#ForTheSakeOfFashion: Starting 2016 With The Hair Tuck

With the New Year rapidly approaching (it's tomorrow, in case you hadn't heard), it's time to start thinking about the trends that will jumpstart 2016. Rather than looking back at the most popular trends of 2015 such as Addidas Stan Smiths, fringe, and floppy hats (to name a few), let's look deep into the future and attempt to predict the next fashion trend to plague the (non)fashion world.

Based on my deductions, it seems that "turtleneck hair" may be the next mind-boggling fashion look of 2016. What is "turtleneck hair", you ask? According to several well-versed fashionistas (such as my personal favourite, The Man Repeller), turtleneck hair is the act of tucking your hair into your turtleneck. Though this isn't new within the fashion world, it has recently grown in popularity for some unbeknownst reason.

via honestlywtf.com

Could it be the faux bob it creates that allows us to change our hair without cutting off those beloved locks?

Could it be the cozy feeling it gives us by keeping every strand on our head snuggled inside our sweaters?

Could it be that our hair just needs a safe haven from that tumbling snow?

OR could it be that there is no reason at all?

Is it possible that we, the fashionistas, are doing it, "just because (it looks cool)"?

Whatever your reason for contemplating this trend, don't overthink it. Sometimes it's best to give it a shot and see if it feels like you. The benefit of looking just like a fashion girl? Well, that's just gravy.

Happy New Year!

(and ponder it),

Bella

How To Prepare For Winter And Avoid Hypothermia

Caution: This will not be a scientific analysis on cold temperatures or hypothermia.

As a Canadian, I am inherently qualified to give advice on how to dress for winter. For some, it seems basic, but you'd be surprised at the curve balls this season might throw your way. In the summer, all you have to worry about is the sun and the rain. In winter, there could be a snowstorm at any given moment, hail, a rainfall, sub-zero temperatures, and above zero global warming temperatures. It really is the luck of the draw. So, how do we prepare? Runway collections teach us how to dress for fall, but what happens when winter comes along? Essentially, if it goes down to 10 degrees, we're ready to face it. Unfortunately, Canada is the land of igloos and a cute wool coat often won't suffice.

Here are some style tips for the winter snow angel (aka YOU).

TIP 1: Wear a parka.

I know you want to look stylish and a parka makes you look like you ate your doppelganger, but it is essential to winter survival. Recently, fashionistas have been spotted wearing these monsters on the streets at Fashion Week. Designers have integrated them into their collections and we could all breathe a sigh of relief as they come to be recognized as fashion staples. These two looks from the Diesel Black and Gold Fall 2014/2015 collection are ideal for those chilly winter months. However, I wouldn't advise wearing them without pants.

via www.denimjeansobserver.com

TIP 2: Add some furccessories.

Fur is all the rage in the fashion world and the only reason we can all proclaim our love for winter. This season, fur takes on so many forms that you don't need the fluffy coat to feel glamorous. Whether a fur trim on your gloves or a Fendi fur stole, there are enough options to keep you warm and chic.

Option 1: The Fur Hat

For the bolder type...

via www.fashionisers.com

Option 2: The Fur Scarf

For that subtle glamour...

via www.fashionisers.com

TIP 3: Opt for REAL winter boots.

Lies fashion people tell you: you can wear leather boots all winter. At a certain point, those thermal socks probably won't cut it. You'll need something a little warmer for days where it hits -30 degrees. Get yourself a pair of insulated winter boots. Tommy Hilfiger knows what I'm talking about.

via www.style.com

TIP 4: Embrace the hat.

Lucky for us, hats are currently a major trend. Keep your ears warm with a cozy wool hat. It can be stylish. I promise.

via www.fashioniser.com

TIP 5. Wear pants under your skirt or dress. It's high fashion.

This may seem quasi-crazy, but all the designers are making it acceptable. Just when you thought you could never do such a thing (in public), it becomes a fashion statement that we're all secretly dying to try. This was definitely a shout-out to Canadians.

via www.womensfashionstyles.com

TIP 6: Invest in thigh high socks. They can be SO chic.

If pants under skirts is just not for you, try a pair of cozy long socks. Worn with the current mod trend, this look reminds us of the best part about high school uniforms. If Tory Burch did it, why can't you?

via www.live-life-in-style.com

TIP 7: Don't forget your gloves.

Your extremities can make you freeze faster than your average ice cube. Cover them. They will improve the state of your body in a matter of minutes. Try long gloves for added warmth as shown at Vera Wang, Altuzarra, and Christian Dior during Fall 2014 Fashion Week.

via www.fashioniser.com

TIP 8: Buy a large variety of oversized sweaters

Oversized sweaters are my favourite winter piece. They're cozy AND stylish, which makes them a seasonal must-have. Buy a few in wool or acrylic to make sure you stay warm under your parka.

via www.stylecaster.com

Ready for winter yet? Follow this list one step at a time and you'll be prepared to face December in head-to-toe style.

XOXO,

Bella

My Wide Selection of Oversized Man Sweaters

Last November, I went on a rampage at Forever 21. Shuffling through the racks, I desperately searched for some bulky sweaters to keep my frail figure warm in Montreal's arctic winter. As I leaped from floor to floor, I grabbed anything and everything in sight that appeared heavy-weight and oversized, and upon trying them on, I zipped my way straight to the cash register. Slip went my credit card and I exited the store with a chubby yellow plastic bag filled with sweaters in rash inducing fabrics. But that didn't matter as long as I was reassured that I would stay warm.

via olsensanonymous.blogspot.com

This particularly unpleasant winter has ignited goosebumps and frostbite across the globe. From New York to Montreal, fashionistas are struggling to stay chic without catching their death. As a petite girl, it's constantly a challenge to find form-fitting clothing to keep my proportions intact and avoid being swallowed whole by my outfit. When I bought that panoply of oversized sweaters, I threw my habitual style rules out the window and blamed it on the Olsen Twins. With their ineffable ability to layer and their penchant for the oversized, they've become my winter role models. I've decided to explore the realms of The Row and maybe learn to love it. I've also turned to sassy British models Cara Delevingne and Jourdan Dunn for some inspiration on how to dress "tomboy chic". The oversized sweater has saved my life and despite the two colds I acquired within the month of January, I'm on a mission to stay warm.

As a strut down the halls in my new larger than life sweaters, I am often asked why I don't highlight my curves a little more. All I have to say is: "Let that be a mystery". Fashion is about highlighting your assets, but it's also about comfort (despite popular belief). And by comfort, I am not merely referring to physical comfort, but to emotional comfort as well. There's something cozy and heart-warming about a massive sweater. Perhaps it makes us think of our fantasy boyfriends. Maybe it's just reminiscent of being tucked into our beds. Either way, the big sweater is full of magic and I just can't get enough.

Stay chic!

Bella




2 Days Until NYFW (World. Collapsing. Excitement. Mounting)

Baby, It's STILL Cold Outside

Happy January 2nd Everyone!

If you left your house on this breezy January morning, you may have noticed how cold it was (Yes, I'm talking to you Canadians!). The single hardest thing to bear for any fashionista (or any person really) is layering to such a degree that you disappear. However, it is essential to our survival. Without our mitts, beanies, infinity scarves, Rudsak coats, and Uggs, we'd die (not to be dramatic of course). Personally, I wore 2 pairs of socks today along with a heavy sweater and a wool dress (it was not as cute as I hoped it would be). Being chic in the winter is probably almost as hard as climbing Everest (again, not being dramatic).

As someone who isn't significantly tall (to put it euphemistically), heels are my best friend and saying goodbye to them in the Winter is VERY dramatic. In icy winters such as these, high heels are just a safety hazard.

What I'm struggling to figure out is how much are we all willing to sacrifice for fashion? Is comfort really more important or is comfort a sacrifice in and of itself? Let's face it, winter is not comfortable. Wear the flattest boots you want with the furriest of fur trims and the bulkiest coat you can muster. Put on your ski gloves and engulfing hat. If you were cold before, now you're claustrophobic.

As pessimistic as this may sound, I'd also like to mention a few fashionable things about the Winter months (to end on a brighter note). First of all, white is ALWAYS chic. Second, there's nothing more glamorous than faux fur (except real fur, but we won't get into that debate). Third, EAR MUFFS. Fourth, naturally flushed cheeks (blush not required). And finally, layering is just another excuse to go shopping. Have I convinced you?

Even if this didn't work on you, it's just my way of keeping spirits up in the cold months that will follow. Also, positive thinking and my Fashion Week countdown are the only things that will get us through January.

Cheers!

Bella




35 Days Until NYFW

How Sweaters Changed My Tiny Little Life

This may sound like the title of a bad self-help book (and chances are, it probably is), but when you're tiny and flimsy, sweaters are life-altering. It's a fact.

My obsession with fashion developed a little late in the game. I'm not one of those girls who was dressing well straight out of the womb. It happened pretty suddenly actually. I was standing in front of the mirror one day (checking myself out of course) and noticed something horrific. My jeans were sagging. I had an internal panic attack instantly upon the realization that I've been walking around in public like this for years. I impulsively chucked all my jeans and decided I needed a fresh start. Since then, I've been finicky about everything that goes on my body. Including sweaters.

Anything particularly bulky has a tendency to swallow me whole. People frequently mistaken me for a 16 year old (on a good day) because of my petite frame and below average height. When I wear anything oversized, I look like it's wearing me (or eating me). So, I decided to do some research and find solutions to this problem because I could NEVER give up oversized sweaters. I'm always cold and frankly, I live in Canada, so it's not realistic.

Here are 3 tips for petite girls to enjoy large sweaters:

1) Wear them with leggings. If you're a tad hipster, printed leggings are THE BEST. If you're more of a sleek fashionista, I'd go with the leather (major trend this season).

2) Wear the cropped kind of sweater. If you're uncomfortable showing your midriff, a pair of high-waisted skinny jeans will elongate your legs and maintain warmth. Also, anything cropped is super cute.

3) WEAR HEELS. I know this seems like the obvious solution to every short girl's problems (that's because it is), but it's also the ONLY solution. If you're unaccustomed to this, start with small clunky heels and eventually, you'll adapt. If you're as small as me and don't like high heels, well, I don't think that exists.

SO, heed my advice and good luck!

Bella

P.S We may never be models, but we could definitely pull this off:

via fallwinterfashiontrends.com