Fashion – Page 8

Back to basics.

“The spirit’s foe in man has not been simplicity, but sophistication.” – George Santayana

During our summer vacation, my husband and I stopped in a H&M in Ljubljana and he picked out this simple black crop top for me. My reaction – what would I wear this with? My husband’s response: “jeans”. Jeans? What do you mean jeans? Anyone who knows me is aware that I very rarely wear jeans, let alone any kind of pants. It’s not that I don’t think jeans are stylish, it’s that I have always felt uncomfortable in pants. I Just find them so restrictive and binding. With my preconceived anti-pants mainframe, I still tried the top on and to my surprise, I liked the way it looked. I then eased my way into wearing jeans by opting for jeggings. I think the soft stretchy fabric makes for an easier transition from wearing dresses and skirts all the time. In general, this outfit reminds me that it’s ok to dress simplistically, and that pants just aren’t that bad after all.

Top: H&M. Denim: American Eagle Outfitters. Shoes: Sam Edelman. Bag: Gucci. Sunglasses: Celine. Earrings: J.Crew. Watch: Chanel. Bracelet: Louis Vuitton. Lips: MAC Lady Danger.

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Fashion

For the frill of it.

“Probable impossibilities are to be preferred to improbable possibilities.” – Aristotle

Yes, I know it’s technically fall, and yes, I’m wearing a summer dress, but how am I expected to wear cardigans, tights, and boots when the weather is still warm? Plus, now is a great time to shop for summer dresses on sale! I would often find myself only buying clothes appropriate for the current season, until I realized I could save a lot more money by buying at the end of the season in preparation for the next year. When shopping, I think it’s important to keep an open mind. For example, if I’m searching for one particular item, I never find it – it’s like Murphy’s Law for shopping. As long as it fits well and makes you feel good, who cares if what you wear is last season, or like right now, not in season at all!

Dress: WAYF. Shoes: Cole Haan. Bag: Parker (old, similar here, here and here). Earrings: My Beloved Crafts. Bracelet: Stella&Dot. Lips: Tarteist Glossy Lip Paint Plum Berry.

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Fashion

The belt.

“The most creative people have this childlike facility to play.” – John Cleese

I feel like this crop top has been in frequent rotation all summer long, and I continue to see it as a wardrobe staple as weather cools. In a previous post I paired it with bright red shorts, but today I dressed it up more with suede sandals and a wool hat. Honestly, the only item that is actually new is the skirt. I think mixing a matching the clothing that you already own can be fun and creative, much like creating a capsule collection.

This outfit was perfect for a day strolling downtown Detroit. My husband and I ended up hanging around in an alley next to the Z parking garage called The Belt. In this alley are colourful murals, the restaurant/bar Standby, and a new find for us, The Skip, which has some of the tastiest alcoholic slushies. Detroit is definitely one of my favourite cities, and I’m so lucky to be living in such close proximity to it!

Top: Aritzia. Skirt: Tobi. Bag: Chloe. Hat: Aldo Accessories (old, similar here). Shoes: Cole Haan. Earrings: Forever 21. Watch: Chanel. Bracelets: Baublebar. Lips: MAC Viva Glam I.

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Fashion

All set.

“The beginning is always today.” – Mary Wollstonecraft

I can’t believe I’m already back at school – time certainly does fly when you’re having fun! Though it is September, I’m not willing to give up on summer entirely. The season doesn’t officially end until the 22nd, which means I’m attempting to stretch out my summer wardrobe for as long as possible. This particular outfit was a favourite of mine throughout the last few months. I just love the look of a matching two piece, and what drew me to this one was its porcelain-like design. Even when it gets cooler, I can still wear the top with jeans. Though I am looking forward to whatever this school year will bring, I already miss the relaxation of summer vacation. For me, wearing summer clothes into September (and sometimes even October) certainly helps me cope with the change in routine!

Short Set: SheIn. Bag: Mansur Gavriel. Shoes: Aldo. Earrings: Siam Hill Tribes. Watch: Chanel. Bracelet: Souvenir from Croatia. Lips: Marc Jacobs Je t’aime.

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Stripe spotting.

“There’s no reality except the one contained within us. That’s why so many people live an unreal life. They take images outside them for reality and never allow the world within them to assert itself.” – Hermann Hesse

Back in the winter I wrote a post featuring my love of Hudson’s Bay stripes, but today I think I took that love to a whole new level! Sometimes repeating a pattern can appear over the top, but I find that when accessorizing with a little black dress like this one, it’s not as intense. Why do I love these stripes so much? Being a history teacher, I’m drawn to things that represent the past, and HBC stripes remind me of Canada’s history. The stripes are classic, but also add a colourful flair. Be sure to check out some more of my favourite HBC items for fall below!

Dress: American Eagle Outfitters. Bag: Hudsons Bay. Shoes: Keds. Blanket: Hudsons Bay. Tumbler: Hudsons Bay. Earrings: Souvenir from Croatia. Bracelets: Baublebar and Baublebar. Watch: Chanel. Lips: Dior Rouge 999.

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Love me, love me knot.

“Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love.” – Lao Tzu

As you can tell from previous posts, I just love the colour red. Whether it’s formal, or something casual like this dress, I always feel my best in red. Not only was I attracted to this dress because of the colour, but also the knotted detail, which elevates the basic t-shirt dress. I’ve had students in the past actually ask me if I even wear dresses at home on the weekend, to which I of course answered “yes”. This dress is one of those versatile pieces that can be accessorized different ways according to the occasion. I paired it with casual black heels and love-themed jewelry for a day out, but could also see myself wearing it lounging around the house because it’s made of a comfortable jersey cotton.

Dress: Urban Outfitters. Bag: Saint Laurent. Shoes: Cole Haan. Bracelet: Baublebar. Earrings: Forever 21. Lips: Marc Jacobs Je’taime.

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Fashion

Endless summer.

“People don’t notice whether it’s winter or summer when they’re happy.” – Anton Chekhov

It’s sad for me to think that summer is almost over. Though I still do have some time to soak up as much of the break as possible, I keep thinking back to how great our trip was. In a previous post, I mentioned how the city of Rovinj was one of my favourites in Croatia. Most of our time there was spent just wandering the streets of its old town, browsing shops, and taking mojito breaks. The highlight though was sitting on a rocky beach watching the sun set over the Adriatic. It always ends up being the relaxing and simple moments that become the most memorable.

This romper was a perfect choice for the day. It’s so comfortable that it feels like I’m wearing pyjamas! Paired with easy-to-walk-in sandals, and a bag big enough to hold the day’s essentials, I was ready to explore!