SS/20 Inspiration & Transitioning My Wardrobe

With each season, comes new excitement for me. Fall and Winter means cozy knitwear and turtlenecks. Spring and summer mean breezy linen pants and not having to wear a huge puffy jacket whenever I step outside the house. I’m definitely a summer person — I love the longer, bright sunny days that come with Spring and Summer but I have also loved the time spent in the Fall and Winter. I think that having a curated collection of clothing that I love has helped me to love my wardrobe and also be excited about it when those seasons roll around again. This post is all about saying goodbye (for now) to my Fall/Winter wardrobe and exploring what I’m inspired by for Spring and Summer.

Each year I create two wardrobe inspiration boards on Pinterest. One for my Fall/Winter inspo and the other for my Spring/Summer inspo. If you’re interested in taking a peek at some of the styles and colours I’m loving so far, you can check out my Pinterest board here. As I’ve started doing this for the past couple of years, it’s interesting to see how my style evolves and at the same time pretty much stays the same. As I’ve gotten older, I think I’ve finally discovered my “style” and what I love to wear. I see that in the similar pins that repeat through my inspiration boards from season to season.

SS/20 Inspiration

It’s hard to fit my entire Pinterest board in one blog post, but I’ll share a little screen shot of it here so you can get the general gist of it. It actually looks quite similar to my board from last Spring/Summer.

Styles

This season I’m really loving boxy shaped tank tops with more of a square fit. I’m seeing a lot of those pins on my board. In the Spring, in particular, I love to wear button ups. They’re great as an extra layering piece during cooler evenings, as a cover-up on the beach, or just worn casually on its own. I’m also feeling really inspired by wrap-style tops and dresses this season. I’m not sure what it is about the look, but I really like the laid-back, beach-y feel of a wrap top or dress. I’ve still got the staples in there like denim, straight let trousers, and crisp t-shirts. loving

Colours/Patterns

Colour wise, I clearly can’t get enough of the creams and whites. It’s just what I love to wear during warmer seasons. Except I have to be extra careful because I’m so clumsy! I’m feeling quite inspired by pops of earth-toned shades this season as well. I love the warmth of mauve and olive but also the coolness of baby blue.

I’ve never been a patterns kind of girl because I just like to keep it simple. However, the past year or two I’ve been really drawn to line art. It’s so simple, yet beautiful, and I think my love for framed line art has seeped into my inspiration for my wardrobe too. I think simple line patterns are so cute and would love to try something with some pattern on it this season. I also pinned a polka dot dress, not sure where that came from, but we’ll see where that pattern takes me!

Materials

I’ve always been drawn to linen, especially in the summer. It’s clear that it’s still my fabric of choice, just by looking at my inspiration photos. I think you’ll be seeing a lot of linen and cotton in my SS20 wardrobe. After looking through my inspiration photos, I can’t wait to unpack my capsule from last season and bring back some of my favourites.

What about you?

I hope you enjoyed this walk through of my Pinterest inspiration board and just my thoughts on what’s inspiring my Spring/Summer capsule this season.

What are some things that are inspiring you this season?

What styles are you loving and hoping to bring into your wardrobe?

If you’re curious how I transition my wardrobe each season, watch the video down below where I share just exactly how I transition my fall/winter wardrobe into my spring/summer wardrobe. It’s a great stay-at-home activity to do to get your spring cleaning kick-started!

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This post is not sponsored and does not contain gifted items or affiliate links. I only share products and brands I love and support. All opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting Candice Tay!

Everlane Re:Down Sleeping Bag Puffer

a review

The signs are here — snow covered trees, frozen fingers, and seeing cold puffs of air as I breathe out. Winter is here, and in my opinion it came way too early this year. I barely even had time to prepare for hibernation! Does anyone else feel the same way (unless you live in a sunny place, then if so, just know how jealous I am of your weather)?

Although fall was cut short, the plus side is that I get to start cozying up in all of my winter gear. Everlane’s Re:Down puffer came just in time and I’ve had some solid time to test out this coat. If you’re in the market for a sturdy winter coat this year, read on for my thoughts and to see how I’ve styled it!

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Partnership Disclosure: This blog post was produced in partnership with Everlane and contains some gifted items. As always, all opinions are my own.

The Run Down

The Everlane Re:Down Sleeping Bag Puffer is the kind of coat you want to live in during the winter. It’s super warm, lightweight and nearly covers you from head to toe. It’s quite accurately named after a sleeping bag and I honestly don’t mind that sleeping bags are “in” right now. I mean, who doesn’t want to wake up and feel like they’re going straight back to bed while wearing this coat?

You may be wondering, “what is this Re:Down business”? Everlane’s Re:Down® fill is made from recycled down comforters and pillows — I think that’s pretty darn awesome. Down-filled comforters and pillows are collected from bins across Europe and then sorted for quality and cleaned in hot water to sterilize it at 275°F. Lab specialists inspect the down to ensure that it is high quality and that it meets IDFL standards.

The Material

Outer Shell: 100% Recycled Polyester, Fill: 100% Recycled Down and Feathers

The material of the coat very lightweight and airy, especially for its length. It has a bit of sheen to the finish but it's not too shiny. What’s great about the material is that it’s also water-resistant which is an important factor to consider in a winter coat. I’ve worn it in light snowy weather and also in temperatures just above freezing when the snow starts to get a bit slushy, and the water just slides right off. The shell fabric is also bluesign-approved, which means that the whole manufacturing process of the material is carefully and sustainably produced to meet this third party standard. Read more about it here.

Since it is a down-filled coat, it’s great for the Toronto winter and is recommended for 10 to 30°F or -1 to -12°C temperatures. When it gets to be like -30°C here I’ll be layering up a bit more for extra warmth.

The Fit & Details (The juicy part)

Sizes offered: XXS - XL
Colours: Black, Ochre, Bone

My size and colour: XS in Black

Bag: Everlane Form Bag
Jeans: Everlane 90s Cheeky Straight Jean
Boots: Dear Frances Town Boots

Overall, this coat has an oversized fit without being too overwhelming. It is the perfect oversized fit with just enough room to fit layers or chunky knits underneath without your armpits feeling cramped. Although it is an oversized fit, there isn’t too much excess material which makes it uncomfortable to wear purses on top. I’ve styled it here with my form bag, a relatively large purse, and it still wears nicely as a crossbody. I prefer winter coats to be longer because it’s so much warmer when the bottom half of my body is covered as well. The length of this particular coat hits me just below the knee giving me tons of coverage to brace the cold winds. I’m wearing the coat in a size XS and for reference I’m 5’5” (I typically wear size XS or S in Everlane pieces).

You all know how important a good hood is on a winter jacket. This one does not disappoint! It’s very well insulated and even has a drawstring at the back to tighten the hood if necessary to keep out strong winds. A sturdy, long zipper seals the coat from top to bottom and is concealed by a flap with hidden button-snap closures. The zipper also goes high enough to cover the neck and part of my face. This is an excellent feature on the coat and offers great protection when it’s very windy. Since this is a relatively long coat, the zipper can also zip upwards from the bottom allowing me to move and walk around freely.

We can’t forget about the pockets! I love simple details like good pockets and windproof sleeve cuffs. The pockets are nice and deep and also have a button-snap closure to prevent small items from falling out.

The Final Verdict

Considering long puffer coats like this usually run from $350 - $1000 CAD plus, this coat is quite reasonably priced. I particularly love the sustainability highlights of this coat from the recycled down to the bluesign-approved outer shell. I think Everlane has made great strides towards providing recycled and eco-conscious products at a more affordable price. I will be testing it out more this winter during Toronto’s deep freeze days, but overall I’m really impressed with the quality, warmth, and style of this coat.

Hop on over to my stories to see more on this puffer jacket!

P.S. Not into down-filled coats? Everlane also has a ReNew collection where all the products are made with 100% Recycled Polyester. I also have a ReNew Long Puffer that I got last year — it’s not as warm as the Re:Down puffer, but if you’re not in a climate as cold as Toronto, it’d be a great alternative for you. Check out my stories from last year to learn more about the ReNew puffer!

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Thank you to Everlane for sponsoring this post! The Re:Down Sleeping Bag Puffer was gifted to me to review and this post does contain some affiliate links. If you decide to shop through the links above, I may make a small commission that helps support this blog and my Instagram. As always, I only share products and brands I love and support. Thank you for supporting Candice Tay!

Styling Boots for Winter

how-to

It’s time — time to pull out the boots! Depending where you live, it probably changes what boots you’ll be styling this winter. I’ve pulled out three pairs of boots to style for this segment. These boots help me transition from fall to deep winter. Alright, let’s get into it!

The Boots

1. A classic pair of rain boots - I’m styling the Classic Black + White Ankle Rain Boot from Alice + Whittles. These are the perfect rainy day boot that seriously go with any outfit because they are so simple and have such a classic look. I’ve worn these around town and also on light hikes and they’ve held up very well keeping my feet dry and warm.

2. The elevated ankle boot - I’m styling the Town Boot from Dear Frances. These are literally a dream to wear! They are so slim and beautifully crafted with the most flattering soft square-toe silhouette. They feature a comfortable heel and delicate panelled sides. These have been my go-to pair of every day boots.

3. The weather-defying combat boot - I’m styling the Phoenix Lace Boot from Sorel. I bought these last year to replace an old pair of winter boots that came to the end of its life. These held up pretty well in the Toronto snow and keep my feet feeling snuggly and warm throughout the winter.

Outfit #1

Striped Top: old Muji
Denim: Nina Wide-Leg Jean, Frank & Oak

Jacket: Renew Teddy Liner, Everlane
Rain Boots: Classic Black + White Ankle Rain Boot, Alice & Whittles

Look number one is made for those light, rainy fall days — complete with wardrobe staples like a striped long sleeve shirt and a pair of wide leg denim. Pop on a fleece jacket and some classic rain boots for the perfect casual rainy day outfit.

Outfit #2

Sweater: Modern Fisher Cotton Sepia, Tradlands
Denim: Abigail Crop, Outland Denim

Jacket: RAINS
Rain Boots: Classic Black + White Ankle Rain Boot, Alice & Whittles

This outfit is for those cold rainy days when you just want to stay snuggled in bed. I’ve tucked a classic fisher knit into a pair of black skinnies, along with cozy socks. To complete the look, I went full on with the rain gear — rain jacket and rain boots to make for the perfect waterproof outfit!

Outfit #3

Sweater: Oversized Sweater, Vetta Capsule
Denim: 90s Cheeky Straight Jean, Everlane

Jacket: Aritzia
Boots: Town Boot, Dear Frances

If you know me, you know I love timeless, classic outfits. This outfit is something I can see myself wearing season after season. I’ve styled these ankle boots with a pair of straight leg jeans and a chunky, oversized black knit. This is my kind of go-to outfit during the colder seasons. I mean, who doesn’t want to snuggle up in the coziest sweater while sipping on a cup of hot coffee? For the outerwear, I’ve gone with my oversized wool coat that gives it a pop of colour while keeping the sophisticated feel of the outfit.

Outfit #4

Turtleneck: old UNIQLO
Denim: High Rise Pant, Tribe Alive | Use Candice15 for 15% off!

Jacket: Aritzia
Boots: Town Boot, Dear Frances

Continuing on with the classic outfits, lately I’ve been experimenting with lighter denim for fall/winter and have been loving it! It adds another dimension to an outfit and a sort of airy, lightness to outfits that would typically be weighed down by heavier knits. In this outfit, I’m playing with contrast. Contrast in colour as well as with silhouettes. I really enjoy the dramatic feel of the black turtleneck against the beige pants and the form fitting top with the wide-leg bottoms.

Outfit #5

Turtleneck: old UNIQLO
Denim: old Cheap Monday
Belt: Frank & Oak

Puffer: ReNew Long Puffer, Everlane
Boots: Phoenix Lace Boot, Sorel

The final pair of boots I’m styling are my winter snow boots. This is an outfit I often sport during the winter because it’s simple and easy to throw on in the hustle and bustle of a busy morning. This outfit has a slimming silhouette with the black turtleneck and high waisted mom jeans, cinched at the waist with a minimalistic circle belt. The combat-style boots add a bit of edge to an otherwise “plain” look. For this wintery look, a puffer jacket is the way to go!

Outfit #6

Sweater: Oversized Alpaca Crew, Everlane
Denim: Abigail Crop, Outland Denim

Toque: me-made hat!
Puffer: ReNew Long Puffer, Everlane
Boots: Phoenix Lace Boot, Sorel

This final outfit features the most gorgeous alpaca wool knit tucked into a pair of black skinnies. The combat boots continue the line of the black skinnies, making my legs appear longer than they are. This helps to elongate the body and is a simple styling hack for anyone looking to add a little height to their outfits! I “topped” off this look with a me-made toque and a puffer for my final deep freeze outfit.

That’s it from me! I hope you enjoyed these wintery outfits and little tips along the way for styling boots this season. Maybe it’s given you a bit of inspiration. I’d love to hear your thoughts — let me know which outfit was your favourite! Is there one that you want to try out this season?

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This post is not sponsored but contains some gifted items and affiliate links. If you decide to shop through the links above, I make a small commission that helps support this blog and my Instagram. I only share products and brands I love and support. All opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting Candice Tay!