Introducing Style Panel: Canada’s best dressed It girls share their unique style know-how in answer to your toughest how-to-wear questions

Fashion

Introducing Style Panel: Canada’s best dressed It girls share their unique style know-how in answer to your toughest how-to-wear questions

By FASHION Staff | May 15th, 2012 | 2:00 pm

Photography by Steven Lee/SilhouettedSkyline.com

Gracie Carroll, 24
Toronto | Gracie Carroll

The transitioning season is like being tickled by Mother Nature. For fashion lovers, I think it a particularly frustrating time because we’ve already been waiting months to wear the new trends, considering we see them on the runways six months in advance. In Canada, it seems that as soon as the sunshine returns and we hit something above 5 degrees, everyone strips down to a T-shirt, hits a patio and pretends it’s mid-July. It is between the months of March and May that (what I consider to be) the biggest “transitioning” wardrobe faux pas are spotted throughout the streets. For example, wearing heavy knit closed toe tights with summer sandals, flip flops when there’s snow outside, and being heavily layered up top and wearing sandal below. These outfits don’t make sense. Don’t get me wrong; as soon as it is warm enough to go bare leg and rock an open toe, I am over the moon, but one of my key tactics is to pay attention to the texture and weight of fabrics to see how they can work together. The next step is to layer well with lighter pieces.

This look is a perfect example of how I play with layers and lighter looks in the transitioning months. It is no doubt a spring look that’s stepping towards summer, but instead of baring too much, I’ve chosen to show a lot of leg with a short dress, but covered up and counter balanced with a long trench. I recently wore this outfit to a store party at Bird in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, and while I walked out the door feeling slightly worried that people might think I’d messed up the date of Diddy’s White Party in the Hamptons, I felt warm, chic, sexy and received nothing but compliments the whole night.

At this time of year, you’re always going to pass by the person in the parka, next to someone in a halter-top and straw hat, but what you’ve got to do is find your own balance and take a risk.

Gracie’s wearing: Silk trench, Alexander Wang at Jonathan + Olivia. Ink print dress, Jessica Mary Clayton at Fawn Boutique. Shorts (worn underneath), Topshop. Shoes, Aldo Rise x Preen. Clutch: Mogil at Fashionably Yours. Nail Cuff Bracelet, Giles & Brother. Brass bracelet, Mainsai. Friendship bracelets, assorted.

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Join the discussion

Joanne

It’d be nice if you got bloggers from Halifax and Ottawa too! (Canada’s CAPITAL isn’t completely devoid of style, and neither is the east coast!) It just seems its always the same old same cities…
http://www.fashionmagazine.com Randi Bergman

We’re looking for bloggers in as many cities as possible! If you have suggestions feel free to share.
Alex

Je n’aime pas du tout. A Montreal il y a 1000 fois blogeurs plus styles. Tres surpris de la selection (((
Sandra

I have to say, that Lolitta Dandoy has absolutely no style, if I was ever to ask for a styling
advice, she would be the last person on my list.
David P.

I am an owner of one the trendiest Montreal boutiques and I 100%
disagree on that girl that represents Montreal “best dressed”.
Montreal can offer a much better person that will represent the most
stylish…. There are many fashion bloggers in the city with much better
style that can represent our city.
Dinara Thomas

“What you wear is how you present yourself to the world, especially today, when human contacts are so quick. Fashion is instant language. ” – Miuccia Prada
That is what you should consider when choosing the next “Canada’s best dressed It girls”, especially the one from Montreal…. Bad selection, you should have done a better research.
amy

wow these comments! kudos, fashion! happy to see canadian bloggers being supported! i’m so tired of seeing the same american bloggers in our canadian magazines when there is so much talent here! *applause*
S.D.

Yay Vancouver! A Haute Mess and The Haute Pursuit are easily two of the most popular blogs from this city and probably in Canada, and they both have such cool and unique style. It’s so refreshing when so many people out west wear the same boring Aritzia uniform! I’ve been a fan of them for a few years now!

Congrats ladies!
Karen Pottruff

may be interesting
marie

If you’re criticizing the selection, then why please suggest some other bloggers?
Also, there’s no need to be rude.
marie

why not suggest some other bloggers* sorry for the typo
Joanne

Check out these bloggers while you’re at it:

OTTAWA: ericawark[dot]com
OTTAWA: popchampagneblog[dot]com
OTTAWA: chameleonic[dot]co
OTTAWA: sincerelysabrina[dot]com/
OTTAWA: jjjanuary.blogspot[dot]com/
OTTAWA: lovek[dot]org

Why is the capital city NEVER represented?
Vanessa

Congratulations to the entire style panel, especially your Montreal pick (who I have been following professionally for over a decade). Respect. Thanks FASHION Mag! xo
Jessica

This lady has amazing style! I’m from Montreal and I feel that she’s an awesome choice. She has a unique fashion sense, wears a lot of vintage pieces, and dares to wear a lot of unique pieces that stand out. Her online has online store (which is her closet) has so many beautiful unique pieces that you’ll fall in love with.

I like her because her style is unique and she’s doesn’t succumb to trends, she’s a trend setter, not a trend follower. She also dresses her age and I like the fact she doesn’t look like shes hitting a night club 24/7!
Lara

Shocking selection, especially considering her body shape and her outfit – if she wears that for a picture that is representing her style, than I will never dare to ask her for styling tips. I am a full figured woman and I will never wear knee high tights with a short skirt or a dress. Vulgar. Is that the word that represents Montreal Fashion savvy ladies?
Tim Style

“Finally, you can show your spring attitude by wearing slutty tastless outfits”…. Don’t let her dictate the rules of what to wear. She needs a stylist herself!
Jessica = Dandoy

Jessica = Dandoy
veronica

@Lara first off who are you to be judging Lolitta on her body shape? Second, Chloe Wise is also wearing a short skirt with thigh highs, is she vulgar as well? There are many looks out there that don’t work for everyone, there is no need to be passing harsh judgements and calling people names. I think you should ask her for some styling tips you might be surprised.
marie

Agreed with Veronica. Many of you who leave rude comments make the internet a place much worse than it needs to be. If you have nothing positive or good to say, just keep it to yourself. You are doing nobody any good by being rude.
If you’re unhappy with the selection, just recommend other blogs.
http://bagstore.us/ laura base

can see where the product was sold?
Alex

So, we must be always positive and if I don’t like I can’t say it?

I recommended few blogs, but admin deleted my comment.

What happen with this site?

We can’t express?
http://www.mmodels.typepad.com Sarah

Fashion Magazine.com is an amazing place to find out about the latest fashion and style trends

If you want to know more about how to join the fashion/commercial print industry, follow M Models and Talent Agency Toronto at http://mmodels.typepad.com/blog/

M Models and Talent is a Canadian based agency that focuses primarily on commercial print, principal acting and the promotion of highly professional models and talent.Our highly professional staff consists of experienced agents that have been in the industry for a number of years. We are dedicated to the promotion of models ranging from children to adults, beginners to well experienced models. We represent models and talent from North America to the International market.

Interests: Our agency allows all models and talent, whether experienced or not, to flourish, allowing them to gain valuable experience in the industry while exposing them to opportunities such as television, commercial advertisements, “real-people modeling” and fashion work. This valuable asset has allowed many of our models to extend their careers in the industry.
http://www.fitcustomshirts.com Custom Dress Shirts

Style depends upon mood. Good post.

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