DETAILS DETAILS: HATS TO HAVE

Channeling that ‘70s vibe, the hats to have now.

There is a major 1970s revival under way on the international fashion runways this season. Quintessential items like flares, platforms, fringe and suede certainly dominated, but perhaps most ubiquitous to the mix was the fedora. Oh, how we love the look it reminisces! Think Brigitte Bardot and Bianca Jagger: two otherworldly icons from the decade who wore their wide-brimmed hats with aplomb and the requisite attitude to match. They looked effortlessly cool and not at all high-maintenance. ‘Tis true testimony on the power of fashion.

Fast forward to today and these chapeaus remain seriously au courant trumping the scarf trend and finding themselves on the heads of the famous like Nicole Richie, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and Kim Kardashian. All have been snapped wearing a plethora of different styles and colours. Nicole favours classic and structured cuts in burgundy felt and matching ribbon while Mrs. West tends to keep it casual in slouchy, oversized versions in neutral shades. You too can take your look to next level status just as easily by staying equally as flexible. Pair your pencil-leg jeans and slouchy sweater with a starchy emerald green fedora that draws attention and aahs to your most beautiful asset, your face. Or, for the bohemian babe, take the oversized floppy hat in steely grey or black and perch it at the crown of your head to keep the look feminine and girly, especially when outfitted with your best floral maxi. The point in all of this is to stay optimistic and stay fearless: your style is your message, and the world is certainly interested in hearing it.

SIDE BY SIDE: LOOK SHARP LIVE SMART

Go from work to weekend–and back–with one shoe. 

Some shoes can do it all, within limits of course. May we submit the humble but valuable loafer? Or, in this case, if you so prefer, the driver or moccasin. In black, this classic is a wardrobe must. But you probably know that.

Still, say for argument’s sake you don’t. Just examine all the ways this shoe can complement work and weekend life. With dress socks, dark and tapered trousers, and a slim shirt and blazer, a black suede loafer cuts a killer profile. This is what well-groomed up-and-comers want at the office, on a business trip, or at a work engagement.

Which takes us to look number two. It is the weekend, or a weekday after work, you are off the clock, and you have a date, a dinner, a function–somewhere to be. That somewhere is not exactly informal, but far from tuxedo and top hat time. Find the middle ground. The black suede loafers can stay, naturally, but lose the socks. Chill the look out some more with earth tones–khaki chinos are a safe bet, and a casual dress shirt. Layer with a slim-fit jacket or blazer for good measure, and cuff the sleeves. Rock those moccasins well, gentlemen; they are, without doubt, a foundational piece of footwear.

RINGS AND THINGS: CAMEL BLACK

There’s something beautifully serene about the colour camel. Classic, but still on-trend it’s a calm neutral shade that evokes a luxurious, well-made sentiment no matter what the price point. Alexander Wang is a fan, so is Mulberry. Both have showcased polished camel toppers in their fall 2015 collections, and you would be remiss to scan any street style photos and not see the fashionable set snapped in this quintessential tone. It has become ubiquitous on the runway and the high street because it meshes with every other colour in the wheel but perhaps most alluring is when it’s paired with our beloved black. The fall season’s must-have combo, imagine a camel coat over a nubby black turtleneck and slim leather leggings or substitute this slick city look for a white tee, ripped jeans and a cozy (yet causal) black and camel-striped scarf  – quite perfect for those Sunday’s spent brunching.

Come Monday, change up your office attire routine by swapping out your tote for one of the bigger accessory trends to hit the market: the backpack. Once relegated to schoolyards and playgrounds, we love this grown-up leather version with oversized zipper detail. We imagine it for the busy sophisticate who needs her hands free to sip that cappuccino all the while looking so cool in her commute.

FINAL TOUCH: WEEKEND VIBES

It’s been a long week and you can pretty much sum it up like this: Work, more work, a little bit of work, plus some work. You’re even kind of shocked you managed to get any meals in there and you can kiss those dreams of being a green-thumbed gardener goodbye because your houseplant is not looking so hot right now. Sound familiar? We totally get it. When the weekend does come you consider staying under the covers and asking your roommate to hook you up to a coffee IV, but then you realize that it might actually feel good to get up and get some fresh air. Besides, real talk: you’re going to be running around all weekend to fit in all your chores.

Now you just need to find an outfit that feels as cozy as being wrapped up in a warm blanket yet looks effortlessly stylish all the same. For something like that layers, all-over neutral tones, and soft textures are definitely the way to go. A pair of cotton pants with a drawstring and a tapered leg always looks good with a black high top sneaker. It’s just kind of a rule of the universe, like the law of attraction (the attraction between a high top sneaker and an ankle jogger that is). Now throw a soft, oversized cardi over a plain white t-shirt, and finish the look with a structured mini-crossbody to elevate the whole look. Now you’re good to go (or veg out at your friends place in front of the TV with a slice of pizza in your hand…whatever the case may be

FANFARE: MISHA NONOO

How best to describe the Misha Nonoo girl? Perhaps like this: She’s someone you’d want as a seatmate on a long-haul flight. She’s a sparkling conversationalist, for one. She has an obvious passion for life, and she’s definitely able to give you tips about where to eat and drink. Of course, she’s wonderfully dressed: sophisticated but fun too, with an obvious eye and appreciation for craftsmanship and quality. To be fair, the Misha Nonoo girl and the designer herself may just be one and the same.

Bahrain born, and London raised, Misha Nonoo moved to New York City after business school in Paris, where she joined a small tailoring firm. It was there that she learned the tools of her trade. Years of hands-on experience paid off. She launched her own label offering jackets and coats, but by 2012 had expanded her range and begun to offer four collections a year. The premise: Classic silhouettes and tailored separates updated with modern details. Now, Misha Nonoo has been inducted into the CFDA, earned a prestigious nomination on Forbes’ 30 under 30 list, and has amassed an impressive celebrity fan base, including Bella Hadid, Emma Watson and Gwyneth Paltrow. But what’s most important is the way her clothes make the wearer feel: like you could put them on and soar.

Love the collection? Find out more here. The collection will be available online and in select stores as of tomorrow, September 3rd.

Featuring: @mishanonoo

Clothing: mishanonoo.com

Photography: Aaron Ritcher

INSPIRED BY 70S: MEET STAZ LINDES

The Californian beauty on why the Seventies (still) rock 

Inciting cheekbone envy worldwide, model and musician Staz Lindes comes by her talent and beauty honestly – her mom was a model in the sixties and her dad a professional musician.  With that kind of pedigree, it’s no wonder she’s got big ambition: she wants her band to be the girl version of either the Stooges or the Velvet Underground. Born in London but raised in LA, these days Staz is back and forth between east and west. She keeps an apartment in LA and lives with two fashion designers when she’s in New York.

What kind of music did you listen to growing up in LA?

My mom was from the London scene in the sixties, so she was a total Beatles supporter. My dad was the same but he pushed Led Zeppelin and Jimi Hendrix. And I mean, when you’re in middle school, like junior high school, everybody starts getting into Nirvana and Sublime and all that West Coast stuff. I’ve seen X a bunch of times and they’re like an LA staple punk band, I’ve seen the New York Dolls, and Black Flag.

What do you think it is about the seventies that inspires you?

There was a whole later punk scene but it was just starting in the seventies. And even all the outfits at the time, like in Harlem, all those Puma shirts and the flares, all of that is so good. I feel like people took more risks then in a carefree way.

You said your mom was in London in the sixties and your dad’s a musician. Did they have really amazing style back then?

Yeah, so my mom was a model in the sixties and is really close friends with Twiggy since then. They used to go to all the parties together. She tells me that she used to go to Ringo’s parties and it all just sounds like a fantasy. Like I kind of hate hearing about it.  My dad was actually born in California. When he was twenty-one he left for London to pursue music and he actually ended up joining Dire Straits. He basically left with flowing seventies hair and flares and came back with a black leather jacket and everyone was like ‘Wow, you look different!’

How has living in New York influenced your style – aside from having to wear jackets in the winter?

Here’s a way it’s affected me: so many people wear black here or yoga outfits that it makes me want to wear something crazy. The other day I bought two pairs of eighties pantsuits in neon colors, just because I’d rather not look like everybody else. I’ve just always had that.

Having grown up in warm temperatures, how does the idea of winter inspire you? Do you feel like you get to dress a whole new way?

I’ve never really had to wear coats before. This winter I started wearing those really funny ski jackets that are neon colors. It’s bright pink and yellow and massive but it kept me so warm. And I’ve definitely developed a huge love for sweaters… striped sweaters and boots as well. It’s nice to have a challenge and change stuff up.

Thanks so much Staz.

FINAL TOUCH: MEDAL WORTHY

Take ankle booties to the next level with a subtle hint of hardware.

There’s something about slipping into a pair of ankle booties for the first time in the fall that just feels so right. After months of strappy sandals and open-toe heels (the best), it’s nice to switch it up with more coverage, even if you are mourning the end of summer. Ankle booties are the best transitional piece of footwear for fall, giving an edgy polish to your look no matter what your style. You can still rock them with bare legs and a skirt, but they really take the overall vibe of your outfit into the next cooler fashion season. They’re also a celeb street style favourite, regularly spotted on the likes of Gigi Hadid and Beyoncé.

This year, warm, rich burgundy booties are going glam with a subtle pop of metallic accents on the front of the heel. Try pairing them with fall’s heavier fabrics, like a corduroy skirt, while balancing the look with a soft, white blouse. They maintain a polished, feminine chic at the office and on the weekends look downtown cool with skinny black pants and a T-shirt. Having that go-to pair of shoes you can wear anywhere will make life so much easier this fall.