Ultra feminine look

I have to admit it: sometimes I buy new.

My latest look is girly chic and I love it: a stretch lace top found at a Mendocino outlet for $38. I'm wearing it here under my Theory blazer thrifted for $6.99.

It's a sexy look, yet one I can pull off at work.

I'm wearing the lacy top with another item I bought new by Forest Hill artisan Joan Kreitzer (sorry no webite). Joan makes beautiful necklaces with crystal and semi-precious stones and retails in some Toronto shops like French Connection on Eglinton Ave. West near Avenue Rd.

I love the combo of the lace and the lace-like work of the necklace.

I'm wearing the top with a vest for a romantic dinner, and just happened to dig up a pair of off-white DIM nylons with pretty tone-on-tone flowers over top that go with the top exactly. Believe it or not the look is not lace overkill, just feminine all the way.

It feels good to sometimes buy new things, especially when they're artisan crafted and you know you have an original. And when the piece is a staple - this lace top will see me through holiday functions and can serve as a nice little wardrobe basic - then I don't mind paying more than I normally would.

Happy Saturday! I have to do a shopping column but I may do some thrifting on the way!

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Get a leg up: fishnets and ruling the world

Want to have men fall at your feet and women you don't know give you the evil eye on the subway?






















Wear a pair of fishnet stockings.

I picked up these brown honeycomb stockings at a warehouse sale in Toronto - six pair of Hue for $20!!

I've been wearing fishnets for years. They're comfy as hell, last way longer than regular nylons, and offer a different take on a sheer stocking.

NOTE: I rarely wear black ones - they tend towards trashy. I lean towards nude shades or fun hues like purple.






















Plus they're cheeky little guys, and the reactions you get are crazy. Women I know who are pals shower me with compliments.

Women I don't know eye them and me suspiciously, sometimes downright nastily: Who the hell do I think I am, a pin-up girl hussy?

A manager at work kept staring at them the other day with raised eyebrows. I asked her if she liked them. No comment.

Men tend to turn into little boys. Their brains melt to mush and if they do know you they start blathering on about your legs or some other meaningless topic.

If they don't know you they just stare, stare, stare.






















Ladies, if we want to rule the world now we know what to do: don a pair of fishnets!

At the sale I also bought some beautiful patterned nylons.

Fancy stockings purchased at warehouse sales are a cheap way to zoot up your wardrobe, and they're perfect for this time of year when it's still a touch too cool to wear bear legs.

It helps if you wear them with fancy shoes. I found these patent strappy point shoes at the Sally Ann for $6.99, and they inspire a similar reaction as the tights when I wear them together!

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