"Fashions fade, style is eternal." — Yves Saint-Laurent
"My Personal Style is classic with bit of trend mixed in. I love a minimal look where the silhouette says more then the embellishments on the clothes. Learning to play with proportions can bring a new perspective to your wardrobe. I start with researching blogs and magazines, gathering inspiration for the different silhouettes of the season. Often I find that I have these clothes already in my closet, and with a little tweak, a nip or a tuck, Voila! I have a new outfit."
"Gain a fresh take on an older item by repurposing your clothes. I have a few scooped shirts that some days I wear front to back and then the other way around depending on what look I want to achieve. I try to stick to a lower budget for my wardrobe which is why I focus on classics and then add amazing accessories. Last but not least, add a fantastic lipstick. Lipstick fools everyone even when you realize that your wearing your shirt inside out!"
Do you know how to determine the right lipstick color for you? Find out here.
If I could only wear 5 things until 2015 it would be….
1. I love a good Chelsea boot, or just about any ankle boot. I usually wear flats or something with a well balanced heel so I can keep up with my active son.
2. Skinny jeans in a dark color with a lot of stretch but not jeggings. My Uniqulo black jeans are in high rotation.
3. Cotton T-shirts, short or long sleeve. I wear them all the time under my sweaters, loving a layered look!
4. Warm leggings! I rotate between four to five fleece lined leggings. I find them warmer then pants and a lot easier to layer with, during the cold months.
5. A great coat! I like to have a few in rotation. The weather does crazy things in Montreal and it’s nice to have a coat to suit the climate and my mood.
"I always notice amazing women that dress very dynamically and I take a mental note to figure out how to apply that look for myself. I think that is the most fun…the challenge of freshening up my look, keeping current but also maintaining my own sense of self. Luckily I have an identical twin sister who I've tried new styles on to see how it looks. This totally helps, I recommend getting a twin!"
Thank you to Chantal Houtteman for these helpful tips. Read more about her fashionable life here.
Click to see the 50 clothing pieces Chantal suggests right here.