The New Mom Uniform

Photo courtesy Zara

After a long, loungy summer, the first week of September can feel awfully busy.  Between packing lunches, dressing your little ones and getting to class before the bell, there’s never much time left for #1. So how then to look chic in a Back-to-School minute?  Check out my top 10 ways to look stellar in a flash at iVillage.ca this week, so you'll be drop-dead gorge for those early morning drop-offs.   Happy 1st day of school!  Anyone else ready for a big, fat vacay already?

A Gabrielle Johnson Guest Post!

Style Expert Gabrielle Johnson knows a thing or two about fashion.  The exceptionally stylish Central Saint Martins grad and former Sweetspot editrix has worked with some of the biggest publications in the business and currently spills her fashion and beauty secrets for Toronto Life and Glow Magazine, among others. Gabrielle agreed to write a guest post for RLR to help us harness the power of the peplum for fall.  Lucky us! Check back for more guest posts in the coming months from Ms. Johnson and other members of Canada's fashionable flock...

Forget one-season wonders: Pretty peplums — those ultra-feminine, flattering flared ruffles currently spilling forth from the waists of tops, skirts, dresses and jackets everywhere — dominated designer runways for spring and fall 2012.

This season, we’ll be working the peplum at the office, on weekends and after hours (and showing you how to master the looks, too). We love a fashion trend with staying power.  

OFFICE CHIC
A flouncy peplum top becomes office-appropriate when paired with sleek, simple basics. Team this gorgeous wine-coloured 3.1 Phillip Lim belted satin-twill peplum top (US $550) with a smart black pencil skirt or slim-cut tailored trousers, and keep the accessories minimal. The best part? It’ll take you from endless meetings in the boardroom to after-work cocktails with colleagues, no costume change required.

WEEKEND CASUAL
We’ve grown accustomed to seeing stylish celebs like Emma Stone rocking OTT peplums on the red carpet, but take the ruffles down a notch and suddenly the peplum is perfect for weekend brunch.  This super-soft Autumn Cashmere button-back peplum sweater ($310) is just begging to be paired with skinny jeans, ankle boots and a steaming cup of hot chocolate. We can feel the leaves crunching underfoot already.

EVENING AFFAIR
Did we mention that the peplum is a godsend for women with curves? It creates the ultimate hourglass silhouette, nipping in the waist and sensually grazing the hips.  Show off your best assets in Zara’s embroidered faux-leather peplum top ($69.90); wear it with a flirty skirt or your tightest pants, depending on the level of bad-assedness you’re hoping to project.

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?

The Taylor Tomasi Hill Effect

Taylor Tomasi Hill mixes it up in at the Rochas show in Paris. Source: StyleBistro

As former Style and Accessories Director at Marie Claire and current Artistic Director at Moda Operandi, Taylor Tomasi Hill has an eye for the extras. Add to that her fearless approach to fashion (she’s the current one-to-watch in the street style world) and her supermodel looks and we’re completely smitten.

So, how do you pull off Taylor’s aristo-chic look? Mix up unexpected colours and textures, always keep your hair well-groomed (fiery red hue optional) and of course, never forget the power of killer statement accessories.  For all the luxe-for-less pieces to help you nab the coveted TTH vibe, check out my story this week at iVillage.ca.  Love her!

Neon 101

If you're like me, neon is something to approach with caution.  Oh, I've worn it head to toe, back in the early '90s, bombing down Mount St. Chicopee in avalanche-safe neon, from my day-glo toque to the tips of my neon skis.  Face done (in pink zinc), hair done (neon elastics), everything 'did'.  Oh ya, I was that little ski bunny on neon crack and I Loved. Every. Minute.

This summer, neon's back in a big way but this time, I'll let it play a supporting role in my wardrobe, with crazy statement necklaces and neon lucite bangles adding a perfect shot of fun to my daily grind.  Consider yourself a neon newbie?  Ladies (of all ages), take your cue from the Chloé Spring '12 show and let highlighter pinks, oranges, and yellows pop against an all white canvas.  Summer's nearly here - it's time to play! x