It's All Black + White

The Style File by Shi Studio

If all the colour clashing summer months have left you feeling a little overwhelmed, now's your chance to take things back a few steps and get minimal. It’s time to see things as they are; in black and white. Create a little mystery with sheer layers in contrasting colours and varied hems, different textures and revealing details of what lies beneath to create some fashion harmony.

Festival Fashion

The Style File by Shi Studio

Music festivals play to different fashion rules. It part comes down to practicality and the weather, but mostly just to the whole spirit of the event. vancouver Island itself is host to many music festivals this summer, including the Tall Trees Festival, Folk West, and the Big Time Out, so what to wear? The coolest of festival fashion, of course - which translates as layers, shorts (leather or denim) or a floral all-in-one can work, a scarf or two, a good little jacket (to wear with a fringed vest or a wispy dress) and a pair of shades to protect eyes from the sun, from the glare of day through lack of sleep and also to look a bit cool. Don't forget a cute hat can also hide that hair when it gets a little mucky out there!

Take a Walk on the Wild Side

The Style File by Leah Wong

Unleash your inner animal by wearing leopard print this fall. A popular pattern used by designers on the runway, leopard is also being worn by many of our favourite fashion bloggers. All eyes will be on you if you go bold with a leopard dress or faux-fur coat, if you’re feeling tame, try a touch of animal with a bag or a great pump.

Classic in Camel

The Style File by Leah Wong

Designers chose camel as their neutral of choice this season. While warm coats were commonly seen on the runway, this elegant colour also appeared in the form of shorts and skirts. A richer, buttery version of the popular neutral, nude, seen in the summer, camel is the neutral of choice this season. Camel is easily paired with other colours and prints, making it the perfect addition for your wardrobe.

Elegant in Olive

The Style File by Leah Wong

Designers continued to incorporate military-inspired pieces into their pre-fall collections. Olive is one of the prominent colours in the utilitarian palette - though this colour has roots in clothes made for camouflage, designers created feminine dresses in rich olive tones, softening the colour. Take cues from stylish fashion bloggers as they pair olive, utilitarian jackets with their white summer dresses.

Sparkling Sequins

The Style File by Leah Wong

Transitional, pre-fall collections are beginning to hit stores, and though you may not be ready to wear sweaters and boots just yet, some trends can be worn now. Embellishments were popular in fall and pre-fall collections, sequins are one way to add a little sparkle to your wardrobe. Start incorporating them when out at night, or as a floral embellishment on a casual piece during the day.

Crochet Chic

The Style File by Leah Wong

A far cry from your grandma’s doily, crochet has been given a modern makeover this spring. As crochet is associated with the past, it provides a vintage vibe to any outfit. Though designers made entire dresses out of crochet, there are many pieces using this intricate technique as an accent. Crocheted accessories - especially scarves - are another easy way to incorporate this look into your everyday life.

Topped with a Bow

The Style File by Leah Wong

Bows have maintained popularity as an accessory for several seasons. Designers continued to incorporate this accent into their spring 2010 collections. They add a romantic, feminine touch to any outfit - whether it’s a free flowing dress of a sartorial suit. While bows gained popularity on headbands on Gossip Girl, the over sized bows appearing everywhere and anywhere this year won’t have you confused for Blair Waldorf.

Fabulous Fedoras

The Style File by Leah Wong

With the official start of summer comes the start of festival season in many parts of the country. If you're finding yourself in the sun for an extended period of time, a hat is a perfect way to protect your face and scalp from burning. This year stores are filled with many styles of fedoras, a cute and practical addition to any outfit.

Summer Whites

The Style File by Leah Wong

Summer whites are a complementary contrast to the brights and bold patterns this year. Though a common trend for summer, this year white is more prevalent, with an emphasis on monochromatic outfits. An all-white pattern looks immaculate, as long as you maintain their condition. White is perfect for summer as it contrasts against bronzed, sun-kissed skin, adding to the natural beauty and glow that comes with summer.

The Stylish Semi-Suit

The Style File by Leah Wong

A fresh combination growing in popularity on the runway, the red carpet and in the blogosphere is the shorts and blazer combo. An alternative to the skirt suit, long enough shorts can be office appropriate, while shorter styles are perfect for a night on the town. A blazer polishes off any look, making it perfect addition to dress up a pair of shorts.

Sporty Chic

Style File by Leah Wong

Drawing inspiration from the world of sports, designers incorporated items worn by our favourite athletes into their runway collections. The sporty look is a fun, youthful trend to for anyone to embrace this season even the fashion-shy tomboy. Incorporate the sporty trend into your wardrobe by adding chic items made from fabrics traditionally used for athletic wear to your wardrobe, such as a jersey blazer.

Soaking up Sunlight

The Style File by Leah Wong

Start taking fashion cues from the weather this spring. As days get longer and there is more natural light, incorporate a little sunlight into your wardrobe with the colour yellow. It is sure to add sunshine to your life even on the gloomiest, rainy days. If you're unsure about committing to a yellow clothing item, there are many yellow shoes, accessories and even nail polish tones to brighten up your outfits.

Bringing Back the Bodysuit

The Style File by Leah Wong

One piece that demonstrates fashion's return to the 80s is the bodysuit. While many women may fear the bodysuit, as worn solo by musicians such as Lady Gaga, the bodysuit is actually an easy to wear piece that simplifies layering. Worn under trousers or skirts, the bodysuit creates a streamlined silhouette, making it a practical piece in the work wardrobe - proving the pant-less look is one best left to the stars.

Natural in Nude

The Style File by Leah Wong

Pale pinks and flesh-toned shades appeared prominent on the runway this season, light, romantic shades perfect for spring. These colours are worn best when a few shades off your natural skin tone, to give the illusion of a second-skin without looking naked. Nude accessories are also growing in popularity. Instead of wearing the highly impractical white shoe this summer; opt for a nude toned heel, which will instantly elongate the leg line, making you look taller and slimmer.

Ready For Flight

The Style File by Leah Wong

A romanticized material, feathers were used by designers this season. Proving their staying power after landing on the runway during previous seasons, this spring’s feather trend is light, fun and flirtatious. Designers used feathers in skirts and dresses, a look best used for a night out. Off the runway, fashion bloggers play down the trend with feather (or feather) accessories and prints.

Sheer Beauty

The Style File by Leah Wong

Many designers incorporated soft, sheer fabrics into their spring collections this year. Though often revealing on the runway, sheer pieces can be added into your everyday wardrobe when done tastefully. A simple way to incorporate this trend into your wardrobe is by swapping your opaque tights for a sheer pair – providing a softer look for early spring. Alternatively for a sultry weekend look, try a sheer lace top over a camisole.

Colour it Coral

The Style File by Leah Wong

During most spring fashion seasons, coral can be found on store shelves. In addition to being found on clothing, this year, coral is also a hot makeup trend – coral nails and lips are a beauty must have. Coral adds a pop of colour to any neutral – it is a versatile colour easily paired with other items. A popular colour in previous seasons, coral pieces you already own can be given new life with new items.

Double Denim

The Style File by Leah Wong

While denim never goes out of style, wearing denim on denim is often considered to a fashion don’t. A hard trend to pull off, double denim has to be thought to be a fashion do. The right way to wear denim on denim is by wearing two different shades of denim, and creating definition between the shades with a solid coloured belt. Alternatively, a chambray dress is an easy way to wear denim all over.

Ladylike Leather

The Style File by Leah Wong

A trend that transitions throughout seasons, leather remains strong for Spring 2010. Soft leather
with feminine silhouettes deter from the traditionally tough image associated with the fabric.



For those uneasy about investing in leather pieces, there are many leather accessories to incorporate into your wardrobe - embracing the trend without committing yourself to a piece for years. Unique textures and colours of leather add visual interest to any outfit.