SIDE BY SIDE: FRINGE FACTOR

Put your best fringe forward from work to weekend with a swish in your step.

Unless you’re currently camped out on Mars, there’s no way you’ve missed the memo that the ’70s are in full swing this season. And it’s no surprise that the decade’s hottest detail—fringe—was by far one of the biggest trends spotted on the Spring/Summer 2015 runways, taking on a tribal aspect at Isabel Marant, swinging with flapper flair at Proenza Schouler, and making a metallic appearance at Givenchy (to name but a fringed few).

The good news is you don’t have to go full-on festivalgoer to get the fringed look. A swishy-strapped sandal is a low-key way to enter the fray, especially when it’s fit with a comfortable block heel that boasts an “I live in these” appeal. With a touch of hippie chic on your feet, you can bring a bit of boho to any style. So skip the printed maxi dress and flower crown, and pair a fringe-adorned sandal with an A-line skirt and dressy top to give your work attire a trendy twist. Or, take a more laid-back approach by elevating cropped denim and a camo shirt to kick your casualwear up a notch. Swish!

SIDE BY SIDE: SMOOTH SAILING

Stop us if you’ve heard this one before: every man needs a pair of boat shoes. Well, guess what, some fashion maxims are borderline clichés for a reason. Fact is, you do need a boat shoe in your footwear arsenal.

For starters, the nautical loafer’s origin story is the stuff of legend. Here’s a shoe that toiled in relative obscurity for decades. Its non-slip sole made it popular with well-heeled yachters who loved the fact the shoe didn’t scuff up their boats – because it only came in white. But like all classics initially designed with function in mind, boat shoes jumped ship from sailing’s subcultures and became everyday staples for all. That’s rad and democratic.

Now here’s the good news. Because the ‘80s are over you don’t have to be preppy to wear them. Today boat shoes have been thoroughly tricked out to adapt to a wide variety of looks. A leather two tone model, for example, keeps it textbook with nautical details and delivers at the office, casual Friday style, and out on the town. With a clean, tailored silhouette there’s no quit in this shoe’s versatility. Dress it up by night or play it weekend chill; a solid boat shoe will help your wardrobe set sail.

DETAILS DETAILS: THE FLAT PACK

Raise your style game with spring’s most avant-garde soles

It’s prime time for people watching now that patio season in full swing. In other words: there will be plenty of gazes coming your way, so why not make sure those elevator eyes are going from the ground up with a fashion-forward flatform?

From post-war London fave to ’70s punk essential to ’90s pop phenom, thick-soled shoes have had their fair share of heydays. This season, the coolest creeper-inspired styles leave the laces in the past to feature sleek metallic accents and sexy slingback straps for a modern spin on the flatform silhouette.

To get some height without compromising on comfort, try glossy black wedge with a dress instead of heels and say, “Buh-bye blisters!” Seeking a stylish substitute for a kitten heel? Go 9-to-5 and beyond with a blush-toned base set with pops of black and white that works perfectly with the season’s culottes and ankle pants. Off duty, dress up your denim with gilded accents atop a bold white footbed, and ground summer’s athleisure looks with a gold-strapped pair featuring a sneaker-like sole. As for those people on the patios, let ’em stare, since you’ll be standing little taller no matter which style you choose!

FINAL TOUCH: LACES LOADED

Live it up in a pair of tall laced-back boots

The start of a new season is always exciting, but before you go pulling on those suede leggings and chunky knits, consider for one moment how you’ll be feeling come March: After months of cold and snow, wouldn’t it be nice to shed a few layers and show some skin?

That’s why now is the perfect time to be rocking outfits that bare just the right amount of leg with the help of a striking over-the-knee boot. As the temperatures cool, there’s no need to turn to tights when you can style your skirts and dresses with a thigh-grazer that will keep you feeling warm and looking hot.

The best way to get the look and make a chic statement this change-of-season? Work a block-heeled boot with a pointy toe and lace-up back. Paired with a structured, printed skirt, it’ll add a stylish ’70s dimension to your daytime attire. After dark, simply throw on a leather jacket to give your ensemble some glam-rock edge. Better still, if you live in slim-fitting pants during the colder months, you can easily wear them overtop for a head-turning, multi-textured look.

RINGS AND THINGS: MASKED IN MYSTERY

Let’s face it: we are professional, working women and the last impression you want to leave at your office work party or friend function is a sad attempt at being a naughty nurse. It won’t do you – or your social media feed – any favours, but that doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice the mystery for the function. We love masquerade masks that harken back to the renaissance movement of 16th century Venice where art and imagination collided and people took secret pleasure in embracing a certain enigma. It was all about offering up a bit less of you than more because curiosity was the ultimate purveyor of intrigue. Today, embrace that same sentiment with lace masks – in jeweled tones and feathered confections – that can act as the perfect accouterment for this year’s festivities. Pair the mask with only two things: a bold red lip and the sly smile to match. It may not be the most overt costume in the room, but rest assured guests will be curious, intrigued and captivated: all the things a woman should be to herself and to the world.

 

DETAILS DETAILS: INTO THE GLOSS

Rock the high-shine trend in high-style by investing in a few key patent pieces.

From Calvin Klein and Dior to Rag & Bone and Edun, one of the most conspicuous fall 2015 trends–from boots and bags to skirts and coats–is look-at-me patent leather, be it real or faux. There’s a reason why both stylish mods and fashion-forward punk rock rebels embraced all things patent–the high-shine finish is as attention-grabbing and versatile as it is durable on the dancefloor (or in the mosh-pit).

To get the look and take the trend by storm, invest in a few key pieces that let you rock the trend from day to night, office to off-the-clock. Whether you opt for a stiletto, a block heel, or anything in between, a black patent ankle bootie is the ultimate accessory to add to your ensemble to max out the trend. No matter what heel style you settle for, patent booties will look just as chic and sophisticated paired with dark jeans and a moto jacket by day as they will with a mini-dress and overcoat by night. Whether you’re headed to the office or en route to the cocktail bar, you can’t go wrong by throwing on an over-the-shoulder black patent bag to add extra lustre to the look.

Shop the glossy look here!