Fashion Win: Tennis Whites

The sporty Hermès Spring/Summer 2013 Campaign. Photo courtesy Hermès.

Originally posted in The CLOSET

When faced with a tough opponent like a hot summer day, even the top fashionistas can wither under the pressure. Shorts, crop tops and flip-flops are fine if you're 20 but boardroom meetings and chic dinner dates call for a more winning combination. With the Rogers Cup in full swing this week, I'm thinking all about crisp, bright tennis whites. After all, if Maria Sharapova and Co. consistently beat the heat in white, I think we should all take some fashion lessons from the pros, don't you? 

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Love Is All You Need

A model backstage at the Burberry Prorsum Fall '13 Show. Photo via Fairchild. 

Here's me, wearing the new jeans I just picked up at Hudson's Bay. Love! 

The heart - that universal symbol of everything L.O.V.E. - hasn't historically been all that trendy. Sure, we all love love, but the heart, well, it's gotten a bit of bad rap in the fashion world. While dots and stripes are always chic, hearts are sometimes met with a bit of condescension. Hearts? Oh, they're so obvious. They're so Valentine's. They're so heart-like. Really?

Well, love will prevail, as they say, and right now, the oft-maligned heart is proving itself to be pretty lovable after all. For Fall '13, Burberry's Christopher Bailey unabashedly covered his collection in hearts while Holly Fulton and Aquilano.Rimondi did the same, sending heart-printed tops and dresses down the runway, too. And while critics of the heart print often dismiss it for being cheesy, these designers show that when done up right, hearts can be sophisticated, luxe and totally grown-up...

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The Luxe for Less Guide

A look from the Tory Burch Summer '13 Lookbook. Photo courtesy Tory Burch.

Originally posted in The CLOSET

 I'm not going to pretend that I don't covet budget-breaking designer things. I do it on the daily - whether flipping through magazines, checking out blogs or watching girls parade by me in their $1,500 shoes. Sigh...

But stronger than my desire to wear the latest label is the thrill I get when I can score something for way less. Unless it's a closet staple - a gorgeous coat, perfect jeans, beautiful boots, a classic handbag that I know I'll wear for years - it doesn't seem worth it to me to overwork by Visa just to help a designer build his fifth home in Capri. Just me?

July is the perfect time to score amazing deals on the season's top trends since stores are in major markdown mode. Check out these 7 luxurious-looking finds that will instantly update your wardrobe for the rest of summer...

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With Glowing Hearts

Does it get more Canadian than Degrassi? Sarah Fisher of Degrassi gets her pom pom on for the Roots Summer '13 Lookbook. Photo courtesy Roots.

Sometimes, you don't know what you've got 'til it's gone. I've travelled quite a bit, even lived in Europe for a year, but as much as I love to explore other countries, I always really miss Canada when I'm not here. I'm not sure if it's the super friendly people or the beautiful change of seasons or the Timbits (probably the Timbits), but you must admit, being a Canadian rocks. We are gloriously free to think, to do, to be whatever we want. And since this is a fashion blog, let's not forget how lucky we are to be able to dress however we want, too. 

This July 1st, why not show Canada some sartorial love? If you're a loud and proud patriot, wear your flag emblazoned boldly on your sleeve with the chic Canadiana at Roots or hop on over to Hudson's Bay for the country's oldest, most iconic print - the HBC stripe. You'll break out these pieces year after year so you can totally justify. Consider yourself a more low-key Canadienne? Get in the spirit by wearing Canada's colours, of course...

Read the full story and get your free Canada Day-ready iTunes compilation from Roots here 

35 Pretty Summer Handbags to Pick Up Now

Photo courtesy Coach

Originally posted in The CLOSET

I'm not sure what it is about handbags, exactly, that gets me so giddy. Anyone get that same feeling when you see the perfect 'one'? Is it because a bag always fits? Or is it the fact that you can go wild with print, embellishments and colour without having to commit to a head-to-toe statement? Or is it because a handbag holds all of the important stuff like your wallet, your phone and anything (and everything) else you need to get through your day?

Somehow, guys don't seem to need handbags - the male species somehow gets by on pockets alone. Women on the other hand require them, we must have them (lots of lots of them), and I'm so glad we do, aren't you?

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