Oh Snow Cute
Playing in the snow never looked so good!
Photography and text by Kimberly Rashed
As much as I love to shop and have an overflowing closet full of just about every item you can imagine, I have to admit I do tend to skimp when it comes to winter outerwear. When the family heads out for a fun day in the snow, I shy away because I know I’ll be the first one to freeze my (albeit fashionable) butt off. Let’s face it, the red-nosed, teeth chattering, bundled like the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man isn’t the greatest of looks for, well, anyone.
Heading outside for a winter snow day isn’t exactly a fashion show, but come on! Can’t we raise the cuteness factor just a little bit? Given that the snow’s going to happen whether we want it to or not, here are some top tips for looking cute and staying cozy this winter.
This winter, up your style quotient with outwear that's both functional and fashionable.
Invest in a quality winter jacket with some shape and keep the style classic.This is a sure-fire way you will wear it time and time again, making it an investment that will not only keep you warm and toasty but will last you through the years. Look for options that are specifically made for a day in the snow, like the three-quarter length jacket. Options like a snow catcher can be your best friend saving you from the surprise of snow sneaking up your back.
If you’re lucky enough to find a winter jacket with a matching pant, they are definitely worth the splurge. However, if you are forced to pull a pair from a different brand, opt for a neutral colour. The pant itself tends to get less wear and will outlast the life of your jacket, giving you the option to match that neutral colour with another jacket in the future.
When it comes to winter footwear, as long as you feel good and your feet stay dry, what more could you ask for?
Us ladies love us some fancy footwear but when it comes to winter galoshes, well, they’re not nearly as exciting to search for, are they? They’re more of a ‘well, I guess I have to’ kind of purchase. Do your best to find something you like and will feel good wearing on those treacherous snow days. Trust me ladies, they are out there. Something with a fur trim or lining is always nice. You’re going to want to spend some money on these; quality will go a long way towards comfort, warmth and durability. Plan on kicking some frosty butt this year!
Long Janes. Yeah, you guessed it – the female version of long johns. Available in super cute prints and colours, LJs offer a flirty look that look great as winter pjs but also serve a dual function as a winter must-have for extra warmth when venturing out for some snow play.
I’ll be the first to admit that I’m not a hat person.Though I do love hats, the ridicule I endure once one is placed upon my head is something I do not. That’s why it’s important to try on as many styles available, which, literally, are endless. When trying on hats, consider what it looks like by wearing your hair up and leaving it down. Don’t forget about other head-warming options like earmuffs or a headband.
Guys don't need to be adventurous when it comes to colour, but it doesn't hurt to add a few colourful cozy accessories, like scarves and mitts.
Mittens vs. gloves.Mittens always look so cute – so cute, they remind me of my childhood days. But gloves are so much easier to maneuver if you happen need the use of a finger. I mean, what if someone asks you how many marshmallows you want in your cocoa? Or you need to flip the…switch? Mittens are fine for making snowballs, but if you’re hands on, gloves are way more functional. Choose wisely.
My biggest tip for all the gents out there is this: coordinate.For years, my husband got by on mismatched outerwear and until I decided to join the winter wear world myself, I was letting it slide. This year, however, I’m taking the reigns. He’s getting a new, coordinated look from head to toe whether he wants it or not!
If this is a stretch for you, stick to neutrals for the jacket and pant. Throw in some colour with a scarf or hat. Guys don’t need to be over adventurous, but if you’ve got some great moves on the slopes, a little colour will help a gal track you down later at the ski lodge. Hey guys, I’m just lookin’ out for you!
Thank you to models Joe Rashed and Sangeetha Young of Panache Models for braving the elements for these photos.
Kimberly Rashed, photographer, modeling director, and mother of three, keeps us looking fashion forward each month in G!
Playing in the snow never looked so good! Photography and text by Kimberly Rashed As much as I love to shop and have an overflowing closet full of just about every item you can imagine, I have to admit I do tend to skimp when it comes to winter outerwear. When the family heads out [...]
Hot Legs!
Photography and text by Kimberly Rashed
The ultimate accessory for any gal with those perfect legs has got to be leggings. Fear not, ladies, there are options out there for everyone. We’ve ventured well beyond just wearing them for aerobic workouts. Oh, but wasn’t that neon fabulous?
From casual to dressed up looks, leggings are a convenient and comfortable choice. With the wide variety that’s offered these days, you’ve got countless ways to work them into your wardrobe.
Be sure to stock up on a few options for mixing and matching with your favourite top.
Heavy knits
We all love to cozy up in that perfect cable knit sweater this time of year, but why not carry that comfort down to the legs. Yes, please! Heavy textured knit leggings keep you toasty warm when paired with the perfect little a-line mini or sweater dress. Steer clear of going too matchy-matchy; if you choose to wear these with a sweater dress, go with a simpler knit on top. We mustn’t look like we’re wearing a heat-to-toe look hand-knit by Nana.
Jeggings
It’s a jean, it’s a legging, oh yes – it’s a jegging! A favourite with riding boots, these jeans put the “slim fit” to shame. Fair warning, ladies: Even though these may come with pockets this does not make them an actual pant. However convenient it may be for toting along a necessity, unless you’ve got “buns o’ steel,” you should still leave a little ‘sumpin, sumpin’ to the imagination.
Adorned
Basic legs no more! The popularity of leggings is definitely apparent with the endless possibilities out there. Zippers, buttons, bows, pockets or ruching – you name it, there’s a legging that has it. Ruching can be any woman’s best friend by not only adding a little extra flare to a look, but also giving the feel of a little more coverage.
Leather
Ok, rock star. Leather + Lycra = your new best friend! Because, let’s be honest – Lycra is about the only thing that could get us into a pair (if we wanted to still continue breathing, that is). Daring? Yes, but when paired with a soft flowy blouse or dress it can really balance this look out.
Colour
Neon is out (yes!) but that doesn’t mean we should be afraid of colour altogether. Add some pop to your look with a fun hue worn under an oversized shirt dress and a tall boot for a flirty look.
Legging Lesson 101: Beware of the muffin top. It’s like anything, gals. If you’re too tightly squeezed in there, that little bit of extra leftover from too many holiday eats is going to find its way out somewhere. Give yourself some breathing room. You can thank me later.
Model: Amy Halman (recent graduate of the Panache Modelling Program)
Kimberly Rashed keeps us looking fashion forward each month in G! and on her blog Style Becomes Her.
Photography and text by Kimberly Rashed The ultimate accessory for any gal with those perfect legs has got to be leggings. Fear not, ladies, there are options out there for everyone. We’ve ventured well beyond just wearing them for aerobic workouts. Oh, but wasn’t that neon fabulous? From casual to dressed up looks, leggings are [...]
G! Lets Loose in the Wardrobe Room
Playing dress up with the wardrobe mistress of the Confederation Centre of the Arts, Karyn MacPhee
Photography and Story by Kimberly Rashed
As a former fashion student, I remember all too well my first trip to the wardrobe department of the Confederation Centre of the Arts. We were introduced to the Centre’s Wardrobe Mistress, Karyn MacPhee. We all wanted her job. All of us newbies thought it must be such a fun gig. Well, MacPhee has been holding that gig for 40 years now and her passion for the job suggests she’s not going anywhere anytime soon.
The G! Gang playing dress up at the CCOA
I was excited to have a chance to revisit the wardrobe department after so many years and decided to bring along some of my G! friends to play dress-up. After years of seeing numerous shows hit the mainstage at the Confederation Centre, we were all curious to find out just how it all really comes together so seamlessly (pardon the pun).
MacPhee relayed to us just how intense it can get. After the preview performance of Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story this past September, it was discovered that the dress worn by Alana Hibbert in the Apollo scene was not suitable because the fullness of the skirt was not in keeping with Patrick Clark’s designs for the look of that era. Thus, a completely new dress had to be constructed for the next performance…that same evening. With no time to spare, MacPhee expertly crafted Hibbert’s new dress between performances. The dress was beautifully made, inside and out, because poor quality is just not acceptable!
The role of the Wardrobe Mistress does not end in the fitting room. She literally follows the garment right onto the stage, making knowledge of the inner workings of the show a big part of her job. Wardrobe staff must anticipate what “wardrobe malfunctions” might occur. They must be there for fast changes, sometimes hiding behind a strategically placed trunk or prop for quick access. And when the show packs up and heads out on the road, the wardrobe department goes along for the ride, packing and labelling each and every item of all the show’s costumes and a fully equipped workstation.
Need a bouffant? Honey Landry's your gal!
Not every show has the luxury of a designer who provides in-depth sketches or even fabric swatches. Sometimes the wardrobe department takes on this task and works hand in hand with the director to interpret the director’s vision. This calls for a whole new list of skills and talents as they design fabrics, hunt through thrift shops and pore over costume reference books to ensure the look and feel of the show is true to the era. Clearly, one of those talents is the ability to pay close attention to each and every detail.
Authentic means authentic from head to toe. Wig Mistress Elizabeth “Honey” Landry, takes on anything from a regular trim of the actors’ locks to the addition of, well, you name it. Need a bouffant? Honey’s your gal. The G! team also learned a bit about the fun and value of creative staging from milliner Nancy Hooper. A simple picture? No way! A jewelled crown, a bowler hat, fruit, feathers and other elements certainly livened up the souvenir photo shoot! As we left, Hooper was giving a pair of shoes a colour makeover so they were more in keeping with the show’s historical era.
The mistress in action - Karyn MacPhee
MacPhee says, “If you don’t love laundry, this is not the job for you.” Love? Is it possible to love laundry? I will quite frankly state here that I do not. In the wardrobe department, we’re talking heavy duty laundering, too. Every day. Ironing, too. Blasphemy! On double show days, you’ve got limited time to scrub away that make-up smudge; sometimes the ironing might be reduced to just the collar, cuffs and front if the actor wears a jacket and never plans on taking it off. But really, that’s not much of a consolation in my opinion. What ever happened to “Iron your own damn shirt”? I guess this just happens in my house…
These days, MacPhee shares her experience with the students of the School of Performing Arts program offered at Holland College. She says the work is much too exciting not to share. With definite hopefuls in the midst, she is excited about this new program. Her only fear might be the thought of losing these budding wardrobe geniuses to the stage itself.
Hectic yes, but MacPhee says she couldn’t imagine it any other way. “Leaving is unthinkable, but staying is impossible and the impossible is what we do (miracles take slightly longer)!”
She sums it up all too well.
Playing dress up with the wardrobe mistress of the Confederation Centre of the Arts, Karyn MacPhee Photography and Story by Kimberly Rashed As a former fashion student, I remember all too well my first trip to the wardrobe department of the Confederation Centre of the Arts. We were introduced to the Centre’s Wardrobe Mistress, Karyn [...]
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