Fashion Friday :: Cabin Fever

Let's get one thing out of the way first: cottage vs. cabin - which is it? Well, like a good rap rivalry, it depends on whether you're East Coast or West Coast. Prairie folk, poor things, are stuck in the middle of it all, which basically makes them Switzerland, in which case they must call their summer places chalets, right? Joking and semantics aside, let's get down to the brass tacks of cabin fashion.

Cottage style isn't just denim cut-offs and tank tops anymore. But above all, it's about comfort and when you're not in your swimsuit, there's nothing better than a cozy, oversized sweater at the cabin. But what to wear when your lake- or ocean-side neighbours come by for evening drinks on the deck? A shirt dress is easy, comfortable and a key look for fall, so get a head start. Guys, stick to well-made basics like vintage t's, worn-in denim or chambray and your good ol' alma mater sweatshirt. Just don't forget the bug spray...

Now what to bring? Men (from top left) The Real McCoy's x Champion USA t-shirts, MLB LA Dodgers baseball hat, The Real McCoy's joe mccoy bandana, Mosley Tribes merchant sunglasses, Rainbow leather sandals, Levi's 511 denim cut-off shorts

Women (clockwise from top centre) Motel celeste long line shirt dress, Rebecca Taylor stripe pullover, Billy Reid yvonne dress, Marc by Marc Jacobs racer back stripe  belted swimsuit, Minnetonka deerskin driving moc, Blank Denim classique cut-off shorts, Oliver Peoples j gold sunglasses, J.Crew saturday pant

More Fashion Friday Buoy Oh Buoy Festival Style Tribal Inspiration Spring Mini Break

{Fashion Friday posts are published on the last Friday of every month and written by fashion blogger Heather.}

[Top photos via The Globe and Mail and Old Chum]

Fashion Friday :: Buoy Oh Buoy

[trip style = cruising/sailing]

"The mate was a mighty sailing man, the skipper brave and sure. Five passengers set sail that day for a three-hour tour, a three-hour tour." - The Ballad of Gilligan's Isle

I believe in strategic friendships. Ideally, we should all build a repertoire of the following friends: mechanic, lawyer, cabin owner, nurse, accountant and boat owner. Any seafaring vessel will do, but there's a sense of romance and adventure to a sailboat. If you're lucky enough to have a friend with a sailboat, or if you're taking a vacation on the high seas {like Trish just did in Australia}, I have a few nautical fashion suggestions that will serve you well from Cape Cod to Catalina.

I confess that I'm often guilty of a more is more approach to fashion, but less is more when it comes to maritime fashion---whether literal or referential. One stripe or anchor too many and you'll forever be known as the Captain {or worse yet Tennille}.

Referential nautical fashion musts: Breton stripes, rope and toggle details, boat shoes, rolled pants, sailcloth bags or classic Lands' End monogram bags and a colour palette of red, white, blue and gold.

Literal nautical fashion musts: non-slip footwear, windbreaker, aviators, a hat that won't fly away and extra layers for warmth.

Now what to pack? Men (clockwise from top left) Rogues Gallery baffin sweat, Paul Smith microcheck classic fit, J.Crew bowery cotton-linen in classic fit, Rogues Gallery sea worthy tee, Sperry Top-Sider authentic original leather boat shoe, Native Shoes miller shoe

Women (clockwise from top right) Red Flag Design aum_recycled sailcloth original tote, J.Crew toggle cardigan, Bensimon vintage lace-up sneakers, Rachelleceline twist knot earrings, Topshop coral stripe bandeau bralet, Marc by Marc Jacobs stripe and anemone scarf, Topshop tandem white deck trainers, Juicy Couture striped dress with shoulder zip, J.Crew 5" chino short, Lizzie Fortunato palace in pondicherry necklace, Chance classic tank

More Fashion Friday Festival Style Tribal Inspiration Spring Mini Break Resort Wear Cozy in the City

{Fashion Friday posts are published on the last Friday of every month and written by fashion blogger Heather.}

[photo by @heatherlovesit]

Fashion Friday :: Festival Style

[trip style = sun]

We all know that music festivals go hand in hand with denim cut-offs, boho style and beer gardens, but did you ever think about how they go hand in hand with portable toilets? I didn't until I found out that next year's Glastonbury Festival would be cancelled due to lack of toilettes. Why, you ask? Because the London 2012 Olympic Games needs them all. Well, to be exact, they need lots and lots of potties and police, thereby making them unavailable or too expensive for Glastonbury. Now that your music festival trivia is out of the way, let's talk fashion.

What better reason to travel than live music? And what better reason to dive into your parents' clothes from the 70s than a festival? Festival fashion has always been pretty hippie inspired. Maybe because there's an inherent homage to Woodstock and Deadheads in festival history. When dressing for a festival, you have to think practicality first. What's the forecast? What are the grounds like? How long will you be on your feet? How much do you want to bring in and out with you? What is forbidden inside the gates?

Clothing Comfort and style. Ladies: denim cut-offs, tank, tunic, midi skirt, roomy cropped t-shirt. If you opt for a skirt or dress, you may want to wear little Lycra shorties underneath. Gentlemen: long denim cut-offs, rolled khakis, tank, t-shirt. And don't forget an extra layer for cooler evening sets!

Footwear Boots were big at Coachella this year, and traditionally galoshes are big at Glastonbury due to muddy conditions. Other footwear choices include flip flops and beaded sandals, but stay away from anything with a heel - even a wedge. And sneakers or Toms are always appropriate for ladies and gents.

Headwear & Eyewear Fedoras are popular picks for guys and gals because they shield your face, and they're not so big that you knock hats with your neighbour. Other looks to try: a panama, a boater (Anne of Green Gables-style hat), or a floppy straw hat. OR you could fashion your evening scarf/cover-up into a turban. And don't forget to protect your pupils. Festivals are a great excuse to try out trendy styles like candy-coloured, cat-eye or round frames.

Bags You don't want to bring anything that will weigh down on your shoulder. You also want to be hands free in case it's appropriate to throw some diamonds in the sky. Oh, and safety first! Keep your valuables in front of you.

Trip Styler Tip: Lockers can be a festival lifesaver, according to Nicole. They enable you to store any non necessities that don't fit in your small cross-body purse, hip sack or backpack, like sunscreen, a footwear alternative and a warm layer. Check in advance if the festival you're attending has them. For example, Coachella and Bonnaroo have lockers, while this weekend's Sasquatch does not.

Now what to wear? Men (top to bottom from top left) Saturdays collett stripe boat neck, Saturdays tommy chino short, ASOS clubmaster sunglasses, Vans canvas authentic classic, Rag & Bone panama fedora, Polo Jeans chambray shirt

Women (clockwise from top middle) Madewell chambray sightseer skirt, Ralph Lauren keyhole printed sunglasses, Babooshka boat neck oversize, Rag & Bone wide brim beach hat, American Gold gold dust kimono, Tristessa tiered skirt (vintage), Carolina K hanging gardens tank, ASOS printed dress with split sleeves, Madewell garment-dyed midi shorts, ASOS wide headband scarf

More Fashion Friday Tribal Inspiration Spring Mini Break Resort Wear Cozy in the City

{Fashion Friday posts are published on the last Friday of every month and written by fashion blogger Heather.}

Fashion Friday :: Tribal Inspiration

{Editor's Note: Next week, May 2-6, Trip Styler will be conducting "research" in Australia while living like a castaway and hanging with turtles on the Great Barrier Reef. We're back at it the following week with our regularly scheduled content, and each Friday in May we'll feature a different destination on Australia's East Coast. Find out more about my Australia trip here.}

"If the mountain won't come to Mohammed, then Mohammed must go to the mountain."

Or, in spirit of this month's Fashion Friday, Mohammed must go shopping. {Bear with me!} One of my favourite things about travel is shopping. Not shopping as a pastime, but shopping for special items native to the country or region I'm visiting. Often nothing is more treasured in one's closet or home than items purchased around the world. But if you love a style, and can't get to the source (say...Africa), a substitute is acceptable. This month's post is dedicated to travel-inspired tribal fashion, which is the perfect easy-breezy look for spring and summer, both at home or abroad.

Trip Styler Tip: If an all-over tribal print is too "Hello world!" for you, go for bright fabric bangles or a bold printed handbag instead. A great thing about tribal prints is that they tend to be medium-sized graphics; tiny prints can make you look bigger, while large prints can end up wearing you and not the other way around. Fellas, tribal prints aren't just for the beach - go tribal under a blazer or denim shirt this spring.

Now what to buy? Women (clockwise from top left) Forever 21 tribal drawings linen jacket, We Are Owls tribal cashmere and silk blend scarf, Lauren Manoogian hoop necklaces, Pepe Jeans silk printed dress, Felicity Brown tribal print tank, Forever 21 tribal cuffed short, Marc by Marc Jacobs frida flag dress, Theodora & Callum biarritz wedge sandal, Mat & Nat santogold handbag, House of Harlow 1960 tribal drop earring, Loeffler Randall x Suno erin lace-up wedge, Karen Millen tribal print clutch

Men (from bottom left) Burkman Bros oxford ikat short, Vilebrequin tribal art swim short, ASOS front panel printed tank, American Apparel afrika fine jersey t-shirt, Burkman Bros india ikat pullover

{Fashion Friday posts are published on the last Friday of every month and written by fashion blogger Heather.}

Fashion Friday :: Spring Mini Break

[trip style = weekend getaway]

"A mini break means true love." - Bridget Jones's Diary

Thank goodness for spring. We can all go back outside now. And since most of us don't get spring break anymore (boo!), how about a spring mini break, Bridget Jones style? And yes, I'm referring to the infamous mini break that included the "tarts and vicars" Playboy Bunny debacle. I bet you never thought you could take spring style cues from the delightfully awkward Bridget Jones!

Trip Styler Tip: Ladies and gentlemen, tortoise shell sunglasses and aviators never go out of style. Neither do denim jackets, which are the perfect spring-weight coat. I always bring mine on holiday.

Now what to bring?

Women (clockwise from top left) Acne tag milk denim jacket, ASOS 70s kaftan playsuit, Twelfth St by Cynthia Vincent berkeley tote, Marc by Marc Jacobs below the knee dress, Topshop wendy nude twist wedges, Topshop monk sand soft lace up shoes, D&G sunglasses, ASOS tailored 2 in 1 jumpsuit, Topshop white snake print scarf

Men (clockwise from top right) Ben Sherman ls blazer, Ben Sherman wiltshire shirt, A.P.C. new cure jeans, Nike x Steven Alan shoes, Mosley Tribes x Temple Bags sunglasses

{Fashion Friday posts are published on the last Friday of every month and written by fashion blogger Heather.}