Autumn Essentials

Photos by Kyler Kelly

As autumn slowly starts to make itself comfortable, I want to show you some of my personal fall essentials. Firstly, I think an army green jacket is always a must in any closet...I feel like I say that a lot, but I believe a good wardrobe is built on a collection of great classic pieces. Anyway, throw this baby over almost anything and boom, an outfit. Then, of course, there's the hats. This little caramel tuque is one of many hats you'll be seeing in my fall fashion posts because recently, my love for hats has been competing with my relationship with footwear. Lastly, the little fall bootie. Again, you can just never have too many for fall. The brown ones you see above (affectionately named my Jane Eyre booties) are vintage and I'm in love with their classic shape. As you can see, they're a little beat up and I may have to part with them soon. Tear. 

Let me know what your fall essentials are, I'd love to hear all about them! 

Take A Bow

Photos by Kyler Kelly

I have this obession with bow-tied blouses. Admittedly, I am actually kind of terrible at tying bows and knots (how is it that one end always ends up longer than the other?) but I just love the interest it adds to a regular button-down shirt. Not to mention the whole retro-effect. And there's never anything quite like a bright green top to brighten up those gloomy Autumn days.

                                                      

Animal Influence

Photos by Kyler Kelly

Don't you just love yourself a little leopard print sometimes? I know I do. Animal prints have been recurring in fashion since forever and are an essential in every woman's wardrobe. I have always appreciated animal-inspired fashion and fall is the perfect season for this trend to flourish. A shoe, a shirt, a handbag...you can find nearly everything in various animal prints and use this trend to add interest to your outfit. If you are having a difficult time with transitioning into fall fashion, remember you can always count on your old friend, the leopard print.  

A Rose In My Garden Of Attire

Photos by Kyler Kelly

It's amazing what a sillouette can do to an outfit.

As you all know by now, I have many a floral dress but this one in particular, despite the long sleeves and conservative neckline, makes me feel like a siren. It stole my heart the second I tried it on at H&M; it's all in the way it hugs the body just so. It's not exactly a bodycon; it gently hugs your curves and doesn't try to restrict them. Just throw in the surprise peek-a-boo back and forget about it . . .

A dress like this begs for a red lip, flowing hair and equally intriguing heels. This number is most definitely a rose in my garden of attire.

                                                  

Debbie and the Dogs

Photos by Kyler Kelly

Dress: Zara / Jacket: F21 / Booties: thrifted / Hat: American Apparel

Every year, as soon as the weather cools down to a crisp 15 degrees, that black beret is stuck to my head like glue. I can't help it, I've been wearing this same beret for about five years now and I never tire of it. A good hat will always add interest to any outfit and the beret in particular, will go with just about anything I wear. Here, I've paired it with this classic, floral knee-length dress and a more edgy, faux-leather biker jacket. Such a contrast, yes, but the look remains quite girlish, just the way I like it!   

I'd also just like to take a moment to admire the impressive horticultural sculptures behind me.  If you haven't gone to see the sculptures yet at the Botanical Gardens, get on over there before it's too late!

Jackie's Adventures In (Jean) Wonderland

Photos by Kyler Kelly

Once upon a time, I had been obsessed with getting a high-waisted, wide-legged pair of jeans for a good two years or so, ever since I received a visitor from out West with the most retro-chic pair of jeans I had ever seen.  It was one weekend after a photoshoot in the Plateau Mont-Royal that I decided to make the trek to Jeans Jeans Jeans (yes that's a store name) for the first time. I had heard the legends of this jean wonderland, but had never ventured there due to my lack of wheels and living near the other side of town.

Ladies and gents, I am here to report, the legends are true! I have never been in a store that ran quite so much like a well-oiled machine. At first when you step through the door, it's a bit overwhelming, as the floor is packed with racks and racks of jeans with even the walls filled to the ceiling with apparel. I browsed around for a few minutes without being hassled by a single sales person (I hate that!) and when I was ready for help, I approached an employee and described the jeans I was looking for: "high-waisted and wide-legged."

He immediately steered me to a rack in the middle of the floor and asked what size I was. I put my hands up and shrugged, "oh I'm not sure..." Not 1 second later, after just glancing at my waistline, he said matter-of-factly, "probably a 24 or 25" before proceeding to grab several pairs of jeans off the rack, throwing them in my arms and disappearing into the sea of denim to help another customer.

I tried on all the jeans he recommended and fell in love with this J Brand pair. It was 75% off the regular price to boot (good thing I love styles that no one else does...) and to top it all off, they hemmed it for me on the spot in less than 10 minutes. I left not only with the afterglow of finding that amazing deal on an amazing product, but wide-eyed with awe and amazement at this denim dreamland.

And they all lived happily every after.

                                                         

September Wedding

Dress: Costa Blanca / Hat: Parkhurst / Shoes: Zara / Jacket: F21 / Purse: Thrifted

Alright Frockers, I have to admit it, I was a little rushed while getting myself ready for this wedding and the reason is, well...I was working on the blog! Luckily, the first thing I tried on passed the test and I went with it. The result is the simple outfit you see above. I guess you can never really go wrong with a black, white and red color combination. Stick to the classics and you won't be sorry!

Punk For A Day

 

Photos by Michael Vesia

As mentioned in an earlier post this week, we recently collaborated with talented urban photographer, Michael Vesia, and the results were fantastic. Although Vesia's usual subjects are cityscapes, he was eager to collaborate with a couple of fashionites and the feeling was mutual! He had a specific location in mind while we were struggling with how to get into one of the major trends this fall and it all came together to create an urban punk concept.

As you may have guessed, Debbie and I aren't super into the whole punk look. Give us some floral prints and lace dresses any day of the week, but spikes and studs...not so much. But that got us thinking...there are easy ways to enjoy a look without going all in! I'm donning a classic leather jacket paired with a black lace top and coral skinny jeans, while Debbie opted for a pleated leather skirt, cream Peter Pan-collared blouse and floppy hat. There are many ways to make a style your own and sometimes the best way to embrace a look you're not sure about is just to incorporate small parts, or have one key piece and work around it. Never be afraid to make trends your own, and always be true to your personal style.