how to – PPMeow!

Custom Suiting – Thoughts?

Most of what I like to do on Petite Plus, Meow! is to write posts featuring “what I did” and “what I wore“. Occasionally I’ve spoken about other topics, one in particular is how disappointing it is to see a handsome & eligible bachelor who’s wearing crumbled pants and a hoodie. Even more rare, apparently is one who actually OWNS a pair of dress shoes….le sigh (click here to read what I wrote in that post).

I get that not everyone loves clothes and shoes as much as me. Buuuuuut I don’t think too many people – men in particular – realize how important looking your best is when interacting with others – after all you only get one chance to make a first impression – and those first impressions are lasting impressions. Looking your best is directly related to your ability to influence and persuade others and is the basics in the ‘Art of Manliness’.

Anywhoo, I recently received an email announcing a fantastic opportunity and deal and wanted to share: HIRAS are Custom Tailors based in London & Hong Kong now visiting Toronto – specializing in custom suits, shirts, jackets, coats and many more for men and women. With a focus on bespoke tailoring.

Bespoke tailoring means to design garments from a bare canvas, and the client provides his/her personal choice of style in addition to those of the fitter. They do not have any established patterns. Individual paper pattern is cut from scratch using individual measurements of the clients. HIRA only keep individual paper cut outs of patterns and measurements in file for the client’s future orders. This means your suit/shirt/whatever will be one of a kind and only for you!

Ladies – this means you too! Suits in softer silhouettes with feminine accents enhance a woman’s style to provide a distinctive form and fit with functional pieces that can go beyond the board room in any occasion. From the sleek suit jacket to the silk blouse and shapely skirt, made to YOUR body – how are you not excited?!

Andy Hira, is exhibiting in:

Toronto (Richmond Hill) on Tuesday 10th & Wednesday 11th June 2014 (from 3pm on Tuesday to 3pm on Wednesday) at the Sheraton Parkway Toronto North, located at 600 Highway 7 East, Richmond Hill, ON L4B 1B2.

Toronto (Downtown) from Thursday 12th to Saturday 14th June 2014 (all day on Thursday onwards) at the Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel, located at 123 Queen St. W., Toronto, ON M5H 2M9.

Click here to book an appointment.

Now – if this is wayyyy outta your price range or lifestyle needs at the moment…perhaps you’ll find this video an easier alternative to custom suiting.

Antonio Centeno is one of the founders of A Tailored Suit, an online maker of custom suits and clothing. He’s put together this vid talking to men about the Top 10 Inexpensive Ways to Upgrade Your Style. Included below for your viewing pleasure:

6 Chic Ways to Wear an Oversized Top (Guest Post)

We love flattering outfits, don’t we? Perhaps one of the most flattering styles in 2014 is the oversized top fashion. Oversized tops can look like dresses, they can be flowy blouses, or they can be chunky sweaters. You can wear them with only a few basics, or you can dress them up with accessories. Whether you’re looking to dress up or look chic and comfy, there are a number of ways to rock the oversized top. Take a look at how.

Way 1: Shorts

One of the best things about an oversized top is the idea that it’s a blousy, breezy thing that moves easily around you. When this is true, you can’t wear a maxi skirt or baggy pants, because without the structure, you’ll look like one giant blob. If you have the legs for it, wear short shorts or a short skirt with an overflowing shirt like this one from Kaleidescope Sunday.

Way 2: Skirt with Belt

Another option to show off your great legs with an oversized top is mini skirt. Be careful of how much volume is in the skirt because, again, you don’t want to look like a giant blob, but a skirt like this one from Delia’s.com has a flirty amount of skirt without being too full. The trick, however, to making this combination work is by matching it with a belt. If your oversized top and your skirt are blacks or neutrals, be sure to coordinate your top with a bright colored belt.

Way 3: Printed Leggings

If you’re a cuddler, the type who likes to make sweaters and scarves work for as long as possible, this is the way that you’re going to like the best. Match your oversized sweater with some printed leggings. For an ideal look, make sure that the oversized sweater is a neutral color, in direct contrast to the brightness that the leggings are. If it warms up so much that you can’t justify wearing a sweater, use the same concept with a blousier, chiffon oversized top: match with leggings for a comfy look.

Way 4: The Hat

When you match an oversized top with skinny jeans and a wide-brimmed hat, you can look very stylish. All you need to do is add a hat like these from Asos.com and your look is polished and finished.

Way 5: The Bag

Whenever you have a bag in the crook of your elbow, you look like a girl who has all the answers. Get all the answers by matching a bag like this one from Cosmopolitan with your oversized top and belt.

Way 6: The Glasses

Nothing says a comfy day out like an oversized sweatshirt, jean shorts, and flip flops. The best part about this lounging outfit: it’s chic. What makes it chic is the oversized top that Ashley Olsen selected, her bright purple bag, and these Gucci sunglasses. Ashley Olsen proves that you don’t have to be dressed up to be chic.

Post written by Kristen Kauffman for AllBrandsGlasses.com

OOTD: Rainy Day Alternative

It’s a full week of rain in Toronto … and although I’ll happily take it over snow, I’m always looking for alternatives so I can avoid carrying around a giant umbrella to get from A to B in the city.

I have the best pair of galoshes!!! These pink paisley rubber boots basically screamed “Irene” when I scored them a million years ago from Wal-Mart.

But sometimes, a girl doesn’t want to be in humid rubber boots all day. Plus, these boots don’t exactly go with ever look and outfit. 😉

So here’s what I put together as a Rainy Day Alternative recently … in an effort to rid myself of an umbrella and galoshes.

The solution: A giant hat + booties!

Now naturally, this alternative is only good if the temperature is warmish (15+) and rain not too heavy so your footwear doesn’t get ruined. Since my jacket was 3/4 sleeved (and extremely light), pairing it with this fun scarf helped give me that extra bit of warmth. If you wanna see the many other ways to tie a scarf, I’ve got you covered in that link 🙂

Since the overall colour scheme was pretty simple and muted, I thought I’d add a pop of colour by wearing this HOT Pink gold studded belt to give my outfit some pizzazz!

I’ve been all over this circle scarf I picked up back in November from Aldo (I even mentioned it in my Interview upon being nominated for a 2014 LIEBSTER BLOG AWARD). It’s a light-weight simple beige toned bird patterned scarf, that I find myself adding to any and all outfits I whip up, especially on the weekends for running errands or impromptu meet-ups for brunch, drinks and the like.

Like the look? What are your solutions to looking cute in the rain?

How I Got The Look:

Bird circle scarf, Aldo Accessories (click here for related other posts)

Pink paisley galoshes, Wal-Mart (click here for related other posts)

3/4 sleeved brown jacket, AdditionElle

Black n’ white striped long-sleeved dress, Old Navy

Hot pink studded belt, Your Big Sister’s Closet

Large cream brimmed hat, Toronto Vintage Clothing Show(click here for related other posts)

Faux cowboy booties, Payless( click here for related other posts)

Statement Jewellery May Help You Network

My apologies for the long absence….. seems my day job and life have been keeping me from blogging. But I’m back and ready to share some insights on some things I’ve observed whist being a more corporate fashionista the last week and a half.

I have found myself in numerous situations where there network opportunities to broaden my professional-social-circle have presented itself. However, developing rapport with strangers in professional, office-workplace settings has always been something I find tricky to do….

So, my go-to strategy once I’ve found someone I’d like to network with, is to begin by offering them a compliment.

Often time in those painful elevator rides where EVERY button is illuminated, and we’re all staring at each our feet, I’m usually the first to notice a fellow corporate fashionista standing next to me with fantastic shoes. I’ll look up at her and tell her so. And immediately we’ll be in chit-chatty conversation until we’ve arrived at our respective floor destinations.

Compliments are an easy ice-breaker. This means you want to use them to your best advantage and turn compliments into conversations. This totally works for men too. Plus, when another professional feels compelled to let you know they like something you are wearing…it’s as if you instantly have something in common. And possibly have them start thinking, “I wonder what more we might have in common?” 😉

Jewelry has been the most successful fashion conversation starter at networking events, or so I’ve found. Both women and men feel comfortable complimenting or commenting on a piece of jewelry. It’s considered in the safe zone. For men think: cufflinks, watches and tie pins (although rarely worn).

Multi-strand Pink & Coral Stones, Stella&Dot

Hello Yellow bib & earring set, Expressions – Hudson Bay Co.

Cherry pendent necklace & matching earings from Jubly-Umph Originals, Doll Factory by Damzels (pic links to post)

My favourite, and most impactful pieces that yield the most compliments and conversation-starters are necklaces. Likely, because they’re at eye level with other networkers. Of course, earrings, rings, bracelets and other jewellery could do the same thing too. If its a morning breakfast-networking event or cocktail-event, be sure to wear it on the hand that holds your drink beverage or food plate. So that your fellow networkers can the statement jewellery and make it a conversation starter. 🙂

Mint Stone Necklace from One Girl Who (pic links to post)

Black and Gold necklace, Aldo Accessories

Take a look at a few from my personal collection that has gotten the most ‘action’ in terms of conversation starting with networkers, in addition to my colleagues within my work team, managers included! I’ve provided captions under each picture and links to more details posts if I’ve worn this piece within a previous Outfit of the Day post.

I recommend wearing one eye-catching piece of jewelry to networking events. It doesn’t have to be over-the-top or uber expensive to be effective; it’s most important for it to be visually appealing and personally flattering.

What is your go-to or favourite statement piece of jewellery? What is it about this piece that makes is special to you?

#Bopo.jpg — THE Medina Bib, Stella & Dot (pic links to post)

White & Gold Bib, Aldo Accessories (pic links to post)

steampunkearcuffs — Giant Pearls, Your Big Sister’s Closet; Ear-cuffs, Steam On Queen (pic links to post)

How to Wear Sequins & Shine

Sequins was a big trend this winter….and it seems to be carrying into spring. But knowing HOW to wear sequins is a bit tricky. So I thought I’d dedicate this post to just that!

I personally own 5 sequins/shiny items:

Copper/silver chain purse (Aldo)

Black pumps (Guess)

Copper/Gold tank-top (INC, Hudson Bay Co.)

Gold sequins mini-dress (Sears)

Blue & black headband/fascinator (Ardene)

Here are a few general tips for incorporating sequins into your wardrobe:

Mixing sequins with simpler articles of clothing that do not have embellishments will almost always look good. You can dress up something old or something plain without fear of going overboard. For a super casual downtown vibe, I’ve donned my sequins tank layered with long cardi or flannel button-down, black jeans, and a beanie.
If you’re a little wary about wearing sequins on your clothes, you can still work this style out through your accessories! You might choose a pin, a headband, a purse, shoes, or a piece of jewelry – sequins are great for accent pieces. As you can see … I started that way with a purse, headband and shoes…easing myself into the sequins scene. 🙂
You don’t have to stick to standard black or even silver. Sequins come in every color of the rainbow, after all, different colored sequins can create a dazzling effect. There’s no reason not to experiment with different colors.
However, let me repeat: do not try every colour all at one! A multicolored sequined extravaganza might be great for a costume and is common with Bollywood looks….., buuuuuut keep it down to one or two. Otherwise you’re going to look a little like a disco ball threw up on you, and possibly blind someone.

So waddya think? Were my general tips above helpful?

Would YOU incorporate a bit of sequins into your wardrobe and outfits?

Rebecca Northcott, of Rebecca Northcott Photography took a few fab shots of me in this gold sequins dress – insisting that this glittery frock be brought out and worn more often. I wholeheartedly agree! I’ve only worn this ONCE for a company Holiday Party (more than a year ago). But by pairing it something more casual, like these tall knee-high/thigh-high black leather boots (from AdditionElle), gives the dress more wearability for a fun night out and about rather than just limited to a Holiday/New Years/one-time only events. What do you think?