A Slight Change

Last month, we told you we were going to be featuring Designer of the Year Anja Gockel in this post to celebrate her line’s arrival at the store.

As it turns out, the spring shipment was delayed. So while we wait, let’s talk about accessories - your opportunity to play designer. That’s why we love when customers come in for hats & bags, scarves and jewelry - and why we put so much thought into all of them. Here’s some of what you’ll find in the store this month:

Hats & Bags

We were big fans of Eric Javits before he patented Squishee^® material to make roll-up hats that keep their shape. But once he did, we were converts. And this summer, when you’re packing for the cottage and shove your Javits hat in your bag, only to have it come out perfectly for Friday night cocktails on the patio, you’ll be right there with us - and Nicole Kidman, Lady Gaga, Madonna and (ahem) Hillary Clinton. They all have Javits hats too.

Javits uses the same material to make just-as-easy bags in all sizes. You can throw one in your suitcase before a trip to Europe and have it come out perfectly when you arrive.

Scarves

We’ve talked a lot about our buying trips on this blog and how we’re always looking to be surprised. Petrusse surprised us with the little diamonds on the corners of their scarves that offer just enough weight to keep the ends from blowing up in the wind. You don’t notice them unless you take your eyes off the Parisian prints.

Jewelry

Just in time to show off some colour and contour, our neck-and-ear collections pair perfectly with any ensemble in the store. Do let us know if you’re shopping for a particular event - we’ll help you accessorize accordingly.

This spring, we’re featuring Botswana Agate, Strawberry Quartz and Sodalite pieces; baroque pearls, pyrite, tourmaline; and polished Hawaiian Kukui nut beads. Our costume jewelry is mostly Spanish and British, 100% hypoallergenic and accented with Swarovski crystal.

Next month, we’ll get to Anja. This month, accessorize!

Notes from the Old Country

We just got back from our first European buying trip of the season. There was much less visible security than last year. It felt much more welcoming. Nice to see.

We did Paris like we always do, but we also did Düsseldorf, which, if you didn't know, is to Germany what Milan is to Italy. Generally speaking, German designers are very fashion-forward but also very minimalist — almost too much for North American and British tastes. Our clients love the looks we bring back, and they love the quality. For example, two of our German suppliers source wool from Loro Piana for their coats.

Over the course of the trip, we noticed a few interesting trends we’re sure to see here in no time ¾ at least, we hope to see them.

1.  Lace

After a few years of solid, serious fabrics, lace is back to make everyone feel a little lighter (and a lot sexier). We saw it integrated into cool wool, cotton casuals or as the stand-alone design for dresses and tops. Naturally, lace got us thinking about the summer in the city, and how excited we are to see the snow go. There wasn't much in Europe. It was a nice change.

2. Navy Blue

It was everywhere. We see it as a sign of positivity — a lighter take on black. We also saw more plaid and stripes than we’ve seen in the past.

3. Ruffles

They’re back — especially on the arms. But rather than designed into a blouse (like the Seinfeld puffy shirt), designers are accessorizing with silk scarves on the wrist. What a smart way to add contour.

4. Easy wear

Comfortable fabrics like jersey and denim were a big number across the shows. Again, a sign of positivity: the looser you are, the better you feel. On the other end of the spectrum, we saw some experimentation with more high-tech fabrics like scuba knit.

5. Athleisure

This might be a fad (it probably is), but we saw some pretty glamorous sneakers paired with outfits that suited dressier shoes or even heels. It’ll be interesting to see if the trend makes its way here.

Next month, we’ll tell you about Anja Gockel, the newest European addition to our line of designers who make

Five 2017 Resolutions We’d Encourage

With all that 2016 talk finally gone, we can focus on the positivity of the year ahead. For us, that starts in the closet, and so here are five promises you can make for yourself.

1.  Wear more colour

Here’s one you can put into action right away, and now’s the perfect time because there’s so much black out there in the winter, from parkas to boots to the dark winter nights.

A splash of colour like green or turquoise tells the world you’re feeling good and invites everyone to join you; like a surrogate for warmth on a drab day. And you don't have to overload on colour to spread a bit of joy. A hat, a scarf, even a belt will do the trick.

2. Don’t settle for ill-fitting pants

If you pay more attention to your look above the waist, you’re not alone. Most of us focus on what others look at — and very few people look at your pants when they're talking to you.

But think about how you look when you’re wearing pants that don't fit. You’re fidgety, you’re uncomfortable and that shows over your whole body. So pay attention. Try on a few pairs before you buy. Make sure you can bend. Make sure the fabric doesn't make noise when you walk. And make sure you feel good in them. Because it’ll show.

3. Take stock of your staples

Like a kitchen, a wardrobe doesn't function without the basics. And they don't have to be fancy at all. They just have to be present and flexible. So see what you have now, get rid of what you’re not going to wear and replace with stuff you will. This includes items like white blouses or shirts, a simple pencil skirt or two, black pants and a comfortable yet classy sweater.

And remember that it’s never a bad idea to replace an old piece with something new. Because while staples don’t change, styles do.

4. Think differently about accessories

You think accessories and you think earrings and bracelets. Of course you do. So do we. But we’d challenge you to broaden that a bit in 2017 to include broaches, pendants and scarves.

That last one is particularly interesting because scarves are shaping up to be the hot accent piece of 2017 for women and men. The beauty of a scarf is its light weight and versatility. It can go around your neck as intended, but it can also go around your waist, your mid-rift, your arm and even your head if you’re so inclined. And should you need to, you can use the scarf to temporarily shield you from rain and snow.

5. Expand your horizons

Gucci. Prada. Versace. Those are the names you know — and for good reason. But there’s so much out there from designers you don’t know, like Anja Gockel, who we’re particularly fond of and will be featuring this spring in our store.

Ms. Gockel has been designing clothes for 20+ years — more if you count her time working with Vivienne Westwood. Her stuff’s fabulous — look out for it on our racks and on our blog.