How does a Montreal Girl Adapt Her Styling to the Summer Season?

There’s a saying here in Montreal; We have two seasons: July and Winter. Not quite true- but close enough! It can take forever to get us into warm weather- but when it hits, it’s scorching. It doesn’t last though as our fall arrives quite fast. And our summers can be so temperamental! So how does a Montreal girl shop or plan her wardrobe to meet the fussy weather?

DON’TS

Avoid shopping too early for summer wear. We are so eager to see sunshine that some of us begin shopping for summer as soon as the very tricky warm rays appear in early spring. But our weather is tricky! Hold back.
Over shopping (because of over-positivity) is another downfall. Again, hold back.
Avoid too trendy. We can get carried away when we find the perfect summer dress- and overspend. Consider how many wears you will get out of it?
Instagram and advertising is not always geared to your country’s weather. Some little summer dresses can be divine in Florida…but don’t quite work for long in Montreal. Same can be said for the colours and patterns in vogue from a tropical place to a northern climate.
Shopping while away on vacation (where it’s usually way hotter than back home), can be very tempting- but I don’t recommend it. Unless you are shopping for vacation only!

It’s best to give all these some serious consideration, if you don’t want to overfill your closets with things that will just hang there…for you to maybe wear next summer (if you even get a chance). And remember that trends change!

DO’S

Transitional is wise. Invest in pieces that will carry you from fall to spring – and the occasional cool days of summer. One good trick is to opt for florals or patterns that go for all seasons.
The advantages of color. Keeping several light colored pieces, even if the fabric is a little heavier, will work for summer; as will lighter fabric clothing in darker colors work year round as well.
Layering is key! Invest in pieces that can be layered, or, that are the layering pieces.
Scarves! I can’t say enough about this incredible accessory! Easily turns into a mini top for summer, or a cover up for cooler temps.
Blazers: An absolute must for all seasons- yes, summer too! You can wear your halters no problem and be all set when the chilly wind pops in (coz it will!).
If you need change, and shop you must, then why not give thrifting or vintage shopping a try? This will be an all-around win-win situation for your pocket, your taste, and the environment.

This is not everything- but it’s a good start. We adore summer, but for us Northern girls, let’s be honest with ourselves…it really is our shortest season (so sad!!).

Here are a few looks that can work for more than just one season, while still being perfect for northern weather (like in Montreal or New York). We all know there are days like this- where the sun has turned its back to warm some other place!:

Wore this mid June. This mixed print outfit is in a very light cotton blend- but because the colours are darker, it also would work for fall (with booties!)

Here’s the same outfit worn with a jean jacket and a scarf. This pic was taken same day as above (mid June!! ) It was still cold! The straw bag brings in the element of summer- it helps make the outfit work. As you can see, this outfit can easily be transitional for fall. And what about the scarf? Like I mentioned, you can wear them on chillier days like I did with this look.

Light breezy fabric once again- in this case no matter that the skirt is sheer, it’s animal print and it works all year round (again picture this look with booties!) The little black vest also works all year-round. For this particular day I wore the bright yellow top with the vest to give it an accent. On very warm days I can wear this same look: Vest, no blouse. Perfect!

Now how can this look be transitional you ask? First of all the plaid shorts are of heavier material (wool blend – good for both summer and winter), and I’m wearing a leatherette jacket. The color white gives it its summer look. Yet if I were to recopy this look with thick tights and boots, it would be perfect for fall!

Like I said, blazers are always a good idea. See how this works for both summer and even all year round. Because they’re shorts, it still works that this is a thicker kind of material.

Again, using all-year-round material like leather, and long sleeves in a warm tone -even if in a light fabric, can be worn all year-round (think tights for fall and winter).

And so here you have it. Note: these outfits you probably saw me style before. And for good reason, they are timeless- fashionable always. My way of shopping my closet and re-inventing as I go along!

Don’t think of this as limiting! In fact think of this as creative, and money well-spent! Your wardrobe will get you through for longer periods of time while being good for your pocket as well as the environment. Stretching clothing use, wear and re-wear is where fashion is at right now. Do your part and look the part, smart and gorgeous.

Take care my lovely Fashion Divas xx

#Confessionoftheday: These tips are tried and tested- not only in my professional styling opinion…but I have been known to shop for the cutest summer dresses (and in different colours!) to never wear them more than once…sad, I know. But true.

If you enjoyed this topic and would like to learn more, please email me at: lucy_bertoldi.com or shoot me a DM on Insta!

And- for all you wonderful bloggers out there- please come link up your posts with me every Friday for my Fabulous Friday’s Link up Party (there’s still time this week too!

Have a great week!

Here’s where I link up:

I love this blogging community so much! (Click on the Links below to see where I go read, comment and link up every week!)

MONDAY LINKS

Glass of Glam

Mutton Style

A Pocket Full of Polka Dots

Fashion Trends and Friends

TUESDAY LINKS:

Elegantly Dressed and Stylish

Walking in Memphis in High Heels and The Fashion Canvas

Shelbee on the Edge

Style Splash

Jenerally Informed

Not Dressed as Lamb

WEDNESDAY LINKS:

Jersey Girl Texan Heart

Living on Cloud Nine

Rosy Outlook

Seeking Sunshine

Straight A Style Blog

Granola and Grace

The Queen in Between

Coast to Coast

This Blonde Shopping Bag

Is This Mutton

Mix and Match Mama

Pastries Pumps and Pi

My Purple World

THURSDAY LINKS:

A Labour of Life

High Latitude Style

Doused in Pink and Curly Crafty Mom

Good Random Fun

Mummabstylish

Thursday Moda by Elegance & Mommyhood

My Bijou Life Online

FRIDAY Links:

I also do a Link Party every Friday! Confessions of a Montreal Styling Diva

Sharing a Journey

Shelbee on the Edge

Nancy’s Fashion Style

Lizzie in Lace

Momfessionals.com

June 29, 2020 19

Tips: Mixing Colors, Patterns and Prints – Forget Taboos- Have Fun With It!

For anyone who loves fashion, nothing can be more delicious to the eye than viewing a runway filled with an array of colors, patterns and styles. We just love it! But when it comes to wearing anything that’s a bit out of our comfort zone- particularly mixed prints…well that’s another story!

I’m here to help out if I may- with a few tips on how to get started and how to make you more comfortable in this area if you want to dabble in this exciting form of expression.

You probably do love prints, patterns and colors- but you’re not sure if you could pull off the look. Sometimes it feels too daring and there’s also risk associated wit feeling “too out there”. Too often the risks- especially for us past the middle point (age-wise) are all of the ‘social’ kind.

Here’s the list of risks that too often stop us from expressing ourselves:

I’m too old to wear something that outrageous.

Prints make me look older than my age…frumpish (age- related)

The colors are too loud for me (age related again)

I don’t suit patterns or too much color (they make me look fat; I’m too short; too tall; they make me look bulky; make my bones stand out…oh dear, just fill in your own blanks.)

I only suit black.

The list goes on.

News Flash: Yes, You’re here. Yes, You’re aging. Yes, You’re still alive. Your life is not over!! How old are you really in your heart and head? Life’s too short, start having fun (it’s only clothes…fashion comes and goes- style it up hun!)

Now- let’s get onto Print and pattern mixing!

READY?? I’ll give you the easiest and quickest way to SAFELY dabble into print mixing… Here it comes: Stay within the same Color Family. How easy is that??

3 Different patterns- SAME color family.

Beginner EXERCISE for you:

Go to your closet and pick the one print you absolutely love (top, pants, dress, scarf…)
With the garment in hand move along your racks to see if at least ONE of the colors in the garment can be found in another piece
Once you’ve found that piece, start matching it up!

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is 6294d3a6-1dac-4547-9ad0-c0cdd846c24c.jpg — I started by picking this amazing slip on skirt…which according to the norm could technically only be worn with black…Note how I picked another animal print to pair it with! The trick was to keep the base color (dusty rose) to tie up the look.

Intermediate Exercise for you:

Repeat the above exercise using different garments, OR, from those two pieces you previously put together, find one more item that has, either the dominant color -OR- a complimentary color (of the dominant one) and style it up! See color charts for examples- you can easily find this on the Internet😊

I started by picking a Bright red jacket that I love. Then I paired it with my tie-dye dress. Third, I added the dominant color Red within a different print and pattern scarf. Lastly, the polka dot and red, sandals were just the right notch for me to love this outfit!

Advanced Exercise for you:

Try it with 3 different garments or just add a third piece to the original mix you created previously- this one MUST be another print! This could mean that your accessory should also be a print! Then add an extra layer (jacket for example). Let this one also should have the dominant color or a bold complimentary!

This one actually has two different prints- however, because the top is sheer, it adds a third dimension. The belt is a too bright orange, so I fastened a scarf around it. I initially wanted to wear the scarf in a more traditional way around my neck…but I thought this was way better! What do you think?

Expert Exercise for you:

Try styling up more than 2 patterns and prints. Color does not matter at this point. In fact, you can have the same color but different patterns. A good example of this would be two different garments with two different patterns but both are black and white. From this add a third pattern that is of a completely different color for a splash of contrast.

Working with black an white (thought I’d keep it safe for you in terms of color!! BUT- I decided to style totally different patterns. To the mix I added the splash of color with the scarf worn as a top- and then another scarf as a belt. In total: 4 different patterns!

FINAL TIP: Who made up these rules anyway? Honestly- this is just a guideline. Sometimes items that are not even color, print or pattern related just go together so well!

THE MOST IMPORTANT THING OF ALL IS GREAT FIT!!

And there you have it! You’re on your way to print-mixing! Now, all you have to do is style it up!

Watch this clip for a detailed look on how I styled up my prints and patterns.

An now Here’s to my Favourite Fashion Diva of the Week:

The Beautiful and oh-so- chic Jess from Elegantly Dressed and Stylish

How gorgeous is this Diva? Loving this slip dress so much- and the animal print is soooo good!

I love this blogging community and the interesting weekly blog posts. (Click on the Links below to see where I go read, comment and link up every week!)