Celebrating the latest in Ottawa men’s fashion with Strellson at CF Rideau Centre

Fashion Ottawa

Last week I was invited to take a peak inside the new Strellson store that opened in the newly expanded wing of the CF Rideau Centre. Strellson is a men’s clothing line and is Switzerland’s largest menswear manufacturer. You may be familiar with this line, as it is also found at the Hudson’s Bay.

Now, I don’t typically blog about men’s fashion or formally know much about it, but I am the primary stylist of my household, much like you gals out there. I not only have to dress my son, but I dress my (handsome) husband too! It’s not fair, they both look great in anything and have 0 curvy issues to deal with!

Any chance I get, I love getting all the latest details in men’s fashion. Which is why I was thrilled to watch David Altow, Director of Sales Strellson, give us the perfect presentation on key Strellson pieces and this year’s must haves (Ahem- BOMBER JACKET!)! You can watch the entire presentation in the video below. But if you are lazy, here are some key takeaways:

  1. Men get to wear cozy stretchy fabrics and still look like a million dollars at work
  2. Men must also consider the art of layering! It looks great and it’s perfect for temperature control
  3. Men’s clothes seem to be more “travel friendly” and most garments consider convenience, compactibility, versatility and portability (Ex: light-weight coats that keep you warm, dry, dressy and can easily get packed in your small bag)
  4. Technology is always considered, and never compromised whether it’s through innovative fabrics or pockets that hold your devices
Strellson CF Rideau Centre Ottawa Men's Fashion Blog Zack Smith Senators
Me posing with Ottawa Senator Zack Smith, Strellson brand ambassador

Zack Smith and David were challenged to a “Fashion-off” initiated by fellow Ottawa blogger Marilou Moles of 20 York Street. She did a fantastic job of getting each guy to pull their top 5 favourite picks! I was asked to be a judge and ended up siding with Zack. As the fashion underdog, he pulled some great looks that I could see my husband wearing. Also he is cute. In the end David won!

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Totally loved the sports jacket Zack is wearing with an optional puffy coat front-panel.
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The thin and warm puffy coats and bomber jackets are all the rage! GO GET ONE NOW!!! (PS- That’s Marilou!)

Strellson CF Rideau Centre Ottawa Men's Fashion Blog Zack Smith 3

The staff were super friendly and helpful. I’ll be headed there again soon to play stylist with my husband! You should go too 🙂

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#TMI: My favourite underwear I am wearing right now

Fashion

“I’ll take 5 grandma underwears please!” is how I made my purchase at the cash yesterday… my sister next to me was mortified. The girl behind the cash snickered to herself because she was curvy and I know she was thinking “YASS gurl, function over looks!”.

WARNING- this post is 100% bonafide TOO MUCH INFORMATION (#TMI), so stop reading now… although I doubt you will!

The back story- I hate underwear. I hate when they are too tight when they give you wedgies when they are too loose and start falling down. I hate when the lines show, I hate how they create muffin tops… you get the picture. I often get asked to post about my undergarments, and I truly haven’t felt comfortable discussing it on my super duper high fashion blog (hahaha). But sometimes, you need this real talk. Women are genuinely looking for their gal pal secrets and its my turn to share mine!

Lately, I love Victoria Secret’s new High-Leg Brief Panty, 100% cotton, and 100% nona!

I love that they are wedgie-proof and stay where they should. They don’t have much tummy control, but that’s a whole other blog post. Sadly, I was thinking practical so I grabbed 3 beige, 1 black and 1 grey. I actually wear a size M, so they do run a bit large.

What’s your favourite underwear? Any secrets you’re willing to share? Do tell!

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The Reveal: Newly expanded CF Rideau Centre boasts new shopping for Ottawa

Fashion Ottawa

Last week, I was invited to have a sneak peak at the new CF Rideau Centre reveal, during the media preview party. The new expansion is amazing and does wonders for Rideau street. It looks clean, modern and rejuvenated. I also find that this expansion is doing wonders for mens fashion, maybe the most menswear available in one section of the mall!

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So what new shops opened at Rideau Centre you ask?

  • Simons
  • H&M (yes, they have a plus-size section!)
  • Anthropologie
  • Disney Store
  • Zara
  • Massimo Dutti
  • Strellson
  • Rudsak
  • Sketchers
  • Roots
  • Vans
  • Frank + Oak
  • Steven Madden
  • L’intervalle
  • NYX
  • Bridgehead
  • Emilio Guido
  • Lululemon
  • Indochino
  • Adore
  • Squish
  • Trade Secrets
  • lole
  • Bento Sushi
  • Alex + Ani

With all these new stores added to CF Rideau Centre, it has once again become THE MALL, that bares it all! Personally, I am excited to add more L’intervalle footwear to my collection, and hope to get reacquainted with Anthropologie and Simons.

Again, I was busy with filming live video on Facebook that night, so I didn’t get many pictures in. Here are some pics that I managed to scrounge up of the evening.

Hope you get a chance to see the new mall soon!

CF Rideau Centre New expansion Ottawa Shopping Mall

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Thanks to Alan Wainwright for this pic of Katie (@YowCityStyle) and I!
Thanks to Alan Wainwright for this pic of Katie (@YowCityStyle) and I!
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My new favourite shoe store “L’Intervalle”, a brand designed in Montreal and made in Europe. Amazing designs and affordable price point.
CF Rideau Centre New expansion Ottawa Shopping Mall. L'Intervalle shoe store
I just had to buy these babies!

CF Rideau Centre New expansion Ottawa Shopping Mall. Fashion Style Ottawa

CF Rideau Centre New expansion Ottawa Shopping Mall. Fashion blog
Thank you to my gal Julie from @TrySmallThings for this lovely photo.
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Simons Ottawa now open in newly renovated CF Rideau Centre!

Fashion Ottawa

Last year, around the same time, I had the privilege of attending the media preview for the first Simons opening in the area. The Simons Gatineau store opened in Les Promenades Gatineau on August 14, 2015, and I remember being told to stay tuned, because Ottawa was getting a store in August 2016. One full year later, and here we are! I can’t believe how fast time flies. The Simons store in CF Rideau Centre opens this Thursday, August 11, 2016!

The space is gargantuan, about 104,000 square feet! Like, you WILL 100%, most definitely get lost on the 4th and 3rd floor of the Rideau Centre (and you should!). Remember the old theatre?… there! The store is perfectly laid out, and includes the signature Simons price-point “mix & matching” merchandising strategy. There is no discrimination here, this shopper knows what she wants and can confidently style herself in a unique way.

“Oh fun! This $3000 purse will go great with my $40 jacket”

We had a chance to meet Peter Simons again, who does a lovely job of teaching us fashion bloggers the strategy behind maintaining a large private Canadian company, keeping the passion alive after 180 years of business, the thrilling ride of merchandising and buying, how to remain socially responsible and predicting trends coming out of the European fashion scene. He has a wealth of fashion knowledge and I feel like a sponge when he talks. (PS- feminine Parisian style is making a comeback, but this time it’s your own interpretation. No cookie cutter moulds for you to follow… so put some thought into it, would you?).

I did manage to snap a few photos, but focused on live video this time, to give you the full experience. You can check out the videos on facebook and twitter!

 

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A very basic capsule collection of shoes are available in the men’s and women’s section!
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View from the 4th floor of the atrium.
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Classic pose of myself and Chloe Gordon, fellow Ottawa fashion blogger. Turn out last year I wore white and the same shoes/purse combo! How bizarre! Thank you to Julie from www.trysmallthings.com for the pic!
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Unique Canadian art installation, a signature theme of all Simons stores.
Simons Ottawa CF Rideau Centre Byward Market Ottawa fashion blog
The perfect blogger coffee table! Simons Home section is out of this world!
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