Navy, Stripes, and Polka Dots Oh My!

You may not have a yacht, but with this season’s hottest trends you will be a sailors dream.  What we can expect this spring from the inspiring fashion gods... navy, polka dots, and stripes of course. Just thinking about this upcoming season’s trend gives me a little tingle in my cookie! Spring is what keeps a fashionista holding on, it is a little ray of hope that life will get better.

 The trick to this trend is not to go overboard (no pun intended), and remember less is more.

Most designers design their collection in a simple, ready-to-wear fashion, meaning you will always find the collection to be blocked off with a simple stripe or polka dot with a solid bottom. It is always best to keep your stripes and polka dots on top, by wearing these prints on your bottom half; you may run the risk of hipititus. Hipititus is a made-up word of mine for a woman wearing something that makes her hips look like an elephant’s ass. Not pleasant, not funny, and very sad.  

This rule does not always apply when it comes to dresses. A small polka dot like the Sonia Rykiel pictured down below is a perfect example ($550). Everything is evenly spaced and I love how she did the polka dots in a nude as opposed to a basic white. If you want to do a full out stripe dress, it is best to do a chunky strip with a mixed colour palette. Again, I will turn to the ‘Ultimate Fashionista’ Sonia Rykiel, who’s done exactly this with her classic knit dress ($350). Notice that the stripes are wide and she kept darker stripes towards the bottom as to take away from the hip area. L’Agence also did a great job, keeping stripes on the top of the dress and a solid navy on the bottom.

Navy is a no fail classic and gives any wardrobe a fresh updated look, and it is great alternative to plain ol’ black. I believe that every woman needs a solid navy pant in her wardrobe, and when it is in season it is the best time to buy. They may just hang out in the back of your wardrobe along with that disgusting sweater your mother bought you last Christmas. How can you confuse the word cashmere with angora? Just thinking about that sweater makes me cringe. Anyway, when you do finally pull those navy pants out and slip them on, you will wonder where the hell they have been all your life!

I spoke briefly of L’Agence above but I would like to touch a little more on this designer. Based out of France this designer has the nautical look down pat this season. The long navy dress below is by L’Agence and at a great retail price of $495 it is this season’s must have! This dress will take you from a night out on the town to any wedding. It is a gorgeous creation that flows with an air of sophistication. I only wish that they did not cheap out on the belt, but that is easily rectified by adding your own thin belt. Also, if you look more like a super model than an actual human being you can do without the belt. Oh how I hate having those women as best friends ‘sigh’.

If you are completely against the colour navy you’re racist! No, no you’re not. Joking aside, there is no rule stating that stripes and polka dots must be on a navy backdrop. If you want this look with another colour there are many alternatives. Take the Beyond Vintage ($325) dress below as an example; it is a deep red with a black stripe. Though it does not have the sailor vibe it does have that Dita Von Tess look. Don’t be afraid to play with these patterns and you can mix and match polka dots as long as the colours are reversed. Have fun with this look as it will be gone back into the fashion vault before you know it.

All of the fashions represented in this blog are available at the Bay Queen St. Location. If these prices are a little too steep for your pocket book, similar fashions can be found at Mango and Zara. These stores do an excellent job when it comes to finding the hottest trends at a suitable price.

L'Agence

Beyond Vintage

L'Agence

Sonia Rykiel

Tips for the Plane Jane.

With the holidays over and done with, Father Christmas has probably left you with five extra pounds and a lasting hangover. I’m sure you would rather the lump of coal your parents use to hold over you all year, rather than the lump of fat that is now sitting on your hips. Not only are you considering bulimia for the next two weeks, the vacation you booked months ago is now shortly on its way. 

With work deadlines and trying to keep up with your social life, worrying about how you are going to fit into that Michael Kors bikini you bought on sale last summer is now your top priority. Well, let us all take one deep breath and think about this as rationally as women can. Bulimia is sooo high-school and the Hollywood Juice Diet never works (not that I myself have tried).  

Here’s a thought, how about we stop obsessing over the few extra pounds and embrace them as the kick ass curves given to us for free. Sure your ass has gotten a little bit cushiony, but think about how great your boobs are going to look in that low cut v-neck dress you just bought.  I am not saying not to use the next couple of weeks to eat healthier and cut down on your calorie intake, but to also think smartly. So many times we buy clothes that we are sure with a few days of starving ourselves they will soon fit. When you do go out to the stores looking for your vacation wardrobe, find clothes that fit for the here and now.

This may mean that you may have to buy a new bikini.  No one likes to see a woman on the beach that squeezed her normal ass into an extra small bikini bottom. I think this is where the term fat-ass came from, not from someone actually having a fat ass. So let us spare the young children’s eyes and dress appropriately (unless of course you are going to a nudist resort and then you don’t have to worry about it).

My number one rule for a vacation is dress for yourself and in what makes you comfortable. We sometimes tend to go a little overboard when shopping and buy some extravagant shit that we would never wear. Chances are if you do not feel comfortable in the store, you definitely won’t wear it on your vacation, regardless of the sun and surf. You know the saying ‘cotton is the fabric of our lives’? Well it is, so stick with it. A basic cotton dress can take you from day to night with the right accessories, especially a white cotton eye-lit dress. Pack a chunky necklace and a thin gold belt for night time. Make sure the accessories you bring are gold or have a bit of gold/pink undertones; this goes great with a tan.

When it comes to shoes, three’s a charm. Any more than three is too much (and this is coming from a shoe-aholic, so trust me). It is best to bring a pair of flip flops, a dressy flat sandal, and pair of neutral heels. Depending on the colour palette of your vaca-wardrobe, you will have a better idea of what to bring. It is always best to bring a light cardigan in case it cools down at night.

When choosing dresses to take on your vacation, always choose light-weight fabrics that will let your skin breath. Make sure to pack a long, ‘flowy’ dress as it is the essence of someone on vacation.

Do not forget your big brim hat, it will not only protect you from the sun, but you will look completely fab on the beach. Stay away from clothes with too many logos or brand names, this screams tourist! Nothing like being pick-pocketed your first day on vacation. This of course doesn’t apply to sunglasses, just make sure your Chanels go everywhere with you! I treat my sunglasses as I would children; I always know where they are at all times. Come to think of it I probably wouldn’t care where my children were, so I guess I treat my sunglasses better.

When it comes to beauty products, less is more. I swear by City Block tinted moisturizer by Clinique on my holidays. I normally use the SPF 25 but I am pretty sure it goes up to SPF 40. At night I use a little dab of moisturizer with some liquid bronzer to give me that healthy sun-kissed glow. A soft pink blush is all you need topped off with a nude or light pink lipstick completing that beach goddess look. Make sure all your day products have at least an SPF 15 sunscreen in them.

If you don’t know how your skin reacts to the sun by now, I am guessing you are a vampire and you will shine like diamonds.  

In case you may be thinking of spending a sweet little penny on luggage, I would think again. There is no reason to be packing your already hard earned wardrobe into an even pricier piece of luggage. It is not like the baggage handler stops and says “wait guys we have to gently place this Louis Vuitton on the belt”. To them it is all the same and if someone does recognize the label (and is dishonest) then your bag is not making it on your flight.

Bon Voyage my Little Fashionistas! May your days be filled with sun and tanned foreign men.