2010: Year of the Tiger, the Vancouver Olympics, the Statement Shoulder (yes, it is still lurking on several runways . . . sigh) and the fashion forward folk who tie all of this together

Hello New Year! You are fresh and bright with promise: new opportunities, sunnier skies, more attractive baristas at Blenz, 90% off sales at Holts, the imminent arrival of the Swedish men’s hockey, speed skating and snowboard teams . . . indeed, what could possibly go wrong in 2010???

 Well, the glass is not entirely full (sorry, it’s a Tuesday, and my latte is lukewarm). Although 2010 brings some great things to the table (Swedish athletes are certainly the crème brûlée on the menu), it also insists that we eat are greens. Such is the way of life, particularly in fashion. And so I bring you a sampler’s menu for the season.

Spring 2010, The Menu:

Amuse Bouche:

The “I love winter sports/Go Canucks, Go!/Hey, aren’t the Olympics heading our way?” inspired outfit:  One part massive shoulder pads (again), two parts wrestling outfitesque hot pants, add a dash of shiny metallics and a sprinkle of knee-high socks, et voila: A yummy sports souflee

Appetizer:

Sandra Dee Strikes Again! Actually, make that Sandy (ie. Olivia Newton-John post makeover): TIGHT BLACK LEATHER SKINNY PANTS. Men of the world, exclaim with religious fervor, “AMEN. Thank you Balmain for your penchant for tight pants. Ummm, how do we get them off???”

First Course:

And now for something French and Stripetastic: Givenchy! Oh, to be a mime, and wear an outfit made entirely out of black and white stripes! Oh how I long to pout my bright red lips and tilt my beret-clad head, whilst eating a croissant (watch out for crumbs and grease marks) and strolling along the Champs Elysees.

Second Course:

And from France to Greece we go! All aboard the Goddess Express, conducted by none other than the stylistic genius at Lanvin! Drape that silk over my one shoulder, belt me in the middle, watch my outfit billow out as I strut the runway of life . . . and then bow down.

Palette Cleanser:

‘Sup Dawg? Yeah, that’s right. I’m Balenciaga and I’m wearing a friggin’ hoody, so deal yo. I’m a little bit Rocky and a tad Eminem, but wait, I’m made of soft grey leather and I look good. Pair me with skinny jeans and some 6 inch stilettos, and I will walk out of the ghetto and into yaletown.

From the Bar:

I’m tall, My hair is wavy and red, I wear cinched patent mini trench coats, and my label says Dior. HOT and very convenient if you live in Vancouver and deal with rain on an hourly basis.

The Cheese Cart:

Tribal prints + candy colours + baggy pants + metallics + chunky jewellery = Willy Wonka (aka Dries Van Noten). Fun, but partake sparingly. 

Specialty Coffee:

Neutrals, neutrals everywhere . . . caramel, cream, chocolate, vanilla caffè du jour: Think buttery leather minimalist dresses, skirts, cropped pants in soft (edible) shades. Add a simple belt to break up the concoction, but don’t “OD” on the sprinkles . . . think like a European, and have your espresso straight.

Dessert à la carte:

Gauze! Silk! Chiffon! STAT! Short, whipped, sugary dresses in cream, warm grey, dusty rose. Need drama for the evening? Make your outfit tall like a meringue pie (ie. floor length, with full body ruffles)

Bon Appetit!

Purple Blackberries, the Prince of Electronic Devices.

Dear Urban Stylist,

Another question for you:

What does your cell phone say about your style? Can the colour of your cell phone increase or decrease your degree of professionalism? Picture this: a woman going into a business meeting (of mostly men) wearing a fitted black pant suit, makeup and hair done to perfection, and she pulls out a purple Blackberry.

What do you think?

Thanks!

Nicole

Dear Nicole, or should I call you Miss Purple Advocate (to which you should take no shame, as Prince – and his loyal followers – would definitely approve),

What does your cell phone (be it a blackberry or an iPhone) say about your style? An excellent question on which I would love to solicit sartorial suggestions!!!!

Electronic Device Users of the World, take note: your digital device is an accessory, so treat it as such (particularly if you insist upon attaching it to your hip via a plastic clip – if this is you, please stop doing this, or at least gluegun some swarovskis on the clip)! Nicole, you are actually being quite style savvy with your purple Blackberry! “Why?” you may ask. Because, dear reader, purple is a great accent colour for winter and spring! It goes with neutrals, such as the black pantsuit described above, and it adds that “je ne sais quoi” to many a bland business meeting (I am certain Mr. Trump would agree).

Does it increase your degree of professionalism? YES IT DOES! It shows that you have creativity, gumption, style, sophistication, and I believe in the case of Nicole (who happens to run her own business entitled ‘Purple Rock’), it is also an exercise in fashionable branding!

So, the next time you are at a Rogers store and Mr “I sell you phones at a good price” asks if you want the purple Blackberry or the black one, bite your thumb at convention and buy the Prince-inspired contraption.

Note: if you are reading this and feeling sad because you just bought a boring black (I love funerals) device, despair not! There are now fabulous skins (faux ones, so Pamela Anderson won’t throw paint at you) that come in leopard print (ooo) and Burberry plaid (aaaaa – if you see this one, please let me know).

Nicole, best of luck with your purple Blackberry and your testosterone-heavy meetings.

 

 

Coat Query

Dear Urban Stylist,

I have been looking for a winter jacket and have narrowed my choices down to two: a grey plaid and a dark purple. Which do you think will stay in fashion longer?

Thanks a bunch if you can advise!

Sarah, BC

Dear Sarah,

That’s a great question! I am glad you are thinking about longevity – whenever you invest in a staple item, such as a winter coat, you should be looking for several things: quality (what is the coat made from? Wool? Acrylic? Cashmere? Are there buttons or zippers? Are the buttons sewn on well, or do they flop around? – if they are not sturdily attached, you will need to get them reinforced every season); how well does the coat fit? Can you move your arms – try stretching in it – I recently discovered that a new coat looked great when I was just standing, but was almost impossible to drive in!

Now, let’s get to the style! Are the two coats the same brand and style? Is one longer than the other? The longer the winter coat, the more versatile it is (I always pair a long belted wool coat with my dressier work outfits: dress pants, longer work dresses, pencil skirts etc. In terms of longevity of style, you are doing great by stepping out of the “black coat box” and embracing both colour and pattern. Here are my thoughts on your two choices:

Option One: Aubergine Winter Coat with neutrals

1) Purple: this is a great colour for you because you are brunette and have brown eyes. Purple works well with your colouring because it is in the same family as your colouring (it can be dark/severe for some paler blondes). Purple is certainly big this season, and even if it isn’t front and center next winter, you really can’t go wrong with it (unlike short-lived statement colours, like orange and mustard). The key to working with a solid coloured coat is to work with complementary colours and patterns. For instance, you can pair it with your basics (black, white, grey) and even have fun with certain bright accessories: an orange or mustard scarf can offset the purple coat and add interest to your outfit. Note, if you opt for a bright complementary colour up top (scarf), try to stick to a neutral down below (ie. dark denim, black or grey). Although many people love Barney, you generally don’t want to follow his fashion sense . . . pairing your purple coat with bright green pants will certainly cause a stir, but it could also lead to traffic accidents (not to mention large crowds of eager children declaring their love for you in song).

Keira Knightley in a Dark Grey Plaid Winter Coat and Neutral Accessories

2) Dark Grey Plaid: Great choice! Like dark purple, dark grey is a versatile colour that works well with your colouring. It works well with neutrals (black, white, lighter shades of grey) and can be partnered with most “classic” or jewel-toned colours (purple, deep red, teal, mustard etc). Can I ask what the other colour in the plaid pattern is? I am assuming it is a paler shade of grey . . . if so, then you have a versatile coat. Also, how large is the checkered pattern? The larger the pattern, generally the more casual and ‘whimsical” it is. I am going to go ahead and give grey plaid the “longevity stamp of approval”. It is a very classic pattern (much like houndstooth and herringbone), so i wouldn’t worry too much about whipping it out season after season. The thing to watch for here is conflicting patterns. There are two schools of thought here: If you are more of a “classic” fashion follower, I would stick to pairing your plaid with solid colours and neutrals. Make the look interesting by adding additional complementary colours to the outfit (ie. red heels, a high-waisted black pencil skirt, a white button-up dress shirt and either silver or gold accessories). If you want to be “of the moment” and turn a few sartorially-savvy heads, you can try the whole “pattern on pattern” look . . . it is possible to look “trendy” and daring whilst strutting in plaid, polka dots and stripes . . . be careful though. This is NOT an easy look to pull off, and you must be prepared for the onslaught of confused expressions you will encounter on the street.

Verdict: Either coat sounds like a great option for you. If you feel that both are equal in terms of quality, cut, fit etc, take a good look in your closet and see what you already have to work with. If you have tons of patterns, but not a lot of colour (ie. black and white plaid, herringbone, houndstooth, denim etc), then the plaid coat will just compete with your existing wardrobe. If you have lots of bright colours, but few patterns, then the purple coat will clash with most things, and won’t add that intended “pop” that you’re looking for. Now, if you are like most people, and you have a lot of black, some coloured pieces in your palette (purples, reds etc), and the odd patterned shirt and skirt, you really are set with either coat. Note, if this is your wardrobe, make sure to pick up some interesting accessories. Both coats will work well with bright/patterned leather gloves, knit berets/toques, wooly scarves etc. The great thing about adding “pizzazz” with your accessories is the low-cost involved. It is much easier to match your purple coat to your polka dot scarf, than it is to match your bright orange striped coat to the rest of your wardrobe.

At the end of the day, you need to go with your “gut” on this one. Which one do you LOVE? Which one makes you spend 10 minutes admiring yourself in the change room mirror? Whichever coat matches this description is the coat for you.

I hope I have added some value to your decision process! Please send me any clothing query you can encounter!

Good Shopping!

The Urban Stylist

Dear Urban Stylist:

I received a serious query in regards to holiday apparel this afternoon. Although I posted my response in the comments section, I thought I should also re-post it for those who missed it.

Dear Mrs Verkerk,

Thank you for your note re. my blog. In response to your query,

1) Yes, I would be delighted to rescue those in dire sartorial straits.
2) While many feel that white should never appear out-of-doors past Labour Day, a softer shade, such as cream or eggshell is certainly acceptable during the long winter months. Fabric plays a large role in determining a garment’s suitablility, and silk is a fabulous staple in any Holiday wardrobe. You’re also in luck, because strong shoulders are “in” this season. If you have a particularly long neck, make sure to add a few extra pads to create that militant Frankenstein look – it commands respect and doubles as a comfortable resting spot for your head during long meetings. Ruffles . . . can you be more specific? Are we talking s small detail on the collar or a flamenco outfit. And then there’s the pink issue . . . magenta? fuchsia? rose? fluorescent? Nothing rings in the New Year like a foot-long fluorescent magenta ruffled pirate shirt. Two words come to mind: HOT and DAMN (the order can even be reversed!).
3) Last year we saw the emergence of “kelly green” on the runways, and this year we’re seeing a lot of teal. I think we all know that the holidays are often spent in “the bottle”, so why not carry this over to our wardrobes? Again, the appropriateness of the outfit is largely determined by the scale of the pattern or detail (in this case, the pleat) and the fabric it has been crafted out of. Pleats are a great invention, because they let you hide things (ie the bottle you’re secretly drinking from at the office) AND they allow you to expand and contract (picture an accordion). Polyester is equally fabulous, because it is cheap, itchy, completely devoid of any natural fibres and it can be broken down into great names: Polly and Esther (I am certain that if Coco Chanel had had children, these would have been their names). Finally, we come to the issue of length. This season is all about the ankle boot, which when paired with an ankle-length polyester skirt, leaves a beguiling centimeter of pale December skin. Want to add extra “pizzaz” to this look? Toss your triple blade “Venus” and opt for the European look (note: this also helps keep that centimeter of bare ankle warm).

Mrs. Verkerk, I hope I have adequately answered your queries, and eagerly await future ones. Best of luck with the satin and polyester . . . I am sure other readers would love to see a picture of this exciting combination!

Fool Proof Shopping List for the People in Your Life

Ho ho oh no

So there are officially ONLY 35 days of shopping left til Christmas (thank you to Stacey for pointing this out to me this morning). If you are like my mother, this actually means that there are only 400 days of shopping left until next Christmas – yes, she belongs to the elite class of super-shoppers, who shop year-round for events that have yet to take place (my wedding present was most likely purchased and wrapped when I entered highschool . . . and it’s still collecting dust under the “Christmas 2012″ pile of presents), but nonetheless need to be anticipated – an entire “guest bedroom” has been devoted to the cause, with plans for an extension in the new year – nobody was using the kitchen anyway, right?

Anyway, whether you’re working with a 35-day deadline or a 400-day one, the onslaught of “jingle-pop” and LED lights threatening to strangle or trip you at every corner MIGHT leave you feeling a little less jolly. Should this be the case, I have devised a list to help those who find themselves plagued by purchase paralysis.

For your Neighbour:

1. A hammer, some nails, and approximately 20 pieces of wood (painted white of course) – instruction manual is optional, depending on the competency of your neighbour.
2. A customized newspaper, with new property listings circled in red pen.
3. A ladder. They’ll need this to climb onto your roof to steal your Zeller’s light-up Santa display.

For your Illegitimate Child:

1. A birth certificate

oh, was that going too far?

For your Stalker:

1. Zeiss Victory T* FL binoculars (if you’re feeling a little stingy, which is totally understandable given the economy, you can also get a great deal with the Nikon Action 7×35)
2. An “I’m with Him” (or”Her”) T-shirt. TIP: Make it New Years Eve friendly with a glue gun and some sequins
3. Handcuffs, ’cause they’re probably going to end up in them at some point anyway. (see above tip for extra festive flair)

For your Barista:

1. An extra-large coffee mug with your name and your personalized order on it (ie. “Doug: Grande Extra Hot, Extra Fat, Double Whip, Decaf, dry foam, one ice-cube - dammit!”). Trust me, they’ll love it.
2. A bag of Starbucks coffee. Unique, right?

For the person who has everything:

1. A potty-putter. Yes, these do exist. The ultimate in luxury (and hygiene), the potty-putter allows you to spend quality time with your toilet AND your nine-iron.

 

Who am I?

From an early age, my sister and I had a penchant for mixing practical with pretty. Style tip, always tuck sweatsuit bottoms into your rainboots.

A picture speaks a thousand words (according to an early Emperor of the Xia Dynasty in China about 4,000 years ago), so here are a few classic shots to let you know a bit about me, “the urban stylist”.

 

 

"Girl of the Week" at the Toni and Guy "W.A.R" hair show

Who doesn’t love green? Who wouldn’t ask Kermit for styling tips?

 

Fur is making a comeback this season, so don't be surprised if you start seeing it in "unique" places

Testing, 1 . . . 2 . . . 3

This is a test of my grammatical/technical/Tuesday afternoon skills. I have never blogged, mostly because the word sounds offensive, but here she goes. What to tell you . . . well, to keep the numerical theme going:

Three things you should know on Tuesday, November 10th at 3:26pm PST:

1. H&M and Jimmy Choo have partnered to create some rather fabulous (or so “they” say) footwear for Metro Vancouverites. The Vancouver Sun suggests that all who crave Jimmy Choo booties (would you hate me if I referred to them as “chooties”???) start lining up outside the Pacific Centre location tonight, ’cause there’s probably a few of you who want first dibs when they open tomorrow morning.
2. There are a lot of great films playing at Vancouver theatres, but only two of these fall into the “must see” category for the sartorially savvy: September Issue (aka this year’s real version of The Devil Wears Prada). It stars the one and only Anna Wintour (sigh), and is playing at Tinseltown; Coco Avant Chanel. Audrey Tautou + vintage Chanel clothing + 105 minutes of flawless French dialogue = heaven. Who knew math could be fun?
3. The perfect antidote to a blustery and generally blah Tuesday afternoon is wine. Although a glass would usually suffice in this situation, I say go for the whole bottle today, particularly if you plan to spend “Remembrance Day” lying on a couch (you might as well earn the couch by indulging the night before).

And that’s it.