ANIMAL PRINT BUTTON-DOWN
Animal prints have long been a source of inspiration for designers, but this season the wild style has taken on a more abstract persona. Leopard and python prints are now just as buzzy as florals--neatly tuck your slouchy into tailored trousers or give just a peek by popping the collar over a sweater.
FLARE pick: French Connection python print button-down blouse, $88, canada.frenchconnection.com
Also see: Top 8 Shorts for Summer
Animal prints have long been a source of inspiration for designers, but this season the wild style has taken on a more abstract persona. Leopard and python prints are now just as buzzy as florals--neatly tuck your slouchy into tailored trousers or give just a peek by popping the collar over a sweater.
FLARE pick: French Connection python print button-down blouse, $88, canada.frenchconnection.com
Also see: Top 8 Shorts for Summer
CONTRAST-TRIM BUTTON DOWN
Think of it as pared-down colour blocking! The classic button down gets an easy update with a hot hue but only a hint of it. Save the electric flourencets for your off-duty look and shop for a classic tailored shirt with touches of colour along the trim. Layer on a shiny choker necklace under the collar for a little extra pizzazz.
FLARE pick: Joe Fresh nude sleeveless button-down with red contrast collar and placket, $39, joefresh.com.
Also see: 21 Sunglasses We Love
Think of it as pared-down colour blocking! The classic button down gets an easy update with a hot hue but only a hint of it. Save the electric flourencets for your off-duty look and shop for a classic tailored shirt with touches of colour along the trim. Layer on a shiny choker necklace under the collar for a little extra pizzazz.
FLARE pick: Joe Fresh nude sleeveless button-down with red contrast collar and placket, $39, joefresh.com.
Also see: 21 Sunglasses We Love
PASTEL BLAZER
A streamlined jacket in of-the-moment powdery shades can be a breath of (minty) fresh air in warmer weather--not to mention a welcome shake up to basic black and grey suiting.
FLARE pick: Club Monaco blue chambray blazer, $249, clubmonaco.ca. Smythe pink blazer with contrast black trim, $525, smythelesvestes.com.
Also see: Under $250: Best Summer Dresses
A streamlined jacket in of-the-moment powdery shades can be a breath of (minty) fresh air in warmer weather--not to mention a welcome shake up to basic black and grey suiting.
FLARE pick: Club Monaco blue chambray blazer, $249, clubmonaco.ca. Smythe pink blazer with contrast black trim, $525, smythelesvestes.com.
Also see: Under $250: Best Summer Dresses
SIDE-STRIPED TROUSER
The words 'track pants' danced off the lips of every editor this spring, but don't let the sporty name deter you from taking this trend to work. Similar to the tuxedo pant, this style is a cool alternative to the power suit when paired with a blazer, and looks great with a washed silk blouse.
FLARE pick: Hudson navy tuxedo skinny pant, $265, available at Holt Renfrew stores or hudsonjeans.com.
Also see: 10 Easy Steps to Finding the Best Swimsuit for You
The words 'track pants' danced off the lips of every editor this spring, but don't let the sporty name deter you from taking this trend to work. Similar to the tuxedo pant, this style is a cool alternative to the power suit when paired with a blazer, and looks great with a washed silk blouse.
FLARE pick: Hudson navy tuxedo skinny pant, $265, available at Holt Renfrew stores or hudsonjeans.com.
Also see: 10 Easy Steps to Finding the Best Swimsuit for You
CROCHET LACE PENCIL SKIRT
This season, designers have gone gaga for sweet, girly lace (a la Louis Vuitton). Take the classic pencil skirt and marry it with the season's top fabrication, crocheted lace, for a match made in fashion heaven.
FLARE pick: Warehouse crochet lace pencil skirt, $97, warehouse.co.uk.
Also see: Under $100: Sizzling Summer Buys
This season, designers have gone gaga for sweet, girly lace (a la Louis Vuitton). Take the classic pencil skirt and marry it with the season's top fabrication, crocheted lace, for a match made in fashion heaven.
FLARE pick: Warehouse crochet lace pencil skirt, $97, warehouse.co.uk.
Also see: Under $100: Sizzling Summer Buys
GEOMETRIC-PRINT DRESS
It's a geometry mash up! The days of one motif claiming the entirety of a garment are over. Designers are decking out their styles in whimsical combinations of shapes and colours and the results feel oh-so-fresh.
FLARE pick: Mango blue geometric printed shift dress, $60, mango.com.
It's a geometry mash up! The days of one motif claiming the entirety of a garment are over. Designers are decking out their styles in whimsical combinations of shapes and colours and the results feel oh-so-fresh.
FLARE pick: Mango blue geometric printed shift dress, $60, mango.com.
PRINTED CARDIGAN
A brightly patterned cardigan is great to belt over dresses and high-rise bottoms to add definition to the waist while brightening the overall look. Keep the rest of the outfit simple in colour and silhouette but opt for a fun, on-trend paisley topper.
FLARE pick: Kersh velour burnout open front cardigan jacket, $89, call 888-688-3657 to order, kersh.ca.
A brightly patterned cardigan is great to belt over dresses and high-rise bottoms to add definition to the waist while brightening the overall look. Keep the rest of the outfit simple in colour and silhouette but opt for a fun, on-trend paisley topper.
FLARE pick: Kersh velour burnout open front cardigan jacket, $89, call 888-688-3657 to order, kersh.ca.
FLOATY PINK BLOUSE
A tonal sequined collar on a sweet, billowy blouse takes the place of a necklace and adds just the right amount of sparkle.
FLARE pick: H&M pastel pink blouse with embellished collar, $60, hm.com.
A tonal sequined collar on a sweet, billowy blouse takes the place of a necklace and adds just the right amount of sparkle.
FLARE pick: H&M pastel pink blouse with embellished collar, $60, hm.com.
HEAD-TO-TOE BLUE
There's no such thing as too much of a good thing when it comes to this cool hue. Look for basic silhouettes in your favourite shade of blue, but be sure to keep busy prints and embellishments to a minimum as to avoid looking too flashy for the office.
FLARE pick: Miss Selfridge blue sleeveless button-down blouse, $40, missselfridge.com. Louche blue colour-blocked pleated skirt, $47, joythestore.com. Zara blue and green colour-blocked ankle strap sandals, $60, zara.com.
There's no such thing as too much of a good thing when it comes to this cool hue. Look for basic silhouettes in your favourite shade of blue, but be sure to keep busy prints and embellishments to a minimum as to avoid looking too flashy for the office.
FLARE pick: Miss Selfridge blue sleeveless button-down blouse, $40, missselfridge.com. Louche blue colour-blocked pleated skirt, $47, joythestore.com. Zara blue and green colour-blocked ankle strap sandals, $60, zara.com.
MIRRORED SCARF PRINT SEPARATE
Not long ago, it was pansies and panthers at Givenchy. This season, the likes of D&G are trotting out more scarf-inspired symmetrical motifs--a modern take on the traditional all-over print. For a sleek, elongating effect, opt for a skirt that hits just below the knee.
FLARE pick: Clover Canyon floral scarf print skirt, $335, mendocino.ca.
Not long ago, it was pansies and panthers at Givenchy. This season, the likes of D&G are trotting out more scarf-inspired symmetrical motifs--a modern take on the traditional all-over print. For a sleek, elongating effect, opt for a skirt that hits just below the knee.
FLARE pick: Clover Canyon floral scarf print skirt, $335, mendocino.ca.
SHARP CAP-TOE POWER PUMP
The ever-chic pointy pump gets a real kick from the addition of a megawatt tip. Whether sky-high or with practicality in mind, the cap-toe is sure to put a spring in your step as well as new life into your work and weekend wardrobes. Now that's what we call a power trip!
FLARE pick: Vince Camuto Signature pumps, $225, shoptheshoebox.com.
The ever-chic pointy pump gets a real kick from the addition of a megawatt tip. Whether sky-high or with practicality in mind, the cap-toe is sure to put a spring in your step as well as new life into your work and weekend wardrobes. Now that's what we call a power trip!
FLARE pick: Vince Camuto Signature pumps, $225, shoptheshoebox.com.
LE SMOKING SLIPPERS
Slipper loafers have long been the footwear of choice for the fashion elite, but this season the smoking slipper surges ahead of ballet flats for It-Flat status with injections of saturated colour. Don't shy away from the high voltage hues. Iif there's one item to splurge your colour quota on, a bright loafer is it!
FLARE pick: Matt Bernson neon yellow patent leather slipper loafer, $196, farfetch.com.
Slipper loafers have long been the footwear of choice for the fashion elite, but this season the smoking slipper surges ahead of ballet flats for It-Flat status with injections of saturated colour. Don't shy away from the high voltage hues. Iif there's one item to splurge your colour quota on, a bright loafer is it!
FLARE pick: Matt Bernson neon yellow patent leather slipper loafer, $196, farfetch.com.
THE MULTI-COLOUR STRUCTURED BAG
This season, when it comes to structured bags, it's all about piling on mixed colours and fabrications. Don't be afraid to reach for a carry-all with in-your-face hues as it will serve as a great accent piece to any corporate uniform.
FLARE pick: Gaya leather and python print colour-blocked tote bag, $250, gaya.ca
This season, when it comes to structured bags, it's all about piling on mixed colours and fabrications. Don't be afraid to reach for a carry-all with in-your-face hues as it will serve as a great accent piece to any corporate uniform.
FLARE pick: Gaya leather and python print colour-blocked tote bag, $250, gaya.ca
ACCENT COLLAR
The sweater-over-a-button-down look may be a tad too stuffy come summer time. Enter the ultra versatile collar: the perfect shortcut to an on-trend look that's also conveniently work-appropriate. Try a muted metallic style for a touch of shine, or stock up on your favourite hues to match (or brighten) any ensemble.
FLARE pick: Karl metallic grey crackle leather collar, $175, net-a-porter.com
The sweater-over-a-button-down look may be a tad too stuffy come summer time. Enter the ultra versatile collar: the perfect shortcut to an on-trend look that's also conveniently work-appropriate. Try a muted metallic style for a touch of shine, or stock up on your favourite hues to match (or brighten) any ensemble.
FLARE pick: Karl metallic grey crackle leather collar, $175, net-a-porter.com
TASSEL DROP EARRINGS
To rock brightly-coloured tassel earrings at work, look for a petite version. But if you're itching to try the shoulder-grazing length, go with a muted hue that can blend into your hair to keep things office-appropriate.
FLARE pick: Kenneth Jay Lane beaded tassels drop earrings, $57, shopbop.com
To rock brightly-coloured tassel earrings at work, look for a petite version. But if you're itching to try the shoulder-grazing length, go with a muted hue that can blend into your hair to keep things office-appropriate.
FLARE pick: Kenneth Jay Lane beaded tassels drop earrings, $57, shopbop.com
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