Holiday Dresses under $100

dresses5When it comes to dressing for the holidays, I’ve definitely grown out of sparkly metallic fabrics that have little wearability once all the festivities are over. These days I’m drawn to unique shapes, quality materials and styles that can be worn again and again when special occasions come up. Here are a few picks that range from casual to fancy, all while keeping the pricetag under $100.
[Above image: Left: plaid swing dress, Asos. Right, Gap cable knit sweater dress that makes me want to cozy up next to the fire after having eaten too much.]dresses2Above: Keep it girly and sweet with floral details.
Left: teal lace, Zara.
Right: embroidered velvet, Zara.

dresses4Throw a blazer on and they’re work-appropriate. Both available in plus sizes.
Left: striped boat neck cotton dress, Gap.
Right: Wrap dress, Asos.

dresses1Show off that body all while keeping it classy.
Left: Asymmetrical dress with double hem, H&M (also available in forest green.)
 Right: jersey body-con dress, Wilfred Free from Aritzia.

dresses3Minimalist details make a great impact.
Left: black dress with mesh neckline trim, Babaton from Aritzia.
Right: long sheer crepe dress, Zara.

Hide your kids, hide your wallet: COS opens in Montreal

Cos, I love you, but all your beautiful clothes make me look like a child wearing a painting smock in kindergarten art class. Or as if I just ran out of the hairdresser’s while still wearing that polyester cover-up thing. At 5’3″, I’m far from the tall, slender Scandinavian body type that the flowy, high-end cuts look flattering on. You know, with swan-like necks, long torsos, ballerina limbs. This may actually be a blessing, since the new flagship store is said to open Friday October 9th in Montreal, and the price range doesn’t fit my current budget (not that this usually stops me). Still, I know myself, and I know that I will be in there regularly trying to find the one item that makes me look and feel like I own an art gallery. I’ll try to admire you from a distance! Let’s see how long I last.
http://www.cosstores.com/gb/
1310 Ste-Catherine West
cos2cos3(All images taken from the COS website)

Mango takes a page from Patti Smith’s book

Mango has released a Fall/Winter collection entitled The Room that is soooo reminiscent of one of my all-time favorite fashion icons: Patti Smith. Her style is timeless and simple while still exuding so much character, how can you not be inspired by it? I’m pretty much a slut for all women’s clothing that has a bit of tomboy flair, whether that masculinity is drawn from prep school uniforms or old men’s coats and hats. It can easily be dressed up or down with the right choice of footwear: white sneakers, black leather ankle boots, loafers, brogues, pumps… oh the possibilities of shoes..
I juxtaposed pictures from Mango’s lookbook on the left, with photographs of Patti Smith on the right (most likely all taken by Robert Mapplethorpe). See the resemblance?
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PS: This post was meant to be a fall wishlist, but I had to put that on hold when I immediately wanted every item here. Check out Mango’s The Room lookbook for yourselves here.
PPS: non-affiliate links only; I’m truly just a girl who loves clothes and rock n roll.