I have a wee bit of a floral dress problem. I love them so! Dress them up, dress them down, season in and season out, they're my go-to piece for no-brainer dressing. 

A lot people think that wearing a dress makes you "dressed up".  I disagree.  Why is one piece dressier than two or more? It's way harder to style pants or a skirt with a top or a sweater than it is to simply throw on a dress.  Boots in fall/winter, sneakers or sandals in spring/summer and you're done! 

Also, I find many dresses super comfortable. (At least most of the ones I wear are. Ones that need the likes of Spanx are special occasion only.) Like the one above from Joie. It has an elastic waistband and hangs to the floor. It's basically a cinched sleeping bag. What could be cozier and more comfortable, aside from a pair of sweatpants?

While florals used to be the relegated to warmer months, this season darker florals abound.  Here are a few of my favourite dark floral dresses.

Le Fou Wilfred Lea Dress from Aritzia. ($248 CAD) Technically a leafy dress but I'm still counting it in the floral department. 

Floral print shirt dress from Zara. ($79) If I didn't already have an ankle length floral dress I would definitely scoop this up! 

Want! Drapey ruffle faux-wrap dress from J. Crew. ($253 but currently 40% off)  I love this one because it could be worn year round. 

Reformation Gavin Dress, Nordstrom ($293). A little less boho, more structured with a sexy slit up the front and
​a partially open back. 

Rebecca Taylor Solstice Silk Cotton Dress, Nordstrom. (Sale $499) Eek, I want this too! So my jam. Love the shorter length, would look so cute with booties. 

Arboretum off shoulder midi dress Ted Baker. ($419) Obviously a little more formal but wow. Just wow. 

And finally, if money's no object, Ulla Johnson Forest Ressie Dress, Revolve. ($833) Yes please. 

I'm a summer girl, so I do get a bit bummed around Labour Day, thinking about the NINE long months I'm going to have to wait for warm weather to return. The saving grace - fall clothes shopping! Here are some of my favourite trends of the season. 

SILVER 

Just when we thought gold was the kind of metals, silver is making a strong comeback, and not just in the jewelry department. From shoes, to pants, to skirts and jackets, we're seeing silver everywhere this season. Those who may not be brave enough to wear a larger silver piece may want to opt for a silver bootie. I'm coveting this pair from Rag and Bone. 

PLAID

​From Zara to Anine Bing to Theory, almost every brand out there is mad about plaid. ​(What I love about this trend is that you can find it at pretty much any price point.) ​We're seeing it in pants, skirts, dresses, coats, and of course, the ubiquitous plaid blazer. Before you confuse it with houndstooth (which is also in), take a close look at the edges of the pattern. Plaid is made up of vertical and horizontal stripes that cross each other to make squares of various sizes. The checks you'll find in houndstooth are broken and uneven, resembling a hound's tooth. 

AUTUMNAL HUES

The season's hottest hues are drawn from nature, particularly fall leaves. We're seeing lots of red, burgundy, and mustard. After going awol for a number of years, brown is making a strong comeback as well. But this time the focus is on the lighter shades, like copper, russet and sienna. I like to pair a couple of different autumnal hues together, for a rich, sophisticated look. (See top image.) Not sure if these colours are for you? Start small and incorporate a camisole in one of these colours into your wardrobe. They're perfect under blazers or leather jackets. 

ANIMAL PRINT

This is hardly a trend as it's pretty much become a staple, but I'm adding it here because it really is everywhere this season. From big pieces (coats) to small (clutches), and from leopard to snake to tiger (!!), treat animal prints like you might a large feline... gingerly.  I have a few smaller pieces, like the shoes in the above photo and a sweater, but I am eyeing a pair of flats. I'll pair them with simple black pants and a turtleneck, Audrey Hepburn style. (PS. The Sam Edelman pumps in the lead photo are really comfortable.) 

FLORAL DRESSES

Anyone who knows me knows I have a bit of a floral dress problem. I can't seem to get enough of them! Not just delegated to spring any longer, this season florals are going dark. I'm loving big or small floral prints set against a black or navy background. So many pretty ones to choose from! This one below is from Reformation. I love the cap sleeves and the sexy slit that takes it far from Little House on the Prairie territory. 

STRIPED SWEATERS 

The simple nautical striped T has been a fashion staple for decades. This season, stripes are going bolder and more colourful. What a great way to brighten up a rain day. I'm pairing mine with jeans or black pants, but an oversized one would look great with black leggings as well. The one below is from Madewell. 

If you’ve been following me on Instagram for a while, you’ve likely noticed that in the past few months, I’ve changed my focus. I now  predominantly share fashion posts on my feed.

Why, you ask? Or maybe, why now?

As I’m turning 50 this year, my thoughts have turned to modelling, naturally!  Kidding aside, I’ve always been interested in fashion and this is a way to express that creatively. Plus, I’m finding it super fun.

But I also see vacuum, and an opportunity. 

Many of my 40 and 50-something-year-old friends and peers like to dress well and they have the means to do it. But fashion advertisers and marketers continue to disregard us. Even on social media, relatively few brands are speaking to those of us over 40. 

Instead of simply complaining about it, I’m working on changing it. Those who know me know that I’m not afraid to take a risk and that I’m a firm believer that it's NEVER too late to try something new. 

So, I've launched myself into the #styleatanyage space. Do I plan to make a living out of this? No. Do I hope to make something off of it? Yes. (I need to pay my photographer for starters!) 

I hope that those who follow me enjoy the posts, get some inspiration, and perhaps even a laugh or two over what I write in the captions. To my supporters, thank you for your encouragement and for all your lovely comments. To my detractors, thank you even more: Nothing lights a fire under me more than hearing, “What dumb thing is she up to now?”