Fashion, meet function. Utility inspired clothing has been showing up on runways for the past few seasons and we can certainly understand why, especially in our recent economy. Any budget savvy shopper would jump at a piece which not only fulfills it’s style requirements but also proves highly functional and wearable - talk about utilizing bang for your buck!  Enter the utility inspired trench; wrap yourself up in this flattering and highly functional jacket featuring a belted waist and extra large pockets. Layer over any outfit for extra protection from the elements, all the while looking fabulous and stylish.  

Tip: a neutral coloured trench, like the one featured, will  allow you to pair this jacket with almost everything in your wardrobe. Throw it on with a scarf in your best colours to add a wow factor. Plus, the contrast of the dark belt on the lighter material gives the illusion of a smaller waist.  

Walking into Lola and Emily, a charming, independently-owned boutique on St. Laurent, feels as if you’re stepping into that fabulous, dream apartment you’ve always wanted, but never owned (yet). Stepping inside the intimate and girly-yet-classic space, I had my own version of Carrie walking into the Heaven on 5th suite in Sex and the City, the movie - ah, hello…I live here. However, with no Big at my side to purchase it and build me a bigger closet, I settled for admiring the pretty, vintage furniture, adorned with such fetching petite choses as vintage shoes, fab jewellery, flirty undergarments and finishing-touch accessories for the home (I’m queuing up for the elegant Voluspa candles). Oh, right…and the clothes. Amazing. My body ached to wear everything my eyes saw:

Mixing the whimsical and trendy (Lola) with the classic (Emily), this boudoir-style shop (think a smaller, cozier Anthropologie) pairs a variety of basics and staples with unique, one-of-a-kind pieces that have you oohing and aahing and rushing for the fitting rooms (which just so happen to be warmly welcoming and oh so spacious - the ladies behind the shop’s concept are my new, personal heroes, as they seriously know what they’re doing).

Lola and Emily’s core brands include Montreal’s own Ca Va de Soi, for sweaters and other basics in soft, natural fabrics like Egyptian cottons and cashmere; Free People for boho, hipster style; Filippa K from Sweden, for simplistic, expertly-tailored, quality classics; Designers Remix Collection, to add quirky, feminine, chic finds to your wardrobe; and Velvet, for the most basic basic in the history of basics, the perfect tee. With a stock of these core brands and the occasional au courant label in constant rotation, Lola and Emily is the Montreal fashionista’s absolute style mecca. Eclectic, individual, chic, feminine…the list of adjectives to describe this boutique (clothes and decor alike) flow effortlessly out of my mouth, when championing this new address that has just been added to my list of favorite places in the city. Please do your wardrobes a favour and make this little gem of a place a must-shop during your travels.

Lola and Emily is located at 3475 St. Laurent Blvd. t: 514.288.7598. Metro St. Laurent. Visit them online at www.lolaandemily.com

Lindsay loves fashion, shopping, eating good food, drinking fine wines, exploring fabulous cities and perfecting what she considers to be the art of becoming as entirely French as she possibly can. She recently decided that Montreal was the best place for her to combine all of these interests and write about them, so she up and traded her wonderful life in Toronto for une vie merveilleuse in la belle province. She writes for Your Shop Girl to share her insider tips on life east of the GTA and offer some suggestions on what to do and where to shop when you come for a visit.

Since Your Shop Girl has not yet mastered cloning, we were finding it nearly impossible to shop in two places at once; luckily we found Lindsay. Not only does she love fashion as much as we do, she has also devoted to her time to all things Montreal; thus creating our perfect match. Check back often to discover the best from our stylish sister city to the East.

A note from the Queen,
S.

Understanding your ‘colours’ is a crucial aspect in dressing your best. Once you understand which colours work best for you, you can not only shop smarter but look better! Wearing clothes in your complimentary tones will bring out your natural beauty and allow your wardrobe to work with you, rather then against you. Todays look of the day is all about maximizing your best hue, and working it into your outfit and accessories for a result that is fresh, fun and most importantly, flattering. The muted and jewel blue tones, which are reflected in her shirt, shoes and belt, come together for a look that is polished and coordinated.

Banish black and bring out your best! Let Your Shop Girl determine your ‘colours’ for free with a complimentary colour analysis, book today!

A heavy, warm scarf is an esential in any Canadian girls closet. Helping to banish the cold and protect one’s neck and chest, scarves serve a highly functional purpose. There are many ways to wear a scarf, and tieing one just right, allowing to serve its function, while also looking effortlessly chic and fabulous, can become somehwat of an art form. Enter the snood: The snood, an all-in-one circular scarf and hood, connects from end to end meaning no tieing, and the upmost cold weather protection! Not to mention they look positivley cozy and chic and come in all sorts of fabrics, textures and colours.
Your Shop Girl loves this chunky knit snood, in the georgeous creamy beige, layer it over any outfit to add some much needed warmth.

No wardrobe is complete without a tailored, men’s inspired blazer. This new essential is a versatile closet must have, that can be worn both dressed up and dressed down. Seen on the runways and in department stores, you are sure to come by one that’s just right for you in fit, style and price.
Now a days, the blazer has many faces, from classically tailored, to oversized and tuxedo inspired, there is no lack of variety- and therefore, no way you will not find one to suit your needs.

A two tone blazer is a great piece for some added personality. This tuxedo inspired blazer featuring black lapels, is a great example.

All over the spring 2010, and fall 2009 runways designers have been uncovering their Celtic roots and showcasing a variety of plaid materials. Plaid, which is a fantastic classic print, that has been recently updated and transformed into a large variety of colours and patterns. The re-invention of this iconic look, deeply rooted in Celtic culture, has been showing up as skirts, shirts, outerwear and even tights.

Try a plaid piece with a crisp white shirt, as shown, or perhaps add a plaid scarf to a basic black ensemble to give it some colour and winter warmth. With the large variety of plaid’s on the market right now, you will have no problem finding the right pattern and colour for you. Ladies, this winter unveil your tartan tendencies!

In a climate like ours, we spend the majority of the winter is bundled up in heavy coats, from November to February outwear truly rules your wardrobe. Hidden under layers upon layers of material and goose down, you can go an entire day without anyone ever seeing your actual outfit. Ugly, unflattering winter coats no more,  this season, make the most of your coats!

Todays look of the day is all about overcoming winter blahs, and brightening the season with a fabulous - and appropriate - coat. A sophisticated coat will take you far and keep you stylish, while banishing the cold, all winter long. This long white coat oozes sophistication and with a tie belt it nips in at the waist, making you look slim. Also, worn with a pair of peek-a-boo pattered tights, as shown, will give your look some added personality.

Tip: Longer coats work great on taller women. Shorter in stature? Try a coat which hits you just above the knee. Also, keep in mind that a coat which offers a belted or tie waist, will flatter all women and keep you warm without making you appear shapeless.