"whatever you want it to be, that white shirt"

As I'm going through my closet deciding what garment to write about this week I come to the white section of my colour organized closet and smile at the sight of seven renditions of an all too similar white button up shirt. Now don't get me wrong, I'm not one to hoard seven of the same thing especially with my fairly limited closet and drawer space. Normally I would consider which of these similar shirts I could donate from my closet and I come to realize, I've worn all of these in the last 3 months (which is usually a good "throw away" benchmark). 
Boyfriend cut, tailored, cotton, silk, full collar, mock neck... the list goes on and on...  I can't deny my love for each of these styles and the "blank canvas" that they create for the remainder of my outfit and styling selections. 

Dressing them up...  

Top Left: Source: CarolinesMode.com, via: Pinterest

Bottom Left: Burberry London (www.net-a-porter.com/)

Center: Carolina Herrera- Classic Cotton Blouse (www.saksfifthavenue.com/)

Right: Source: Melissa Weiler, via: Pinterest

Or enjoying keeping it casual....

Left: Silence and Noise Tucked and Shirred Button Down Shirt (www.urbanoutfitters.com) Source: Sincerely Jules

1st (top) Right: Everyday Collared Shirt- Forever21 (forever21.com)

2nd Right: Fitted Boyfriend Shirt- GAP (www.gapcanada.ca)

3rd Right: Source: Filippa K, via: Pinterest

4th Right: JCrew Boy Cotton Shirt (www.net-a-porter.com)

Now I know I'm new in this fashion world therefore I must admit I'm making these realizations while standing on the shoulders of giants. Looking at women like Carolina Herrera who have been paying tribute to the white shirt since before I was even born I must acknowledge for shedding light on the classic and the long lasting nature of this closet essential. 

See this eloquent woman speak the words I could not on this timeless piece in fashion in the Vogue UK Film Exclusive below.

"The beauty of the white shirt is that it's so versatile, and whatever you want it to be, that white shirt,  becomes" 

- Carolina Herrera 

the little black boots

So in the whirlwind of life that is a fashion student trying to "make it" or "start up" in this industry I've found myself piecing together an outfit morning after morning that will take me from the trek through the slushy streets, to school, to the subway, to the interview itself  only to come home a mere 10 hours later in the same outfit and more specifically the same shoes. 

It's a week of this interviewing process that I have come to a whole new appreciation for my black suede booties. Day in and day out, they've carried me through this week and into each interview with confidence. Not to say I don't have a multitude of footwear options (like every girl does) however each morning I was continually reaching for this same trusty pair. 

These little gems proved themselves to perfectly style a multitude of outfits, each portraying a very different brand identity and style. A few of the many combinations of this particular week are as follows:

*** Side note: Always "dress to your prospective employer". Do your research on the company and style yourself accordingly. There is something to say about a interviewee showing up to an activewear retailer in a pencil skirt and cashmere sweater ("Duh"). 

The Aritzia interview outfit. A more personalized style approach 

featuring an A-line black leather mini, black nylons, a boyfriend fit Babaton 

white cotton button up, topped off with a lengthy black shawl cardigan. 

To accessorize this one... an oversized Stella and Dot hanging necklace. 

Finished off with the little black boots.

The Diesel interview outfit consisting of a cuffed dark blue jean,

 a vintage tee and a timeless black blazer. Accessorized with a red 

Club Monaco leather wrist cuff for a little added edge and colour.  

Finished off with the little black boots.

The Michael Kors interview outfit demanding a slight amp up in class 

presented itself as a black knee length pencil skirt and a fitted black 

3/4 sleeve turtleneck. Silver was the accessory theme of choice 

featuring a Michael Kors Silver Oversized Runway Watch, 

a Swarovski Intervalle Bangle and Betsy Johnson silver disc studs. 

Finished off with the little black boots.

The point I'm presenting is the versatility of this particular closet essential. Dressing life up, down or something edgier in between there wasn't much these boots could not pair with. Personally I prefer a 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 inch heel height with a fairly substantial heel width; you add leg length without sacrificing your ability to walk by sunset. 
This style is in no short supply in the market so choose a style that best suits you. Leather or suede, laces or slip on, embellishments or simple.... every shoe and department store has some variation in stock. 

***Side Note: Spring lines will be/already are coming out.... go bargain hunting. Got to love a good end of season sale

Left: Source: Dolce Vita, via: ashley-ringmybell.blogspot

Center: Source: TheyAllHateUs, via:Pinterest

Top Right: Steve Madden 'Jayson' Bootie (http://shop.nordstrom.com/)

Center Right: Source: Fashion Fractions, via: Pinterest

Bottom Right: H&M Boots (http://www.hm.com/)

boyfriend delivers a spot on boyfriend coat

Relocating from one of the coldest places in the world (http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2014/01/07/) to the merely mild Toronto, winter no longer meant "minus 40 with a severe frostbite warning". I was delighted to take advantage of the opportunity to no longer spend each morning feeling like I was being packed into a sausage casing of layer upon layer followed by a down filled (but cute down filled) coat only to bear the elements and still feel the cold air nipping at any skin surface that managed to go uncovered. 

My boyfriend of nearly 4 years heard my desire to abandon the fortress of a Winnipeg applicable outerwear wardrobe and gifted me with what is my newest and favourite staple of the season. 

The Wilfred Virgin Wool/Cashmere Maison Coat (pictured center) allows a boyfriend fit that has taken me from New Years Eve, to my first day of my final semester of post grad, to a few new job interviews and many times and events in between. 

A classic peacoat would have done the trick however the non-existant waistline, the tailored shoulders and the mid thigh cut, characteristics of the Maison Coat, created a more effortless and boyish silhouette which made me oh so confident that this newly fashion inspired dude really understood my fashion identity.

A great way to style this one: a basic pair of black suede heeled booties and a long solid scarf (long not to be confused with massively oversized). In the clunky and swollen season that is winter, somedays a long silhouette trumps my love for the oversized comfort of cable knits and grandma's best crocheted scarf.

 For those of you who enjoy a little more colour in their closet Topshop offers a quaint Mint Green option to keep it fun but still classy. 

Left: Source: Focus-damnit, via: Pinterest

Center: Wilfred Maison Wool Coat (http://aritzia.com/)

Top Right: Source: Angel Style, via: Pinterest

Bottom Right: TOPSHOP Mint Swing Coat (http://www.topshop.com/)

downtown reflections

Being new to Toronto and being oh so amused by the people, well let's be honest, the people's fashion, I realized I was living in the pages of my very own Build Your Own Adventure Lookbook.  Hopping from streetcar to streetcar seeing where each would take me, downtown Toronto on those early September afternoons proved to be a personalized viewing of all that Torontonian style had to offer. It was as if a September edition of Vogue, an iconic Sears catalogue, a hipster's Etsy store and any other form of published (or unpublished) fashion got thrown into a Heidi Klum button bag and got poured out over the sidewalks, pathways and crosswalks from Bloor to Queens Quay.

No one wants to be known as the new kid so I was determined to fit in. My rules of walking through downtown:

1.  Look confident

2.  Don't over emote

3.  Walk with purpose

4.  Do NOT stare

Now for an enthralled budding fashion student like myself Rule #4 proved the biggest challenge. It was like scrolling through the best "My Style" Pinterest page you could imagine but not being allowed to look directly at anything on it. As a graduated business student and a problem solver by nature I needed to find my solution. I turned to my right and it was staring right at me..... or back at me better yet: my reflection. For the duration of my walk I need not look directly at each and every beauty (and beast) passing me by. Now, I look right into the shiny, glossy reflections of people made by the city sun onto the downtown building windows.

The birth of my Toronto style inspiration was found in those downtown reflections.

______________________________________________________________________

I lead a life of solids and basics however within those emerges what I consider my staples or necessities. These can change over time but some will remain the same. Im amazed when someone has the ability to inspire me to adopt a new staple, however it happens and it's exciting. 

Each post will be on a staple or necessity within my current seasonal style circulation. Some pieces basic (not to be confused with boring) and others new and exciting (not to be confused with bright or flashy). Regardless I hope this journey of documenting my style and those styles which inspire me, proves to be if anything, a fun thing to do and write on these lazy Thursday nights while I drink my mason jar of tea. 

Cheers!