Mad Hatter

Not only are hats are an easy to way disguise bad hair days (as mentioned in this post), they're also an easy way to add instant style to any outfit. Pair one with a bikini and cover-up for the beach or a cute dress and sandals for a coffee date. The array of styles are endless and the colours vary from eye-catching neons to timeless neutrals.

I love big floppy hats and fedoras for the beach and am intrigued to try one of the 70's-style turbans (as pictured in red), which I think would look cute with loose, wavy hair.

 

Top row from left:

:: River Island

:: Maria Louisa Ortiz

:: Eugenia Kim

2nd row from left:

:: Livity

:: Sun & Sand

:: Kangol

3rd row from left:

:: Gucci

:: Betmar

:: Diesel

4th row from left:

:: H&M

:: Asos

:: Nordstrom

Bottom row from left:

:: BCBG

:: Asos

:: Seeberger Mütze

 

hat set created by me

Fringe Benefits

Growing up my go-to Halloween costume was a Hippie and the starring element was my mom's long fringe vest in brown suede from the 70's. That thing was gorgeous (yet so not in style in the 90's hence its costume-worthiness) and I tended to default to this 70's era costume just so I could have an excuse to wear it. My mom used to rock that thing in its prime with her waist-long blonde hair and bell bottom jeans - stunning.

Fast forward to 2008 when I was in Montreal on business and obviously taking advantage of the much-better-than-Halifax shopping. I walked into a store and it practically jumped off the rack and hit me in the face: a long fringe vest in brown suede. I couldn't believe my eyes and I called my mom on the spot and said "You will not believe what I am looking at right now and is back in style". Upon my return I went to my parents house in search of The Vest which was stowed in the "Halloween Box", but unfortunately it had seen better days considering it had been the centerpiece of the Hippie costume, which was rotated between my two sisters and I. That Fall fringe was appearing everywhere in the form of clothing, boots and accessories and it has continued to hover around fashion ever since. Case in point: Ralph Lauren's 2011 Spring RTW collection.

Between the sweet 70's boho-vibe and the fun of wearing something that shimmies with your every move, I LOVE fringe and I will entertain it for as long as it wants to hang around.

:: Pink dress : Phase Eight

:: Orange top : Ally Fashion

:: Blue top : Dorothy Perkins

:: Yellow boots : Minnetonka Moccasin

:: Green shoes : Jeffrey Campbell

:: Yellow skirt : Matthew Williamson

:: Black sandals : Koolaburra

:: Gold necklace : Lauren Hope

:: White purse : Volcom

:: Ivory jacket : Day Birger Et Mikkelsen

:: Brown clutch : Ralph Lauren

:: Pink/orange purse : Dior

:: Turquoise purse : Billabong

:: Black shawl/scarf : Cecilia De Bucourt

:: Purple clutch : JJ Winters

set created by me

Tory Burch

Every so often I stumble upon a brand whereby I want everything. Sometimes this only occurs with certain seasonal collections, but with Tory Burch it's constant. Season after season, year after year, she creates a well-rounded wardrobe of ready-to-wear tailored to everyday women.

Tory Burch (CEO) opened her first flagship store in New York in 2004. After appearing on Oprah in 2005 as "the next big thing in fashion" (an episode I recall watching), her site received 8 million hits the following day and recognition of her brand skyrocketed. Over the next few years she  was accepted into and honoured by the prestigious CFDA (Council of Fashion Designers of America). In 2009 Tory founded the Tory Burch Foundation which assists women in achieving their entrepreneurial dreams. She continues to spend her time expanding her brand, focusing on her philanthropic endeavours and traveling with her family.

:: Tory Burch ::

Tory's style is a combination of Hamptons meets boat party with hints of bohemian influences. The pieces are bold enough to make a statement on their own yet versatile to be layered for a complete look.

Here is a look at my brief wish list:

 

 

:: as seen in this post ::

all images via Tory Burch

July : Inspire Me

:: daytime sequins ::

:: pretty florals ::

:: nautical themes ::

:: homemade iced tea like my mom makes ::

:: leather shorts ::

:: pretty, simple outfits :: 

:: mixed patterns ::

  

:: moccasin booties ::

:: over sized + off-the-shoulder ::

:: cool bag ::

:: pretty pink lips ::

:: super girly outfits ::

:: loose, white, embroidered tops :: 

:: neutral outfits with pops of colour ::

:: neutral sunglasses + lace + floral wide leg pants ::

:: glam outfits + carefree hair ::

:: patterns + embellished clutch + stacked bracelets ::

  

:: edgy jacket + feminine skirt ::

  

:: Tory Burch rope wedges ::

:: white on white on white ::

:: cropped tie-front top ::

:: over sized cobalt clutch ::

:: LC's dip-dyed tips ::

:: crochet ::

:: rainbow nails ::

    

:: layering lace ::

:: feathers + tie-dye + off-the-should + multiple necklaces ::

  

:: colourful bohemian caftans ::

rope wedges via Tory Burch; all other images via we heart it