If you haven’t caught on by now, it’s official: I’m smitten with all things military-inspired.  Despite the short summer season, by the time fall clothes begin to hit shelves, I’m already swooning over cardigans, boots and fall jackets.  After spending all summer trying to dress in ways to prevent heat exhaustion (and hide pit stains), I crave layers and structured clothing.

Sure I love cute summer dresses, strappy sandals and bright colors, but right now all I want is olive (and not just garnishing a martini).  Olive is technically a shade of chartreuse – meaning it’s partially between yellow and green. When it is closer to yellow, it’s referred to as ‘olive’ and when it’s closer to green it’s called ‘olive drab.’  (There, that’s your color lesson of the day!)  Olive drab was the standard color of fabric for American military uniforms in World War II – hence the association with the military trend.

This year there are many pieces, both military-inspired and otherwise, made in olive, meaning you have one more neutral to incorporate into your everyday life. One of the best things about this color is that since it’s quite similar to the color of dirt you can wear your olive goods one more time before you have to wash them. (Score!) And if the structured pieces with masculine details aren’t your choice of garnish, try an olive colored jersey top or maybe an accessory, because there are so many choices out there! Read More »

Fun fact about color – any color in the spectrum that is a mixture of blue/green can be referred to as a cyan. Under this broad term is the ever popular turquoise and many similar shades of fabulous.

This year, Pantone named turquoise the color of the year, and items in this hue have turned up in pretty much every store this season.  Turquoise is a a color that people respond to positively. Wearing it will give off good vibes, which is perfect for summer! The color is universally flattering, meaning everyone can find a piece perfect for their wardrobe.  And, a popular choice for jewelry and accessories, turquoise can add a pop of color to make your LBD stand out, while a bold dress or skirt in the color can take those neutrals to another level.

As people associate turquoise and other similar shades with water, cyan allows those ladies landlocked like myself to channel the ocean vibe even if they’re hundreds (or thousands) of kilometers away. Oh, and it looks great with a tan. Yeah, turquoise rocks. Read More »

This year’s fashion trends range from the ranch to the yacht, and stripes are one of the perfect ways to look seaworthy this summer.

The easiest way to incorporate nautical elements into your wardrobe is with stripes.  With so many super cute ways to wear stripes how can you not have something striped (or something striped for every day of the week!) in your wardrobe?  Summer items are starting to hit clearance racks, so you can pick something up to wear now with shorts, or later with jeans without breaking the bank.  While the longer sleeved breton-striped tops will keep you warm if you’re outside on a summer night, some of the striped dresses are perfect to toss over a bathing suit at the beach.

If you’re pinching pennies for a summer vacay, stripes are a recurring fashion trend (just look back to Coco Chanel and Audrey Hepburn!) so you may even luck out finding an adorable top at the thrift store.  Just don’t be afraid to check the men’s (or boys if you’re petite) departments as this unisex trend looks even cuter when it’s loose and laid back. Read More »

A few weeks ago Sarah Jessica Parker inspired Fashion Porn. This week, it’s inspired by someone completely different.  While doing my usual online browsing, I discovered Forever 21′s “Inspired by La Roux” page.  I’ve been drooling over pictures of Elly Jackson of La Roux’s style.  And while I won’t be donning her angular, statement hair anytime soon, I am coveting some of the rock ‘n roll elements of her style.

Very few things scream rock ‘n’ roll like studs and chains.  The metallic hardware adds edge to items, and adds an instant accessory to any piece of clothing.  With studs appearing on everything from shoes to skirts this year, and chains gracing the shoulders and front of dresses, these are two elements easy to incorporate into your wardrobe.   Just remember: while you can find studs or chains on absolutely EVERYTHING this year, be careful not to go overboard. You wanna look chic, not like some reject from an ’80s heavy metal band.

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It’s that time of year again – the time to start hunting for summer jobs or internships (if you haven’t already), or start hunting for job or internship wardrobes (if you’ve already secured the gig). If you’re working in an office or a professional environment chances are you’re going to need to pick up a few pieces. Contrary to what some people think, Uggs and flip flops are not acceptable at most office jobs.

But don’t worry – you don’t have to pre-spend all that money you’re about to earn on a new work wardrobe. There are a few basics that can help make getting dressed for interviews or a work day simple. Just mix-and-match these with your everyday stuff and you’ll have plenty of options all summer long.

Well-fitted basics are the groundwork for a put together, streamlined outfit.  Dressing these up with accessories, or fun extras – tops, cardigans, or shoes – add personality to simple pieces and keep you lookin’ like you (and not some dowdy old lady).  If you want to hold onto these pieces for the future, it’s always good to spend a bit more and invest in pieces that fit well and are good quality. However, if you have a limited budget, many discount stores offer cheaper alternatives that will get you through your summer gig. Read More »

The countdown to spring continues. Only three (fingers crossed) more weeks to go! As my school’s spring break was last week, I am currently enviously admiring the tans of my classmates lucky enough to flee warmer weather. With most American schools still weeks away from break, now is the time to start thinking about what to wear.

And nothing screams spring like an itsy bitsy teenie weenie yellow polka dot bikini… or any polka dot bathing suit, really.

Polka dots are one of those prints that never really goes out of style.  Every year, retailers roll out a new set of items with this adorable print – and this year is no different.  Polka dots come in many sizes and arrangements, and on pretty much any type of clothing or accessory.  So whether you’re looking for something to wear in the sun, an accessory to liven up your pre-Spring wardrobe or a pair of boots to fight the slush, there’s something polka dotted – and totally adorable -  for you!

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While there very well might only be 4 more weeks of winter, being from Calgary makes me a little cynical about the weather. I’ve come to terms with the fact that it could snow any month of the year and I’ll probably be wearing boots much longer than Punxsutawney Phil predicts, but that doesn’t mean I’m not craving flats. As the shoe stores begin to stock shelf after shelf of their adorableness, I’m left cursing Mother Nature for the blustery snow I’m seeing out my window.

Until the sun is shining and the temperature rises enough to expose the tops of my feet, I’m left admiring the plethora of flats retailers have to offer this year.  With most shops carrying inexpensive options, it’s easy to stock up on styles that fit with (and add some style to) all your favorite outfits.  Flats are one of those items that can be worn to subtly incorporate a season’s hottest trends, and there’s so much goodness out there you don’t have to kill your feet in 5 inch heels to look good.

With flats in everyone’s price range, it’s hard to resist these adorable shoes, making it easy to buy one (or ten) pairs to add to your wardrobe.  And hey, if you’re from a colder region like myself, they may even be on sale by the time you can FINALLY wear them. Read More »

Some of us are extremely frugal – we buy new clothes once a year and never let window displays tempt us into spending our food allowance on a new pair of heels. The rest of us set find ourselves failing miserably year after year as we break our news year’s resolution of spending less money as a sale induced coma ends in yet another mini shopping spree.

Whether you only buy the necessities or find any and every excuse to purchase a new outfit (Friend’s birthday? Job interview? Your favorite idol contestant moved on to Hollywood?), there is one staple we can all agree is essential to a complete wardrobe: jeans.

And while we all have our favorite pair that are fraying at the bottom and growing holes in the crotch (thank you, thighs that rub together!), it’s inevitable that there is a growing stack of denim in the bottom of our closet.

We might not be able to explain our denim obsession, but it is completely necessary to have jeans in a variety of colors, washes and cuts. You have to have your skinny jeans to tuck into boots, your boot-cut to wear with your converse and cropped for flip flops in warmer months. Not to mention the dark wash for a dressier vibe and the distressed for casual ensembles

So its no surprise that what I am totally craving right now is, you guessed it, a new pair of jeans. The style I must add to the pile? A pair of embellished skinnys.

Embellishment is popping up everywhere this season; it’s dressing up t-shirts, pea coats and motorcycle boots. And now I must have it on my thighs. The perfect pair? Shopbop’s Custom Denim Skinny Jean with Studs by Earnest Sewn. Read More »

When the weather outside gets frightful and bundling up seems quite delightful, the must-have accessory to keep you warm is a scarf. Not only perfect for keeping your neck warm (or covering up any unwanted marks left from last night), the scarf is also a chic way to add some oomph to your otherwise blah winter outfit. Because when you’re bundled up from hood to Sorel, you need a little pop of color or pattern to show you still got style, even when it’s freezing cold outside.

As anyone will know, scarves come in every color and pattern imaginable, as well as a variety of different textures. There is literally something out there for everyone. And now they’re so versatile! The hot new infinity scarf can be worn a variety of ways, including as a hood/scarf to keep you toasty.  Or, if you have its American Apparel circle scarf counterpart, you can also wear it as a skirt… or a cape.

Scarves are available in pretty much every clothing store, meaning there are ample opportunities to pick up one (or twenty) for yourself this season.  As there are scarves in every price point, and every style possible, they also make for the perfect gift for anyone and everyone on your Christmas list. I mean, really, who doesn’t like a scarf?? Read More »

Post courtesy of StyleBakery.com. These ladies know their fashion, so check em out.

Leggings are already a wardrobe staple, but this fall they will make a statement with metallic hues, embellishments, cut-outs, and bright prints. Leather leggings were everywhere during fall fashion shows, and ripped and printed looks are quickly becoming a popular trend. Think you can’t pull this look off? Here are some ideas on how to rock eye-catching leggings.

Pair printed leggings with a basic, long tank or tee for an effortlessly chic look. Black, grey and white tend to work with most prints, but try and match the tank’s color to a color in the print. For example, a yellow or pink tank could also work with the Rachel Pally leggings (bottom right) because those colors appear in the print. Finish off the look with a sweater or cropped jacket and ankle boots. Read More »