Vancouver Vogue's 2016 Fashion Year in Review

It's always at the end of the year, looking back, that the last 12 months seem to have flown by. Where did the time go? 

Let's take a peek back at some of the things that happened on Vancouver Vogue this year:

• More outfit posts than ever! Vancouver Vogue posted 52 outfits this year - 16 more than last year!
• Participating this this all-too-real-and-hilarious "I Am An Instagrammer" video. Oh and this adorable LOVE video too.
• Spreading the word that Kindness is One Size Fits All for Pink Shirt Day!
• Working with London Drugs Beauty on more fabulous and fun makeup videos: blue eyeliner, Harley Quinn Halloween, Holiday Gift Guide.
• Celebrating National Thrift Shop Day with Value Village.
• Diner en Blanc...year 2!
• The Deighton Cup horse races in Vancouver - our city's excuse to wear a fancy dress and fascinator.
• Vancouver Vogue started a weekly beauty section on Fridays (stay tuned for more).
• Travelling 3 weeks in Europe to Italy, Switzerland, France and England, sharing style inspiration and travel details along the way (still more to com from France and England in 2017!)

Judging by Vancouver Vogue's Best Nine 2016 on Instagram (the grid of 9 photos below), you want to see more outfit photos in 2017, so don't worry, there will be lots more to come in the New Year! What else do you want to see more of here? Thrifting? Style tips? Beauty? Lifestyle? Let me know in the comment section below.

Wishing you all a fabulous 2017 <3

Happy Styling in 2017! xo

~ Britta

How to Look Laid-back Chic

Vancouver has been plagued by it's "too-casual" style title for a long time now, and I can't exactly blame Vancouverites for wanting to be casual. I mean, casual means comfortable, doesn't it? But why is it that dressing chic can't be comfortable too? It can!

These pants from BB Dakota were a great find from my favourite boutique in Fort Langley, the Little White House Co. Pro tip: they have a little closet on the second floor with super awesome sale items, which is where I found these pants! The tie waist and cut make them look like dress pants, but their ultra soft material makes them the perfect candidate for a chic yet comfortable outfit.

The weather is still a little cool as we get into Spring, so sweaters are still a staple in my wardrobe. The key is finding one in a classic print, like stripes, and that is a bit roomy (for extra comfort). My go-to styling for any slightly oversized sweater is to tuck in only the front of the sweater - it gives a great laid-back feel, while also showing off more of your cute pants! Over top, a good coat with a cut that is casual, like this open-style wool coat I found at Zara, is perfect.

Of course, when in doubt, adding a statement necklace and some statement shoes are the easiest way to elevate your casual outfit game. I often layer a casual sweater with a chunky, sparkly necklace to give it a chic finish, or switch out my Converse for some eye-catching low heels that are easy to walk in. You'll feel put-together in an instant!

Jacket - Zara | Sweater - Tobi (similar) | Necklace - Nobis & Grey | Earrings - Forever 21 | Pants - BB Dakota (via Little While House Co.) | Shoes - thrifted via Value Village

Happy Styling! xo

~ Britta

Minimalist Style: The Classic Camel Coat

You've probably noticed that my style isn't exactly what you'd call 'minimalist' most of the time. I do love black and white, but colour is always an important part of my outfits, and I love embellishments and eye-catching details.

As I get older though, I do find myself looking for more classic pieces to add to my wardrobe, that I know I'll be able to wear for years to come. One of the items I searched long and hard for this season was a camel-coloured coat: something that would look great with all kinds of basics. I found this perfect one from Shop Maccs, and I love the structural cut.

In the spirit of classic styles, I thought I'd give the whole minimalist look a try; I decided to style the coat with solid black, classic pumps, and a simple and delicate Y-necklace. Usually I'm not a fan of delicate jewellery, but I found that with a minimalist outfit, I actually really liked how it looked! Of course, I still had to infuse a little of my usual style back into the mix, with an awesome Nobis & Grey ear cuff and a bold red lip.

Are you a fan of minimalist style? What classic fashion item is a must-have in your wardrobe?

Outfit: Coat - Shop Maccs | Turtleneck - thrifted | Ear Cuff - Nobis & Grey | Necklace - Aldo (similar) | Pants - H&M (thrifted) | Heels - Aldo (thrifted)

Beauty: Eyeliner - Revlon Colorstay Liquid Liner | Mascara - Rimmel Super Curler (via London Drugs) | Lipstick - Rimmel The Only 1 in Best of the Best (via London Drugs) | Foundation - Missha Perfect Cover BB Cream in No. 13

Happy Styling! xo

~ Britta

Vancouver Vogue's Year in Review

It's funny, I didn't feel like all that much happened this year, but as I went through all my blog photos from the last year, it reminded me of so many things that happened in 2015! 

A recap of some of the cool things Vancouver Vogue was a part of this year:

• Collaborating with Value Village (a dream for this thrifter!)
• Spring & Valentine's Photoshoot with Style By Fire
• Pink Shirt Day t-shirt campaign with London Drugs
• Vancouver Vogue hit 1k on Instagram!
• Collaborating with Nobis & Grey, Thirdlove, eShakti, Kassinka, Mogo Financial and more!
• Vancouver Vogue was featured in Fashion Magazine's street style coverage
• We covered Vancouver Fashion Week, Eco Fashion Week, the Vancouver International Film Festival, the Leo Awards, the London Drugs Beauty Event, all kinds of other events in 2015
• Our first blogger clothing sale success
• First time attending Diner en Blanc

Turns out, it's been a pretty exciting year after all! Here were the top Instagram snaps from this year:

And if you're feeling like taking a trip down #tbt lane, here are all the Vancouver Vogue looks from 2015! Some of my absolute favourites? My New Year's collab with Value Village (the leopard pants), that gorgeous pink maxi skirt from Kassinka, and my plunging white gown worn at VFW. Oh, and hey suddenly my hair cut a huge cut part way through the year! Absolutely loving it.

Happy Styling in 2016! xo

~ Britta

New Year's Eve Outfit Inspiration

The New Year's is almost here, and as great as 2015 has been, I'm excited to start a whole new year fresh! I haven't thought all that much about resolutions yet, but I'm just ready to get a jump on all 2016 has to offer.

Twice a year, Christmas and New Year's, I get to pull out all of my sequin pieces, brush off the dust, and give them some TLC in the form of holiday outfits. As if sequin sweaters, shirts and pants weren't aplenty in my closet, I just couldn't say to no to this fabulous sequin skirt I spotted at Simons last week. It's great quality, made of a nice heavy knit, and not only that, but it was only $29.95! Now that's a deal Vancouver Vogue can get behind. I actually was really impressed overall by the new Simons at Park Royal in North Vancouver- it is definitely going to be my new go-to for affordable on-trend pieces.

We're planning a casual New Year's get together with close friends, so rather than a cocktail dress, I thought this skirt paired with a cashmere sweater and kitten heels would be a better fit for the evening. Cozy but festive! And of course, a few wonderfully sparkly accessories from Nobis and Grey don't hurt either.

Happy New Year!

Coat - Private Label Bonwit Teller | Sweater - Neiman Marcus (thrifted via Salvation Army) | Earrings - Nobis & Grey | Necklace - Nobis & Grey | Ring - Nobis & Grey | Skirt - Twik (via Simons) | Heels - thrifted via Value Village

Happy Styling! xo

~ Britta