Style.

[Audrey Hepburn - My style icon.]

It's rainy here in VanCity today, which is slightly typical but still depressing. I had a wonderful afternoon with my sister at Urban Fair (aka. Urbs). We got to have some snacks, drink good coffee and gossip! I love having Monday and Tuesday off from school. It gives me time to obviously do homework but also go for coffee with friends and just "research". I find since writing this blog I have been more aware of what people wear. Not at all saying bad or good things, I know people have their own style and I fully appreciate that but I find the first thing I look at (normally) on a person is their shoes ... guy or girl. Today, there was a guy, wearing Citizen of Humanity jeans, beige knit sweater, beige baseball hat, and fur lined BEIGE Crocs. That's not personal style... that's style suicide.

A conversation with a good friend of mine started the other day regarding "style". I thought it was an interesting topic so I wanted to get your opinion. She believes that you need to be wealthy to have killer style. I don't think that at all! Her argument was people with money have style because they can afford to go to Holt Renfrew and buy new designer clothes and have personal shoppers who pretty much tell them what to pair things with or they have the money to follow celebrity style. I disagree with her (she knows I do! ;)) I don't think you need to be making killer money to have an amazing wardrobe. I do think you need to keep up with flipping through magazines and seeing what clothes are in for the season but I think you can create a wonderful wardrobe without wearing designer duds. I think you need quality pieces that look expensive like a good trench coat, nice dark well-fitted jeans, genuine leather pumps and boots, fitted blazer and nice sweaters. Staple classic items that you can keep for a long time. All you need to do is go to Club Monaco, spend $80 on a sweater once and that sweater will look great for months and years to come.

Also, I think accessorizing can change your outfit and make it very stylish. If you want to be more sophisticated on a shoestring budget then go to Winners, buy some nice leather gloves and stock up on plain pashmina's and your set or if you want to wear costume jewelry got to Aldo accessories, Coach, H&M, Blue Ruby or Fine Finds (my favourite store!). Young people seem to fill their wardrobes up with costume pieces instead of solid classic pieces that look expensive. The classic pieces are always in style. I think a girl can look like a million bucks if she wore nice well fitted jeans (I put lots of emphasis on well-fitted cause seriously ladies.. you must buy jeans for the fit not the price! If they're on sale and fit horribly put them down and walk away), white fitted t-shirt, longer nice cardigan sweater, black boots and a coloured scarf. It doesn't take a lot of money it just takes some wise decision making!

What do you guys think? Do you think you need to have money to be stylish?

Dolphin Lover

Yesterday was such a fun day! I went for a bite to eat and then went shopping! Life doesn't get any better.

I have been in search for the perfect flat boots. It's actually not as easy as one would think. I'm quite picky with my boots and they have to fit a certain way or else I drop them like a hot potato. I saw so many cute ones but the fit was ALL wrong. It's frustrating! I walked into Holts (a must stop shoe shop for any shoe addict) and they had their HUGE shoe sale. I tried on a pair of Jerome C. Rousseau pumps which I am still dreaming about. They were pure perfection. Still... no boots! (on sale) that I fell in love with. I did fall in love with the Fendi Seleria boots but not the all black ones that I had in the previous post, these ones were the black leather with gold hardware. I saw them on a sales associate and it was love at first sight. ;)

Today will be day 2 of my boot hunt. Wish me luck :)

Aren't her shoes cute?! I saw this on my gossip sites and couldn't resist showing you all. Fergie and hubby Josh Duhamel were present yesterday at the Miami Dolphins vs. the Pittsburgh Steelers game (Steelers won!). She rocked Larry Csonka's #39 jersey while sporting a pair of her very own shoes. I have no idea how well Fergie's shoe line is doing... I know they sell her shoes here in Vancouver Le Chateau, but I have never seen/heard of anyone buying them.

A side note: Fergie is a limited partner of the Miami Dolphins along with Marc Anthony.

Fergie - Traffic Shootie - $129 - Endless.com

My Good Friend, George.

Last night I went to George with a couple of my girlfriends. We had a few martini's (highly recommend the English Martini) and ate some good food. My weakness in life is Kobe beef - I love it! So when I saw a Kobe beef burger on the menu ... I was sold. It definitely was amazing but not as amazing as the Kobe meatballs at Glowbal.

I did a little bit of people watching (as per usual) and was trying to figure out what styles people wont let go of. My consensus... slouchy boots. Yup - slouchy boots! I thought OTK's and sleek leather below the knee boots would have taken over, but no, no they have not. I believe besides myself there was one other person in the place wearing non-slouchy boots.

I was slightly shocked. I mean Yaletown is probably one of Vancouver's most trendy areas and to see our waitress wearing black slouchy boots with a sleek black dress, was kind of weird. Then another lady was wearing a flouncy floral A-line skirt and a form fitting top with brown slouchy boots. hmmm... to each style is own. :)

Are slouchy boots still in style? What do you think?

There was a lot more men then women at the lounge and all the men were dressed very nicely. I am very picky with my men's dress shoes. I hate the men's shoes that look like elf shoes, you know the ones that go into a serious point and go up at the toe? They drive me crazy! but I do love a dapper looking guy in nice dress shoes. There was an older fellow last night that I kept staring at (not creepishly of course...). His outfit was perfect. He was wearing a black fitted blazer, a heather grey v-neck T, dark Joe's jeans, and very nice leather Salvatore Ferragamo shoes.

I don't think there is anything better then a man who knows how to dress. He doesn't have to be super fashionable but knows how to put together a simple outfit like jeans, a t-shirt, nice jacket and good sneakers. That's all it takes.

I should have taken a picture of the man to show you but for one I didn't want to be a weirdo and two I didn't want to interrupt his important conversation, but he was very James Bond looking even in his facial features. He reminded me of Daniel Craig. :)

Doc Marten's Taking Over?

I am scared! Please tell me this is not the return of the dreadful Doc Marten's? I can't handle this....

Dr.Martens (Docs, DM's, or commonly referred to as Doc Marten's) boots are very popular in the punk and grungers scene. We did see Marc Jacobs [pictured left] in DM's with a skirt and Marc is the King of grunge.

Are these boots making a comeback? The most famous boots are the 1460's which have been in production for many many years. They are the 8 eyelet, cherry red leather boots which remind me of Ronald McDonald. Through the 1960's - 1990's DM's were immensely popular. As we know, most massive fashion trends come full circle hence my horror.

I guess I am more of a dainty shoe lover. I like footwear to flatter not footwear that makes your feet look heavy and bulky. I give you full permission (like always!) to disagree with my comments on not finding this "look" attractive because I know there is a mass of people out there who swear by them. I am just not one of them.

Some celebs are full supporters of the German made boots:

Ashlee Simpson-Wentz

(Her legs look creepishly skinny.)

Emma Roberts

(I didn't expect little Emma Roberts to wear DM's.)

Drew Barrymore

(I expected Drew to be rocking DM's. She kicks it old school often.)

Designer Look-A-Likes Part II

Happy New Year Everyone! 2010 is going to be a BIG year. A few days ago I read my 2010 horoscope by Georgia Nicols and well this year is going to be full of amazing opportunities. I hope you all had a wonderful NYE!

I honestly can't believe that 2010 is here already! I remember when Vancouver was waiting to get the results for hosting the Olympics and now we are a month and a half away. That's huge! I'm really excited for the Olympics to come to town. It's been a few years of anticipation. Everywhere you turn there are Vancouver 2010 advertisements, new buildings, a giant countdown clock, stores, mascots, commercials, videos, etc. It will be an insane month. I might not love it so much when our city is packed with people and I wont be able to drive anywhere, but I will just remember this is a once in a lifetime opportunity to have the Olympics in my hometown. :)

This is the second part of my Designer Look-A-Like post. I was once told that you shouldn't buy sale items because they're no longer in style. Sometimes that rings true! For example, hot pink OTK boots are not a wise purchase, but black leather below the knee boots are! Make wise choices when it comes to sale items! Don't just think cheap price cause if you think like that you will never wear them.

I don't know about you, but I love sequins. I love anything that sparkles :) especially diamonds but since we don't want to walk around with a shoe made of diamonds, sequins will have to do!

Miu Miu - Platform Pump - $950 SALE $637 - Neiman Marcus

Puckett - $90 SALE $59.98 - Aldo Shoes

When shoe-booties cut down on the ankle to slightly reveal the top of the foot it adds a little sexiness. I love great cuts that just flatter the foot. These Donald J. Pliner suede booties remind me of last seasons D&G shoe-booties. I love them! Then I came across an even cheaper version!

Donald J. Pliner - Cutout Suede Bootie - $390 SALE $261 - Neiman Marcus

Guger - $80 - Aldo Shoes

I have to support my fellow Canadian, Jerome C. Rousseau. As I have mentioned many times before he is one of my favourite designers (not just because he is Canadian ;). The Quebec native has officially made it to the big times. His designs are already getting knocked-off. That's a compliment!

Jerome C. Rousseau

Trossbach - $49 - Spring Shoes

I love Valentino's use of bows. I am such a bow person on shoes, aren't you?! I think they add a simple feminine cuteness to a shoe. Kate Spade makes amazing flats and purses but I have yet to try one of her pumps.

I think $300 for a pair of heels is fairly reasonable. I may be alone in thinking this... but I want them! Obviously there are differences between these Valentino's and the Kate Spade heels but I just love the bows!!

Valentino - Nappa Bow Bootie - $775 SALE $519 - Neiman Marcus

Kate Spade - Cammie Double-Bow Sandal - $295 - Neiman Marcus

Designer Look-A-Likes

Most people these days are watching their piggy bank, but fashion is always changing and it's not cheap to keep up with. It can be a tricky battle when buying "fashionable" clothes and accessories. You have to know when to buy for quality over price. If that makes sense?!

There are certain basics/classics that should always be quality such as a trench coat, black pumps, nude pumps, black and/or brown boots, well fitted jeans, tailored trousers, a fitted blazer, white blouse and a plain genuine soft leather purse. Those types of classic items should always be on the higher end because the silhouette barely changes from season to season. They can stay in your wardrobe for years if you buy good quality.

Costume pieces, I use the word "costume" lightly because when I think costume I think Halloween, but actually costume can mean those Forever21 $20 purchases because they are low-grade quality and wont be in style for years to come. They are fad's which in turn means costume.

To help you avoid spending oodles of money on costume pieces I have found some alternative options to designer shoes. I hate supporting the knock-off stores but desperate times call for desperate measures.

A good low wedge is hard to come by these days. All wedges seem to be in the excess of 5 inches. Also, I love the bling so these Giuseppe's are at the top of my must-own list. Obviously, comfort will not be in the same calibre but Spring shoes has made a knock-off version of the Giuseppe wedges. The wedges have a huge price difference, similar style, but same patent black wedge height.

Giuseppe Zanotti - Studded Wedge - $750 - Barneys

Zanueta - $59 SALE $44.98 - Spring Shoes

We all remember the infamous Sex and the City episode when Carrie takes off her beloved Manolo's at a house party and someone steals them! Well those highly sought after pumps are unfortunately the most knocked-off.

Manolo Blahnik - Sedarby -$715 - Barneys

Laack - $80 SALE $54.98 - Aldo Shoes

Love the YSL patent black pumps but dislike the price tag? ... then here is a solution! These Ledec Aldo patent pumps have a similar stick thin heel and a generous platform minus the major price tag!

Yves Saint Laurent - Tribute Double-Platform Pump - $795 - Neiman Marcus

Ledec - $90 SALE $69.98 - Aldo Shoes

After browsing at Aldo, I fell in love with these:

Mickolick - $90 SALE $69.98 - Aldo Shoes

I am a sucker for purple! and I just thought they were the perfect shoe-bootie for going out on the town. They would be a lot of fun to wear on a girls night sipping martini's at George. They must be purchased!

This will be a 2 part post! Check back tomorrow for another list of Designer Look-A-Likes!!