Stylish Sneakers

Firstly, I would like to take just a moment to say after a brief hiatus, the Gypsy Prince of Fashion is back! I felt myself getting caught up with work and forgetting that there is life outside the tea shop. So after two months, I have decided to reiterate my creative juices and get back into the swing of blogging.

While there is a plethora of new fashion news to discuss, what really prompted me to write was just the other day, when I was catching up with my darling friend Melina Morry ( aka the Lady-Like Leopard) discussing how difficult it is to find stylish yet sensible sneakers at a fair price. Finding the perfect pair of running shoes, just like finding the perfect pair of jeans, is one of those long and painfully enduring processes but once you find the perfect pair, there is no greater feeling.

Growing up, my feet were forcibly put into the cheap and very unfashionable running shoes of Wal-Mart and Payless that were friendly for my family’s low budget. That’s probably what made me dislike sneakers so much because once I became old enough to take my fashion sense seriously I never wore a pair of running shoes again. Most recently, fun and not always sensible footwear has been my go to, from vintage cowboy boots to Japanese harajuku girl platform creepers.

In the world where platform stilettos or other dress shoes were the only option for stylish fashionistas, it wasn’t until last year that sneakers made a comeback in fashion. Suddenly it was cool for women to pair sneakers with leggings and a sweater, and for men to wear bright colored sneakers with their outfits. As the trend got hotter, more and more companies started designing new runners to appeal to fashionistas. Bold colors, unconventional materials, and platforms are just some of the characteristics that were brought to the table when creating new styles for runners.

There have been quite a few stylish sneakers that came from designer collaborations in the past, like Alexander McQueen for Puma as well as Jeremy Scott for Adidas. McQueen’s designs played with silhouettes and shapes while Scott’s runners featured everything from gilded wings to fluffy pink plush poodle heads. Since then, more and more designer labels have adapted the sneaker into their collections and have even paired up with some of the more well known running shoe brands.

Check out these killer Raf Simons x Adidas ss15 shoes that caught my eyes. I’m a total sucker for anything with a platform (seeing as I stand less than 5’5 I love anything that will elevate me to new heights) but I am loving the psychedelic color-blocking and the futuristic aesthetic of the shoes. I’d die for the pink ones!

 

What are your favorite brands for running shoes? Comment and tell me what you think!

Stay fab,

Dakota

In Love With: Cara Delevingne’s Velvet Pucci Blazer

The it-model of the moment, Cara Delevingne attended the Vogue & J Crew Dinner yesterday as a part of the wrap up of London Fashion Week. She wore a beautiful Emilio Pucci velvet jacket from the fall 2014 collection along with a dainty gold necklace, black strappy heels and her own black leather Mulberry Cara Delevingne bag.

Anybody who knows me knows that I am obsessed with velvet, and I am honestly head over heels for this double-breasted tuxedo jacket. I love when women rock menswear inspired garments, and Cara definitely killed it with her blue velvet look. The fabric and garment itself has a nostalgic feel, while her messy up-do and leather accessories make it modern. It has the perfect balance between sexy and lady-like. It’s quite a risky look, and it easily could have gone wrong but on her I adore it.

So today’s lesson? I need that jacket. Do you love Cara’s look as much as I do?

Stay fabulous

Dakota

Fall Trend to try out: The Wrap

The wrap has gone in and out of fashion over the years. I remember when I was younger, I saw the elderly Italian ladies walking around the neighborhood wearing them in the fall and winter. But in 2014, the wrap is one of the styles that is making a stylish comeback, for men and women alike.

The look was seen on the fall runways of Burberry Prorsum (pictured), Prabal Gurung, The Row and Chanel in hues of gray, green, brown, and red. Perhaps in an effort to modernize it, some people have decided to ditch the term “wrap” and call the style a blanket. But in all honesty, I think we all should go out and find a “blanket” that is to our liking. It’s an easy way to stay warm and it can be lightweight and simple, or it can be thick and elaborate. Giving a sense of royalty and whimsy, the wrap is one fall trend that I am seriously digging and am very excited to try out.

You can go for a bohemian look with a tan coloured wrap with a cool pattern, or go for a witchcraft inspired look with a black one. There are plenty of different patterns and prints and different ways to put your own spin on the wrap. If you are looking for a simple way to stay warm on a chilly fall night, throw it over your shoulders. Or if you are looking to incorporate it into your look, work with the wrap and style it with a brooch and match up the color scheme. Maybe the best part about this trend is that it does not have to be a weight on your wallet. If a designer wrap is out of your price range, hit up local vintage stores and thrift shops and you are sure to find one that you can make your own.

Is the wrap a style that you are going to try out this fall or are you in favor of another trend? Comment and tell me what you think!

Stay fabulous,
Dakota

images from Burberry Prorsum fall 2014. Image source: http://scarf.yournextshoes.com/2014/02/fall-2014-scarf-trends-style-print/

Just Sultan is just fabulous

Today I spent the day strolling uptown and downtown job hunting and simultaneously shopping for an outfit to wear to a magazine launch party next week. I had some luck on the job hunt, employment at David’s Tea seems promising as I got an interview on the spot and the kind and cool chick who interviewed me said she liked me. But aside from that, I strolled down Queen street west popping in and out of the stores along the way. I stepped into Lavish & Squalor (just to look, I knew I wouldn’t be able to afford anything in there) and what did I see in a pretty glass case? My favourite Canadian accessory line that is not just for him, Just Sultan.

Earlier in the summer, I was job hunting on craigslist (desperate times call for desperate measures) and I noticed a listing titled “Fashion writer needed!” I thought to myself, this may be my calling! As I plan to be a fashion journalist in the long run. I replied to the posting and that is how I came in contact with the lovely Sultan Sandur. Sultan created his own line of colorful bow ties, lapel pins, and pocket squares for those in need of statement making accessories. Upon viewing his collection I loved all of the pieces and I wrote him a sample piece about how the bow tie you choose is a means of self expression and it details a bit about your personality. Sultan loved it, and he took a chance and gave me my first real fashion gig as a contributing blogger on his website. Sultan gave me a platform to practice my writing and I am so grateful. He also allowed me to tag along while he ran his pop-up boutique during the first ever Toronto Mens Fashion Week, which was a truly surreal experience that I will never forget. After that (as if I wasn’t already sure) I knew that fashion was my calling.

And so today, I was extremely happy to see my friend’s line in a public store. Without Sultan I would not have had the practice and amazing fashion week experience. I am so grateful to him and I really do love his line. Every piece is unique and one of a kind. All the bow ties are reversible (yup, a fabulous print on either side) and adjustable. The lapel pins are exceptionally beautiful, with each one being shaped like a flower in different colors. Sultan allowed me to choose one to keep after helping him out at fashion week.

I want everybody who reads this post to check out Sultan’s line at JustSultan.com You can order online or you can purchase pieces at Lavish & Squalor on Queen St.West. And while you are on the website, take a look through the “News +Updates” page to see a few pieces of writing by yours truly!
And thank you for being so lovely, my darling Sultan.

Stay fabulous,

Dakota

FALL TRENDS

Living in Canada is both a blessing and a curse. We get free health care, we can proudly say that we are the creators of poutine and beaver tails, but we also have to deal with the horrifically unstable weather. All summer, Mother Nature showed us her bipolar tendencies with it being blazing hot one day and then (literally) cold the next day. August was crazy, but now we are in September which means fall is on the horizon. Now if you are like me, you hate the cold weather of fall but you LOVE the fashions of fall. So as the leaves begin to fall and the stores start putting sweaters on display, here is what I am expecting from fall fashion for the stylish guys like me.

1. Floral prints in fall hues 

this summer, floral prints were somewhat rejected in favor of the monochromatic outfit (all white everything). While it was a nice change for summer style, I think florals always must have their place in fashion. Instead of the very vibrant colors (pink, blue, green) floral patterns and prints are being seen in warmer and almost washed out tones. I recently bought a very cute sweater from H&M that was gray with dark green leaves and red hibiscus flowers on it. I believe that florals can be worked into fall fashion with this trade up of colors. Need inspiration? Look no further than the colors of the leaves beginning to fall to the ground.

2. Velvet 

I honestly love velvet. It is my favourite fabric without a doubt because it is so versatile and so beautiful. I have a velvet tank top in shiny gray that belonged to my friend’s mother in the 90’s but I don’t even care and it is one of my favourite pieces. Velvet is appearing in different styles this season, tailored blazers, cardigans, you name it. Whether it’s a current style or a vintage one, velvet is timeless and depending on what you wear, it can be dressed up or down.

3. Cropped pants

Another style that I love, cropped pants have been on trend for the last few seasons but are proving to carry through the fall season. What I love is that you can wear them virtually anywhere, and you can wear them in any style. All you have to do is roll up your pants. Literally that simple. Or if you are more daring, go to a tailor and have them professionally hemmed to above your ankles. You can dress your cropped chinos up with a blazer and dress shoes, or you can go casual with rolled up jeans and a sweater. They look cute and prove to be a change from typical pants. They’re fun.

So what do you guys think? What trends do you hope to see in menswear and womenswear this fall? Lucky for us, New York Fashion Week is just around the corner and we will get to see what all of the designers have in store. Comment what you hope to see this fall!

Stay fabulous

Dakota