With the Royal Wedding on many people’s minds, the front of every tabloid, and the subject of most media stories, how could I resist diving into the style of the bride to be?

Katherine Middleton, known to the world as the beautiful Kate and Prince William’s future wife, has been attracting the eye of press around the world, not only for her high-profile relationship, but also for her sophisticated and elegant fashion choices. Naturally, many comparisons have been made between Kate and the late Lady Diana’s style—many wondering if Middleton will become as influential of a style icon as her fiancés mother.

Like Princess Diana, Kate will probably not reach international trendsetter status until after her big day when every designer in the world will be begging to have his or her designs worn by the new princess. But the looks we have seen emerging from Kate on various outings with William and at charity events have given us a good taste of the fashion to come.

Her mantra? Less is more. Skirt suits, classic wool trench coats, and stunning silk dresses encompass the simplicity of Kate’s wardrobe. A previous accessories buyer for Jigsaw, Middleton accompanies every outfit with the perfect fascinator, scarf or hat for the occasion, rendering the perfect amount of individuality to each and every outfit.

Her biggest wardrobe necessity appears to be none other than a dress. Kate’s casual style revolves around printed, un-fitted dresses, cut slightly above the knee, showing off her great legs. Her semi-formal and formal looks feature form-fitting, v-neck dresses in sheen fabrics to add extra glam or paired with a well-tailoured blazer and great pair of heels.  

Of course, the ensemble the world is most looking forward to seeing will be her wedding dress, a gown that has already been dubbed to be the wedding dress of the century. By Friday evening, designers will be preparing their mock Middleton dresses and variations to satisfy the wave of consumers who want to walk down the aisle looking like a princess.

Nonetheless, it will be interesting to see how married life changes this English commoner’s style as the availability and range of fashion choices increases as a member of the Royal Family. With a whole world of designers to choose from, who knows how her style may evolve over the years. One thing’s for sure: we will be keeping an close eye out for what she wears on the honeymoon.

by Tanya Colledge
Contributor

Photo Credits:
Fascinator: http://cdn.thegloss.com/files/2011/03/kate-middleton.jpg
Satin dress: http://cdn.thefrisky.com/images/uploads/kate-middleton-style-stealer-def.jpg
Burberry coat: http://l.yimg.com/a/p/us/news/editorial/a/0d/a0d1469fd7e657f51617173a63f8a292.jpeg

With support from industry events such as VFW, the West Coasts’ eco-fashion scene has seen significant growth, breeding many homegrown designers passionate and committed to bringing chic sustainable fashions to the public. Specifically in Vancouver, brands such as Devil May Wear, Adhesif Clothing, Elroy Apparel and Nixxi have all made their mark, selling their beautiful garments in boutiques around the Lower Mainland.

Devil May Wear

Vancouver native designer Steph Ostlers’ trendy take on sustainable fabrics has earned her a loyal band of followers—making items such as her bamboo tights renown to fashionistas throughout North America. Specializing in natural fibre fabrics, Devil May Wear offers a wide range of basic t-shirts and specialized boutique designs with an eco-friendly edge, at an affordable price point. The exponential growth of Ostler’s brand has made her boutique a must-stop destination for eco-friendly fashions.

Adhesif Clothing

Melissa Ferreira’s design concept is simple: to create one-of-a-kind garments out of new and recycled fabrics. Stemming from Ferreira’s experience working as a buyer in the vintage clothing industry, Adhesif Clothing’s original notion has created a greater buzz in Vancouver for uniquely recycled garments. Not only does using recycled materials reduce waste, but it ensures that no two pieces are exactly the same—guaranteeing satisfaction for those who tired of cookie-cutter designs. Eye-catching with hand-rendered details, this Vancouver produced line has its customers looking and feeling great.

Elroy Apparel

Tapping into the growing trend and interest in health and wellness, Vancouver designer Leanne McElroy began designing clothing to suite the lifestyle of this niche market. Noticing that green fashion existed mostly in yoga wear, she began to design garments that would give her customers a chance to make eco-conscious fashion choices without comprising on style. Elroy Apparel offers contemporary streetwear for the health conscious woman who cares not only what she looks like, but what her clothing decisions say about her.

Nixxi

Offering timeless and elegant pieces made from sustainable materials, Nixxi, created by the talented Jaden-Lee Watson, has become one of Vancouver’s top eco-friendly designers. Watson’s eye for creating clean silhouettes that women can use as versatile pieces in their wardrobe has made her designs a rare treat and a breath of fresh air to those who have been craving understated and chic clothing to suit the coolness that is our local fashion scene.

Although many argue that eco-fashion is simply a trend, there is evidence to support that the movement toward living a more sustainable lifestyle is a viable option for the future. Best of all (and contrary to popular belief), eco can be edgy, loud, fun, playful, and chic. Admittedly, I myself cannot afford to devote 100 per cent of my clothing purchases to the green cause, but being aware that these talented designers exist and supporting their cause and beautiful designs when we can is a positive step forward.

On a side note, if anyone has any trends you’d like me to check out or story ideas, please feel free to email me at t.colledge@gmail.com. I’d love to hear your thoughts!

by Tanya Colledge
Contributor

Photo Credits:
Top Image: from Granville Online
Middle Image:  from Elroy
Bottom Image: Nixxi
 

With urban residents living active and modern lifestyles, it’s no wonder West Coast Canadians and Australians have found ease in adapting to each other’s lifestyles. From diets trends to fashion, Vancouverites living in Sydney and vice versa, offer us a unique opportunity to learn from our Aussie friends.

On a recent trip to the East Coast of Australia, my eye couldn’t help but to be drawn to the racks on Spring and Summer merchandise now on sale in the southern hemisphere country. As many fashionistas can attest to, North American fashion has been known to lag behind the couture leaders of the world—Canadian fashion typically running six months to a year behind European trends. Browsing the Australian racks, I felt as though I was getting a glimpse into the future and of what we can expect to see trickling down into mainstream fashion at home over the next year.

But what good is it to keep all these goodies under wraps? Here are a few noteworthy Aussie trends to keep an eye out for until they grace Canadian store shelves next year:

Pretty in Pastels. A major trend that is perfect for our Canadian Spring/Summer seasons is painting your wardrobe in pastels. From shorts to crop pants, blazers to tanks, pastels in a variety of palettes: blue, pink, cream, and grey will give life to the dull colours of winter.

Embrace your Inner Animal. Spring and Summer are renown for floral prints, but animal print is not something often seen for the warmer months. Perhaps it’s the influence from Australian animals, but animal print in some form is definitely a must. Not feeling confidant enough to sport a leopard print skirt? Try a lightweight scarf instead and ease into to the trend.

Boyfriend Shirt. Worn open over a pair of high-waisted shorts or buttoned up over a pair of leggings and penny loafers, the oversized shirt offers optimal comfort and style. Try one on in a nice neutral such as khaki, black or tan for more versatility.

Sheer Pleasure.  Don’t worry, this is no eighties throwback, but sheer is slowly making a tasteful comeback into mainstream fashion. Playing with the pastel palettes of the season, layer a sheer top with a tank, wear with a bandeau and tuck it into a high waisted skirt or even find a brightly coloured sheer cover-up for cooler evenings—there’s no one way to do it.

For the most part, people love following trends. They help us determine what to wear in the morning and make us feel like part of those who are “in the know.” I encourage you all to take a step beyond what you see in our Canadian stores. There is amazingly creative, bold, whimsical, and innovative fashion in other parts of the world. Who says you have to wait for it to appear at your local mall to be a part of it? Try out one of these up-and-coming trends and become a trend-setter!

Wondering where to find some of these styles? Warren Boutique’s new Spring shipment has some great lines—even a new one from Australia—to help get you on your way to a stylish season.

by Tanya Colledge
Contributor
@tanyafanya

Photo Credits:
Animal Print from supre.com.au
Pastel Dress from masala.com
Boyfriend Shirt from cottonon.com
 

Runners? check. Workout clothes? check. Sports bra? Better double-check that one. Studies have shown that over 73 per cent of women do not wear the right sports bra during their exercise regimes-a simple mistake that could cause physical pain down the road. Not only does choosing the right sports bra lower your risk of injury, but selecting the right size and style for your body type will ensure maximum comfort and keep you motivated as you achieve your fitness goals.

Here are a few tips on how to select the perfect sports bra:

What's important? Not all sports bras are perfect, so it's important to decide what is most important to you. Are you looking for no-bounce support, all day wear ability, or easy on/off capability? Determining your priority will help narrow down your search.

Comfort over Style. Although funky colours and styles are nice extras, sports bras are not a clothing area where you want to skimp on comfort. Make sure that the bra is not too tight, but that it fits snugly around your ribcage. Adjustable shoulder straps are also good to look for, for an ultimate fit.

Size is Key. For most physical activity, women look for no-bounce support. For cup sizes A to B, this can be found in most pull-over sports bras, as the compression of the chest limits bounce. For larger cup sizes, encapsulation style bras are best because each breast is supported individually, eliminating the uni-boob look and feel.

Take care. To ensure maximum longevity of your sports bras, it is important to take good care of them. Try washing your bras by hand or using a detergent that is gentle on fabrics. Also, avoid putting your bra in the dryer, as it breaks down the technical fibers that help it do its job.

There are many good sports bras out there on the market, specifically designed for women of all shapes and sizes, it's simply a matter of looking around. Since fit is such a key part in finding the perfect bra, try to do your shopping in person. This will give you a chance to try it on, bounce around in the changing room, and ask the sales people for some advice.

My personal favourite? The Ta-Ta Tammer from Lululemon. After years of wearing two sports bras, the Ta-Ta Tammer has finally provided my girls with the support needed for my fitness routines without smooching them down. With adjustable straps, remouvable cups, and a great wicking material, this is my dream sports bra.
Lululemon has many other styles of bras ideal for various training such as got yoga and running, and is worth checking out. Specialty stores and brands such as Running Room, Nike, or even Speedo have a great variety of sports bras suited to specific activities and impact.

Finding the right sports bra is just as important as finding the right running shoes when it comes to training and exercise. Your perfect sports bra is just around the corner, all you have to do is look.

by Tanya Colledge
email: t.colledge@gmail.com
twitter: @tanyafanya

Wouldn't it be nice to have a team of Hollywood stylists pick out shoes and accessories for you based on your style preferences? How about getting personal attention and red carpet treatment without having to walk into high-priced boutique stores? This is the experience celebrity stylist, Kim Kardashian, wishes to extend to all women from the comforts of their own home.

ShoeDazzle is an online shoe club where a team of stylists provides you with a personalized selection of five shoes, of which you pick one for $40 per month. The first step is to fill out ShoeDazzle's fashion survey to help determine your fashion personality. The survey is laid out with a series of pictures of celebrities, shoes, and accessories that you then select based on your preferences. The results are then compiled and used to help the group of 10 stylists choose five shoe options for you every month.

The concept is a unique idea and one that many busy fashionistas could benefit from. Think you may want to sign up? Check out my list of pros and cons to see if ShoeDazzle is the right fit for you:

Pros

Price: For a stylish pair of shoes, $40 a month is a pretty good bargain. Customers reviews have also expressed positive feedback in regards to the comfort of the shoes.

No obligation: Although ShoeDazzle is a monthly service, there is no obligation to purchase any of the selected shoes and no monetary penalty.

Personalized fashion: The stylists do a great job of providing fashionable shoe options every month for their clients. Styles range from classic to avant-garde.

Cons

Shipping: Unfortunately for Canadians, the free shipping offer is not applicable. Costs for delivery run about $9.00.

Hit or Miss: Although the stylists do their best to adhere to every individual style, some shoe options can be a miss.

High heels: If you're a kitten-heel lover, then you might want to think twice about signing up here. Reviews state shoes range from four to one inch heels and platforms.

Quality: Considering the price, it goes without saying that the shoes won't be top quality.

No size 11: Apparently this is something the website is looking into, but at the moment, they do not have shoe recommendation for size 11.

From boots to sandals, pumps to flats, this shoe club is definitely something to look into f you're looking for a few more pairs of shoes to spruce up your wardrobe and have a few extra dollars a month to spend.

Check it out at www.shoedazzle.com

by Tanya Colledge
email: t.colledge@gmail.com
twitter: @tanyafanya