Vancouver: Spring shopping on a lark

Date March 16, 2009

March is always a funny month here in Vancouver; the weather is always taking us by surprise. It’s sunny one minute and snowy the next. Not to mention these moments are interspersed with rain, rain and sometimes even more rain. You never know what to expect, so dressing for the weather can be a challenge. But if it weren’t for this mix-up of meteorology, we would never be able to come to enjoy the beautiful colours that spring brings: dandelion seed, cherry-blossom pink, sky blue, etc…

So, if we need to settle on a colour palette for the transition from winter into spring, these soothing pastels are surely it. Lark (2315 Main St., 604-879-5275, lark.me), has proved once again why it is one of my favourite boutiques not only on Main Street, but in the city at large, and has hit the nail right on the head with its spring collection.

Check out the 100% Japanese cotton Chambray work shirt by Chimala ($398). The gorgeous selvage details and soft wrinkles make it look oh-so-comfortable. Although the picture shown is in fact the woman’s version, I’m very happy to know they also offer a boxier men’s version ($448). I have a very strong feeling it will find its way into my closet sometime soon. And isn’t the pencil holder pocket detail ever charming? I imagine hanging my glasses from there.

But without my glasses, I would fail to see just how precious the colour and material of the By Malene Birger Fiana top (above, $378) really are. I (quite literally) wish I could put my finger on what it’s made of, but regardless, it looks ever so delicate. The pattern and material give it a bit of a throw-back vibe, maybe circa the 1970s, but I think the style of the blouse contradicts that in a very complementary way, if that’s possible.

Of course, the weather today is perhaps not warm enough to support either of these tops alone, so if you need to throw on another layer of any kind, look no further than the Yoshi Kondo About jacket ($535). The black and ivory stripe makes a bold statement, but the cute feminine cut is what will really knock ’em off their feet. I think this is a great piece to just throw on and finish off any look when heading out the door to get some fresh spring air.