Winter Fashion Street Style Looks- Vintage wool

Since we are supposed to be getting another snow storm, I thought it would be timely to share the last look from the winter fashion street style session that I did with Amy Symes. Check out the other two looks from the series Vintage Fur and Black and Grey.

This was the first look we shot, not entirely our favourite, but the look is there, non the less. We shot this in the field next to my house. Amy was concerned that the backdrop wasn’t lively enough. What do you think?

In this photo, I am wearing:

  • Bandeau and black gloves with bow from H&M
  • Vintage wool coat with fur trim from Rewind Couture (Toronto)
  • Grey turtle neck from H&M
  • Blue jeans from GAP
  • Rebecca Minkoff purse from Fashion United
  • Ugg Boots

In this outfit, I felt very warm and comfortable. This is a great casual and easy look for “mom on the go”. I get loads of compliments on this jacket too, and most of all I love the detailed buttons. One thing I have to admit is that I ADORE my hair here, this to me is a good hair day. The cold always gives me nice hair. That’s all 🙂

Ottawa Fashion Blog Curvy Style Blogger Chantal Sarkisian Chantsy Mode Xlusive Ottawa Fashion Blog Curvy Style Blogger Chantal Sarkisian Chantsy Mode Xlusive Ottawa Fashion Blog Curvy Style Blogger Chantal Sarkisian Chantsy Mode Xlusive Ottawa Fashion Blog Curvy Style Blogger Chantal Sarkisian Chantsy Mode Xlusive Ottawa Fashion Blog Curvy Style Blogger Chantal Sarkisian Chantsy Mode Xlusive Ottawa Fashion Blog Curvy Style Blogger Chantal Sarkisian Chantsy Mode Xlusive Winter Street Style Ottawa Fashion Blog Curvy Style Blogger Chantal Sarkisian Chantsy Mode Xlusive Winter Street Style Ottawa Fashion Blog Curvy Style Blogger Chantal Sarkisian Chantsy Mode Xlusive Winter Street Style Ottawa Fashion Blog Curvy Style Blogger Chantal Sarkisian Chantsy Mode Xlusive Winter Street Style

 

Continue Reading

Winter Fashion Street Style Looks- Vintage Fur

I just can’t even… Every time I look at these bright photos, I forget that it’s winter and that we have 50+ cm of snow piled up on the streets.

Amy Symes and I planned this impromptu winter fashion street style session last weekend, at a few different spots in Ottawa. Something I have been meaning to tick off the old “to-do” list. I was so happy to work with her. I have known Amy for just over a year and love her bright, beautiful and crisp photography style. She was a trooper to do this in the cold and managed to stay friends with me, despite her frozen fingers. I, on the other hand was warm! That’s right, my friends… no suffering here! That was the goal of this winter fashion shoot. Some practical styling tips for a true Canadian fashionista, unlike what exists online.

In this photo, I am wearing my favourite pompom tuque from Shepherds, my vintage fur coat and Tory Burch fur boots from The Clothes Secret, black leather gloves from Simons, my bright blue Marc Jacobs back pack from Fashion United, and black leggings from Amazon!

Stay tuned for two more looks from the Winter Fashion Street Style Looks series!

Chantal Sarkisian Mode Xlusive Winter Fashion Ottawa fashion blog Ottawa Street Style Amy Symes Chantal Sarkisian Mode Xlusive Winter Fashion Ottawa fashion blog Ottawa Street Style Amy Symes Chantal Sarkisian Mode Xlusive Winter Fashion Ottawa fashion blog Ottawa Street Style Amy SymesChantal Sarkisian Mode Xlusive Winter Fashion Ottawa fashion blog Ottawa Street Style Amy SymesChantal Sarkisian Mode Xlusive Winter Fashion Ottawa fashion blog Ottawa Street Style Amy Symes Chantal Sarkisian Mode Xlusive Winter Fashion Ottawa fashion blog Chantal Sarkisian Mode Xlusive Winter Fashion Ottawa fashion blog Ottawa Street Style Amy SymesChantal Sarkisian Mode Xlusive Winter Fashion Ottawa fashion blog Ottawa Street Style Amy Symes  Chantal Sarkisian Mode Xlusive Winter Fashion Ottawa fashion blog Ottawa Street Style Amy Symes

Continue Reading

A true look at Canadian Winter Fashion in 2016

If you’re anything like me, getting dressed in the mornings these days, is harder than ever.

Forget trends and style for a minute. What on earth do I wear when there is 2 feet of snow and I don’t want to freeze my buns off, yet still want to look like I am not bundled in a duvet. Although, that sounds amazing.

Feeling uninspired? Me too! I know… Let’s head over to Pinterest!



What in the? How on earth is this “winter fashion”? I mean, yes, these are my #winterfashiongoals but so not functional.

Then I get photos like this…


  
  

Gorgeous ? I love it. I can totally shovel my driveway in those heels. I’ll skip the sox too… That’s extra laundry and plus, having feelings in your ankles is so 2015.

You catch my drift. I love all these inspirational pictures, but that’s what they are, inspiration. Also, the bare minimum to qualify for a winter fashion image requires a tiny big of snow on the ground.

There isn’t much available online that depicts what true fashionistas are sporting on the snowy slushy streets of  Canada. It’s also important to note that we, as Canadian fashion bloggers, have a duty to report on what true Canadian Fashion trends look like in 2016. I want to see boots, scarves, mittens, hats, parkas… The whole nine yards.

I found these pictures that make a bit more sense…


  
  
  
  

Have fun this winter. Stay warm and gorgeous!

Continue Reading

Cost-per-wear: How good is your Fashion Math

Today’s lesson in math will show you how to justify expensive items to help you build your dream capsule wardrobe. Remember the essence of this exercise is to invest in classic, high quality items that will/should last you a long time. Again, we want to lean towards becoming stylish not trendy!

The Fashion Math
cost-per-wear-formula-total-cost-of-item-_number-of-times-worn
This is quite basic math. To help you find your Cost-Per-Wear, take the total price of your favourite item, and divide it by the number of times you will wear it. The ultimate goal here is to lower the CPW. The more times you wear your item, the higher the price can be! Take a really expensive  pair of jeans, for example. Jeans are worn so many times throughout the year, that you can easily rationalize spending between $200-$300 on a good quality, well fitted pair of denim jeans. If you end up wearing these jeans every day for a year, they will have paid for themselves! What a deal.

Sometimes we buy into the trends of fast fashion and get lured into purchasing lots of pieces that we don’t end up wearing, or we spend a ton of money on one not-so-key item. When you use the CPW as a common indicator, you can quickly see how you probably should not have purchased that $1000 ball gown, you will never wear again! (CPW= $1000… Consider Rent Frock Repeat, you crazy girl! What’s wrong with you?)

A few things to keep in mind when you are calculating CPW:

  • Durability- don’t sacrifice on the price! Invest in leather shoes and bags, they get the most wear and tear. I cringe when I see fake leather or plastic purses deteriorating.
  • Quality vs Quantity- buy nice things, just less of them.
  • Functionality- Do not compromise when it comes to functionality. Invest in warm, weatherproof boots and coats. Splurge on well-made and supportive heels that you will wear all the time.

Lastly, I want to close with the value of thrift shopping. This is an excellent way to splurge on things you don’t want to pay full price for. Maybe it’s a season too late, but who really cares! Paying less also means you can buy stuff that is outside your ideal “capsule wardrobe” collection. This is also when you can have a little fun and go outside your comfort zone.

Here are a few items that yield a low CPW… depending on your daily habits! What do you think of these price points? Sorry for all the black… it’s seems to be my go-to this season.

fashion-math-cost-per-wear-modexlusive-chantal-sarkisian

Paige skinny jeans • Paige • $507.02
Lord & Taylor Wrist Length Knit Cuff Leather Gloves • $40
Hudson’S Bay Company 100% Cashmere Scarf • HBC • $120
Merrell Women’s Decora Sonata Waterproof Winter Boot Brown 8.5 M US • Merrell • $169.99
La Canadienne Womens Mazy Knee-High Boot,Black,10 M US • La Canadienne • $274.63
Caley-F5 Large Black Mesenger Bag • Mackage • $595
Kay-F5 Long Black Winter Down Coat With Fur Hood • Mackage • $795
Pierre Hardy Black Suede Ultime Pumps • Pierre Hardy • $455
Ann Marino by Bettye Muller Fleetwood Booties • Bettye Muller • $130.30

Continue Reading