Lookbook

Trends for the average woman are in a shape of a curve . Phase 1: You look through a magazine, roll your eyes and say: No way, that’s reserved for Lidnsay and Nicole. Phase 2 : You see it again. Phase 3-6 : And again. Phase 7 : It shows up at H&M and you say: ok, let me try it on for fun. Phase 8: 2 months later, you go back and buy it, wondering why you never thought of it in the 1st place. I do believe that’s the effect patent leather has had on me. Except that right now, I am still in Phase 3 . I can acknowledge it and appreciate it but it is not yet for me. Patent leather was hot back in the 80’s and whatever was 80’s has now become a must. This would me an that w e need to start rifling through our mother’s closet for those shoulder pads (don’t panic: that’s still in Phase1). Patent leather can be found in belts, shoes, and bags. If you are a bit shy and wish to approach this trend with caution, may I suggest a skinny belt to go at the waist. If your goal is to ...

Necklace Aldo $12.00 Coat Costa Blanca $49.50 Dress Le Chateau $99.95 Clutch Transit $24.99 Shoes Aldo $89.99 TOTAL LOOK FOR: $276.43

The advantage of a d ress is that it is easy. And so far, I am all about simple, easy u ncomplicated style. All you would need for your spring wardrobe is maybe 3 dresses (knowing me, ill ha ve 30 but that’s me, I have a serious addiction). You can easily spend less than $200 and be set for summer with a variety of dresses. And you can spend the rest of your money on 2 things: poutine and razors (you really should shave your legs if you wear a dress, especially after the hibernation we are all sloooow ly waking up from). Euh, by the way , when I said 3 dresses is all you need for Spring, I did NOT mean that you don’t need anything else. I mean, that’s all you need in terms of dresses…just had to make that clear, really, it’s important. In any case, a mish ma sh of various dres ses available for your perusal or purchase is provided above. Enjoy!

PART 5- SHIRTDRESSES So now you have all these dresses for the weekend and for pa rties, or for shopp ing for more dresses. But let’s say that some of us have a job to go to ( you know that place you go to for 8 hours a day, 5 days a week and stare at a computer screen wishing you were on the beach or as a backup dancer for JT ?) . Yeah that place. You are going to want a dress for that too. Well, those designers are quite the savvy bunch. This season, the shirtdress, dare I say, is the new tunic * gasp! * A shirtdress (I know I have said this before) is hot like fire . On a side note, no one, in my opinion, did it better than Tomas Ma i er of Bottega Veneta ( top right and left). The cut, the fabric, my goodness: the neckline !! I m ay just get another full time job to afford it, seriously. Back to what I wa s saying. The shirt dress looks professional enough to say give me a raise, and yet i s trendy enough to say “I know what’s what, oh yeah , I do, me a nd my shirtd...

GLASSES Le Chateau $20.00 TOP Reitmans $29.00 SHORTS Costa Blanca $25.50 BAG Joe Fresh Style $19.00 FLATS Transit $39.99 TOTAL LOOK FOR: $133.49

PART 4- EMPIRE You know when you eat and eat and eat and then have a huge glass of water. Then you go to yourself: “were the last, oh I don't know, 4 servings really necessary?” But it is too late, you are full and your stomach is slightly out of control. I am talking 8 ½ months pregnant out of control. If you are wearing an empire cut dress , no one will notice b ut your conscience. Empire dresses can also be referred to as babydolls. The cut is quite forgiving. Basically, there is a seam right under or over the bust and then it flares out (woohoo for us girls with a lot going on around the waist/ thigh/hip area.) But a word a caution: don’t get the dress too empirey or people will be stopping you in the hallway congratulating you and asking why they have yet to receive an invitation to the shower. Get Your Empire At: Joe Fresh Style $39.00 La Maison Simons $50.00 Banana Republic $168.00 USD

PART 3- PRINTS Veronica Etro always has these interesting prints for dresses (as seen here on your right and left). The colors are wild and vivid. They make you want to join Kate Hudson as a groupie in Almost Famous. Her dresses are a tapestry of semi ethnic, semi Pucci-esque prints . An Etro dress will most likely cost you your arm or your leg. For tho se of us who va lue our body parts, going the retail route may be s marter. This season, prints can e xplained as follows: combine some paisley with stripes, add a dash of polka dots and sprinkle on some Diane von Furstenburg and what do we have? Spring’s prints, oh yeah. Really and truly, you will not be running out of ideas. You may, however, run out of money. Get Your Prints at: Suzy Shier $25.00 Costa Blanca $35.50 Bedo $49.90