The crocuses are blooming, the birds are chirping and North Shore residents are dusting off their Grouse Grind gear … it’s officially spring! Here, two of the city’s most respected fashionizers share the trends they’re coveting this season
North Vancouver native Lisa Tant knows a thing or two about a spring refresh.
For eight years, she served as editor-in-chief of Canada’s fashion magazine, Flare, then as vice president at Holt Renfrew. Now she runs a fashion-focused creative communications consultancy, splitting her time between Toronto and North Van.
Her seasonal closet update ritual? “I review my wardrobe and weed out anything that doesn’t fit or hasn’t been worn in a couple of years. I look at the freshest colours and patterns and then add dashes of what’s new.”
For spring 2017 her style will revolve around a few key pieces; classics pulled from her closet, with some trendy items mixed in, “to style my favourites with a new spin,” she says. “I’ll be wearing my black and white striped cropped trousers with a suit jacket and heels for business meetings, and then flats and a jean jacket on the weekend.”
Like any respectable fashionista, Tant has already hit the shops, and is ready to step out in her spring shoes as soon as April’s showers pass. “I plan my outfits from my feet up. I love the new trend of comfortable slides so I picked up a pair of Gucci slip-ons with embroidered roses.”
Stripes are also on her radar as the temperatures rise. “I have striped boating tees in every colour. For spring, I’ve added a pair of black and white striped cropped trousers.”
But it’s not all about fashion for this brainy blonde. “Updating my hair and makeup is just as important. I’m starting to grow my short hair out into a more layered shaggy look.” She’s also partial to this season’s crop of lollipop-coloured sheer lipsticks.
Vancouver lifestyle guru and PR maestro Steven Schelling loves his annual spring closet overhaul. It usually involves, “buying a few more colourful pieces (polo shirts, T-shirts and accessories) to pair with existing ones.” The spring/summer garments he already owns are moved to the front of his closet and the darker, heavier fall/winter garments get shifted to the back.
In terms of trends he says, “outdoor- and hiking-inspired looks will definitely make Vancouver seem on-trend and internationally fashion-forward for what could be the very first time. “‘Kitsilano Chic’ ruled the Lanvin and Moncler Gamme
Bleu runways in Paris where cargo shorts, windbreakers and even rock-climbing rope got high-fashion makeovers.”
Suede footwear is also big. “There’s something about a brightly coloured pair of suede bucks that literally puts a spring in my step,” he explains.
Though the style-setter likely won’t be “wrapping nylon rope around my waist and securing it with a carabiner,” he plans to offer a nod to the “outdoorsy” trend with a pair of floral suede Budapest chukkas from Fluevog.
Lisa Tant’s Spring Shopping List
Zara striped trousers
Dries van Noten long patterned dress
Prada colourful embellished flats
Rebecca Minkoff tasseled handbag
J. Crew striped tees
Rouge Coco Shine Hydrating Lipstick by Chanel
Steven Schelling’s Spring Shopping List
Fluevog Budapest Ankle Boots
Jody’s Naturals beer-infused shaving bar
Malin+Goetz Revitalizing Eye Cream
Tom Ford Tom N.7 sunglasses
Brunello Cucinelli quilted vest
FiveLeft Leather Good’s Daygoods messenger bag with woodgrain finish
