Fashion Forever? The Future of Design.

Image VIA Catherine Wales

***Blog post is part of a Blogging Competition organized by CGTrader , all thoughts are my own unless otherwise stated. Image credits are all noted and linked below.


This may seem a tad strange, but although I have always loved fashion and clothing, I have not always felt stylish. Over the years I have come to embrace my own sense of style, to feel confident in my clothing and to enjoy creating my own unique looks. Fashion to me, has always been a means of escape from reality, a way to try on a different persona each time I got dressed. Growing up isn't easy, carving out our identity can be a struggle but finding our own sense of style is a "right of passage".

The world has always experienced some sort of  turmoil, but alongside those tumultuous times there has always been clothing, fashion. So as we head in the direction of a new decade, I wonder what this will mean for fashion design, what will the future hold?

Fashion designers have always experimented with their own version of futuristic clothing; shiny, metallic, cylindrical. But the very next season they are inevitably going back in time, to an era filled with nostalgia and comfort. Trends come and go and then they come back around again, always leaving us with a strange sense of deja vu. But will these habits of design remain in the face of war, famine, natural disasters? If we look to history again, we know that in desperate times, if there's anything we can count on, anything that can cheer us up, it's fashion.

Designers are constantly challenged to create new, different, innovative and there is nothing that checks all these boxes like 3D printing for fashion items. I recently came across this technology and I was amazed; it can be used to create accessories, shoes and even clothing. If this isn't the first wave of our fashion design future, I don't know what it could be.

Image VIA 3DIndustry.com

Despite the fact that we cannot predict the future, we can guess a few things. The future of fashion design need to turn a corner, the current model which pumps new clothing into stores and onto websites not just monthly, not just weekly but sometimes daily, is not sustainable. The fashion industry pollutes, consumers are buying, using and purging at alarming rates and although there are eco, sustainable, and ethical brands paving the way to a better industry, there is still much more to be done. I can admit as a consumer who recently became aware of this problem after watching "The True Cost" that although I want to shop only sustainable brands, I have ad a hard time completely dedicating myself to it.

It is my hope for the future of design that companies start to care about more than just the bottom line, that they reach out to consumers for their thoughts and opinions and that they strive to make positive changes to their design and production models. I also believe it is the responsibility of all governments to encourage clothing companies to make the necessary ethical/sustainable changes to their supply chain and to reward companies who comply.

We will always have fashion and style in one form or another. Will it be something that we can all be proud of? Only time will tell but one thing is for sure, fashion is worth it. What are your thoughts on the future of design? Let me know in the comments below!
Erin 

How To Style: White Sneakers

I'm back again with another installment of my "How To Style" series, where I give my perspective on how I would style certain items of clothing. In my last post 5 Elements to Outfit-Planning Perfection, I talked about using one key wardrobe item that you love as the "focal point" of your outfit. By choosing one item to build upon it makes the process of attaining a "put-together" look much quicker and easier.

One item I have been seeing for awhile on Instagram which peaked my interest is the "sneakers" or "trainers" trend. In particular, I wanted white sneakers because they look so fresh and can literally be paired with any color. The ones I chose to purchase were the Adidas Neos which have amazing Cloud Foam insoles which make them the most comfortable shoe I've ever worn.

There are really no rules when adding white sneakers to your outfit but I find that wearing them with dressier items can be an unexpected twist and can dress down an otherwise more formal outfit. These shoes can totally be worn with jeans and a t-shirt as well, so if casual is what you crave then you've come to the right place.

On Monday, I was heading to Lansdowne Park for the day with my husband and kids so I knew for this look I would need a comfortable footwear option; enter the Adidas Neo. It was going to be a hot and sunny day so I opted for bare legs; this button-down, khaki skirt from Club Monaco has been in my closet for many years and I have been looking for an excuse to wear it again but I wanted to dress it down a bit. The top is actually a dress I purchased last summer from Old Navy, unfortunately there was a stain at the bottom of the dress that no amount of Oxyclean could fix so I decided to cut it shorter and wear it as a top. 

For the rest of the styling, I kept it simple. I used my plum Marc Jacobs Gotham bag but I hung it on the stroller while we were walking so it is absent from the photos. For jewellry I wore my "Golden Moon Tattoo" choker from Shop Coffee + Couture, my gold charm necklace from Poland and my two gold beaded bracelets (I believe they are from Ardene's) and lastly I added a wide belt which worked well with this skirt as it has very wide belt loops.

There you have it! I hope you enjoyed this post and please let me know if you did in the comments below!

Erin

5 Elements for Outfit Planning Perfection

We all have days when we don't like our clothes, where you can't bear to open up Instagram in the morning because you may die from #OOTD envy, (first world problems, I know) but sometimes we forget how lucky we are and end up with the wardrobe blahs. I wrote a post awhile ago about planning your outfits ahead, about doing a capsule wardrobe and about completing a Project 333 Challenge. All of these endeavors are great ways to take a step back from consumerism (I'm not in any way knocking shopping but moderation is key) and learn to love what we already have. Here are some tips to give your next outfit that special something, a look that you'll love, others will notice and that makes use of your existing items.

Forethought

"A goal without a plan is just a wish". - Antoine de Saint-Exupery This could not be more true, if you want to look put-together you must first think about how you will achieve the look you envision. Take a look through your closet,  an "inventory" if you will, because in order to plan your outfits you must first know what you are working with.

I find it helpful to have only "seasonally appropriate" items in my closet, less to look through is easier on the eyes and the mind. You can choose to spend time each Sunday planning looks for the upcoming week or before you go to bed at night. Either way, you will find it gets easier each time you do it and you outfits will look better because of it.

Primary Focus

So now you need to actually choose what you will wear. I recommend planning the look around a "specific piece" that you love and want to highlight. It could be a fun striped romper or a great floral kimono, whatever the piece may be, choose one and make that the jumping off point for the entire outfit. Think of your outfit as a spider; the main piece is the body and the rest of your look is the legs.

I really like choosing a colorful item like a floral top or dress for the "Primary Focus" and then adding items to the outfit that have the same or similar colors from the pattern. For example: I have a long, cotton kimono which has a colored floral pattern on it. This piece would be my Primary Focus because I love it and it is an interesting piece to build an outfit around.

Supporting Role

Once you have your "Primary Focus", it's time to add supporting pieces to your look in terms of clothing. So for my previous example I chose a black tank and coral eyelet shorts to go with the floral kimono, both colors were pulled from the floral pattern which helps to create a cohesive look.  I also may have chosen black shorts with a colored top or even all black to really let the kimono stand out. The key takeaway: by choosing supporting pieces in colors that go together, your outfit will make sense and you will look brilliant.

The Glitterati

Ah accessories; you make us so happy and our outfits wouldn't be the same without you.  The beauty thing about accessories is they can help create amazing and interesting looks from even the most neutral or basic wardrobe. You might even try keeping your clothing the same from season to season but adding new accessories to liven up outfits. By spending more money on solid, classic and quality clothing pieces you can get more mileage out of them and use trendy accessories to keep all your looks current and fresh.

In this example I added my "go-to" gold choker by Shop Coffee and Couture (an amazing jewelry company based in Montreal, love to support awesome local businesses), my gold charm bracelet from Poland (still looking into the brand of this one), my black espadrilles (flats are always my fav), my black RayBan Wayfarers (actually borrowed from my sis) and my orange/purple Marc Jacobs crossbody (for an extra pop of color). If I was wearing this look on a particularly hot, sunny day where I would be outside I would likely add my light green fedora by Sunday Afternoons (it would match the pattern but then I would switch to a more neutral purse).

Good Old Fashioned Confidence

This is the "pièce de résistance" the most remarkable feature of any outfit is how you feel when you are in it. Even if the outfit is a bit out there, when you are feeling good about yourself and let that confidence shine through, you can dare to be different. Another thing that can boost confidence when getting dressed is great hair, makeup and freshly polished nails; all these small details can stand out and make a big difference to your overall look. With all these elements working together and your own unique sense of style, you can't go wrong!

Thanks for reading and if you found this helpful please let me know in the comments below, I really appreciate feedback of any kind :)Also, please tag me in you #OOTD on Instagram (@fashionmamaaquarius) I'd love to see the amazing looks you come up with!

Erin

Wedding Season Is Here: How to Be the Best-Dressed Guest

Photo Credit: Hello Fashion Blog

Being invited to a wedding is exciting (unless, of course, you've been to 10 or more in the last year) especially if you are attending as a guest rather than as a member of the wedding party. You're in for good times, no responsibilities and hopefully a great meal. One of the most important things on your mind when you receive that invite in the mail is: what will I wear?


Choosing a dress can be a daunting task, especially if you don't dress up often. Here is a quick guide to help you with your decision!


1. Choose a dress that fits comfortably: I hope this doesn't come off as boring or granny-esque but choosing a dress that fits you properly and feels good when you're wearing it will serve you well during the 10-12 hours you will be wearing it, not to mention sitting, standing, eating and dancing. The other day, for example,  I was in a boutique trying on a dress in the size I normally wear, I noticed it felt tight around my rib cage and although it zipped up, the zipper was wavy rather than flat. When I tried the next size up, I felt more comfortable and although it was slightly loose at the top of my back, I would much rather feel secure in the dress and pay to have it taken in a little bit rather than be uncomfortable all night.


2. Make sure your dress is weather appropriate: This one is simple and it falls under the comfort category as well (I worry about these things for you!) you want to be prepared for the environment you will be in. Choose a sleeveless or cap-sleeved dress for anything that will be outdoors during the hot months and if it will be indoors always bring a sweater or wrap (that air con can be frosty). The same style of dress can also work for winter weddings in colder climates (assuming it's indoors) but you also have the option to choose a dress with long sleeves, which may eliminate the need for the extra layer (less stuff to bring along is a score in my books). Like it or not, there is always the chance of rain so plan to have an umbrella handy, keep that outfit dry and fabulous.


3. Keep your accessories low-key and minimal: If you went with a very simple dress (perhaps you decided to forego buying a new dress in favour of wearing something you already have) then by all means, accessorize that shit! But if you chose a dress with a pattern or lots of texture I would recommend going light on the accessories.  I'm a big fan of gold bracelets layered in different textures and thicknesses as well as dainty gold necklaces, when layered together I think they add an understated and effortless quality to any outfit. I'm not big on earrings or rings lately but small gold studs and dainty gold layering rings would be my pick. If the dress has a high neckline or a lot of details on the bodice you could think about skipping the necklace and instead focusing on earrings and bracelets.


4. Pick shoes that you can dance in: Now I know we've all done it and I don't want to sound judgy but dancing around at the end of the night in bare feet because your shoes are crazy isn't cute. Not to mention the fact that many venues will not allow it for safety and hygienic reasons. Luckily, there are many options that are better than naked feet so stay tuned! If you must go high, try choosing a wedge or platform; they give you the height you desire without the pain, it's win-win really. Another option is to stash a pair of fold-away ballet flats or flip-flops in your purse to change into once you feet start to protest the shoe. Many brides these days will supply a pair of flipflops so you can easily dance the night away pain-free!


5. Take a small clutch and pack only essentials: This is an occasion that you don't want to be tied down with a gym bag for a purse. By choosing a clutch, a small cross-body or even a little leather backpack purse, you can have your essentials (keys, phone, sunglasses, lipstick, cards and money) AND the freedom to dance like a goddess without worrying about your purse.

That's all for now but I will have a few more post coming for my Wedding Season Series so don't forget to sign up for updates on my latest posts!
Erin