OUTFIT INSPO | 3 New Ways to Wear Your Long Cardi This Fall

via Mango

Originally posted in The Fashion Scoop

After an epic late-summer heat-wave (I can't believe I'm about to say this but...) I'm actually excited for it to cool off. Seriously. I check The Weather Network daily, hoping for single digits. I can't wait to throw on the layers, cozy up in sweaters and cover up again. Weird? It must be a Canadian thing. Or that we have no A/C. Yup, that's it. While bare-all bikinis and total K.O. crops get right to the point, there's this unexpected sexiness that comes with sweater weather. And while I live in knits all fall and winter, the extra long cardi has become my favourite go-to piece.

Luckily, the long cardi is something that everybody (and every body) can love, since they're so ubiquitous this season. From thigh-grazing to floor-sweeping, from bold brights to moody neutrals, from chunky marled knits to lightweight dusters, the long cardigan is a cozy piece that will finish your fall outfits to perfection. This season, there are loads of new ways to wear cardigans. Here are 3 of my current faves:

READ MORE...

 

How to Layer for Fall Like a Fashion Blogger

The Julia Cape at Roots

Originally posted in The Fashion Scoop

While it's hard to pinpoint exactly what makes an outfit Pin-worthy, there's one trick that will forever change the way you dress. And since summer calls for outfits that can handle the heat above all else, fall feels like the perfect time to put this not-so-secret secret into practice. It's called the third-piece rule. 

While 2-piece outfits are enough to keep you from scoring an indecent exposure warning from your HR department, it's that essential third piece that will make you feel like your outfit is complete. Fashion stylists and bloggers wouldn't be caught dead leaving their apartments without their third piece on. Even staffers at Nordstrom, Banana Republic, and Madewell (among others) are encouraged to follow this guideline - they're asked to always wear outfits on the job comprised of 3 pieces, not including their shoes.  And style goddesses like Olivia Palermo usually add a 4th or 5th piece in, just because they can.  

Luckily, the trick is super simple to pull off. Put on your pants or skirt & top. Fine. Now don't forget that third piece. Layer on a jacket, blazer, vest or a statement accessory (necklace, fun belt, oversized scarf, fedora), and you'll instantly take a basic outfit to another level. Wearing jeans and a striped tee? Add a printed vest or blazer over top. Rocking a tulle skirt & a t-shirt? Try adding a little moto bomber. How about leggings and a sweater? Don't forget your blanket poncho. Once you've mastered the third piece, it's time to play around with 4th and 5th elements. Add a printed belt, a sleek necklace or ear jackets - generally speaking, pick 2 neutral colours and then add one unexpected pop of colour in one of your accessories. And don't be afraid to take your cues from the street style pros - after all, they've spent a lifetime perfecting this trick.

See below for the fall layers that will help you get it just right...

READ MORE...

SUMMER STYLE CLASS | 3 Ways to Do Off-Duty Like an It Girl

via Blog and the City

Originally posted in The Fashion Scoop

Fridays are always good, but this is not just any Friday. It's the Friday before the long weekend (yay!) and like so many of you, I plan on making the most of these next 3 days. For people who are camping this weekend, please stop reading now, douse yourself in OFF, and come back to us once you've come to your senses. Camping is for tees, joggers and, for the hardcore fashion peeps like me, cute casual looks like these. For the rest of us, it's time to chat off-duty summer style. 

There's the time-off outfits we all wear when we know we won't be seeing anyone. Do All-Day PJ's ring a bell? But for those precious vacation hours when we're meeting friends for lunch, heading to a fun backyard bbq, or going out for date night, it's always a bonus to look amazing. Here's how I suggest you do it:

BE A BOHO BEAUTY | Tassels, fringe & flowy dresses will help you feel like a boho goddess, whether you're hitting up a music festival or just heading to the Market. Inspiration: Pretty Little Liars' Shay Mitchell's flowy beach waves (use a salt spray to mimic her tousled beachy perfection), sweet cotton dress and cool leather sandals. A fun straw fedora will protect your locks from the sun and/or rain (fingers crossed for sun, please) when you're outside. 

BE A MODERN MUSE | Let's face it: a modern style influencer like Olivia Palermo never really goes 'off-duty'. If you always like to look polished like OP, opt for sleek black & white pieces which mix & match perfectly if you decide to head away for the weekend. Don't forget sky-high sandals, an enviably awesome watch and a pop-bright handbag. Oh, and chic don't-bother-me sunnies - after all, the paparazzi doesn't take time off either. 

HAVE A GARDEN PARTY | Want to look sweet and summer-ready like Taylor Swift? Fun florals, either as a dress or matching set, will help you bring out your feminine side this weekend no matter what's on the agenda. Keep it low key with cute sneakers or add heels for a flirty date night look.

Scroll down for 3 ways to do off-duty like an It girl. Happy looooong weekend!

READ MORE...

FASHION CLASS | Score Effortless Summer Style in Seconds

via Sincerely Jules on Instagram

Originally posted in The Fashion Scoop

The middle of July is one of my favourite times of summer. The stresses of end-of-school have subsided, work has resumed but at a much less frantic pace, and I haven't even started to think about fall yet. Oops, just did. My wardrobe has relaxed a bit, too. While I always like to look polished and put together, it just doesn't feel right to spend loads of time putting together outfits this time of year. 

My summer fashion philosophy? If you can throw it on and go, it's good. I mean, I don't even want to see an ironing board until September. Luckily, there are loads of stylish options for women like me who want to be lazy but don't want to sacrifice their style in the process - from easy, breezy summer dresses to chic basics that you'll rely on summer after summer. 

Want to look like your favourite Instagrammers? I've rounded up the pieces you need to score effortless summer style in seconds. After all, I'm sure you have more important things to do than worry about your outfit, like, um, sangria? Yup, thought so...

READ MORE...

GYM CLASS HEROES

via ELLE

Originally posted in The Fashion Scoop

Wearing your gym clothes outside of the gym used to be a fatal fashion offense. Bright white running shoes worn with a dress would just never have happened a few years ago. When it came to footwear, comfort equated with totally out-of-touch. And then there were the leggings. Girls who wore Lululemons in public after yoga class were publicly (make that behind-your-back, semi-privately) shamed. 

But like everything in fashion, what was once a faux pass has become a big fashion do. From Gigi Hadid to Karlie Kloss, I'm sure that models started this whole athleisure trend. Instagram shots of leggy supers leaving their ballet classes, yoga studios and boxing rings in their classic old-school Adidas gear made us collectively want to look just like them. And since the fitness movement has recently turned sedentary stylistas into goal-crushing workout freaks, everyone is wearing gym gear 24/7.

This summer, a little sporty goes a long way. An old-school Nike swoosh or Adidas symbol will help you look right on point when wearing black & white. Prefer to keep your logos on lockdown? Look for mesh fabrics and sporty sandals or shower slides to look athletic, no push-ups required. Hair can stay a little roughed up (did you hear sugar spray is the new salt spray?) and makeup should stay minimal, but a bright orangey-red or bright pink matte lip never hurt. After all, even hardcore athletes like to have a little fun. 

See below for some sporty summer outfit inspo. Come on. Just do it ;)

READ MORE...