tweed and chiffon

When we’re in class or out and about, we are often asked why we’re “dressed up”. Our philosophy is that everyday is an occasion – you don’t need a special event to look good and feel great.

Our intention wasn’t to coordinate our outfits, but once we were fully dressed and ready to go, we realized how well the red stripes in his tie complemented her carmine-coloured dress. That in mind, there are so many ways that you can coordinate your outfit with your beau or belle. Although the most common thought is to choose shirt and dress combinations that are identical colours, we believe that subtlety is best. Opt for matching accessories, like a gold tie bar for him, to match her gold necklace, or pair textures like tweed or leather if you want to get creative. You can subtlety match colours by picking up on accents, rather than the outfit’s defining colour – this way, you can also avoid the cheesiness of being a prom-esque matching couple.

From her | I’ve always had a soft spot for chiffon. I love how effortlessly elegant it looks, but also the subtle sexiness of the sheer fabric. When choosing the accessories to accent the dress, I wanted to make sure not to draw attention away from the material itself, and also the lace detailing along the décolletage. Statement stud earrings, a gold watch, and the vintage chain-linked belt were enough to complete the outfit. The classic nude pumps also kept the look simple, with the added bonus of creating the look of longer legs.

The most special piece in my outfit is my vintage faux alligator skin clutch. I stumbled upon this envelope clutch at a tiny vintage boutique in downtown Los Angeles. The store itself wasn’t anything special. I was about to leave the little shop empty-handed, when the large clutch, peeking out from behind some antique dishware caught my eye. This goes to show that you should give your local boutiques a chance, as you might find a rare gem that becomes one of your favourites.

From him | I have always admired the collegiate look, so when I saw this tie while we were out thrifting at the Ottawa Vintage Show, I literally jumped for joy (no, seriously). That was back in November – fast forward now to January and I still hadn’t worn it. This outfit was built around incorporating the tie into a prep-school look. Vests are great, especially your tweed, twill, and linen fabrics, as they can be dressed up or dressed down.

 A big part of style is making it your own, so I urbanized my school-boy look by donning my black combat boots. To add some functionality to my outfit, I sported my leather backpack, which was also thrifted from the Vintage Show.

Adding the brooch was something new for me, as I’ve never worn one before. They’re unique accessories to top off any outerwear piece, from blazers to denim jackets, and also allow you to express your personality. I wish I could say the owl was mine though, maybe if I ask really nicely Katherine will let me claim it…

what she’s wearing Urban Behaviour carmine chiffon dress | Vintage faux leather clutch | Vintage gold belt | Costa Blanca X nude shoes | Forever21 earrings | Costa Blanca rings | Genuine saltwater pearl bracelet
what he’s wearing Indochino white shirt | Le Château tweed vest | Vintage tie | Vintage owl brooch | Levi’s black jeans | Le Château bracelet |Vintage leather backpack | J Shoes combat boots

.