Style Challenge: What to Wear to the Stampede?

I have been stumped lately with blogging, partly because I haven't had time to take pictures of all my new purchases with mom being in town and partly because I haven't been all that inspired. Last night, my sister in law, who happens to be one of my best friends, inspired me to write some sartorial advice for her. She is going to the Calgary Stampede this weekend and needs something to wear that is cute but classy. Now I've never been to the Calgary Stampede, but having seen some fashion disasters from the Cloverdale Rodeo, I've provided some alternatives.

The key is to mix things up and borrow from themes that are related to, but not limited to, just the western look. Try broadening to an overall more country look, or the related Americana/Prairie look, and you 'll have a lot more options. Or, consider trends which may have western influences but are updated in a modern way (think fringing, studding, destroyed denim, plaid, suede). Top it off with a cowboy hat or a straw fedora if you feel like it but I don't think it's required to create the vibe.

Vintage Cowgirl: This look is inspired by the cool cowgirls of times past. A classy silk western shirt with denim shorts or maybe a eyelet tiered skirt and tank with cowboy boots. Accessories should be kept simple. Horsey motifs (horseshoes, bridle/bit inspired jewelry) would work nicely.

Below: Young Fabulous and Broke Eyelet Tiered Skirt; Equipment Silk Western Blouse; BE&D Cowboy Mini Bag


Country Floral: With florals everywhere this spring/summer, they are an easy trend to incorporate into a western look. Small flowers, against a backdrop of a pastel colour, has a country look to it that makes it suitable for the Stampede. I love these itty bitty high-waisted shorts. Pair with an off-the-shoulder white blouse and sky-high clogs.

Below: Kettle Black High Waisted Floral Shorts; Rachel Pally Senorita Top; Jeffrey Campbell Clogs


City Slicker: For the city girl, a black dress with fringe details will give you a western look without going too down country. Wear the cowboy boots if you dare. A studded wristlet gussies it up.

Below: Haute Hippe Suede Dress; Golden Goose Star Booties; Elizabeth and James Suede booties; BE&D Studded Wristlet



Prairie Princess: I'm crazy about the prairie look of denim and colourful prints like gingham, plaid, and it's an easy look to throw together that's cute but not too dressy.

Below: Thakoon Denim Dress; Joie Rock Steady Fringe Booties; Twelfth St. by Cynthia Vincent Wrap; Joie Cece Dress



Double Denim (aka Canadian Tuxedo): It wasn't too long ago that double denim was a big no-no. But this summer, the Canadian Tuxedo has hit the mainstream big time. So mix up your blue and white and whatever other colour of denim you have, and get ready to line dance in your mini cowboy boots.

Below: Current/Elliot Denim Shirt; 7 for All Mankind White Shorts; Joie Elvis Suede Booties; Kettle Black Romper


Yeehaw. Are you going to the Stampede or a rodeo this summer? What are you wearing?
All images from Shopbop.com.

I'll be your girl....

...your Style Spy Girl of the Week, that is. Thanks to Nicole, whose blog I adore from Le Mode Du Jour, for asking me. They chose my clashing floral pattern outfit I posted from Hong Kong. You can check out the full Q+A article here, which talk about my style inspirations and pet peeves.

I'll also be the Canucks Girl of the Week any day. I've decided that wearing my jersey on game day is a curse as they've lost a few times when I've worn it. So I've come up with a more creative way to support our boys for tonight's game. A game day jersey outfit post! Thanks to my friend Melissa, the #1 Trevor Linden Fan, for taking these pics.

To glam it up, I couldn't resist these chained shoebooties. Just got a nude pedi too for spring.

One more thing: Happy Friday!! What are you lovelies doing for the weekend? I'll be watching the game tonight, doing some cycling, and some house and travel planning stuff.


Outfit:
Boys vintage Canucks jersey circa early 90's
Destroyed denim shorts, Ambient
Lace stirrup leggings, Hong Kong
Chained shoebooties, Belle
1960's vintage Submariner Rolex with Nato band, stolen from hubby

Thoroughly Bred

I took some quick snaps yesterday before I headed out to watch horse racing at the Happy Valley Racetrack in Hong Kong. I forgot to show you my new mini purse, tiny like the one I posted about before. I found this Japanese label called Ambient, and I've been stocking up on some not-some-basic basics. *Warning* long post!

Like this pair of paneled, stretchy riding pants. And these cuffed platform Elizabeth and James-ish booties. Both by Ambient.

For such a simple outfit, normally I would play up the accessories. Since I'm away, I didn't bring much. I did spice things up with my custom made, perfectly round shades (kinda like these Lanvin sunnies that I coveted). If you look closely, the frame looks as though it was made from dark grained wood. My lovely friends at Fox Optical were kind enough to create this one-of-a-kind piece for me.

There's also a lovely story behind my new coral with yellow and white diamonds ring, from my mother. I'll have to save that for another post.

Now, on to the horse racing. We had the corporate box through my dad, and we enjoyed a full dinner buffet. Some of the dishes included tandoori salmon, curry lamb, roast pork loin, and coconut prawns. It was delicious.

We were taken down to the concourse level for one of the races. We got to watch the horses warm up; it was awesome to see them so up close. Then, we watched the race right next to the track at the finish line. As the horses thundered towards the finish line, the level of excitement from the crowd was deafening. I couldn't get any pictures of the horses as they were going so fast. All I know is I would give just about anything to have a go around the track full steam on a thoroughbred. I'll just have to imagine that the next time I ride around the track at Southlands.

We came home with our tummies full and pockets empty since none of us won on our bets. I took some videos of the race and warm-up below. Please excuse the crappy music - I don't have any music here with me.

Outfit:
Deconstructed grey tee, from Hong Kong
Stretchy skinny riding pants and cuffed boots, Ambient
Vest, mom's
Round black sunnies, custom creation using Mitsu Cairo frames

It's All About Texture

I finally got around to getting some pics of my new stuff from the trip today. The weather wasn't as nice as I had hoped for, so I didn't get many outside snaps. That said, I still found a way to feature the gorgeous cherry blossoms that are in full bloom right now outside my house. I am also blogging from the EEE asus and I'm having problems with cropping photos so please excuse that.

I was so happy to have found three items from my HK Hit List: Fringed, Leather Jacket, and Cut-Out Bootie Sandals, all featured in this outfit. None of these items are brand names, but rather are from various boutiques in Hong Kong.

Brown bomber leather jacket: by Blues Heroes (haha not St.Louis tho - GO CANUCKS GO!). From Hong Kong
White beater fringed tank top: from a small boutique in Tsim Sha Tsui, HK
Blue Grey tiered skirt: from small boutique in Tsim Sha Tsui, HK
White leather mesh cut-out sandal slingbacks: from Causeway Bay, HK