Street Style - August 2008

Dare to Wear
A cinched waist with a full skirt gives a leggy effect. She took an edgy approach, adding a fur vest, sleek leggings and sky-high heels for a rebellious look.

Prim & Pretty
A fitted blazer worn over a buttoned shift dress is schoolgirl chic. I like the way she offset the look with glossy extras for a stylish twist.

Bright Ideas
Sleek shifts look ultra modern when layered with a chic topper in a bold hue. Silver sandals are always a standout and the Marc Jacobs clutch adds a playful element.

Gold Rush
Wow the crowd in sophisticated separates. A touch of shine added instant elegance to this basic black ensemble. The sequined pencil skirt is a glam upgrade and strong structured shoes give new meaning to the term ‘power dressing’.

Layer Cake
These lavish layers have a cozy and casual appeal. Varying the lengths of the sleeves and keeping the hemline short make the look youthful and fresh. I love the deep hue of her tights and the bangle worn over the sleeve as a statement accessory.

Short & Sweet
Sophisticated layers look feminine and flirty and her patterned blouse is a standout among the shades of grey. Her sleek pumps transition the look from day to night.

Scene Stealer
This season is all about statement pieces, and this simple shift dress is given a modern twist with a beautiful graphic print.

Boy Meets Girl
A smart tailored jacket balances the volume of her skirt. The addition of bold extras, towering platforms and a Balenciaga bag add dramatic appeal.

Sunny Side
Lightweight knits can be worn year round when paired with a light and airy skirt. This sunny shade brightens her cool & cozy look. I love the addition of layered belts to give the style a youthful touch.

Frill Seeker
This romantic ruffled blouse is toughened up with structured accessories. A bold Birkin and peep toe booties give her feminine ensemble an edgy appeal.

Graphic Proportions
This outfit works because the shape is just right. The vertical stripes give the dress a fluid yet lean look. Pairing this dress with knee high boots is a daring choice but it gives her style some serious street cred.

Feeling the Blues
A shot of colour injected into a simple sheath dress gives this look a bold personality. Paired with a bright checker print scarf, she toned down the rest of her accessories to avoid looking overdone.

Wild Thing
Go bold or go home. Floral prints were huge on the runway, and this dress takes the trend in a new direction. The metallic gold flowers on a delicate black dress look fearless and feminine. Paired with a leopard print bag, she demonstrates how mixed prints can be worn together if you keep your other accessories simple.

Controlled Volume
The sheer pleats on her dress add a playful illusion of volume, especially since she layered it over a fitted pencil skirt. I love the fun graphic print on the shirt and the way she’s paired a sweet straw bag with edgy leather boots.

Pretty in Punk
Leather jackets are a must have. I love this cropped version worn over a fuchsia dress. It toughens up a feminine frock while the chunky platforms balance out the look.

Who: Natalie
Wore: Knit dress from H&M, leather boots from Urban Outfitters
Why it works: I loved the textured style of Natalie’s knit dress. It gave dimension to what otherwise would have been a traditional shift. The mid calf boots are a great height and add a cool mod vibe to her look.

Who: Erica
Wore: Floral dress by Betsey Johnson, Chanel sunglasses, boots from Mintage Vintage
Why it works: Erica works at Betsey Johnson in Yorkville so it’s fitting that she’s rocking a bold floral print dress from the designer’s collection. Keeping in line with the bold floral trends from the spring runways, Erica kept her boots and bracelets neutral and let her dress remain the focal point. Her stunning Chanel frames also add a cool retro vibe to her look.

Who: Allie
Wore: Hounds tooth mini from Club Monaco, blouse from Holt Renfrew, vest from 69 Vintage
Why it works: While the hounds tooth mini and silk blouse are ladylike and proper, Allie adds a dash of personal flare by pairing the ensemble with gladiator sandals and a vintage vest. By adding these tougher pieces, her look transformed from ladylike luxe to street chic.

Who: Rachel
Wore: Plaid shirt from Bluenotes, Moccasin boots from Stoneridge
Why it works: Moccasin boots were hot on the fall runway (think Balmain) as was plaid (think Dolce & Gabbana). Taking cues from Mary Kate Olsen, Rachel combined all the essential edgy accessories but still appears effortlessly chic.

Who: Alana
Wore: A ladylike twist of the lumberjack shirt
From Where: Vintage shirt (her mom’s from the 80s!), Urban Outfitters boots, Forever 21 shorts