Totally Shady

Brilliant shades of blue, bordeaux and bright mustard from Nanette Lepore Fall 2012

Originally posted in The Fashion Scoop

It's funny but every fall I do the exact same thing. Sometime right around now, when the mornings are just starting to feel crisp and the leaves are gradually leaving the trees (is that why they call them leaves?), I find myself doing the fall change-up. I'll pack away all of my bright summer dresses, skirts & tees and shove them into an empty closet in our guest room. The more I pack, the darker my closet gets as yellow, pink and orange make way for loads of grey sweaters and black pants. Um, depressing much?

There's absolutely no reason (especially now!) to live in a black hole for 6 months of the year. I've slowly been building up my colour arsenal and this year, I'm happy to report that my fall/winter wardrobe is equally as exciting as my spring & summer stuff. I can't tell you how much more inspiring it is, especially on a cold, grey day, to have shades of rich yellow, bright reds and deep greens to get me going in the morning. This season, I'm obsessed with bordeaux and mustard and can't wait to work them into my look (see below for cool new ways to wear them).

Since I've been on a bright binge for a few years now, I'm actually equally stoked about the black on black trend for fall - great news for colour-phobes, and perfect for those days when you need a colour detox. The key to keeping it interesting? Try mixing and matching loads of textures - pair a great chunky knit with a pair of leather leggings, shiny patent black boots and a bright red lip. Or, pair your black with either deep navy or bright cobalt blue for a dose of Parisian chic.

Happy Friday!  Is it bad that all I want to do this weekend is shop? x

TRY: BLACK & BLUE

ATTITUDE Jay Manuel Peplum Top, $24.88, Sears 

TRY: MUSTARD & TAUPE

Floral Crepe Pencil Skirt - Petites, $64, Cleo

TRY: BLACK ON BLACK 

Mallia for Danier Wool & Cashmere Coat with Leather Piping, $749, Danier

TRY: BORDEAUX & PINK

Bar Stripe Cardigan, $15, Aeropostale

Fall in Love

Dolce & Gabbana Menswear Fall '12 Ad Campaign - courtesy Dolce & Gabbana

I'm a sucker for a good love story.  Whether it's Romeo & Juliet, William & Kate,  or Emily & Jef, I just love a perfect pairing.  Still, a love story isn't exclusive to people.  In fact, I've already fallen in love several times this fall - with the perfect bag, a pair of pants and countless times in the shoe department.  You see, we're in an open relationship, my wardrobe and I.  We've agreed that as long as they make me look good, I will take good care of them and love them all until they're old.  Win-win.

Have you met your perfect match this fall?  These three runway-inspired looks set my heart aflutter and now I'm playing matchmaker for you.  I hope it's love at first sight for you, too.  Sigh...

 

Burberry Prorsum Autumn '12 Ad Campaign 

Perfect Pairing: Charcoal and Mustard Yellow (with pops of blue)

Love Profile:  Tall, dark Brit seeks fun-loving companion.  An eclectic risk-taker with a penchant for layering.  Loves to cuddle up on a cold night. 

Perfect Date: Danier, American Eagle, Ricki's, Sears, then ALDO.

Natalia Vodianova for Guerlain Fall '12

Perfect Pairing: Black & Red (with tan & gold accents)

Love Profile: Classic beauty seeks worldly partner. Loves market-strolling, long lunches and weekend trips to Paris.

Perfect Date: A shopping trip at Le Château, Garage, ALDO, Bootlegger and Danier.  

Prabal Gurung Fall 2012 - style.com 

Perfect Pairing: Black & Blue (either bright cobalt or navy)with a dash of leopard

Love Profile:  Edgy Sophisticate seeks Commitment-Phobic Daredevil.  Loves the unexpected, especially in the form of a leopard bag or a blue suede shootie.  Looking for a good time.

Perfect Date:  Stops at Le Château, Bootlegger and ALDO at Intercity Shopping Centre, of course.  The sale racks had better watch out.

Back in the Saddle

Looks from Isabel Marant Fall 2012 - photos style.com

Floral Chiffon Poet Blouse, $49, American Eagle Outfitters

Rich and Skinny Legacy Skinny Jean in Tangelo, $150, eLUXE

High-Heel Cowboy Ankle Boot, $109, Zara

Tassel Loafers, $39.95, Gap

Could this blouse from American Eagle be any more Isabel Marant Fall '12?  Don't think so...In fact, there's frequently a whole lot of Isabel inspo over at AE.  And, if the whole look is just a little too Miranda Lambert for you, then prep it up with a pair of dark skinnies and a little pair of Gap loafers. I love a great doppelgänger, don't you?  Yeehaw! PS - I'm way more rock n' roll than cheesy country but I do love a good cowboy boot.  Oh, and the occasional Taylor Swift tune.  But she's not really country, is she?

Paris in the Springtime

Isabel Marant Etoile's Spring Campaign - photos via isabelmarant.fr

Le Roller Girl.  La Bicyclette.  Le Boom Box.  Ahhh...Paris in black & white.  Is there anything better?

Isabel Marant...Enfin!

There's just something about owning a piece of designer clothing that brings a little happiness, however fleeting or superficial.  My budget has never allowed me to own anything by Isabel Marant, so I was super excited to learn that to mark World AIDS Day, Gap is introducing an exclusive tee by Mlle. Marant, one of my all-time fave designers.  Printed on Gap’s classic heather grey v-neck tee in a boyish over-sized style, the playfully print and slouchy silhouette epitomize the under-stated easy style of Isabel’s collection. Strictly limited edition, the t-shirt is $39.95 and will be sold from November 28^th in select Canadian Gap stores: Toronto Eaton Centre and Bloor Street in Toronto, Montreal Eaton Centre in Montreal, and Chinook Centre in Calgary. Fifty per cent of profits from the sale of all tees will go to the Global Fund to help eliminate AIDS in Africa.

Isabel Marant comments, “I am very thrilled that Gap has given me the opportunity to contribute to such an important cause. This is one of those rare occasions when fashion can do something to help make the world a slightly better place. I am more than honoured to follow in the steps of the impressive collaborators who have worked on the RED project before me”.

I'm always happy to see when fashion can help (even just a teeny, tiny bit) to make the world a better, healthier place.