FASHION Magazine

Investment pieces mean different things to different people. To some, it means a piece of clothing that you save up for, buy every so often, but love forever. To others, it simply means a classic piece that never goes out of style, fits well and can be worn in a multitude of ways.

This week, we asked our Style Panel to talk about their favourite investment pieces that they plan on wearing this spring. None of the answers were too surprising, the styling however, was top notch as always.

The Style Mogul’s Christina Cravero likes to invest in a statement shoe every season. She likes to make a big impact on an outfit with her footwear. Stephanie Sterjovski’s gorgeous white blazer definitely renews our love of winter whites. Who says white can’t be worn after Labour Day? Krystin Lee of Suburban Faux-Pas shows off her high-low look. Her top, purse and sunglasses were all investment pieces, but she lets us know she is on the hunt for more: a vintage Chanel brooch, a pair of Christian Louboutins and an Hermès bangle are all on her list.

New panellists, Zoe Smythe of Zoe’s Fashion Feed and Nicole Wilson of Dainty Girl, each went for an item that they feel will be worn often this season. Smythe, a footwear designer living in New York City, loves vintage and thrift shopping so it’s no surprise that she chose a vintage Panetto necklace. Wilson, a fashion loving blogger from Toronto, chose a classic Kate Spade handbag in a bold pink colour. But knowing the above, we don’t doubt this piece will be a classic in her wardrobe.

Question 41: What investment pieces will you be wearing this season? Read the answers now! »

Or jump to: AMBER DESILETS, LONDON | BARBARA ANN SOLOMON, TORONTO | CARA MCLEAY, VANCOUVER | CHRISTINA CRAVERO, TORONTO | IVA GRBESIC, TORONTO | JACQUELYN SON, VANCOUVER | KAYLA SHORT, HALIFAX | KD FAUSTINO, CALGARY | KRYSTIN LEE, TORONTO | NICOLE WILSON, TORONTO | STEPHANIE KOCH, KELOWNA | STEPHANIE STERJOVSKI, TORONTO | WHITNEY COSGRAVE, LOS ANGELES | ZOE SMYTHE, NEW YORK CITY

For style-minded Gen X and Yers, the resurgence of 1990s fashion on the Spring 2013 runways is cause for celebration. Our minds are full of fond memories—Blossom hats, grunge plaids and 90210-branded T-shirts are just a few that come to mind—what could be better than so many modern re-iterations from the likes of Dries Van […]

The post Reclaiming 1990s fashion: 13 Style Panel tips for adapting the It decade’s styles for today appeared first on FASHION Magazine.

After Stella McCartney and Diane von Furstenberg showed loose fitting, printed pajama-style pants on their respective runways for Spring 2012, the trend cemented itself for seasons to come. Since, everyone from Tommy Hilfiger to Dries Van Noten have shown the look. on the streets, J Crew creative director Jenna Lyons and Rihanna have both made wearing the trend look effortless. But while pajama dressing sure is trendy, it may not surprise you to hear that its not as simple as leaving the house in the same outfit you slept in.

Style, fit and fabric are all things that we need to consider when deciding how to wear pajama pants. You want the look to be flattering and streamlined, which can often be the antithesis of the way pajama pants are made. Same goes for loose fitting pajama blouses.

This week we challenged our Style Panel to show off how to wear pajama pants and share their tips. Curvy Geekery’s Mo Handahu swore that she would never try this trend, but looks amazing in her matching blouse and pants that fit her perfectly. This trend is all about fit! Inherited Jeans’ Stephanie Koch went casual with her styling and added a leather jacket, smoking slippers and a lace t-shirt to her silk track pants.

Question 37: Pajama dressing is one of the hardest trends to adapt for everyday. What’s your advice on how to wear pajama pants? Read the answers now! »

Or jump to: BARBARA ANN SOLOMON, TORONTO | CARA MCLEAY, VANCOUVER | CHRISTINA CRAVERO, TORONTO | JACQUELYN SON, VANCOUVER |KAYLA SHORT, HALIFAX | KD FAUSTINO, CALGARY | KRISTIN MACDONALD, FREDRICTON | KRYSTIN LEE, TORONTO | KRYSTIN LEE, TORONTO | MELANIE MORAIS, EDSON | MO HANDAHU, HALIFAX | STEPHANIE KOCH, KELOWNA

While it would have made you a downright prepster back in the ‘80s, a high collared button up or sweater has become de rigueur for fashion statement making nowadays. Championed by street style stars like Man Repeller Leandra Medine and Taylor Tomasi Hill alike, a high collared shirt is even more statement making with the addition of a blinged out necklace worn overtop. And while it sure looks great when captured outside the tents at fashion week, we’re bringing it down to earth for you, with 6 great tips on how to wear a collar necklace, delivered by our very own Style Panel.

As always, our panellists’ tips are varied as their looks. KD Faustino suggests making the look pop by wearing a collar necklace in a contrasting colour to your button up shirt or sweater. At the other end of the spectrum, Stephanie Koch chose to stay within the same cobalt blue colour palette when pairing her collar necklace with a varsity style sweater. Meanwhile, One Chic Mom’s Iva Grbesic put a preppy twist on her own outfit, but recommends trying collar necklaces in a bunch of different ways to see what works best for you.

Question 36: Can you share some tips on how to wear a collar necklace? Read the answers now! »

Or jump to: BARBARA ANN SOLOMON, TORONTO | KASSANDRA CAMPONI, EDMONTON | KAYLA SHORT, HALIFAX | KD FAUSTINO, CALGARY | KRYSTIN LEE, TORONTO | IVA GRBESIC, TORONTO | STEPHANIE KOCH, KELOWNA

Fur. You can’t mention the word without stirring controversy. Is a fur coat more important than a living animal? For many, wearing fur is a question of ethics. For others, it’s a question of aesthetics. And while valid points exist at both ends of the spectrum, fur has once again become trendy. Following Prada’s bright and quirky statement of candy coloured rabbit tail accessories for Spring 2011, colourful dyed fur re-appeared at Oscar de la Renta, Peter Som and L’Wren Scott for Fall/Winter 2012, not to mention again at both Prada and Miu Miu for Spring 2013.

And while it might be an out-of-bounds option both morally and monetarily for many, we challenged our Style Panel to teach you how to wear fur—real, fake, vintage or otherwise—to make one heck of a statement this season.

Just as we expected, out Style Panelists’ opinions were as varied—from Sandy Joe Karpetz’s “insatiable passion” for vintage fur to Alyssa Lau’s choice to never wear the real thing—as the tips for how to wear fur—from Kayla Short’s simple fur parka trim to Jacquelyn Son’s navy faux-fur cropped jacket from Zara.

Question 35: Whether faux, vintage or real, show us how to wear fur. Read the answers now! »

Or jump to: ALEXANDRA NIKOLAJEV, TORONTO | ALYSSA LAU, EDMONTON | AMY NELSON, CALGARY | BARBARA ANN SOLOMON, TORONTO | CHRISTINA CRAVERO, TORONTO | IVA GRBESIC, TORONTO | JACQUELYN SON, VANCOUVER | JEN TAM, VANCOUVER | KAYLA SHORT, HALIFAX | KRYSTIN LEE, TORONTO | MELANIE MORAIS, EDSON | MO HANDAHU, HALIFAX | SANDY JOE KARPETZ, EDMONTON | STEPHANIE KOCH, KELOWNA | STEPHANIE STERJOVSKI, TORONTO | WHITNEY COSGRAVE, LOS ANGELES

Winter knits may be most tried and tested way to ward against dropping temperatures, but this year, they became a trend in and of themselves. On Marc Jacobs’ Fall/Winter 2012 runway, thick and crafty knits were given a Dickensian twist when layered alongside large-than-life fur hats. On the other end of the spectrum, knits were given a graphic treatment at 3.1 Phillip Lim, when shown in black and white under crisp leather jackets. Chloé, Anna Sui and Chanel also showed knits varying in thickness, texture, colour and style, proving that they were more popular than ever.

For this week’s Style Panel, we challenged the ladies to a little winter knit shake-up. To Vogue or Bust’s Alexandra Grant showcased winter knits in form of another of the season’s biggest trends: oversized. Curvy Geekery’s Mo Handahu infused her look with a little burst of sunshine, by wearing her cropped knits in one of the most beautifully saturated hues of turquoise.

New panellists, Inherited Jeans’ Stephanie Koch and One Chic Mom’s Iva Grbesic show off winter knits in both dressed up and dressed down ways. Grbesic brings a new perspective to the Style Panel, as she is our first panellist in her 30s places importance on dressing chicly while taking care of her children.

Question 34: What are some new and creative wears to wear knits this winter? Read the answers now! »

Or jump to: ALEXANDRA GRANT, VANCOUVER | BARBARA ANN SOLOMON, TORONTO | CARA MCLEAY, VANCOUVER |CHRISTINA CRAVERO, TORONTO | DANIELLE ROCHE, TORONTO | IVA GRBESIC, TORONTO |JACQUELYN SON, VANCOUVER | KASSANDRA CAMPONI, EDMONTON |KAYLA SHORT, HALIFAX | KRISTIN MACDONALD, FREDRICTON | KRYSTIN LEE, TORONTO | MELANIE MORAIS, EDSON | MO HANDAHU, HALIFAX | SANDY JOE KARPETZ, EDMONTON | STEPHANIE STERJOVSKI, TORONTO | STEPHANIE KOCH, KELOWNA | WHITNEY COSGRAVE, LOS ANGELES

Pastels have been making waves this year, and while they may have once been strictly associated with spring’s blooming flowers, they are one of this winter’s biggest statement makers. Seen at runways including Jil Sander, Valentino, Oscar de la Renta and Acne, pastels running the gamut from mint green to pastel pink (the hue highlighted […]

The post Winter Pastels: 14 Style Panel tips to wearing the season’s brightest fashion trend appeared first on FASHION Magazine.

Tis’ the season of holiday parties. Now that we’re getting closer to Christmas and holiday festivities are in full swing, there will be many after-work soirees to attend over the next couple of weeks. But how does one make the sartorial transition from day to night during this busy month? We asked the ladies of our Style Panel this week and they rose to the challenge.

Putting together an outfit that is office-appropriate as well as party-ready is not as hard as it seems, as showcased here by the members of our Style Panel. They each picked a simple wardrobe staple—dress, skirt, pants—and jazzed up the outfit by adding accessories to transition into the evening. Switching to a smaller bag, adding more jewelry, choosing a higher heel and even adding a red lip are all key ways that will transition an outfit from day to evening. Our newest Style Panel member Sandy Joe Karpetz of The Pretty Secrets did her to day to evening switch by adding a pop of green to her outfit with a purse from J.Crew. How festive!

Question 31: Seeing as it’s holiday season, what do you recommend for an outfit that works for the office as well as a cocktail party? Read the answers now! »

Or jump to: BARBARA ANN SOLOMON, TORONTO | CHRISTINA CRAVERO, TORONTO | DEANNE MCRAE, MISSISSAUGA | KAYLA SHORT, HALIFAX | KRYSTIN LEE, TORONTO | SANDY JOE KARPETZ, EDMONTON | STEPHANIE STERJOVSKI, TORONTO | WHITNEY COSGRAVE, LOS ANGELES

The idea of any type of clothing that is prefixed with the word “sweat” may make most stylish ladies shudder, but the fact of the matter is sweatpants and sweatshirts are pretty darn comfy. This week, our Style Panel was challenged to dress up their go-to cozy sweatshirts, sweatpants, tights and thick socks and did it so well that no lady ended up looking slobby, but rather perfectly on trend (and warm).

Thanks to the recent street style overload of Balenciaga’s sci-fi sweater this past season, and also to Holt Renfrew’s artistic sweaters that were sold to celebrate it’s anniversary a few months ago, comfortable clothing is clearly right on trend this fall. And our two newest Style Panel members, Krystin Lee of Suburban Faux-Pas and KD Faustino of The Girl with the Messy Hair both worked it well this week. They each spruced up their sweatshirt and thick sock adorned outfits with a skirt and tights, making what could have been a potentially drab outfit really stand out.

Question 29: How do you wear comfy winterwear without looking like a slob? Read the answers now! »

Or jump to: ALEXANDRA GRANT, VANCOUVER | BARBARA ANN SOLOMON, TORONTO | CARA MCLEAY, VANCOUVER | CHRISTINA CRAVERO, TORONTO | KAYLA SHORT, HALIFAX | KD FAUSTINO, CALGARY | KRYSTIN LEE, TORONTO | MELISSA KNIGHT, VANCOUVER