the time has come the forecasts say....

...for 90's to come back and shine another day!

  Let's face it: the '90s is a cycle we hope fashion skips every year. That being said, some of the most creative outfits and garments were created in the '90s - or as a result of them. Being a '90s child I grew up with some of the coolest trinkets, fashions and music. Seriously though, the 90s were ten whole years of "wear whatever the hell you want" and was a time of full enthusiasm and colour.  There's nothing that we need more in this world right now than a little splash o' the '90s.

While you read and experience a blast from the past, why don't you enjoy the ear orgasm that is Much Dance '95....

I simply want to show all you fearful fashionistas that the '90s are back - for an ATTACK and who knows, maybe this time it will stick?

MyVersion:

"Cruisin Through The Hood" Clueless pullover; Untitled & Co., 717 Queen St W, Toronto

Plaid chiffon skirt and red knee high socks from American Apparel

Yellow hexagon purse found on Karmaloop

White Lonestar platforms by Jeffrey Campbell X Wildfox on Solestruck

(Clueless Collection seen on left side by Wildfox Couture. Collection is available on Wildfox Couture)

Plaids, stripes, argyle, plaid, polka dots, hearts all over, full-on-pattern, and more plaid is all we saw when we watched Clueless the first time. After seeing it again a couple weeks ago - I've realized that some of the Clueless '90s trends never actually died. On a side note,  I've had this outrageous urge to buy the most perfect pair of blue/green/yellow plaid high waisted pants and jacket for 6 months now and I'm sure it's because I subconsciously knew this era was coming back to "haunt" us. However, I still haven't found these pieces so if any of you know where I can find these PLEASE PLEASE let me know! 

Now that's been discussed, we can get back to business. Wildfox Couture has just recently come out with a new collection that is strictly inspired by Cher and her pals. When using Clueless for style inspiration remember the following three key items:

- some sort of all-over pattern on at least 1-2 garments

- a good chunky-heeled platform shoe (try this in a bold solid colour to offset the patterns)

- knee highs/thigh highs are almost mandatory - play off the colours that are used in the patterned garment

Follow these and you should be like, totally hot.

AND!!!

For the rest of my favourite returning '90s trends, hit up my blog here!

Until next time
LeahBradley

What 'Ugly' Christmas Sweater?

Written by: Nicole Grisell 

 

Everybody knows about the 'ugly' Christmas sweater. Maybe you received one as a gift back in 1997? Maybe you've seen one hiding in your grandmas closet? Or maybe, you attended everybody's favorite 'ugly' Christmas sweater themed party once wearing one. Well we've got news for you - 'ugly' Christmas sweaters aren't just for your themed parties anymore. High end fashion designers are taking 'ugly' Christmas sweaters and creating a new fabulous turn on the sweater you dread wearing just to make grandma happy. 

Let's take a look!

 

Here is our first ugly sweater by 3.1 Phillip Lim. The cute reindeer on the front of this sweater adds a cute touch most Christmas sweaters fail to do. The softer beige adds a more comfortable feel to the garment, opposed to harsh red and greens we are so used to during the holiday season.

Available at Net-a-Porter.com:

Was $385 Now $269.50 

 

For our next ugly Christmas sweater, we have a Marc Jacobs red cardigan with a bit of silver embellishment. Marc Jacobs has taken a plain red cardigan and turned it into a Christmas staple. Shiny silver embellishments on the cardigan really add that Christmas sparkle to this look, and can really glam up a plain outfit into something more.

Available at Net-a-Porter.com:
Was $1,100 Now $330

 

 

 Our next ugly sweater is a little more on the pricey side, but also plays more on the Christmas tradition front. This Meadham Kirchhoff design screams Christmas decorations all over it. You will definitely be lighting up the party in this number. Paired with a black skirt, stockings and heels, this ugly sweater will no longer be embarrassing, but classy.

 

Available at Net-a-Porter.com 

s, m, lrg  

£945 

 

 

 

 

This Stella McCartney sweater has a more playful take on our favorite Christmas animal, the reindeer. Having vibrant pinks and yellows incorporated into the design, a fun and girly feel is created. You might just out shine your tree lights this year, wearing this sweater out for the holidays!

 

Available at Net-a-porter.com

xs, s, m, lrg 

£416

For our last ugly Christmas sweater, we have another favorite by 3.1 Phillip Lim. The snowflake embellishments around the neck, bring out all the character, to what could have been a plain white sweater. The icy blue tones added also create a winter wonderland feel most ugly Christmas sweaters are not capable of doing.

Available at Net-a-Porter.com

xs, s, m, lrg
£416

 

 

Here are a few more designer ugly Christmas sweaters I couldn't resist showcasing:

To shop these looks, visit Net-a-Porter.com

Bangin' Blouses

Written by: Nicole Grisell

Lately all over the city I’ve been seeing a lot of window displays with gorgeous silk blouses draped over the mannequins. They’ve become all the rage, and these silk blouses are proving to be more than another work day staple, but now a fashionable item with new patterns, embellishments and cut-outs. Over the past couple weeks, I’ve even caught myself purchasing a few of these hot ticket items! Let’s look at the new styles, and what makes them more wearable outside of the office. 

Some of my faves right now that work as great examples come from stores we all know and love. We're going to look at our first blouse, from Club Monaco:

This blue blouse from Club Monaco is the Sophie Shirt. Now this is definitely not a blouse you would have on at your office on a Monday work day, but we've taken your basic blouse, and done something modern and new to it. Making the base see-through and layering the pockets to be opaque, hiding your goods are done well. 

Available in:
xs, s, m, lrg  
$129.50 

Our next blouse is another fave of mine, bringing out nothing but bright and gorgeous colour! From J.Crew, we have the Silk Boy Shirt in a bright fuschia pink:

Something so bold would never be seen in the office where white, beige, navy are most commonly seen. The bright fuscia gives the blouse character and personality making this one of my fave picks.

Available in:

00, 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10

$158.00   

Next on the list, I have a great cut-out option for your wardrobe. Seen here, my pick from Equipment, the cut-out shoulders take a spin on your average tailored blouse:

Without the cut-outs on the shoulders, this blouse, the Nixie Bittersweet, would look like your average work day shirt (other than the colour that adds a big bang to the look as well!)

Available in:
xs, s, m, lrg
$208.00 

Now for my last blouse, I want to show you all that even with a plain white blouse, adding a little embellishment to the collar, pocket, even cuffs, can really glam up your look with minimal effort. Another great blouse from, Equipment - the Daddy blouse:

Available in: 
xs, s, m , lrg
$308.00

Now after showing you all what great pieces I found that will work for your style, not only at work, but in your day to day life we can see that bright colours are also a big hit! Having some of these great finds in your wardrobe this season will set you off as the fashionable lady you aspire to be.

For more great blouses, visit:

• Equipment 
• J. Crew 
• Club Monaco 

Getting The 1D Look For Less

One Direction released their newest album Take Me Home just this month, and have had all the tweens worldwide swooning over the boys and their music since their discovery on X Factor in 2010. 

Their fashion choices have had girls and boys all over the world asking, “Where and how can I get that look?!” Let’s have a look into what their stylist, Caroline Watson put together for the boys in the past, and how everyone can get a similar look for much cheaper than 1D.

Caroline Watson's choices:

Our Picks:

Checking out these designer finds with the same 1D look, you can save big time and still get that same preppy, boy band look for less!

For more great finds, shop online at:
http://www.franklinandmarshall.com/en
http://www.topman.com
http://www.fredperry.com
http://www.converse.com
http://www.usc.co.uk



Written by: Nicole Grisell

Etsy: A Treasury of Fashion

One of the most addicting and my personal favourite website is Etsy.

Etsy is a online shopping website. The main distinguishing feature about Etsy is that it is an online community selling homemade products. Etsy supports small independent vendors. Etsy has many categories to select from to make your search easier, from accessories, clothing, housewares to toys. Etsy has everything your mind can imagine homemade and sometimes items you never ever thought of.

Micro Jean Studded Shorts- $54.00

My personal favourite is the jewelry and clothing sections. On Etsy I can find pieces that are one of kind and order custom made pieces for myself. Knowing no one else has one just like mine makes the extra cost worth it.

Being able to order custom made or made to order pieces is one of Etsy's biggest selling point for me. This can be an amazing thing for people like me who don't always fit normal clothes in stores and custom made pieces fit perfectly.

Wild Winds Mutli-Coloured Hair Piece- $20.00

Lately I have been obsessed with searching Etsy for handmade swimsuits. Summer is just around the corner! Everyone is searching for that one perfect bikini. Getting one of Etsy means no one else on my beach will have the same bathing suit.

Extra High Waist Bottom Swimsuit- $46.00

One of my favourite vendors currently making handmade bikinis that are made to order. The vendor is Mimi Hammer. She is situated in Montreal, Quebec. Buying off her site supports Canadian talent. She makes bathing suits that are fun and original.

All in all Etsy is a fun place to window shop while sitting at home and to order one of a kind pieces for your wardrobe and home.

TTFN,

Louise

Steam is the New Iron

One of my biggest pet peeves when it comes to clothing has to be wrinkles. They turn up in the oddest places at the most inconvenient times. Another pet peeve of mine is ironing; I absolutely hate it with a passion. By the time I pull out my ironing board I am exhausted. I dislike how every piece of clothing I own has to be ironed a certain way. Jeans take at least seven minutes a pair if done properly. Dress pants require a pleat at the front, which equals to ten minutes per pair, and shirts range depending on fabric, but the standard ironing time is three to five minutes a shirt. Dresses are impossible to iron as they need to be ironed from every angle possible (ten minutes at least!). Therefore, as you can see, I despise ironing, but due to my interest in fashion and the strong desire to take care of every piece of clothing I own, and make it look great, I needed to discover an easy solution that would make my wrinkles disappear. That is when I discovered the magic of the steamer. I purchased my first steamer (a compact hand held unit) about a year ago. From then on, I have not once pulled out my iron/ironing board. I became so attached to this steamer and all of the wonderful things it did for my clothing. The power of steam is comparable to the power of an iron. The steamer produces a hot steam which is ejected from the head of the steamer, which you directly place along your item of clothing, and before your eyes, your wrinkles disappear. I began my steaming obsession with steaming all of my tops (knit, woven, silk etc.), then started steaming larger items such as dress pants and jeans. I started to find my small hand held steamer difficult to use because I always had to find free space to hang the item I was steaming, to ensure a wrinkle free outcome. This is when I purchased an upright steamer. Still compact, but more powerful, an upright steamer lets you steam for up for 60 minutes without adding water, and produces an even, powerful steam flow which cuts through any wrinkle. Also, an upright steamer comes equipped with a place for a hanger, which makes life so much easier. There are no specific steaming techniques that I recommend; you will find techniques which are suited to you and your clothing, the more you use your steamer. I whole-heartedly recommend purchasing an upright steamer if you dread the thought of ironing, and I ensure you, you will save an extreme amount of time. I suggest the upright Rowenta steamer which is sold for commercial and household use. It is sleek, easy to store, and powerful!
Enjoy Steaming!
Sabrina