Style after Five

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By Kendra Francis

Canadians in general have a very relaxed attitude towards dressing regardless of the season’s trends. We tip towards ease, comfort, relaxed fit and others, all of which are like nails on a chalkboard for most “fashion types”.

For too many seasons now we have fallen victim to the denim = dressed or worse yet leggings=style trend/curse. These pieces have become the go-to in the desperate times of the “Friday night scavenger hunt” we find ourselves in far too often. Yes, some of us have taken notes from Carrie Bradshaw and the gang but lets be honest, that occurs the week the movie comes out or at best during a long weekend fete.

I suspect as a nation we believe, as a more “modest” people compared to our U.S counterparts, that dressing up is to be ostentatious, arrogant or simply tacky. Our collective self consciousness leads us to question, especially in this struggling economy: Is it too gauche to be primped and primed even after five?”

Au contraire I say, looking your best should not be offensive and dressing up should never be equated to money or class. What I’m encouraging is sandals vs. flip-flops, lipstick instead of chapstick or a dress instead of jeggings. The world of fashion is your oyster don’t be shy to indulge. If going to the opera or the ballet, don’t dress for the pub, put some effort into it. It’s a bit sad don’t you think that on a fantastic night out people dress so underwhelmed for the whole experience. Going out should be something exciting, different and live!

As simplistic as it sounds looking good does make you feel good and projecting an image of healthy confidence and value in ones self is important not superficial. This fall season is all about lady like dressing especially with the return of Mad Men. Simplicity and luxury combine to create a pared down chic. Leather tees and fur vests or silk blouses tucked into a pair of leg-lengthening trousers worn with a skinny belt and heels, how could you not want to do away with your jeans. Pencil skirts to hug your curves, balcony corsets to accent the bosom and ladylike kitten heels will make you feel all woman when you are stepping out. Colours are toxic and bright and worn colour-blocked and clashing or varying tones of the same hue, either way they leave you bright and uplifted.

Please try it out casual ladies, I promise you’ll like it!

At the end of the day wouldn’t you rather be put together than not on facebook, twitter, youtube or any of the other hundred places in cybertown? At least if your snapped red-eyed dancing on a table, sloshing a mohito with an unknown gentleman grabbing you from behind, the caption will read “Hot Mess” instead of just “mess?”