Trends | Style Blog

Levi’s Fall 2011 Preview

Earlier this month, Levi’s team held a preview of their Fall 2011 collection at the Thrush Holmes Gallery in Toronto. As an avid Levi’s lover, I was really excited to see what’s to come in the fall. 5 distinct lines were shown:

Water<Less: Making jeans, and creating various washes of jeans is very water-consuming. Levi’s Water<Less jeans reduce water usage by an average of 28% per pair and up to 96% for some styles. Another cool thing about the Water<Less collection is that t-shirts and other articles of clothing are dyed with water which was used in creating the denim! Now that’s what I call multi-tasking.

Curve ID: You already know that I am a huge Curve ID convert, and for Fall 2011, the selection of Curve ID jeans is better than ever, with cool zip detailing, more silhouettes, and great new washes.

Commuter: The Commuter collection was hands down one of the coolest I have seen in a while. Designed for a downtown commuter, pieces from this collection are as comfortable as they are innovative, with large jacket pockets, 3M reflectivity, some are even water resistant, dirt repellant, and…wait for it…offer sanitized brand technology. A denim jacket that repels bacteria and can hold a u-lock? Pretty amazing!

Flare: The original flare was born in 1969 as part of Levi’s For Gals line, and for Fall 2011, the company is re-introducing the popular silhouette. The orange tab on the back pocket indicates a retro style brought back from the archives. Definitely on my must-buy list for fall.

Taper: For guys, the fall silhouette has an extended rise and a slim, tailored leg, offered in both denim and non-denim fabrics.

My favorite pieces from the lines included a cool denim tunic, retro flares, and the navajo-printed tops, which I could actually use right about now - too bad I’ll have to wait until fall to get my hands on them.

More after the jump!

Gap Fall 2011 Lookbook

There’s brand new snow on the ground here in Toronto, and I’m already swooning over Fall 2011 collections. Crazy world we live in, no? And since the weather is more than appropriate, I wish these Gap Fall 2011 pieces were in stores right now, rather than next fall. That jacket (above)…I needto have that jacket. It’s everything I’ve been searching for and so much more - lovely shade of camel, perfect soft/worn-in looking leather, moto cut and detailing – it’s perfection in one simple garment…and so timeless at that. Two words: Must. Have.

Looks like Fall 2011 will be all about leather, baby…at least at Gap, that is. Do you like what you see? Do you only care about spring garments now? Let me know in the comments.

More after the jump!

Shopping: Spring 2011 Essentials

I am so ready for spring! Sunshine, double-digit temperatures, birds chirping, love in the air…I am missing it all. But is my closet spring-ready? That’s another question.

For months now, I’ve been buying things here and there, trying to make sure that my wardrobe consists of enough fun pieces to carry me through spring in style. And below are my top Spring 2011 essentials (part 1).

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Style Blog, March 18th 2011 | Tags: Aritzia, Charlotte Olympia, converse, Danier, Dolce and Gabbana, Gap, gucci, H&M, Holt Renfrew, Hudson Jeans, Mackage, Moschino, Old Navy, Prada, Shopping, Spring 2011, The Bay, The Room, Trends
Posted in Fashion, Shopping

What I Wore: The Wall

Don’t you just love it when you stumble upon something by accident, and it ends up being exactly what you were looking for? Last weekend, while “helping” le boyfriend pick up his brand new table, I spotted an awesome wall of graffiti – and of course, had to have my pictures taken in front of it!

If you’ve been paying attention to Fall 2011 runway shows, you might’ve noticed an abundance of spots and dots all over the place. For that reason, I dug out some of my dotted H&M tights and rocked them till I had frostbite on my butt. Ok, maybe not frostbite…but thin tights + cold weather does not a good combination make. Oh, the things we do for fashion!

So, do you have a favorite Fall 2011 trend yet? Or are you too busy planning out your spring wardrobe to even care about fall? Let me know in the comments!

I Wore: Top – Mango, Skirt, Earrings - Forever21; Tights, Sunglasses – H&M; Thigh-highs – American Apparel; Clutch – Winners; Boots – Proenza Schouler (The Room); Ring – Max and Chloe

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Style Blog, March 2nd 2011 | Tags: American Apparel, Fall 2011, Forever21, H&M, mango, Max and Chloe, Organic Style, Proenza Schouler, The Bay, The Room, Trends, What I Wore, Winners
Posted in Fashion, Organic Style, What I Wore

What I Wore: That 70s Show

After years of skinny-jean supremacy, the wide-leg look is making a return for Spring/Summer 2011 season. And as it turns out, change does not always come easy. A couple of weeks ago, I went to Gap to check out a few of their new wide leg trouser styles. And as hard as I tried to get into the 70s groove, I couldn’t help but feel that they were all a bit too wide for my taste. I ended up buying the Curvy style, which believe it or not, I thought were flared in the fitting room!

Obviously, when I took them home, wore them a couple of times, I realized that they really weren’t as wide-legged as I’d imagined. I guess my perception was a tad skewed because of all the skinnies in my closet. Either way, after a taste of (slight) flare again, I’m getting really into it, and will definitely be going back for more. Hopefully, I won’t be such a denim-chicken this time around. So tell me, will you be embracing the 70s trend this spring? Or will you be sticking with your skinny jeans for now?

I Wore: Top – H&M; Jeans – Gap; Boots – Zara; Bag – Longchamp; Necklace – Forever21; Ring – YSL

Wednesday Candy: Clive Owen

Last week, le boyfriend and I were at H&M and I picked out a few items for him to try on. One of said items was a lovely black velvet blazer. He looked fantastic in it, better than I had expected, yet still he dismissed the garment, as if I was proposing that he wear a purple crushed velvet Juicy Couture track suit.

Fast forward to this week, and here’s my fave dreamboat Clive Owen in a similar velvet blazer. Coincidence? I think not! Perhaps Clive is trying to tell me something.

Help me out, ladies and gents…What do you think about a velvet injection into a man’s wardrobe? Do you subscribe to George Costanza’s way of thinking, or should velvet be banned for upholstery use only?

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What I Wore: Unbelt My Heart

These photos were taken a while ago, actually. Back when wearing a jacket wasn’t really necessary, but I did it anyway, because I missed wearing jackets, after an entire jacket-less summer. I got this one from Gap a few years back on sale, and I’ve loved it ever since. Military is, of course, a pretty big trend this fall, but I like this jacket in particular because it fits so damn well, it’s lightweight and comfy, even when I don’t have to wear a jacket. Is that confusing you? Sorry, it’s been a tiring week.

Also, I think this was the first time I ever wore a belt with a jacket. I kinda liked it aesthetically, but it’s the most awkward thing when you have to take off your belt in order to take off your coat inside a sushi restaurant. I mean, it actually felt as if I was taking off my pants, or something. And then, once the belt is off, where do you put it??? Do you just hang it on the back of your chair? Or do what I did, and roll it up in a ball, and stuff it hurriedly into a jacket pocket? I don’t know the rules of jacket+belt wearing, but I do know that perhaps in order to avoid seeming gauche, it’s best to just keep the darned jacket+belt combo on the entire time? What do you think?

What I Wore: Plaid Shirt, Belt – H&M; Long Tank Top – Forever21; Leggings – Aritzia; Boots – Zara; Jacket – Gap; Bag – Prada; Sunglasses – Ray Ban

Sasha Pivovarova for H&M Magazine Fall 2010

I went to H&M the other day (no surprise there), and picked up my copy of H&M Magazine. Truth be told, I do think that H&M Mag is oftentimes better than some “real” magazines out there – the stories are interesting, the clothes are affordable and accessible, and editorials, like this one with Sasha Pivovarova, are inspiring and super wearable. I want to copy almost every single look in this spread, and it isn’t difficult, since most pieces are already in my closet.

Do you read H&M Magazine? Do you like it? Share in the comments.

Photo Credits: H&M

Shopping: Fall 2010 Essentials

Here in Canada, we’ve been royally spoiled this summer – endless summer days, warm patio nights, trips to the lake, and finally some sort of resemblance of a tan! I don’t think we’ve ever had a summer this amazing! But as they say, eventually all good things come to an end. And here we are, going into another fall season, pretty hopeless after completely blocking out what it feels like to walk through slush and hurricane-like freezing winds (or is it just me?).

So in order to get excited about the inevitable chill, I thought I’d share some of my Fall 2010 Essentials with all of you (if you want to see my Fall 2009 essentials, click here). Read about them after the jump!

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Style Blog, September 21st 2010 | Tags: Aldo, Alexander McQueen, Boots, Chanel, Danier, EDIT, Fall 2010, H&M, Jacob, Missoni, Miu Miu, Shoes, Shopping, The Bay, The Gap, Trends, Via Spiga, Wishlist, YSL, Zara
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Style Fille: Bang Bang and Penelope

Sometimes even if a movie is not the best you’ve seen, there’s something about it that just grabs you. Such is the case with The Brothers Bloom – a caper flick, full of fantastic cinematography, beautiful styling, and a story that is too smug for its own good. Having re-watched it recently, I remembered how much I loved the costumes worn by its main foursome: Penelope, Bang Bang, Stephen, and Bloom. Every character got to wear a fab hat (in most cases more than one), and most costumes worn by the film’s female characters (filmed in 2007) could be seen on Fall 2010 runways: from leopard print at Lanvin, to bowler hats at Hermès, to fur coats at Chanel, to aviator hats at Pink Tartan – the fun sleek styling is reason enough to rent this movie on a slow autumn evening.

Bang Bang was by far my favorite character in the movie, with wonderful comedic timing Rinko Kikuchi stole every scene she was in…and the outfits definitely helped shape her character (props go to Beatrix Aruna Pasztor!).

What about you? Do you have a movie that you like only for fashion’s sake, but not necessarily the story itself? Let me know in the comments!

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Style Blog, September 9th 2010 | Tags: Adrien Brody, Beatrix Aruna Pasztor, Mark Ruffalo, Movies, Rachel Weisz, Rinko Kikuchi, Style Fille, The Brothers Bloom, Trends
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Wishlist: H&M Fall 2010 Collection

As much as I wish that summer was here to stay, the grim reality is that fall is just around the corner. And though I love the warmth of long summer days, fall fashions are much more interesting and…dare I say…grown-up? Seeing these new pics of H&M’s Fall 2010 collection, makes me feel slightly better about the impending cooler weather, and the necessity of wearing sweaters and jackets again. Love the ladylike blazers and skirts, the chunky knits (even the squirrel pullover!), and abundance of camel. Haven’t seen most of the pieces in stores yet, but I’ll definitely keep my eyes open.

Are you excited about fall fashion? Or do you wish that it was summer all year-round?

Photo Credits: H&M

Wishlist: Small Frame Bags

Some trends literally make me grimace in terror (cough*clogs*cough), while with others I am instantly drawn and…sold. Such is the case with the new non-it-it-bag – The Small Frame Bag. Having watched my Style Fille fave Diane Kruger toting the above Hermès version for a while now, I’ve made a mental note to keep my eye open for a mere mortal affordable option for myself. But once I’ve spotted one at Zara, the flurry of doubts clouded my judgement and I walked away empty handed.

My main concern? Lack of space. In our ever-so-fast-paced world of iPhones, iPads, and other useless-ish crap, I find myself struggling with an idea of a small frame bag. There’s just too much stuff I tote around on a daily basis to be able to minimize it all to fit into a tiny rectangle of leather. So I ask you, stylish Style Blog readers, do you think small frame bags’ chicness outweighs their lack of practicality? Take the poll below!

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Photo Credits: Tommy Ton

Style Fille: Who Wore it Better

Red can be a tough color to pull off without looking tarty or cheap. All three famous ladies in this post look fab, in my opinion, donning short red frocks, accessorized with leopard print and taupe pumps, motorcycle jackets, and clutches. But which celeb rocked her Little Red Dress the best? Cast your vote below.

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Photo Credits: www.fabsugar.com

Buy, Keep, or Toss: Romper

Romper is one trend I promised myself to skip. I don’t think it looks flattering on me, and up until recently, I didn’t think it looked good on anyone else. But after seeing a few stylish ladies, rocking some cute rompers last weekend, I am definitely warming up to this trend (late adopter, or what?).

I’ve seen a few nice styles at Forever 21, and Zara, but have yet to find one that fits just right. I really like the romper/dress combo from Forever 21 (above), which sort of reminds me of the skirted bathing suit look, only the romper version, but I haven’t seen it in stores yet. What’s your take on this look? Do you like rompers for the summer? Or should they only be worn by babies and kids?

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Photo Credits: Forever 21

Buy, Keep, or Toss: Backpack

Trends come and go, which makes getting rid of old things super tough. Take shoulder pads for one, had my mom kept her power suit tops for me, I wouldn’t have had to spend a small fortune updating my wardrobe with Zara/H&M pieces. Same goes for the new trend in bags – backpacks. Had I kept my old one…brown leather and tiny…perhaps I wouldn’t have shelled out for my Chanel one.

Seeing how this new trend is popping up on stylish shoulders of celebs such as Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, Whitney Port, Rihanna, Daisy Lowe, and Rachel Bilson, among others, and with Stella McCartney designing for LeSportsac, as well as a miriad of designers including backpacks on their Spring and Fall 2010 runways, options are no longer limited to the usual Prada nylon backpacks…there are so many choices available – dressy, sporty, preppy. Yet, still, this trend is definitely not for everyone. What are your thoughts on this one?

Would you buy a backpack, pull an old one out of the closet archives, or would never-ever wear consider wearing one?