Oakridge Style

Valerie Tiu

It’s that time of year again. While it often sets off moans and groans among students, “back to school” also means that the time has come to pack away the shorts and spruce up your fall wardrobe. 

Whether you are going back to elementary, high school or college, it is important to base your wardrobe around the essential items that will carry you through both the fall season and the remainder of the school year. While some autumn styles return year after year, a slight change in shape, texture and detailing can keep the look modern. Just remember to keep it simple and stay away from items that are overly trendy. In fashion, certain styles may look fresh for the moment, but so passé the next.

The following pieces are a few of my favourite back-to-school separates for both men and women. They can be easily incorporated into your current wardrobe and mixed and matched with your latest trendy finds. Basics are a definite mainstay in my closet. I can just throw on a white t-shirt, a pair of jeans, boots (and maybe a scarf for a little pizzazz) for those mornings when I have to rush to class. 

Top Picks for Back to Class
Polo tees are a timeless choice. They look great on their own or layered with a comfy sweater. Who does polos better than Lacoste?

Cashmere sweaters are the perfect throw-on piece for those chilly fall days. Mount Cashmere has a variety of styles and colours to suit your mood.

Collared white shirts look great with everything. Switch things up and pair them with denim, dress pants or (if you’re a woman) this season’s draped skirt. Banana Republic’s takes on the white shirt are perfect. 

A well-fitting, quality pair of denim from Aritzia or Boys’ Co will take you everywhere from the classroom to after-school cocktails.

Say sayonara to yoga pants and hello to comfy trousers. This pant will keep you looking polished without being overdressed. Just be sure to pair the look down with a casual shoe and a great top. Harry Rosen and Hugo Boss carry investment-worthy versions of the trouser pant.

A blazer or sports jacket is the perfect add on. Why not try it layered on top of a polo, jeans and a simple shoe? Wear Else and The Bay carry labels that make great blazers. If the fit is not quite right, be sure to visit Make It Fit Alterations. 

A great wool coat is sure to serve you well for when the cold weather hits the campus. Whether your style is short, long, fitted or voluminous, a well-chosen coat will suit almost every outfit you can imagine. The Gap at Oakridge always comes out with a variety of styles to fit every body type.

It is definitely worthwhile to invest in quality footwear. A casual shoe, like a low cut sneaker or this season’s loafer, can be mixed with denim, trousers, and, if you’re a trendy fashionista, tights and a skirt. Boots are a must-have item and worth the splurge; a universal style will take you through the years. Unless you are under 10, please say goodbye to the Uggs. Browns has every “it” shoe of the season. My favourite are a pair of black Ferragamo booties. To die for.

Be the top of the class with extras like jewelry and accessories. These items can be used to update your look and add a touch of personality to your ensemble. For women, channel Blair Waldorf and wear a feathered headband and – fall’s hottest trend – the oversized necklace from Blue Ruby. Boys can accessorize their look with a fedora, sport watch or scarf from J2 Homme or Quiksilver.

If you must lug around those heavy textbooks, please do so in style! Large totes, carry-alls and laptop bags are sold at Coach and Valise.

It was inevitable. Pants turned into leggings. Leggings turned into the pantsless look. Now pantslessness has gone uptown. Style-makers from Rihanna to Lady Gaga have been spotted sporting nearly not-there-at-all fashion-and not just on the bottom. Nothing but nipple pasties, tailored jackets topping a nude body stocking, and even sheer skirts, are making a “now you see my clothes, now you don’t” statement. We’ve got the inside scoop on how to pull this look off. 

Barely-There Fashion: Top 5 Dos and Don’ts

1. Don’t be afraid to try this at any age. Just choose a sheer blouse for beneath a sweater or cardigan.
2. Do try pasties on for size-beneath a tailored, buttoned-up jacket.
3. Do feel free to imitate the look with a long sweater or tunic overtop skin-tone leggings.
4. Nude body wear works well as a first layer.
5. Don’t go full-out nude-toned. Always pair nude underthings with coloured layers.

Get the Look
Find tights, tailored jacket, and skin-tone nude underthings at Aritzia, The Bay, and Ishara.

LET’S HEAR IT
Where would you dare to wear this look?

WIN a Style Makeover!

Win a full day of clothes, hair and make-up, plus the inside scoop on how you can wear the fall trends, courtesy Oakridge Centre. Enter here.

Peter T. Hoang

Ask me who my biggest hero is and, without a moment’s hesitation, I would answer my mother. She immigrated from Vietnam to Vancouver over 20 years ago, along with her four children and a small handful of treasured jewels, while my father was still away in the Vietnam War. With little-to-no assistance, my mother devoted her entire life to her children and sacrificed just about everything for us.

She struggled to learn English as a second language and sadly pawned the cherished jewellery in order to provide for the family. She thrift-shopped for just about everything in our home and clothing was probably the hardest to come by, especially when it needed to be presentable for employment.

Dress for Success Vancouver is a commendable, non-profit organization that helps women in the community overcome barriers to employment by providing them with outfits suitable for the job interview process. I have the utmost respect for this charity as it hits so close to my home–and my heart. I can’t even bear the thought of all the struggles my mother endured in years past to find a job. It’s because of amazing organizations like Dress for Success Vancouver that women in need can find financial assistance and independence.

NOW IS YOUR TIME TO HELP

Oakridge Centre has helped inspire many Defining Moments over the past 50 years. This month, they have teamed up with Dress for Success Vancouver to put on a clothing drive to help deserving women in our community create their own Defining Moment. Please help support the clothing drive by donating new or gently-used interview-appropriate clothing at the Oakridge Concierge between September 7 and 13, 2009.

For each donation, you will be entered to win an amazing VIP package for 2 for Oakridge Centre’s Fall Fashion Affair on September 22, 2009. Winners will receive the total star treatment: hair and make-up at Hennessy Salon and Spa, VIP seating in the front row at the Fall Fashion Affair and a lovely dinner for two at Oakridge Centre.

Please visit Dress for Success Vancouver to find out what kind of contributions you can make to help the cause. This is more than just a clothing drive. This is a support system for the mothers, daughters, friends and strangers that dream of–and deserve–success.

Peter T. Hoang

With so many new fashion trends debuting each season, the pressure of choosing the right look can definitely overwhelm any guy that’s trying to stay fashionable. The key is to have the essentials–and to be able to mix and match pieces for a constantly updated look. So, gentlemen, look in your closets and make sure that you have these five wardrobe essentials.

Top 5 Men’s Wardrobe Essentials 
1. The Button Down Shirt
The classic, white button-down shirt is a must-have that can be worn casually with dark denim or worn with a suit for dapper formal look. A black or even blue option is also a safe bet. Oakridge’s Banana Republic has a great assortment of high quality button-down shirts that are definitely worth checking out.

2. Dark Denim
They should be plain and dark-coloured with very-little-to-no distressing and not too much detail. Besides being versatile and comfortable, they can easily be combined with dress shoes, sneakers or even loafers for a great sporty look. Stop by Boys’ Co and J2 Mens at Oakridge and find the right pair of denim that fits you.

3. The Favourite Sweater
V-neck or round collared, cardigan or pull-over: whatever your choice may be, the knit sweater can be worn again and again. Spoil yourself in luxury and pick up a fine cashmere sweater at Mount Cashmere or a sporty casual one at Eddie Bauer, which are both found at Oakridge Centre.

4. The Casual Shirt
Whether it’s a polo or a plain basic T, the casual shirt is the most fundamental piece that can be worn with anything for any occasion, depending of course on what you pair it with. Pick up a classic polo or plain T at Lacoste or Tommy Bahama at Oakridge for a look that will never go out of style.

5. The Suit
Without a doubt, every man needs at least one high quality, tailored suit that can be worn for any special occasion that springs up. Stick to the traditional black or grey single-breasted suit. The amazing staff at both Harry Rosen and Hugo Boss at Oakridge Centre can help you find that one that is just right for you. Keep in mind that shirts and ties can easily be updated and changed but the suit is timeless, so invest in a well-tailored, classic cut.

Ana Serrano

Every summer, thousands of Vancouverites anxiously await the grand opening of the Fair at the PNE and this year was no exception.  I decided to head over there early on opening day, August 22, as I wanted to avoid the mid-day line-ups. I didn’t achieve much success, as even before the gates opened, there were so many people of all ages already lined up waiting for their turn to enter a world of fun and entertainment.

The sun was shining brightly that day, so I decided to wear a comfortable pair of white, linen shorts from Banana Republic and a cute casual tank-top from Crisca.

I was perfectly outfitted for the fun. The Fair at the PNE is an expansion of Playland, which is already one of the most entertaining places in Vancouver.  Exciting live shows, exhibits and–of course–rides of all kinds were part of the excitement. This year, the Fair at the PNE was filled with over 50 amazing rides and attractions. There was surely one for every adventure-seeker. For me, going on the rides was a combination of thrills – and nerves. So I turned to all of the delicious food to calm my nerves, especially the cotton candy and mini-donuts.

“Casual Summer” was the fashion headline at the Fair. Everyone took advantage of the weather and vivid colours were definitely the norm. Little girls looked delightful in mostly pink and yellow flowery dresses. For the boys, pleated shorts in khaki or plaid, a bright-coloured t-shirt and hats were popular. The best places to outfit kids include Gap Kids, Please Mum and Gymboree.                                                                                       

It also caught my attention that there were many grandchildren accompanied by their well-dressed grandparents. Harry Rosen carries fashionable clothing for distinguished men and Tommy Bahama, Edward Chapman Woman and Talbots also provide stylish options for adults.

I remember “La Feria” (“The Fair” in Spanish) was my favourite place to go when I was little. Today, it’s a blast from the past. At The Fair at the PNE, no matter what age you are, you still have the time of your life.