Tag Archives: party

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Fall’s best foot forward

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Even though I know that fall precedes winter, it’s still my favourite fashion season. The colours are rich and luxurious, with golds, rusts, wines and browns flooding our closets. We are also able to dig into new footwear styles, leaving open toes behind for another year.

With fall/winter, so many footwear styles come into play. Pumps, of course. Booties, naturellement. Knee-high boots, de rigueur. And trending this year, over the knee styles. For formal evenings, delicate strappy heels add bling to formalwear. Sigh. It’s shoe heaven!

Poppy Barley front window

I stopped by Poppy Barley‘s new flagship store in Edmonton this past weekend. I’ve always ordered their footwear online, but I must say it’s delightful to be able to slip on new styles before you buy.

I love the rich colours and lux leathers that Poppy Barley is using for its F/W18 collection. The craftsmanship is superb.

If your size or colour is not currently in stock, you can order a pair in store or online.

I couldn’t resist these new soft oxford flats in matte black (left)… and the heeled loafter in black were begging to join my wardrobe!

Poppy Barley flats and oxford heels edit

The soft oxfords are just that – incredibly soft and easy to wear with a solid subber sole. They’re like wearing slippers! I highly recommend them if flats are your thing. These are versatile enough to be worn with jeans and casual looks, or with smart casual attire.

The heeled loafer will be my 2017-18 go-to to pair with business trousers and suits. Again, soft memory foam insole means incredible comfort, while the styling is on point with this year’s trends.

Poppy Barley has set the highest standards for ethical and sustainable operations. This means paying a good wage to workers, properly handling chemicals, and reducing the impact on the environment. Read more.

It’s the whole package. Artfully designed, on-trend footwear, made in sustainable factories by employees paid a fair wage.

And, comfy too!

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Sparkle and glow

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Red and gold Christmas baubles on background of defocused golden lights. Shallow DOF.

November, December and January tend to be busy months for Christmas parties and year-end celebrations, not to mention New Year’s Eve.

If your social calendar is starting to fill up, you’re probably wondering what to wear. Many party dresses are sleeveless – which is great if you live in Arizona. In the frozen north, however, it’s tough to look dressy and keep warm.

Here are some ideas to sparkle-and-glow your way through party season:

  • The Little Black Dress (LBD) is a staple in any wardrobe. If your dress has sequins or other sparkly embellishments, but sure to keep jewelry to a tasteful minimum.fitted red sequin dress
  • Colour is a great way to stand out in a sea of LBDs. Jewel tones work especially well at this time of year.
  • Look for luxurious fabrics. Silk, cashmere, suede or leather lend an upscale feel to any outfit.
  • Make a statement. Choose a focal point for your outfit, such as a statement necklace, chandelier earrings or a sparkly cuff. Choose one only.
  • Classic and elegant are always in style. Avoid very trendy or deconstructed pieces that might appear too casual for the occasion.gold and black wrap
  • Carry a wrap. This is a much more elegant way of keeping bare shoulders warm than a jacket or sweater.
  • Heels are always appropriate for dress-up parties. Choose pumps as they are much more in keeping with our winter climate. Slinky sandals can work if you wear boots to the event and change into your shoes. Carry a drawstring bag into which you can put your boots and check the bag with your coat.
  • Consider slimming shapewear to ensure a smooth silhouette.
  • Mature women should avoid miniskirts. At or just above the knee with a killer pair of heels is very sexy.
  • If you’re not comfortable in a dress or skirt, consider loose, wide-legged trousers paired with a tuxedo jacket. Very of-the-moment and perfectly appropriate if styled with a gorgeous piece of jewelry. When wearing trousers, heels are de rigeur in order to maintain the feel of elegance.

If you’re unsure what the dress code means for your next event, check out my previous post on navigating dress requirements.