Pre-Fall
I hate to say it but fall is just around the corner and the truth is that I’ve barely started to think about what I’m going to wear this season. For the first time in my life I’m not following trends in fashion magazines like I used to and instead I’m relying on street style inspiration from the wonderful world of Instagram. Some faves are currently @lornaluxe, @brandonduvall, @dustincarrington and @jetsetjustine. Mainly though, I’m relying more on what I want to wear and not necessarily what’s trending. What I want to wear right now is what the boys are wearing - slim pants, white sneakers (like Brandon) and button up shirts done up half way (a la Dustin). With these stylish men in mind I threw together my leather Mackage pants and my favourite Brandy Melville muscle tee. I wrapped my denim jacket around my waist to break up all of the black and add in some texture. My boots are Isabel Marant, from last year and they’re probably one of my best scores from Ssense. The bag is Alexander Wang and it’s called the Trifold. When The Outnet stocked it in patent leather, I didn’t think twice about clicking the buy button. All of the pieces I’m wearing were bought in the last couple of years, illustrating exactly why it’s so important to buy for your personal style vs. some shitty trend that will just come and go. So with that, perhaps I’m more ready for fall than I thought. With a little bit of inspo I can have a new perspective on my current wardrobe and make it feel new(ish).
Glasses, Armani | Necklaces, both from Lisbeth Jewelry | Muscle tee, Brandy Melville | Leather pants, Package | Boots, Isabel Marant | Bag, Alexander Wang | Bandana, Aritzia | Snake ring, Jenny Bird | Denim Jacket, Urban Outfitters
Kate Moss x Topshop
These Kate Moss x Topshop shorts instantly caught my eye on the sales rack of Topshop with their glittery embroidered detail and $5.00 price tag! That's right, $5!!! I thought - "perfect! It falls into my no-shopping-diet", where in my sick mind only very frugal shopping is allowed. Bonus, they totally have that Isabel Marant aesthetic I love so much but at a Value Village price point.
I paired my shorts with my Kate Moss x Matisse Charlotte boots. I mean, why not marry the two Kate's together in one amazing, heavy metal outfit? Throw in an Alexander Wang Rocco bag with rose gold hardware and I'm set! I'll admit that my hubby did give me a once over when he saw the outfit for the first time, and for a sec I wondered if my shorts where too short. (I've concluded they are but I'm owning it!) I think he was just not expecting so much bling everywhere. Then again, he should know better by now. I'd like to think it's a good thing that my outfit's still surprise the man I've been married to for almost 8 years now. Fashion: brings communities together and keeps marriages strong. Ok, they're just shorts I know!
xo, Nathalie
Shorts, Kate Moss x Topshop | Shirt, Lush Clothing | Necklace & Snake Ring, Jenny Bird (exact) | Bag, Alexander Wang Rocco | Black Ankle Boots, Kate Bosworth x Matisse, The Charlotte | Bracelet, The Peach Box (exact) | Watch, Cluse (exact) | Glasses, Dior | Gold ring on index finger, Dean Davidson
Sailing With Lacoste
These images are from a series of live-posts from Insta, and I'm blogging a few days after the fact - don't judge. Let's rewind to last Friday when Lacoste took me and 5 other Toronto bloggers sailing on Lake Ontario. Yes, it was as perfect as it sounds!
The Lacoste team had handpicked shoes for each of us based on our personal style so naturally I was thrilled when I got these gold toned court sneakers. (Metallic shoes? Yes please!) I often talk about building my outfits from the ground up, starting with the shoes. My first instinct was to put together an all white ensemble but instead I went for a different kind of nautical. I paired my navy lace-up Tibi shell with a pair of high waisted Jbrand jeans for versatility - sailing in the morning and office in the afternoon. For future wears I can see these kicks going well with black distressed denim and a deep V white t-shirt. Classic.
On the boat we chatted about shoes and got a sneak peak at AW15, which looks both on-trend and comfortable with knee high leather boots and glossy patent leather oxfords. We also got a sneak peak at SS16 which had all of us really excited about what's to come - white high tops, perforated sandals and slip on sneakers. Trust me when I say I want it all! #shoehoarder
xo, Nathalie
Lacoste Sneak Peek: SS2015
Front to back, left to right: Me, Sasha (sosasha.com), Alyssa (randomactsofpastel.com), Deanne (myfashavenue.com) Stephanie (stephaniesterjovski.com), Colby with Lacoste and Jodi (jodiblk.com).
How To Style It: Straight Cut Jeans
The weather this week has been just chilly enough to finally get me thinking about fall. I just got these new pale grey jeans from Fidelity Denim that sit really low on the hips and have a straight cut leg. They're definitely not the skin tight skinnies that I'm used to and when I tried them on for the first time I thought "oh no, I should have sized down." The truth is, it feels nice to have my legs breathe a little with a looser fitting jean.
The challenge from there was how would I style these straight leg denims? With a lower waistline than I'm used to, I chose a bold belt to accentuate that feature. This particular one is a men's belt from the Gap that I got on sale for $3 when I was in high school. Truth is that I don't wear much but I've never been able to part with it. For some reason it reminds of the of kinda belt a biker dude might wear. So with that, I felt the need to offset the tough with the pretty. Enter, the silk blouse. This one almost has a 70s' secretary vibe with the sheer silk fabric, the necktie and the keyhole opening on the bust. A floppy wool hat, my trusty Armani sunglasses and a suede black pump was all I needed to finish the look. It's fall ready, reminiscent of That 70s' Show but with a contemporary vibe. Oh, but let's not forget about my Givenchy Pandora. This is the kinda bag that goes with any type of jeans, including straight cut. ;)
Special thanks to Dean Davidson for sending me some beautiful rings that just happened to style beautifully with this post. I'm wearing the Plaza Ring in green onyx and the Pyramid Stacking ring here. As for the nails, I used Chanel in Frenzy.
Jeans, Fidelity Denim
Blouse, Zara (A/W 2014)
Belt, Gap
Pumps, Jcrew
Rings, Dean Davidson
Hat, Target
Bag, Givenchy Small Pandora
Glasses, Armani
Olive & Black Leather
Just before the sun started going down we caught this outfit at the cutest little greenhouse in Oakville. I have yet to go in as it's usually open while I'm at work but the exterior is just right for an #ootd back drop or pretending I'm in L.A. Hope you're all having an excellent weekend so far! xo, Nathalie
Alexander Wang Heels & Distressed Denim
Sometimes I feel like I should dress more girly and wear heels but at the core I always favour flats, jeans and a t-shirt. What kind of fashion blogger am I?! >_< Regardless I busted my favourite Alexander Wang heels along with my A.W. Tina Zip Clutch (circa 2010) to go along with my cheapie jeans and white tank. While the shoe and bag are both designer, the clothes are only about $70. Gotta love Forever 21 and Zara for good finds! As for dressing girly, I'll reserve it for special occasions and stick to my rock and roll style. ;)
Alex & Ani Energy bracelet
Birds Of A Feather necklace
Armani sunglasses
Alexander Wang Antonia sandals & Tina zip clutch
Zara jeans
Forever 21 Tank
Part 2: Road Trip Dreams
So much for food Fridays! Sorry guys but it's been a busy week so you'll have to forgive me. In the meanwhile, here's Part 2 from my last post which is all about the accessories. A beautiful leopard pouch from Status Anxiety, a gold watch from Cluse, a blue bandana and a little bit of rain. Sometimes all you need is a little something to bring an outfit to life! Happy weekend!
Part 1: Road Trip Dreams
I seem to go through stages with my clothes but somehow it always comes back around to that rock and roll aesthetic that I love so much. This look has a twist of Americana and I always imagine this is the kind of outfit I would wear if I was road tripping across the US, starting in Boston and finishing in Austin, Texas. One day. In the meanwhile, this little outfit will have to do.
I'm wearing my new Rag & Bone zippered jeans that come in a really awesome distressed wash. I have to confess that I already have these in black but they're one of my favourite pairs so having it in a second colour doesn't hurt. Who isn't guilty of buying something they really like in two colours? The tank is a cheapie from Brandy Meville. Have you guys been? I swear they make the best t-shirts! Super soft with just the right amount of sheer.
A little pop of colour goes a long way and I say that all of the time. I'm using my blue Saint Laurent Sac De Jour more than I originally thought I would and I wear it with pretty much everything these days. I'll have to post a review on it at some point! In case you're wondering, I'm wearing the Nano size here.
The bandana around my neck is actually a pocket square from the awesome folks at Stolen Riches. I've worn it around my wrist so many times and now on my neck, but never as an actual pocket square!
Finally, is there anything else that screams Americana more than stars? Seriously guys, I'm road trip ready in these Matisse bad boys!!
The Gold Watch: Cluse
I'm really excited about this post because I finally got a gold watch to go with all of the gold accessories that I've been collecting this last year. In case you haven't caught on, I'm totally watch obsessed and I can't even leave the house without accessorizing with one. Half the time I don't even wear my wedding band but still, a watch has to be on my wrist. Weird. I know!
I'm wearing the La Boheme watch by Cluse here and opted for the black face plate because it's easier to pair with my dark clothes. It'll also transition me well into fall/ winter and I know it'll look bad ass with my Matisse x Kate Bosworth boots but in the meanwhile, it looks really good with a bunch of jewellery layered in don't you think?
In case you haven't heard of them, Cluse is a brand out of Amsterdam that has that minimal aesthetic we all love but with a bit of a twist. In addition to mesh bands, they also have coloured leather bands, the option of crystal details and face plates in white, black, gold and silver. Trust me, sometimes options are nice!
Studded Bangle, The Peach Box
Ring, Lola's Vanity
Bag, Saint Laurent Paris Monogram cross body
Woven bracelet, Vitaly Design
Gold Watch, Cluse (exact here)
Dress, T by Alexander Wang
Glasses, Armani
Sandals, Zara