Practical Fashion - Careless Whisper

I have always been pretty clumsy. When I was young, everyone always blamed my mega-klutziness on being really tall for my age. I stopped growing about 20 years ago now, and sadly my clumsiness has stuck around for the long hall.

If I'm not tripping and falling into messes (like dirt or grass), I'm constantly spilling stuff on myself. Having a toddler around is not really helping matters, as my 'lil peanut loves to come over and wipe his grubby hands on my pants. I guess being clumsy all my life has informed most of my fashion choices. My wardrobe is pretty much composed of pieces that work with my clumsiness, as opposed to working against it.

Even if you are not a clumsy klutz like me, if you have a little one at home you will very likely get mess on yourself every day. Here are some tips for still looking alright while rocking the baby dirt:

Practical Fashion - The Only Way Is Fancy

So, yeah, The Only Way Is Essex is one of my current fave guilty pleasures. It was pretty awesome during my recent visit to Dublin to read all about the cast behaving badly in Marbella. I'm pretty excited to see what happens come this fall. 

The TOWIE look has even been creeping into my personal style a bit. It's hard not to adopt a bit of their cartoonishly glam style of dress, as it's pretty cute. It's way more classy than J-Wowww or Heidi Montag anyways. It's an especially fun look to try out if you're a pregnant lady, as you've got the requisite big boobs.

Here's how to pull off a TOWIE-inspired look without looking like Snooki or Katie Price:

1) Party dress...day, night, whenever

You can't lose if you throw on a party dress for any occasion. Even camping (or glamping as they call it on the show). Dress it down for day with ankle boots or sandals and a cute jacket; throw on some jewels and extra-high shoes at night.

2) Boobs out!

...as in cleavage, not actual toplessness. Start with a bra that is properly fit (always!) and then look for something cute that is low cut enough, but not overly so. The best way to keep it classy while still showing off your chest is to make sure your bottom half is covered at least to the knee and that you also try to cover up as much arm and back as possible. It's also a good idea to try to keep your outfit on the "sweet side" (as opposed to the "sexy" side) when brazenly flaunting cleavage.

3) Spend your money on the shoes

One of the best things about the way the TOWIE girls dress is that they all seem to wear high street dresses mixed with crazy expensive accessories & shoes. Despite them maybe not being known for their brains, this is a totally intelligent way to dress. Spending a bunch of cash on a pair of shoes in a classic style and colour (black, taupe or a classic red) means that the shoes won't wear out and will last for several years, plus they won't go out of style.  This advice can also be applied to handbags. Plus, unlike a dress that you're likely to only wear for a season or two before getting sick of it, you can wear your expensive shoes every day if you feel like it (although it's not advisable to wear the same shoes 2 days in a row).

4) Show off your tan

So, I'm guessing that you don't want to be as orange as the TOWIE folks. It's a bit too orange, I'm afraid. Stick with fake tan (for serious - skin cancer is no joke. No tanning!) or bronzer, the less orange the better. If you wear colours that highlight the tan that you do have - turquoise, coral, white, brights - it will make you look extra tan-tastic.

5) Keep it reem (obviously!)

These fellas care about details. Every bit of your look should be well-maintained...makeup, nails, jewellery, underwear, every little thing. No hairs out of place. They talk a bunch about vajazzles on the show...that should tell you about the importance the TOWIE folks place on the little details. Just make sure to keep the nail polish to yourself...and off of your pet pig's hooves.

Tasmin Mocha Silk One-Shouldered Dress (reissonline.com)
Claudia Crochet Wrap Dress (monsoon.co.uk)
Giuseppe Zanotti Patent-Leather Peep-Toe Slingbacks (net-a-porter.com)
Herve Leger Crisscross Open Back Dress (shopbop.com)
T3 Featherweight Luxe Blow Dryer (sephora.com)

XOXO,
Emily

Practical Fashion - Make 'Em Laugh

My 'lil peanut is 11 months old now. He's super cute, super active, and super used to all my tricks. If you have a kid, you know how addictive their smiles and laughs can be. If I stumble upon a way to make my peanut laugh, I will continue to do it until either I'm too exhausted to continue or until he gets bored.

I've been experimenting lately with using fashion to make him happy. I have lots of clothes, so why not dress up and make him smile? Here are some my successes:

1) Wear orange

My 'lil peanut loves it when folks wear orange. Random, but he really loves him some orange. In addition to his favourite TV fella, DJ Lance Rock, I discovered that he loooooooves these folks.

Even though I want to make the peanut smile, I don't want to dress like a complete weirdo. Luckily, there are lots of cute orange pieces out there this summer.

2) Glasses, Glasses and more Glasses

If you wear glasses, my peanut already loves you. He will wave his little arms at you, and will smile his 5-toothed smile at you whether you like it or not. When I venture out into the world, I normally wear contacts. At home, however, I'm always in my Oliver Peoples glasses. Yay team glasses!

3) High Contrast

All babies are interested in items that have a high contrast, especially black and white. Why not try a black and white printed dress? At the very least, your kid will stare at you a whole bunch...and you will look cute.

4) To Top It All Off...

Hats! My 'lil peanut hates to wear one, but loves to play with mine when I do. He is a big hat fan.

So, yeah, if you're looking for new ways to entertain your little one...try wearing something funny or flashy. Party!

Horkelia Shift (anthropologie.com)
Elizabeth and James Centinela Glasses (shopbop.com)
Souvenir Dress (jcrew.com)
Fedora Nina (lilliputhats.com)

XOXO,
Emily

Phillis Diller pic via mediabistro.com

Practical Fashion - Summer Looks

Hey hey hey,

Here are some looks for the pregnant ladies that I think will work well this summer. Enjoy!

First Trimester

A cute little dress should keep you nice and cool (and keep your bump under the radar)!

Second Trimester

Show off your bump in a cute romper!

Third Trimester

Brighten up with a blue maxi dress!

Fourth Trimester

Try a coral strapless number (with easy nursing access) when toting your new little one around the town!

Electric Ikat Silk Dress (madewell.com)
Tibi Sleeveless Romper (shopbop.com)
Maternity Cobalt Blue Maxi Dress (topshop.com)
Picacho Dress (anthropologie.com)

Practical Fashion - Pregnant In The Summer

It's been awhile since I posted my take on "practical fashion", so I thought I'd go for 2 posts this week.

If you live in Toronto, you will know that it is frickin hot outside today. Heat alert! I'm getting flashbacks to last year when it was this hot and I was ginormously pregnant. I was huge, and ambling around in the heat was a challenge. Because of all the G20 silliness and World Cup parties that were happening last June, I couldn't rely on public transit and had to walk most places.

So, yeah, you can't just stop your life because it's hot when your pregnant, so here are some tips for staying as comfy as possible in the heat. I'm not going to go into any "drink a bunch of water"-type tips, as you are smart and likely know of such tips already.

1) Start with shoes

They should be comfortable and breatheable. They are most important. I swallowed my pride and picked up some Birkenstocks, and they served me so well in the heat. If runners are more your thing, wear them with thin wicking sport socks and give those nylon foot cover thing-ys a miss. It's also always a good idea not to wear the same shoes 2 days in a row.

2) Dress up your sportswear

Natural fabrics are always a good call for keeping cool, but don't forget about performance synthetics. If you pick up sporty tops in basic colours and shapes that aren't too flashy, you can wear them to work with a blazer on top. I found that I could find lots of non-maternity athletic wear that worked for me well into my third trimester, because the fabrics are forgiving. I wore Lululemon tanks and tees to work fairly regularly with a jersey pencil skirt and blazer. It was a pretty comfy summer uniform, and I kept fairly cool walking home once I took off the blazer.

3) Keep it flowy

I've already declared my love for maxidresses. They are perfect for walking around when pregnant in the heat. Look for jersey or silk chiffon fabrics, as nylon or some other synthetics may not breathe as well. A long flowy skirt with a tank or a floaty tunic over leggings will work really well too.

4) Don't be self-conscious about your bump

I was pretty certain when I first found out I was pregnant that I would not be wearing any of the following during my pregnancy: shorts, 2-piece bathing suits, mini skirts, tank tops, skinny jeans. Not only did I wear all 5 of those looks while pregnant, but they became wardrobe staples for me...and I was pretty huge. My attitude about these pieces was that, since it was obvious I was pregnant, I'd rather be comfortable than hot. I ended up losing any self-consciousness that I'd had and put together some cute looks as a result. So play around with pieces you may be a bit unsure about and stay cool!

Bensimon Elastique Tennis Flats (shopbop.com)
Deep Breath Tank (lululemon.com)
Frida Maxi Dress (anthropologie.com)
Maternity Boy Shorts (topshop.com)

XOXO,
Emily

Gwen Stefani pic via pregnancyfashion.sheknows.com

Practical Fashion - Take It To Church

I'm not really a church person. I've got no problem with church, or those who attend; it's just never really been a part of my routine. I think it has something to do with having to go to Catholic school as a kid.

Lately I've been unable to avoid church or reminders of church. In addition to attending a funeral in a church a few days ago, I saw lots of little ones dressed up for their first communions yesterday. The church around the corner from my place rang their bells for a long time in the afternoon too. I also saw so many beautiful old churches while driving through Quebec recently. It got me thinking today about dressing to attend church. Not so easy to do, is it? The three hours I spent recently at the Confederation Mall in Charlottetown, waiting for family to find appropriate church outfits, points to no.

You may be someone who attends church regularly, and in that case I'm sure that you dress according to the lead set by the rest of your congregation. Some congregations are definitely more formal than others. For those of us who don't attend regularly, well, I'm here to help! I'll try my best.

Now when I speak about dressing for church, I'm also including synagogue and mosque too. Attending services at each of these places requires some specific cultural observations, but the principles are relatively the same. Speaking to someone who regularly attends the mosque or synagogue you'll be visiting will help to ensure that you are appropriately attired.

Cover Yourself

I'm sure you have great legs and a nice rack, but the people in church don't need to see. Skirts should be knee-length (or longer) and tops shouldn't show any clevage. My personal feeling is that shoes should be closed-toed too, but I think you can get away with an open toe if it's tasteful.

Try Trousers!

Dressy trousers for church are win-win. They cover what needs covering, plus they still allow some mobility for kneeling, walking up stairs and what not. Tuck a blouse into high-waisted dress trousers and you will look awesome. (PS- the bare midriff is to show what the waist looks like. No bare midriffs in church!)

Don't Wear Anything Noisy

Seems like a no-brainer, yes? Well, I made the mistake of wearing jangly bracelets to church recently and had to put them in my purse after sitting for like 2 minutes. Sound carries thanks to the high ceilings of many churches, so crossing your legs or squirming in your seat while wearing a noisy fabric will get you noticed. Try to avoid leather, corduroy, stiff brocades, jangly jewellery or anything else that makes noise when you move. Definitely avoid clickety-clackety shoes.

When In Doubt...Throw On A Blazer

Putting on a blazer over your dress, jumpsuit or top will instantly elevate it and make it more classy. You can't go wrong wearing a sleeveless shift (knee-length, of course) with a tailored blazer. It will serve you well during service, and you can take off the blazer later when you go for drinks. That's what y'all do after church, yes? Drinks?

Girl by Band of Outsiders Alene Dress (lagarconne.com)
Ports 1961 Flared Leg Trousers (shopbop.com)
Oxford Ballet Flats (jcrew.com)
Richard Nicoll Suit Blazer (satineboutique.com)

XOXO,
Emily

Church Lady photo via this blog

Practical Fashion - Help! I Have To Dress Nice For Work!

It goes without saying that pregnant ladies have a lot going on to deal with. The least of your worries when you are pregnant should be figuring out what to wear to work each morning. I have to dress pretty corporate for my job, so it was not so easy for me to find work wear options during my pregnancy. I did my best and created some looks that ended up working well. Here are my tips for putting together easy work-appropriate outfits while pregnant.

Jackets & blazers are your friends

While there was no chance of fitting into the bottom half of any of my suits after I was about 4 months along, I was able to wear all my blazers right up until the end of my pregnancy. They wouldn't button up, but I just made sure to wear cute dresses or tops underneath. I was able to get away with wearing jersey t-shirts and tanks to work because the blazer over top instantly dressed them right up. Don't spend money on maternity blazers if you can avoid it.

Buy neutral trousers

You can get away with wearing the same pants 3-4 times in a week if you make sure they are neutral. I only bought 3 pairs of maternity work pants and they worked well through out my whole pregnancy.

One of my most pleasant surprise purchases was a pair of black cigarette pants I picked up at Reitmans. They weren't maternity, but the waistband fit nicely under my bump and I was able to wear them even in my 3rd trimester. I enjoyed them much more than my "secret fit panel" work pants. Try to steer clear of that secret fit panel if you can. Invest in one good pair of work pants, like the Isabella Oliver ones pictured. You'll wear them lots and they will also look great at dressy dinners and events.

Work a wrap dress

Wrap dresses are fantastic. They are very work appropriate (especially with a blazer over top), comfortable and look awesome on a pregnant lady. There are lots to be found in great colours and patterns, so I'd suggest picking up 2 or 3. Wear a camisole underneath so you don't have to worry about your cleavage, and you'll be all set!

Get a jersey pencil skirt

I had a black jersey pencil skirt in my wardrobe before I got pregnant, and didn't really think to wear it until I pulled it on in a rush to get out the door one morning. It became my favourite piece to wear throughout my pregnancy. I loved how lightweight and comfy my skirt was, and it was easy to dress up with blazers and pretty tops. I wore the skirt just as often with tanks and a denim jacket on the weekend.  A jersey pencil skirt can be worn over or under your bump, whichever feels more comfortable for you. If you can only afford to buy one or two maternity pieces, I would suggest getting a black jersey maternity skirt for sure. They are easy to find at non-maternity stores (like American Apparel) and maternity stores alike (skirt pictured is asos.com).

Watch your silhouette

I figured out when I was about 4 months along that I had to be especially cognizant of silhouette when getting dressed for work. I looked most put together when I made sure that I mixed full/billowy pieces with slim ones. Let me try to explain better: if I wore a billowy top with wide leg trousers, I felt wide, wide, wide. Swapping out the wide leg trousers for cigarette pants and throwing a cropped jacket on top: instantly better. Always anchor your flowy pieces with fitted ones. It will make you look way more chic. Cropped jackets and cardigans look great over flowy maxi dresses. A fitted jersey top will do your bump justice when worn with wide legged pants. Have fun and try some combinations yourself!

Schoolboy Blazer (jcrew.com)

Hipster Maternity Trousers (isabellaoliver.com)

Capped Wrap Dress (isabellaoliver.com)

Asos Maternity Jersey Pencil Skirt (asos.com)

Jewellery, accessories and makeup will also go a long way to making you feel better about your work look. Treat yourself to some new pieces! You may have to wear the same black dress pants for 9 months, but you can have lots of fun with scarves, belts (more on wearing belts when pregnant next week!), jewellery and different makeup looks. Plus, you'll be on maternity leave soon enough! Yay!

XOXO,

Emily

Angelina Jolie & Victoria Beckham pics via pregnancyfashion.sheknows.com

Practical Fashion - Pregnant & Patterned

When you're pregnant, the last thing you want to do is call attention to your bump by wearing a pattern, right? NO WAY! Patterns can totally look awesome on pregnant ladies. Let's face it - folks are going to notice that you have a bump. Why hide it under sad black jersey all the time? Live it up in some patterns!

Here are some patterned maternity looks that I think are pretty awesome:

Maternity Fifties Rose Sundress (topshop.com)

Rachel Pally Lala Dress (shopbop.com)

New Jeanne Wrap Dress (www.dvf.com)

ASOS Maternity Floral Legging (asos.com)

Isabella Oliver Print Tunic (isabellaoliver.com)

Leaves of Grass Arlington Embroidered Kaftan (net-a-porter.com)

XOXO,
Emily

Selma Blair pic via pregnancyfashion.sheknows.com

Practical Fashion - Help A Lady Out

Do you like presents? I do, even more than this fella!

When ladies are pregnant, people get excited about getting them gifts for the baby. That is understandable, as baby things are mega-cute. But what about the pregnant lady herself? If you want to do a pregnant lady a solid, give her a little something to brighten her day. I'm not talking about a Proenza Schouler PS1 (although if someone got one for me I'd be pretty stoked). Try something small. Here are some ideas of fashionable gifts that you might want to give to your favourite preggo:

Cute Flip-flops or Slippers

If you have a ballpark of her shoe size, pick up something comfy for her to trudge around in, either inside or out. If you are extra sweet, throw in a gift card for a pedicure and your preggo friend just might name their baby after you.

Jewels

If you see a necklace or pair of earrings that call out "give me to your friend", buy them and gift them! Pregnant ladies love jewellery because it fits for all 9 months and reflects their "glow". No rings please unless they are jelly rings. It is no fun to try and pull a ring off of a swollen pregnancy finger.

Blankets

Even if it is summer, pregnant ladies love blankets. They just do.

Lip Balm

I always had chapped lips while I was pregnant, and could never find my lip balm because I was also very spacey. There was no such thing as too much lip balm at that time. Great present!

On the other hand, here are a few things that you probably should not give to your pregnant friends:

Clothes

There is a very good chance that any clothes you buy for your pal will not fit. Even if something does fit, it will likely not fit for long. If you must, give them a gift card so that they can buy something that fits when they need it. Just don't get them a Lululemon gift card and then later offer to exchange it for a card to another store as you didn't realize that their "shape" has returned. That happened to me, and it wasn't fun.

Jokes

Hey, wouldn't it be funny to give [insert preggo's name here] a bottle of booze? Maybe some lingerie? No, I've got it...a comedy t-shirt that looks like this."

Your friend may have a fantastic sense of humour, and may be the best sport ever...but come on! Do you like seeing pregnant ladies cry? They may just cry if you give them a "funny" gift. That is what happens when your hormones are beyond your control. When I was pregnant, I once weeped so hard during an episode of Dog Whisperer that my husband had to leave the room. I can't even imagine if I got a "No Fat Chicks" shirt or something. No funny gifts until after the baby pops out.

Indah Foxy Beach Slippers (shopbop.com)
Woven Mesh Bracelet (jcrew.com)
Ferm Living Remix Blanket (modernkaribou.ca)
Rosebud Salve (sephora.com)

XOXO,
Emily

Practical Fashion - April Showers

Happy Easter & Passover! Nothing like a long weekend and spending time with family and friends. Yay!

Even though it's been officially spring for a few weeks now, the coming of Easter always signals the beginning of shower season. There always seems to be so many bridal and baby showers at this time of year.

Knowing what to wear to a shower can be tough. They are normally afternoon events, but still require a certain amount of dressiness. Weather-wise, it's also tricky as you may be outside if it is sunny but may also be inside if it is too cold or rainy. Spring showers are definitely a layering occasion.

I've attended many showers over the past few years and have been lucky enough to be the guest of honour at a few myself. Here's what I've been able to work out about dressing for a shower:

If you're the guest of honour...


You are going to want to keep it pretty classic and simple. There will be plenty of photos, so keep that in mind when selecting an outfit. I'm a big fan of dresses, so I feel like you can't go wrong with a dress.  This is an occasion, however, where you should skip the LBD. Wear some colour - you're the main draw here!

If you're being feted at a baby shower, make sure to pick up something you feel really good in. A jersey fabric will be much more comfy than something rigid or constricting. Don't forget a cardigan or jacket to throw on top. Enlist a friend to help you pick something up if you're energy is low, or shop online if you have some time before your event.

I would stick to similar principles if the occasion is your bridal shower. One thing to keep in mind is to pick up something that will photograph well when you're sitting down. Make sure the skirt is not too short, unless you like worrying about the paparazzi photographing your underwear. Keep your accessories minimal, and try a nude shoe if your dress is colourful.

If you are a shower guest...


You can't go wrong with a cute pair of pants and a top. It's a great option, as you don't know if there will be active games or a lack of seating. A classic pair of cropped black cigarette pants, plus an easy silk top will serve you well. Picking separates in neutral colours is great because you can mix them with other items in your wardrobe, meaning you'll wear them lots. I tend to throw a blazer on top (in case there will be outdoor activities) and relegate colour to just a pop on a bracelet or purse. Keep the accessories simple, throw on some cute flats and you should be all set!

Hopefully that helps! Now you just have to decide what to get for a gift. So many options...who am I kidding? I'm totally a cash in an envelope gifter these days.

See You In Miami Jade Maxi Maternity Dress (duematernity.com)
En Plein Air Dress (anthropologie.com)
Sloan Fit Crop Pant (bananarepublic.ca)
Reiss Greta Mocha Silk Top (reissonline.com)

XOXO,
Emily