The Gala Dress: 3 Ways

We know that our dresses are craaaaaazy versatile, but sometimes it’s nice to have a little visual reminder, no?

Here are three ways to style our adorable Gala dress – further proof that you can take us anywhere

How to Get More Wear Out of Your Wardrobe.

 Today’s guest post comes to you from Vanessa Bowen of Nessbow. Vanessa’s fashion blog was originally an outlet for her to share her eclectic personal style and penchant for alternative fashion but it blossomed into a site about self-exploration, self-care and the preservation of self-worth from the self described love child of Judy Garland and David Bowie. Be friends with her on facebook and twitter!

How many times have you stood in front of a closet full of clothing and lamented that you’ve got nothing to wear? And how often do you look at the overflowing wasteland of your wardrobe and wished that you could get more wear out of your clothes?

Apparently, the average woman only wears a third of her wardrobe on a regular basis. That’s madness when you consider the amount of money and energy that most of us invest in building our wardrobe.

I used to be guilty of owning a closetful of beautiful clothing, but only ever stepping out in jeans. Eventually I got fed up with never wearing so many of the lovely things I owned. I felt as though these precious garments were going to waste languishing in my closet. So I shook up my habits. Now, I’d say that I cycle through my wardrobe fairly regularly. Other than formal wear or seasonal items, all of the items in my wardrobe regularly see the light of day.

If you’d like to make a change and get more wear out of your clothes, here are a few practical steps you can take to make this a reality.

Have a big clear-out
Go through your wardrobe carefully and get rid of any items that no longer belong. You should cull any garments that don’t fit you, things that are no longer your style and items that are worn out. Getting all the excess baggage out of your wardrobe will make it much easier to work with.

Put your clothes on show
Organize your wardrobe in such a way that you can see everything. Utilize hanging space in your wardrobe. Use racks and hanging units to organize your shoes and accessories. Fold and stack jumpers and tee shirts. If you have everything on display, you’re much more likely to put together new and exciting outfits than if you can only see a few garments at a time.

Shop your closet
Every couple of weeks, go through your wardrobe and select five items that you haven’t worn in a while. Then, make it your mission to work each of them into an outfit over the next few weeks. This will give you a chance to cycle through your clothes more often and experiment with those items you love, but never seem to wear.

Step outside your comfort zone
Part of the reason that we don’t wear many of the things we own is that we get caught in a pattern of wearing the same few items. You don’t have to stop wearing your favourites, but you should encourage yourself to think outside the box and find new ways to style them. Tuck your favourite tee into a pencil skirt and slip on a pair of heels. Your trusty jeans can be teamed with a pretty blouse or a funky knit for a new look. Push yourself to try new things often.

Buy less stuff
Although it seems counter-intuitive, having a closet that’s bulging with sartorial options can actually hamper your ability to mix things up. While variety is a good thing, we tend to freeze when faced with too many choices. When we have a million different outfits to choose from, we’re more likely to reach for our old favourites because they’re safe and easy. If you buy fewer things, you’ll give yourself a bit of breathing space to use the items you already have. Try swearing off clothes shopping for a month or two.

Do you only wear a small portion of your clothes, or do you cycle through your wardrobe regularly?

How To Do Everything: 5 Fashion Tutorial Videos

We love that there are tutorials for everything now — hair, makeup, vintage clothing advice. Here are some that we found this week!

“Don’t be afraid to look in the men’s section” and other vintage clothing advice.

12 ways to wear a scarf

Some makeup tips from the 1940s!

How to do a smoky eye with dark skin

Making a pillbox hat

Coming soon, we’ll be launching our own library of Karina Dress video tutorials.  What would you like to know how to do?

How To Layer Under (And Over!) Your Dress This Autumn

Fall is a tricky season. Mornings we rejoice in the crisp air that fills our lungs and enjoy the crunch of leaves but by afternoon the temperatures can be warm enough to make us regret our outfits made to hunker down for the winter. Layering with dresses is the perfect transition solution for the Summer to Autumn temperature conundrum because they not only make it easy to adapt to what the day brings but also get more wear out of your favorite summer staples. Here’s a roundup of some of our favorite layering ideas:

Maxi dresses shouldn’t be reserved just for summer nights at cookouts! Layer with a long cardigan and a scarf cinched in with a cute belt to keep the look long and lean and extend the life of your favorite summer maxi.

With dropping temperatures comes rain, dresses layered with rain boots and a matching cardigan keep you dry and stylish. No more soaking wet jean hemlines!

Don’t leave the bright colors out just because the leaves are turning. Add a structure blazer to elevate a casual dress and make it pop with stacks of jewelry to stand out from the crowd.

Adding a fitted button down under a summer frock keeps you warm but is also a welcome unexpected twist.

Boots and dresses go hand in hand for a reason! You can pile on a jacket, tights, and a scarf for added warmth or tone it down if the sun comes out.

Love chunky sweaters but unsure how to wear them? Over a dress belted with matching accessories brings grandpa’s sweater to new heights.

What’s your favorite way to transition dresses into Fall? Happy Dresstember, ladies!

Photos courtesy of Academic Chic, AJ Wears Clothes, Style Pantry, Pop! Of Style, Stylish Curves, and A Lacy Perspective.

How To Mix Modern & Vintage

Rocquelle Porch is a 20-something Southern girl, who’s always loved fashion, and isn’t afraid to stand out in the crowd for the sake of personal style and be comfortable in her own skin.  She writes about fashion and style at Consider Me Lovely.  You can befriend her on Twitter or Facebook.

I love the originality that adding vintage pieces to my wardrobe has created over the last couple of years.  I’d be lying if I told you I’ve been wearing vintage for many many years but I can’t imagine my closet and jewelry table without vintage pieces, so they’re here to stay.  If you’re interested in incorporating vintage into your modern wardrobe or have recently started to, but aren’t quite sure of how to do so, then I’ve compiled a few tips for you!

1.  Throw on a piece (or 2 or 3 or 4 pieces) of jewelry.

Before I ever owned a piece of vintage clothing, I started collecting vintage jewelry from my granny, and the rest was history!  Having on an entirely trendy outfit with vintage jewelry takes your outfit from the everyday fad to one of a kind!  These days everyone loves a good wrist soiree, throw on some vintage bangles/bracelets with bangles/bracelets from Forever 21 or Bauble Bar, for example, and you’ll be smitten.

2.  Add a layering piece.

I love to wear vintage blazers with everything!  They are great to throw on over jeans and a tea or a dress. Vintage sweaters, jackets, dusters, and blazers are great for making a statement.  These layering piece can range from light jackets and sleeveless vest for summer to coats and sweater dusters for Fall.

3.  Start with one vintage item per outfit.

Just as simple as throwing on a piece of vintage jewelry is finding and wearing one vintage piece at a time. You don’t have to think too much about  looking like you’re from a completely different decade.  I adore vintage skirts and blouses, probably because me and my 45″ hips don’t find pants that easy, and they are super simple to style when I am in a time crunch, as well as when I’m not!

4.  Grab some sequins or beading.

Have an event to go to? Just want a little sparkle for the day?  Then vintage sequins and beading  is your friend! While I am drawn to sparkly things when I am out shopping, there is something statement-making about the intricacy of vintage sequins and beaded pieces.  Wear it in daytime if your really want to make a statement.

5.  Accessorize with modern items.

Once you’ve accumulated a few vintage items, you’ll probably end up like me, wearing outfits in which all vintage. These outfits can be updated with your modern shoes, belts, and purses. Adding modern accessories to vintage outfits is a great way to still embrace trends and ensure your look doesn’t appear accidentally outdated.

6.  Play with trends.

Let’s face it; fashion is a continuous cycle.  The platforms and flared jeans you wear now, someone wore in the 70′s.  Those graphic leggings and pants on trend now were super hot in the 80′s.  Y’all get the picture!  Use the mix of vintage and modern to take on trends. Printed pants, midi skirts, graphic trousers, polka dots, etc. can be found in thrift stores and vintage shops all over the world. Throw on some neon, an opposing print, stripes, etc. and you are instantly on trend while still having a style of your own.

As I told y’all in this post, I’m not exactly a thrifter, but I love shopping small business shops like Imperfect Concepts, Lily Kai, or Black Boutique and going on Etsy and entering specifically what I am looking for in the vintage section (I’m hoping to find some floral pants or jeans soon), so I highly recommend them as a place to start, if you’re new to vintage shopping or an old pro.

Do you like to mix modern and vintage?  Or are you more of a modern only kind of girl?  

To London! With Karina!

Laura Connell is a freelance fashion writer living in Toronto. She is the editor of the blog For Those About to Shop: Fashion With Purpose, where she explores her interest in fashion as a social barometer and shopping with a conscience. Her work has been published in the Globe and Mail, the Toronto Star, and the Calgary Herald. You can also find her on Twitter and Facebook. 

Have I mentioned how well my Karina dresses travel? Wrinkle-free, taking up no space in the suitcase, perfect for day or evening, so comfortable you feel as though you’re wearing nothing (which is very sexy by the way), these frocks are made for jetsetting. Having travelled with me to California last summer, this year my Karina Dresses got to accompany me to England – where my sister has lived for the past five years. Our dad was born and raised in the historic city which gives us the privilege of holding UK/EU passports, which gives us license to live anywhere in Britain and Europe for as long as we like. I know! Thanks, Dad.

As expected, London was abuzz with Olympic anticipation, which as my sister explained, is more accurately described as mild panic at the number of people that will descend upon the already-congested city. The Tube (subway) is filled with signs reminding people to expect delays and find alternate routes to get to their destinations on time.

We were lucky enough to spend Canada Day in London! The Brits love the Canucks as a mother loves her (somewhat independent) child, so we had a huge party in Trafalgar Square complete with Molson Canadian beer, poutine, and more maple leaf face tattoos than I care to mention. Sweet, but I didn’t come to London to be around Canadians, so we snapped a photo under the massive Olympic countdown clock and got out of there. (That’s me in my floral Gala with my two daughters).

I’m pleased to say my coral Marisa dress got me many admiring looks from the London men. I love this shot by the River Thames with Big Ben in the background. Such an iconic scene, it looks as though I’ve been photoshopped in!

More Olympic fever: I took this shot from the front seat of the top of a double decker bus as we drove down Regent Street. Serendipitously, the new driver had taken a wrong turn and this was part of a detour back to the correct route. The street is lined with the flags of nations participating in the Olympic Games.

“All of England is a garden,” said my sister when I oohed and awed over the abundance of fresh flowers. Imagine walking into a low end convenience store and seeing the most perfect bouquet of a dozen roses for the equivalent of about $5. Or seeing this scene of floral beauty at the corner of your street. (My 8-year-old bought the guardsman’s ‘bearskin’ at Buckingham Palace and rarely removed it. Much suppressed laughter from passing strangers ensued.)

In front of Westminster Abbey:

The thousand-year-old Abbey is a living part of London’s history as are many of the landmarks we visited. Services and communion are given throughout the day and each hour guests are asked to pause for a moment in prayer or silent reflection. I loved being reminded that the Abbey is first and foremost a place of worship.

Of course, it is also where Kate and Will got married and the site of nearly every royal wedding and coronation ceremony since 1066. One fun thing to do is sit in the very same spot the Queen occupied as she watched her oldest son get married. We also had fun at Buck Palace standing in the spot where the Queen proclaimed, “that was lovely!” after being dropped off following the wedding ceremony. Insider tip: if you visit Westminster Abbey, go Tuesday through Thursday to see College Garden, the oldest garden in England.

For the Love of Red, White, and Blue

Happy 4th of July, everyone! Here are some red, white, and blue outfits to celebrate.

Photo Sources: The House in the Clouds, Nubby Twiglet, Sheer Dolls, All Nail and Cosmetics, Not Dressed As Lamb, Vortex Magazine

For The Love of Swimsuits

Swimsuits: we love them so much we created our own!   Whether you’ll be cooling off this summer on a tropical beach or the local pool, here are a few bold ladies to inspire your summer style:

What swimsuit(s) will you be rocking this summer?

Image credit: Just Swimmingly, Black Cat Plus, Dark-Skinned Black Beauty,  yELLE Styling, xoJane.com, SheKnows.com,  Gabifresh

For The Love of Neon

Neon is everywhere right now — and these fierce ladies rock the trend.

What do you think about neon? Does it make your heart sing, your retinas burn, or a bit of both?

Image Credit:  Advanced Style, The Glamazons Blog, Mojo Spa, Chetopian Family, Advanced Style (via The Women’s Room)

How To Pack Fashionably

Teresa Kohl is traveling through China for two weeks.  Here she shares her tips for traveling and packing with fashion and panache!

Ni Hao from China!Hong Kong is flashy and cosmopolitan, Shenzhen is a bustling technology center and Shanghai?  Well, Shanghai is exotic, historic, fashionable and has an energy rivaled by Paris and New York. The Chinese women I’ve met are smart, confident, and chic with a comfortable, yet tailored style that features tons of dresses, fabulous footwear and pops of color.

Packing for two weeks in China could have been difficult due to the weather (hot and humid), the itinerary (five different cities on the coast) and the unknown style quotient but my Karina dresses have been perfect. Dressed down with sneakers and a denim jacket during the day, or dressed up with heels and jewelry at night, I’m comfortable, tailored and stylish.

My limited-edition Audrey dress paired with a black silk sweater and a pair of strappy, flat metallic sandals was a big hit at dinner on the 101st floor of the tallest building in Hong Kong! The following night, I wore a beautiful print Adele with the same sandals and a denim jacket for drinks at the Peninsula Hotel followed by dinner in the Tsim Sha Tsui district. A print Rita paired with sleek sneakers was perfect for an evening cruise on a ferry followed by dinner at Jumbo, the largest floating restaurant in the world.

My short-sleeve Marisa dress paired with an Obi belt, flats and a blazer was perfect for crossing the border into Mainland China for a business meeting in Shenzhen, followed by dinner A pair of black heels and some dangling earrings made the same dress perfect for drinks, dinner and after-hours lounges like the fabulous Glamour Bar in Shanghai where ex-pats and local fashionistas show off their style.

It’s always a challenge to pack for overseas leisure travel but here are a few tips for staying fashionable:

1. Pack light – no, really. You’re going to find so many treasures that you’ll need the room.

2. Keep it simple – this is not the time to bring fussy, complicated clothing. You want to focus on the sights and the experience – not your clothing. Bring outfits that flatter, wash easily and don’t wrinkle. Who wants to waste time ironing? Hotel laundry is great but there’s a good chance your clothes will come back a size (or two) smaller so be prepared!

3. Bring comfortable shoes. Note, this does not always mean sneakers (which are great for hikes or rustic sight-seeing). Chic flats are always an option and keep your look pulled together – they also come in handy for late-night strolls.

4. Be courteous and flexible. Rude or obnoxious behavior is just as much of a faux pas as inappropriate clothing. Bring a sweater, your best manners and a good attitude.

Only a few more days to enjoy Shanghai and then off to Hangzhou and Beijing for another look at the fabulous and evolving style of this exciting country!