bloated day (both equally important). The higher (and/or more divine) purpose of these outfit posts are to bless the lucky ones (you) with some spiritual guidance in the form of style tips, that include: what goes with what, what colour is good, what shoes are nice, and generally how you can look your best without re-financing your house. (buying it yet?) 

So, in the spirit of divine fashion guidance, here is my little outfit where I rendered what previously was considered STRICTLY SUMMER WEAR (a mint coloured denim) into winter night-out, sister's bday celebration wear. Rules are meant to be broken right? 

This pastel/sorbet/easterbunnyegg coloured denim was a massive trend this past summer; I bought these Urban Outfitter mint green jeans mostly because of the colour and I wore them many times last summer (you can see that here and here and here). But as the leaves turned and it got chilly, they were placed at the bottom of my denim pile and I didn't wear them for months, thinking they were only meant for summer- but that didn't have to be the case. 

I pulled them out last Saturday against all conventional fashion logic, but by pairing them with a black blazer, black boots and white&black graphic tank, I turned it into a winter look. I love getting the most out of an item and the thought of these jeans sitting at the back of my closet was annoying me. I know that many of you bought coloured denim last summer, (maybe a turquoise, a lilac, or a pale pink) and you might think twice before pulling them out this season, but hopefully I've shown you that you can! And also that fashion rules are meant to be broken (but check with me or someone you trust if you're breaking them in the right way!)
Outfit Breakdown: 
Jeans - Urban Outfitters $68
Graphic top - Hearty Larks $20 (Local Toronto designer)
Blazer - Zara $100
Booties - Spring $27 ( years ago on sale)

  

And that's how you can turn summer gear into winter wear ;)  Watcha think?

     
  

Outfit Post: City Slickin'

I've been hearing from many readers that they would like to see better quality pictures to see the outfit details better and I agree. Most of my outfit pics are quick Iphone snaps taken as I leave for work in an absolute rush (I could wake up a bit earlier to make sure its all done in good time, but sleeping for another 20 minutes in the morning seems SO important at that time!). The subsequent "editing" takes place on a streetcar and the writing sometimes happens while standing on a crammed subway car - hehe the joys of multi-tasking...

Now I'm not saying that won't happen again, but for now I have MUCH better photos thanks to my lovely photographer friend Priya Crasto who came to my rescue (as friends do!). She generously offered to get my lazy butt in gear by taking REAL outfit pictures of me, which I'm super happy with :). Most fashion bloggers seem to have a knack for being in front of the camera, but I don't feel quite comfortable yet, so having Priya taking the pictures really helped to put me at ease. I think the editor/stylist in me is used to always being behind the scenes, but its fun to experiment and force myself out of my comfort zone.

The inspiration for this outfit began with my discovery of these flared camel coloured jeans (Citizens of Humanity), also the whole Wild West trend has been catching my eye lately (cowboy type boots, hats, bolos, leather fringes, etc) I have a feeling it'll be around for next summer. So lets enjoy the little bit of summer we're having in October!

Outfit Breakdown:

Denim Vest: Thrifted for $25 (to which I added embellishment in a fun DIY project, you can check it out here)

Black blousey thing: Chinatown for $20(I never notice the name of these stores, probably called "Lovely Clothes" or something)

Jeans: Citizens of Humanity (from Aritzia, for $29!! yes, lets take a minute to let that sink in)

Ooooooh!

Big Brother's watching

I hope you liked these higher quality pictures! You will definitely be seeing more of this and less of the shady self-shots (circa 2005 Myspace).

I HIGHLY recommend Priya for your photography needs, she was awesome! If you're in the Greater Toronto Area, you can reach out to her at crasto.priya@gmail.com for photoshoots of your own, (engagement shoots, outfit shoots, headshots etc) and don't forget to mention that I referred you!

Thirfty to Trendy: On the GO!

From now on I will be regularly doing posts titled "Thrifty to Trendy" which basically means I'm wearing an outift where I've taken a thrifted item and rendered it "trendy" by mixing it with newer items. When I thrift, my goal is not to make it obvious that I'm wearing a thrifted piece (unlike some hipsters who basically will pick the most ragged looking piece of clothing and try to make it "homeless chic") Not my thing. So I hope to show you how you can take a piece of clothing from Value Village or Goodwill and make it look new and expensive! Doesn't mean you have to hide the fact that you thrift, (God knows I shout it from the roof tops) but you don't really want it to be an immediately discernible aspect of your outfit. Now, if it looks vintage, that's another story, whats the difference you ask? We'll save that for another blog post....

Here is my first outfit that I took from "Thrifty to Trendy"! Classic, simple and easy - some of my favourite style values :)

Me on the go! Just before leaving for work

Outfit breakdown;
Tuxedo Blazer - Value Village $12.99
Shirt - from my DIY project 
Jeans - Gap Skinnies ($80ish0
Shoes - Aldo loafers ($29 on sale)
Bag, pleather tote -  FCUK (I believe I got this for $30 on sale)

And there you go! Stay tuned for many more....and please tell me if I start regressing into "homeless chic" - these hipsters start rubbing off on you without you even realising..its quite cultish.

Outfit post: The Canadian Tuxedo

Along with moose, beavers, maple syrup, untamed wilderness, Tim Hortons, igloos, lumberjacks and bacon, Canada also offers a highly sophisticated sartorial rarity known as the Canadian Tuxedo. This species is comprised of variations of denim on denim and can be found mostly along the Queen West area of Toronto. It normally comes out during random weekday afternoons and likes to hunt for speciality organic coffees and vegan foods. You might also find it in the right lane on a bicycle riding dangerously close to your car, slowing you down without fear of being hurt. A very unaware specimen it is. Keep an eye out for the Canadian tux and remember never discuss your car or big box grocery stores in its presence.