Fashion

Top summer style tips: Our favourite fashionable Canadians share their do’s and don’ts

Stylish Canadians share their top summer fashion tips—and biggest pet peeves.

by : Alannah O'Neill- Aug 17th, 2012

Sure, there may be “back to school” ads on the telly, and the Canadian National Exhibition (which always spells doomsday for the summer months) may already be in full swing, but by our calculations there’s still at least another month and a half before the temperature starts to drop. We asked some of our favourite fashionable Canadians to talk about their summer style tips and hot weather pet peeves: if you’re guilty of any of these style offences, take note. It’s not too late to change your ways!

Favourite fashionable Canadian: Angie Smith

Resumé: Smith may be best known for her work as
ET Canada’s fashion producer, where she routinely interviewed fashion stars like Oscar de la Renta and DSquared2. Now, Smith is the in-house fashion and beauty expert for the
Marilyn Denis Show.

Top summer style tips: "
Embrace white. There’s something elegant and chic and fresh about a crisp, white top and bottom, with metallic accessories and killer heels," Smith says. "A white fedora is a great topper to this look. In Canada, it’s difficult to wear white in the winter because it gets so dirty, so as soon as the temperature soars I start searching for white skinnies and a linen button down."

Summer style pet peeve: "I hate those tops that morph into dresses," Smith says. "Ahhh my eyes! Menswear-inspired shirt-dresses are fine, but if your dress came from a rack that says ‘tank-tops $19.99,’ and you belt it and slip on some heels, this look only brings out your inner bar-star, not your inner fashionista!"

Favourite fashionable Canadian: Kirk Pickersgill

Resumé: As one half of
It label Greta Constantine, Pikersgill has created swoon-worthy looks for socialites and talents such as like Sarah Gadon and Sarah Polley.

Top summer style tips: "I love seeing a fresh faced girl in the summertime.” Pickersgill says. “The golden rule prevails in this case: less is more!"

Summer style pet peeve: "Exposed unpedicured feet. Warm weather may beg for flip flops and sandals, but don’t give in until after you’ve been to your aesthetician!"

Read more summer style tips and pet peeves on the next page…

Favourite fashionable Canadian: Sansyrae St. Martin
Resumé: This top stylist has been responsible for the looks for ELLE Canada’s Fashion Dare column, and has worked with noted fashion photographers like Peter Ash Lee.
Top summer style tips: “Top any outfit off with a hat,” St. Martin advises. “There’s one for just about every occasion and why not save that pretty little face of yours from the sun’s harsh rays while you’re at it?”
Summer style pet peeve: “If you are out and about, your bra shouldn’t be!” St. Martin says. “No visible straps, backs, sides, or pops of color unless it’s Agent Provocateur or you’re breaking a sweat in a sports bra.”

Favourite fashionable Canadian: Chantal Stafford-Abbott
Resume: This top Canadian model has walked the international runways for everyone from Vivienne Westwood and Oscar de la Renta to Marc Jacobs. She has appeared in editorials in Vogue, Marie Claire and—you guessed it—ELLE Canada.
Top summer style tips: “I think this summer is all about prints, colors and craziness,” Stafford-Abbott says. ”Flower power!”
Summer style pet peeve: “I hate when people wear all black,” she says. “It’s way too serious for summer!”