What’s a capsule wardrobe and why you need one

I am a part of a vast network of bloggers in the Ottawa area. It’s a very supportive community. We try to get together on a monthly basis, and everyone gets their turn to host. We take part in charitable causes, we hash out business ideas and most of all, we vent about the #firstworldproblems of being a blogger.

This week we had our Christmas party meetup at Two Six [Ate}, on Preston Street. They kindly hosted our gang in their event space upstairs. The food was spectacular. I forgot how delicious that place was. I have to admit, I used to go more often when it first opened.

Anyhow, I was sitting beside Flic Taylor of loveagoodstripe.com. She is a self-confessed shopaholic attempting to build a capsule wardrobe. I loved how she defined her vision of a capsule wardrobe. I am paraphrasing here, but (in her lovely british accent)she said something along the lines of “a capsule wardrobe shouldn’t look the same for everyone. It’s not about everyone having black pumps, black trousers with a camel coat. It’s about finding the right pieces to build an ideal capsule collection for yourself. A great bowler hat and leather motorcycle jacket would be fundamental in my capsule wardrobe.” In essence, not all styles share the same essentials!

Back it up, what exactly is a capsule wardrobe? Let me wiki that for you.

Capsule wardrobe is a term coined by Susie Faux, the owner of a London boutique called “Wardrobe” in the 1970s. According to Faux, a capsule wardrobe is a collection of a few essential items of clothing that don’t go out of fashion, such as skirts, trousers, and coats, which can then be augmented with seasonal pieces.[1] This idea was popularised by American designer Donna Karan, who, in 1985, released an influential capsule collection of seven interchangeable work-wear pieces.[2]

So here in lies the problem: I am not only a shopaholic, but also a fashion chameleon. Capsule wardrobe equals impossibe. My style is, literally, not having to stick to one! I dress based on my mood, what my day looks like, what inspired me that day and the overall vibes of where I am headed. I have an overabundance of clothes, which I partly blame for having a very conservative corporate job by day and being a creative social fashion butterfly by night. I could try really hard to find a style that works for both, but I love me some classic corporate atire. Think Rachel Zane in Suits, #goals.

I also find the waste and pollution brought on by fast fashion, a little difficult to swallow. Building a capsule collection can play a huge role in sustainable fashion. It’s a hard balance between investing in classic essentials (a.k.a. clothes that will last you a long time), keeping up with trends to stay relevant, and squirrelling enough money away to pay the bills.

The Prophecy-1

“The Prophesy” is a series of photographs by photographer Fabrice Monteiro that shines light on the problem of pollution in Africa, yet offers a message of hope.

A great resource for sustainable fashion in Canada, is Ottawa’s own Malorie Bertrand. She has many great suggestions on building a simple, effective and sustainable capsule collection, if that is the direction you prefer heading. She also has a few exciting things up her sleeve, so make sure you follow along!

I think we can all use a little lesson in building our own Capsule wardrobe. So, here is my attempt at one! I think I have way more than I need, but it’s a start. What do you think? Is there anything missing? What would you swap?

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Lord & Taylor Leopard Print Scarf • $28.80

Knit Wrap Cardigan • Dex • $165

Diane Von Furstenberg Leopard Calf Hair and Leather Gloves • $298

August Hats Felt Large Fedora • $46.14

Amazon Collection 18k Yellow Gold 5mm Ball Stud Earrings • $65

Daniel Wellington Classy Sheffield 34mm Goldplated Watch • $265

T By Alexander Wang Black Scoopneck T-shirt • Alexander Wang • $90

Karen Kane V-Neck Lace Dress • Karen Kane • $186.79

Ivanka Trump Abstract Floral Blouse • Ivanka Trump • $66.75

Faux-Leather Hem Full Skirt • $115.99

Majestic Filatures turtle neck sweater • Majestic Filatures • $176.24

Mes Demoiselles ‘Field’ cable knit sweater • Mes Demoiselles • $823.91

Hue Python Faux Leather Ponte Leggings • Hue • $69.50

Trish-F5 Long Ink Winter Down Coat With Fur Hood • Mackage • $950

Pajar Alice Faux Fur Winter Boots • Pajar • $168

Lacoste Womens White Ramer LCR2 Canvas Sneakers-UK 3 • Lacoste • $110.18

Rag & Bone ‘Brando’ t-shirt • Rag and Bone • $110

Paige Skyline Ankle Peg Jeans Gr. 25 • Paige • $395

Vince Camuto Snake Point Toe Pumps • Vince Camuto • $88–131

Vince Camuto Raylan- Suede & Leather Point Toe Bootie • Vince Camuto • $173.74

Dav Festival Prep • $98

Marc By Marc Jacobs ‘New Too Hot To Handle’ hobo tote • Marc by Marc Jacobs • $672.08

Chanel Vintage ‘2.55’ shoulder bag • Chanel • $9,236

Burberry London Virgin Wool Trench Coat with Cashmere Gr. 8 • Burberry • $2,095

Simplicity® Unisex Winter Wool Cashmere Feel Fibers Scarf w/ Tassel, Light Grey • Simplicity • $38.99

Jenna Biker Jacket • $196

Wool Blend Shawl Collar Wrap Coat • Le Château • $225

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Holiday Gifts for the Girl who has Everything 

 

On Friday I presented “Holiday  Gifts for the Girl who has Everything” on CTV Morning Live (Ottawa).
Basically, I put together my entire Christmas wish list and shared it on national television (Ha!). 

Themes included:

  1. Luxury traveling
  2. Apres Ski
  3. Mademoiselle
  4. Edgy

I pulled everything from Fashion United, Ottawa’s premier fashion boutique! I love going there! They have an amazing selection of shoes, bags, clothes and accessories. They carry high-end brands like Marc Jacobs, Rebecca Minkoff, Kate Spade, Longchamp, Marccain and Michael Kors. This is quite rare in Ottawa, which is why this boutique really excites me.

Check out the segment and let me know what you think! I’m happy to give you any ideas. Don’t be shy and ask me your questions in the comments below!

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Head to toe in Fashion United! I need all of this!
 

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Festive Fashion: Black and Red Holiday Looks

screen-shot-2015-12-08-at-10-14-54-pm In my post last week, I mentioned that I was featured in Ottawa Family Living magazine. As you know, print is always limited to space, unlike a blog, so my fashion outfits didn’t quite make the cut. I guess they wanted to keep the smart answers over the pretty pictures. That’s a win for any blonde girl! haha.

Just as I said in my article, my go-to this season, is Leather! Here are three easy looks that offer comfort, style and versatility!

Each look offers a different way to play up on leather:

  1. Leggings  (similar in size L/XL)
  2. Moto Jacket (similar in size L/XL)
  3. Skirt (similar in size L/XL)
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Pleather leggings, oversized red sweater (H&M), black ankle booties (Nine West), black tassel purse (Aritzia). Easy, comfortable and very accessible.
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Red dress (H&M), black leather moto jacket (Danier), black bag (Danier) and closed pumps (Calvin Klein). You can add black tights to this look to warm it up a bit. This is good for any casual Holiday party or night out.
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Pretty in plaid! I love mixing odd combinations together! Plaid shirt (Old Navy), Skirt (Bailey 44), blue suede pumps (Nine West), clutch (Rudsak)

These are, once again, brought to you by the ever-talented Kristy Chapman Photography.

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Fashion talk: Stylish vs Trendy

Fran Lebowitz Quote Elle

“People care more about trends now than they do about style. They get so wrapped up in what’s happening that they forget how to dress, and they never learn who they are because they never learn how to take care of anything. So much of what my generation was taught regarding clothes was how to make them last. How to wash and care for them.” Fran Lebowitz

I saw this quote in Elle, it’s from an interview with Fran Lebowitz called:‘Yoga Pants are Ruining Women’ and Other Style Advice From Fran Lebowitz.

Fran Lebowitz is an American author and public speaker, known for her “sardonic social commentary on American life as filtered through her New York City sensibilities.” Basically, she is a hilarious New Yorker and knows how to make fun of people!

This interview truly inspired me to hash out a few self doubting issues I have been facing with my own personal style lately. It’s like, the closer I get to the representing the fashion industry, the more I question my own style. Is this trendy? Am I trendy? Will my followers relate? What do my readers like to see? What is my style? Do I have style? What is style?

Just be yourself Aladin Disney meme

Time and time again, the fashion icons of the world like Diane Von Furstenberg and Jenna Lyons, confirm the statement “be stylish, not trendy”. And most important of all “be yourself”.

In my article “The Woes of a Fashion Chameleon” I confess about wanting to wear it all and learning to juggle different looks. I can’t help it, I hate being predictable and I love so many different styles: simplistic lines, feminine and flirty, preppy and sometimes edgy. I think true talent is getting inspired by all your favourite looks and making it work as your own style. Maybe that’s what finding your style is all about. Style, what I am learning, is an individual thing, and trends are for the masses. Don’t get me wrong, I love updating my wardrobe with a few new trendy pieces every season. I think my problem is that I can get out of hand though, as-in, I can never seem to complete my “wish list” of clothing items for my closet.

Trend is fashion today, while style is timeless.

Presently, the cycle of fashion is growing at an exponential rate. New clothes are coming out so quickly, that the life expectancy of a trend is so short. Not just that, our society is craving for new content everyday that we don’t take the time to relish what is new. Fashion A.D.D. We want more, and we want it now.

I think this is why it’s even more important to stay true to who you are and not to get distracted by all the shiny objects. Stick with classic pieces and invest in accessories that are timeless (like Chanel maybe? haha). There is a reason why these top fashion houses have managed to stay relevent. They have earned their place in fashion history and have contributed to what we call style today.

In the article, Fran also talks about how beautiful people can pull off any look, but those looks are not for everyone. I couldn’t agree more. That’s why I always focus on wearing clothes that suits your body. And when your clothes fit you, you feel good, you look good and exude confidence!

I love how the article ends… “Not all of us are beautiful. But we can appear fine looking. So we should. Feeling good about an outfit is the point at which that outfit finally becomes good.”

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