Submitted by Suzanne on Wed, 10/26/2016 - 12:14
What does it take to design a gorgeous dress like this one? A lot of creativity, skill and a superior eye for fashion. I asked Plum's designer Claudia "What was your inspiration for this dress"? Her surprising answer was..."It started with the fabric, I loved the strong hounds tooth pattern of this print and the weight and texture of the fabric. I wanted to do something that looked somewhat tailored but was comfortable and easy to wear." I'm sure the inspiration for your own creative endeavors is also something unexpected (a colour, a food group, even a person)... And yet another one of Claudia's many great talents, is in the unique details of each of her designs. Details that help give unique definition to your look.
This is really a sweet little dress with a hint of retro, given a bit of punch by the exaggerated hounds tooth print. A very functional fabric, with a sculpted looking cut, but very cute and fun at the same time. Try it with tights and booties or a kitten heel. Add a hat for a bit of a funky look.
Simone short sleeve A-line dress (purple or red) $129 now $98
Do not even try to talk yourself out of this one. I certainly won't help you because I could barely contain myself when I saw it. This is a dress that is so sexy and fits like a dream, yet by no means is too risque or impedes movement. And don't let the stretch lace fool you into thinking you can only wear this for a Christmas party...Try it with the new embroidered bomber jackets or a distressed jean jacket, add Cuban heel boots or skin tight, knee high velvet boots for a 'date night' look.
Simone lace sheath dress with slip (black or plum) $169
 
The colour of the season is a deep wine, burgundy...or Plum ;)...The Simone dress above is such a fantastic innovation. Comprised of a knee length tank style dress with a flowey, arc shaped, pleated back, over top. Wear the tank dress on it's own, wear the top on it's own (perhaps with a high waisted pencil skirt) or wear them together, ultimately giving a subtle, goddess like, look.
Simone tank dress with layered top (black or Plum) $149
 
More than meets the eye! At first glance, this dress appears to be a simple, unstructured knit...which it is however, there's more to it. A beautiful, light knit and sweet ribbon tie back, apart from the feminine touch, allows the wearer to ever so slightly alter the length based on how tight the back is done up. So ingenious!
Simone flared dress with tie back (brown or navy/magenta) $110
Given that most of us cannot afford our own personal couturier's, Claudia designs with form and function in mind, her designs are as close as one could come. Her ability to always incorporate what's practical while never loosing sight of what's interesting and fun makes her designs work for everyone. And in her words "you cannot underestimate the importance of comfort". I'm only grateful she doesn't also design shoes or I'd have to live in one!
Yours in Fashion passion...
Suzanne M. ... read the full post and reader comments
Submitted by Suzanne on Wed, 10/19/2016 - 11:05
How do you feel about your unclothed body? I've had some very intriguing comments from my kids about mine. "I don't care about my belly (I tell them), that's where you started out!" My body is a veritable geographic tour of my life (the cut from climbing a fence as a kid, contorted fingers from endless hours of drawing as a kid and some wart scars (I know, charming)....I like my body as it is, however,not interested in parading it around in it's unadorned format (you can keep Wreck Beach), and I am grateful for the ample choices to 'clothe it'. Not talking about only dressing for covering a flaw, more working with what we have. Plum has ample choices for complimenting your assets (top and bottom)...and thankfully for sweater lovers your favourite season continues.
This is a MUST have for sweater season. Hands down, this will be one that you'll need to invest in because it's a live in type garment. Fit to be classified as a dress, tunic or simply an elongated sweater. Pockets, for the fidgety of us and an abundant neck. On me it's lower thigh and I'm 5'7"...on our lovely, leggy model it's a bit shorter.
Press (charcoal mix) sweater dress $ 95
Another excellent tunic style sweater. Play, work or party...Play Look: Pair it with Jeans...add a hat..Work Look: wear it with belt, tights and pumps...Party Look: wear it with tights and bootie shoes.
Kerisma cowl neck sweater dress cashmere blend (black, bordeaux) $79
Of course poncho's (open or pull over) are a mainstream fashion must now. Great for layering, wear them inside AND out, over jackets or over sweaters. The colours in this one are so bright and lively. Also great sweater-form sleeves (no more fringes catching on your key ring).
LeShop caje multi $79
Needless to say, at times, we need bottoms...love how this has been paired with casual kicks for fun/play time, however great with tall boots, riding boots, pumps, wherever you're headed. Try with a turtleneck and jean jacket or denim shirt and belt!
Kersh printed pencil skirt (brown print) $59
Does not matter if you spend the majority of your time in a swimsuit as a swim coach, a heavy parka because you're a ski instructor with Special Olympics, or retired...being comfortable in your own skin can take years of living in it.
'A tiger doesn't loose sleep over the opinion of sheep' Zag! (hmmm...do sheep have opinions?)...
Yours in Fashion passion...
Suzanne M.
Submitted by Suzanne on Wed, 10/12/2016 - 17:16
What kind of sweater girl are you...oops I meant woman? Are you the kind that pins a broach on every sweater, a cardigan person or the oversized boyfriend sweater style type? Do you choose by colour, fabrication or design or all of the above? Personally, I think sweaters are just a wardrobe necessity in our climate at this time of year. Therefore, might just as well choose something, pretty, sophisticated, sexy...or ok just warm! From basic to fashion, Plum's got you covered!
The usual in fall and winter is to grab for the earth tones, which are wonderful, but this white is just so light, happy, fresh and so sexy looking. Try wearing it with a fur vest (very hot right now), above the knee skirt and ankle boots. (sweater also comes in grey which is an excellent alternative to black, making it a wonderful neutral).
DO+BE off shoulder ribbed sweater (cream, black or grey)$79
Let's talk about 'cute'. I think after you turn 15, no woman seems to want to be, or have her outfit referred to as CUTE! Ok, well, lets call this fun instead. It's also bright, delightfully fuzzy and if it's not a conversation starter, will probably provoke a few hugs!
Le Shop fuzzy daisy sweater (say that 5 times fast) $65
This is reminiscent of Grampa's old sweater vest...or maybe the therapist...which ever one conjures up better memories...I love the loose, casual hi-low style...wear it alone as pictured, add a bold necklace or a string of pearls...or add a shirt, create definition with a wide belt and balance it out with knee high riding boots.
Press Hi-low hem vest (heather grey) $70
Some of us are hot one minute and cold the next....this accommodates the erratic furnace that is our body. Gorgeous colour combination, abundant collar and just so cozy...wear a t-shirt or even a jacket beneath for layering.
Look jacquard knit poncho (purple) $105
The ubiquitous V neck pullover! There is little else that needs to be said about this style. It goes with everything, it's smart, sophisticated, simple yet easy to pump up the cool factor! And this is just the most spot on fall colour! Another colour that works well as a neutral.
Kaffe Majka pullover (dijon) $79
The internet says a sweater is a what a child wears when it's mother is chilly, or it's just a blanket you can wear to work...I say a sweater is to your wardrobe what wine is to your diet..........warms you up, makes you look cute fun...better than wine...no calories!
Yours in Fashion passion...
Suzanne M.
This is just a representation of what's in store, go in and check them out for yourself!
Submitted by Suzanne on Wed, 10/05/2016 - 18:00
COUPON TIME! Don't forget... here (you still have until Oct.16).
$20 off a regular priced clothing or accessories purchase of $95.
Do you know where your jeans come from and how they're manufactured? If they're made with some level of integrity? There's no expectation to keep your jeans for all of perpetuity...but, it's good to have things that do last and are made with environmental care. Dish has created FOREVER BLACK; made from a blend of recycled and sustainable fibers with the industry's lowest pigment transfer to date; a patent pending color-lock technology...(take that to the bank of Canada Mr. Prime Minister). Plum carries some of the top denim brands, Mavi, Dish and Yoga for some very good reasons...sustainability, design and durability.
There is nothing that won't go with these jeans. Pair with any footwear, jacket, poncho or top...And when buying something you wear frequently, buy in 3's...'one to wear, one to wash, and one waiting to dry' ...maybe that's just for bra's! I think this would work with jeans as well! ;)
DISH forever black (31 inch inseam) $132
These Yoga jeans are super cute...but 'cute' doesn't totally cut it when it comes to our carbon footprint does it? Yoga jeans are made here in Canada. So, you can be cute and thoughtful at the same time! Yoga jeans are so well made and superior fitting, they feel like custom made. (and you don't have to do Yoga or change a tire in them, just feel like you could)!
YOGA ankle skinny Miami jean $120
Mavi has worked to create a system to produce finishes by which they use significantly less water and dyes all the while never loosing the value of quality design and fit. Don't be afraid to try the distressed look. Try a crisp blazer or white shirt and knee high boots to balance out the casual nature of the weathered denim design.
Mavi Alexa ankle used ripped vintage (28" inseam) $118 sale price $79
Just yesterday my 9 year old asked me..."if you're not dismayed are you 'mayed'"? Believe me, you'll totally be 'mayed' by choosing any of these premium denim brands;the exceptional fit, design and the care they take in production. Because if your passion for caring for the planet meets your fashion passion...it will truly feel good to slip these on!
Yours in Fashion passion...
Suzanne M.
Why do we think these are such great brands? Find out more here
... read the full post and reader comments
Submitted by Plum on Tue, 10/04/2016 - 15:06
With the current trend towards throw away clothing being offered by the 'fast fashion' industry it has become apparent that customers should be questioning where and how their clothing is made. Plum is also concerned because we have seen this trend growing every year for the past fifteen years. It is wasteful and the business model seems to be inclined to abuse desperate workers unseen in countries far away from Canada.
Plum has chosen three jean brands that we think offer the best and most sustainable options for our customers as well as being the most comfortable and fashionable styles available.
Yoga Jeans are made in Quebec where employees get the benefit of fair labour standards, health coverage and disability and retirement benefits. We love this product because it is definitely NOT a throw away item and as a cost per wear option it is much cheaper than any Fast Fashion alternative. Plus they are amazingly comfortable. Customers are thrilled with this product.
MAVI jeans are made in Turkey which is an associate member of the European Union. The company adheres to explicit and strict environmental standards. Mavi is improving its technology every year and cleans all water used in processing and dying. MAVI is a member of the Fair Labour Association (FLA) which inspects working conditions frequently and keeps the workplace to a very high health and safety standard in Turkey.
dish is a Canadian company with a factory in Pakistan. This denim option is for the truly active individual who wants a 'performance' textile with exceptional style.
Read the words of company founder Gary Lenett from an article by Amanda Ross in the September issue of Vancouver Magazine.
“If you see a beautiful Egyptian cotton shirt and it’s $19.99, you have to ask yourself, how do they do that?” says Gary Lenett, founder of local athleisure brand Dish and Duer. It’s just one Vancouver label fighting against the disposable nature, material excess and human costs associated with “fast fashion”—a trend that he says will see 67 pounds of clothing per person end up in landfills this year.
“The truth is, you get what you pay for, and someone is losing along the way to give you that shirt for that price,” Lenett says. And while Dish and Duer manufactures overseas in Pakistan, its 24 factory workers are paid a living wage, rather than by the piece, ensuring both quality of life for the employees and a quality product for the end consumer. For Lenett, a thoughtful process is paramount, no matter where something is crafted.
Owners of Plum
Katie O'Brien and Ed Des Roches
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