A language worth learning.

If you’re as dedicated a follower of Princess Catherine’s style as I am, you’re likely familiar with whatkatewore.com—a site dedicated to, well—what Kate wore. It’s a diary of sorts, documenting the head-to-toe details of my favourite royal’s day-to-day looks. 

It’s an ideal site for sourcing inspiration for flattering colour combinations and cuts, tasteful accessories, well balanced proportions, and remarkably stylish outfits. 

It’s no secret that royals have mastered the art of dressing for every occasion—and while knowing what to pair with what is important, knowing what to wear WHEN is key. 

Think of clothing as a universal language—albeit non-verbal, it communicates a great deal about us—our style, our personality, and our attitude towards the world around us. Take dressing for the opera, for example—selecting your attire with care and consideration is the equivalent of saying:

I recognize that a great deal of time, planning, and effort was invested into hosting this event and to show my appreciation and respect, I will also spend a bit of extra time and care on selecting an appropriate outfit for occasion.

Now this may sound a bit over-the-top, but trust me, it pales in comparison to showing up at a wedding wearing sneakers or faded jeans—I’ve witnessed both!

And like everything worth its while, developing a discerning dress etiquette and keen sense of style takes time, practice, and a little help from style-savvy role models who have already mastered the art. 

Similar to language, our wardrobes offer a rich vocabulary for self-expression, so next time you’re invited to a special occasion, ask yourself: ‘What would Kate wear?’ and let your dress make a note-worthy statement!

S.K.

Les couleurs parisiennes.

On my recent trip to Paris, I was astonished at the range, diversity, and vivacity of colours and prints popping out of every window display I walked by.

Fashion was of course one of my primary inspirations for my trip, and as I was boarding my Air France flight I was expecting to find plenty of neutrals and monochromes with the occasional splash of a coloured accessory, but I was certainly not expecting SO MUCH COLOUR.

I’ll add one caveat; what I saw in department stores and boutiques—ranging from Mango, Galleries La Fayette and Le Bon March è, to Hermès, Louis Vuitton, and Christian Dior—did not quite translate to the style I found on the streets.

From what I observed, French women tend to opt for a base of neutrals or monochromes and offset those with a brightly coloured or stunningly printed top or accessory. The #1 accessory among women (and men—so dapper!) is a scarf. Women opt for beautifully coordinated, often silk, prints and patterns (think Hermès) that complement the colours in their outfits, while men typically wear more understated colours and prints that blend in with their impeccably tailored dinner jackets or blazers—très chic! On a side-note I have never encountered as many stylishly dressed men (think old world Ralph Lauren), as I did in the cafés and streets of Paris.

One other fun fact—the shoes are never an afterthought—they are as much a part of the ensemble as the scarf or blazer and as such equally carefully coordinated with the rest of the look. If an outfit features predominately browns, the shoes will also be a shade of brown; if the look is pastel, the shoes will be as well!

Et voila, a quick synopsis of les couleurs parisiennes!

S.K.