Floral Shirt Dress with Hard Edges: Perennial Fashion

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Floral Shirt Dress with Hard Edges

Perennial. That’s my closet. There are some items that stay in rotation all year round. Shirt dresses, on their own in Spring and Summer, layered over a turtleneck or under a sweater in Fall and Winter. Saying goodbye to summer is tough. Unless you get to keep your warm-weather friends close. Right against the skin.

Mela Loves London high low dress
41 CAD – houseoffraser.co.uk

Black shoes
51 CAD – prettylittlething.com

River Island black purse
78 CAD – riverisland.com

Alexis Bittar crystal necklace
340 CAD – neimanmarcus.com

Kenneth Jay Lane bracelet
255 CAD – net-a-porter.com

River Island floppy hat
65 CAD – riverisland.com

Season Change

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Season Change

I can’t let go of my summer dresses. So, I won’t. I’ll pair them with boots, luxe leggings, faux fur, long sweaters and capes, to bring out the best in my summer staples and help them transition to fall. Like the leaves, they’ll get a new look.

Suspend Your Disbelief

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Suspend Your Disbelief

I got myself a new skirt for fall: below the knee, black, high waisted,…with suspenders. I am excited. It’s rare that I find a piece that I love, that I’m not sure I can pull off. Today’s pairing: bordeaux sleeveless turtleneck, boots and statement necklace. Wish me luck.

Stay Golden

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Stay Golden

Headed to a birthday party… with live steel drum band. I’m wearing a hand painted silk top with bat wing sleeve, and depending on how much I need to carry, how much the temperature drops and how long I’ll be on my feet … the rest will figure itself out. I can hear the music already!

One, Two, Three: Day to Night Dressing

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One, Two, Three: Day to Night Dressing

I promise, there is a logical segue here. When you have more than a few things on your day’s To Do list, what you need are versatile pieces that will carry you from one task to the next.

Easy mix and match switch-hitters are a key part of putting together an eclectic style that will be as big a hit at 8 am as they will be at 8 pm, when your day is still going and night life is just winding up. Your clothes need to be chameleons that can work in multiple ways, no one needs an item that only goes with one thing taking up valuable real estate in their closet.

These looks each have at least two pieces that can easily transfer to the next outfit. Swap out #1’s black shoes for the punchy tie-up rust coloured shoes and add a polka dot clutch to wake the more subdued clothes up.

These looks were inspired by my day on Monday when I had to go 16 plus hours without going home with a triathlon of events.

#1: I was called in to do make-up for the VP of a major bank and the CEO of a non-profit, to prep them for their on-camera close-ups. They were shooting video content promoting their partnership and commitment to combating Breast Cancer, so it was important to put these clients at ease and get them ready to pitch this vital fundraising initiative. For me, in addition to being comfortable hauling and setting up equipment, it was necessary to look the part of a pulled-together make-up artist.

#2: Later that afternoon, I had lunch with my wife, walked the city and window shopped. I traded my more professional, structured top for a fun floral shell and cute shoes.

#3: I finished my play day by meeting a friend at a hip little food joint called, appropriately, The Hole in the Wall (Toronto). I traded up one final time (changing in my car) for a flippy skirt to go with (but not quite match) my floral top.

Hole in the Wall, Toronto.

Hole in the Wall, Toronto.

A hidden gem, built between two old buildings, this restaurant is long and narrow ... and full of character!

A hidden gem, built between two old buildings, this restaurant is long and narrow … and full of character!

I’ll have to say that this day of clothes hopping was entirely worth it, because after sharing some pinot grigio with my delightful friend, Katherine, and eating the best burger I can remember in a LONG time, the charming server (after overhearing our feminist conversation) dropped off a complimentary chocolate pot de creme and peanut butter dessert, layered decadently in a cute little mason jar and topped with whipped cream.

If I was going to be living it up, I certainly looked the part. Cheers to great causes, great shoes, great food and great company.

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Jonathan Saunders zip top
675 CAD – net-a-porter.com

Myne plaid top
180 CAD – ifchic.com

Oasis shirt
20 CAD – oasis-stores.com

Warehouse
20 CAD – johnlewis.com

Ezra flower print skirt
22 CAD – zulily.com

Pleated mini skirt
16 CAD – beautifulhalo.com

Jimmy Choo black leather shoes
1,120 CAD – net-a-porter.com

Jeffrey Campbell ankle strap shoes
195 CAD – anthropologie.com

Klub nico shoes
140 CAD – tradesy.com

3 1 Phillip Lim black leather handbag
1,405 CAD – lanecrawford.com

Kayu black crossbody purse
180 CAD – anthropologie.com

River Island bucket bags handbag
79 CAD – riverisland.com

Oh Oh Those Summer Nights

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Oh Oh Those Summer Nights

As the evenings cool off, keep rocking those summer prints and throw on a cozy poncho to ward off the chill. Add woven and textural accessories and rough details like raw quartz crystal for a tougher, more rustic edge. As always, shoes you can walk in are a must.

Dorothy Perkins floral print maxi dress
91 CAD – houseoffraser.co.uk

River Island cape poncho
92 CAD – riverisland.com

Miss Albright print shoes
235 CAD – anthropologie.com

Burberry brown leather shoulder bag
3,690 CAD – net-a-porter.com

Givenchy rock crystal necklace
1,010 CAD – bergdorfgoodman.com

Charlotte Russe belt
9.90 CAD – charlotterusse.com