Style Maven

Dear Red Shoe readers – I can’t tell you how many times the topic of style and fashion comes up. It’s where a lot of us get stumped and stuck. We don’t want to look like our daughters and we definitely don’t want to look ‘old’ . We want to look stylish and embody our Yumminess!

Meet Micolle…you’ll be hearing a lot from her, she has agreed to be our own Red Shoe style expert. Her style sensitivity embraces the beauty of all women – all generations…all ages.  So pass along your questions and watch for her responses.

THE STYLE MAVEN

Some women just have it, you know that unmistakable sense of style that prompts WOW’s and looks totally effortless. “HOW do they do it?”

Micolle Canido is one of those women, a natural born style maven. There’s no doubt she’s a pure bred, it was apparent at age two when the texture, look and feel of a fur vest made it a cherished possession over more ‘traditional’ toddler playthings.

Five years later, at seven her personal style was on the fast track as she remembers looking fabulous and ‘owning’ her look in carefully chosen peacock blue corduroy shorts and striped top. One of life’s defining moments!

Fashion made her happy. It still does.

Now an independent stylist and wardrobe consultant with a penchant for scouring consignment racks for high end, high quality, timeless pieces and bringing them back to life. Micolle’s passion is helping women find their style. The funny thing is that much more than style is often found, as long buried aspects of self are tapped and set free in the process.

“I love what I do, I love seeing people looking good and feeling good…it starts on the inside and flows to the outside.” Her style philosophy is a simple one, first identify your best assets and work with them, know what you love, be willing to take baby steps out of your comfort zone and then OWN it Sister!

Talking with Micolle I realize that style is something we all have and the real fun is when it’s lovingly and playfully uncovered and showcased. It’s an important way to nurture our sensuous, radiant, ageless selves. So take us by the hand Micolle and lead the way.

Cheryl: You make fashion sound so easy and FUN. Yet magazines and media portray a different story and make it seem like it’s for the chosen few who have (somehow) achieved perfection! Is it really something to be enjoyed by all of us?

Micolle: Fashion should be a fun and an accessible outlet for all to express themselves regardless of budget or age…magazines and trends are not a necessary influence – period. In fact, I can’t tell you the last time I bought a fashion magazine. And when it comes to fun, my friends will be the first to tell you that I am in my element when I’m scouring through Vancouver or Toronto’s consignment stores.

 Cheryl:  So if style isn’t dictated on the pages of glossy magazines…what is it?

Micolle: Style to me, when it comes to fashion, has always been a form of expression and an extension of one’s self. There’s a book called Advanced Style by Ari Seth Cohen…recently it was made into a documentary as well. To me it harnesses everything that style should be. Check it out here!

 Cheryl: I just watched the Advanced Style You Tube shortie (above). I caught myself smiling throughout. Those women are (so obviously) having FUN!  Ok…back to Style 101….Why do some women always look great?

Micolle: They look great because they own what they wear and exude confidence. It all comes to “owning it”.

The clothes are not wearing them. We all have a body part that can best be accentuated…a pretty face, long legs, small waist etc. I recently saw Oprah at the Oscars and she rocked her full figure from top to bottom in her evening gown.

 Cheryl: Many of the women in Advanced Style have style best described as ‘daring’ but it can be many things….right? Like…understated, fun, whimsical, classic, comfy, minimalistic, funky… etc…

Micolle: Absolutely! The skies the limit! I personally love seeing vintage pieces brought back to life…the pieces you can dress up or dress down but held together with some ultra-feminine flare.  I guess that’s why my weak spot goes to Dolce Gabbana…it’s so sultry, sensual, and reminds me of who else than the Goddess herself, Sophia Loren.

One of my most cherished pieces of clothing was given to me by a close family friend. I was in my 20s at the time. The couture jacket and skirt were designed in Croatia, made of the finest linen and silk threads…the weight behind the fabric is unbelievable and it is incredibly unique. I wear the jacket with jeans in the summer and I wore the skirt with a tank top and jean jacket for my 40^th birthday a few years back. I’m pulling out the skirt this May for an event in Toronto…I can’t wait to wear it again! And like many of the women do in Advanced Style, I would reach out for something fun and accessorize it with Dolce Gabbana’s micro-mosaic sunglasses (my latest obsession)…

Cheryl: So how do we discover or create our own fabulous style?

Micolle: Fashion is always evolving and so are we. We discover ourselves throughout the years…. It’s part of the aging process and there’s nothing we can do about it…but we sure as hell can look good doing it. Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone…but by all means be comfortable doing it!

 Cheryl: The phrase age appropriate comes up all the time. WHAT is age appropriate for women 50+?

Micolle: I hate the word “age appropriate”…. to me it’s more about common sense. I really don’t want to see a crop top or low-rise jeans on a woman 50+. Even in saying that, I struggled seeing Brittany Spears in her low rise jeans sporting her thong halfway up her back in her 20s…I just call that a bad day.  

Cheryl: If a woman wants to discover or (re)discover her style what’s the first step?

Micolle: I’ll give you three:

1. Be true to yourself and be comfortable in the clothes you’re wearing. It is not necessary to follow trends to be in “style”.
2. Less is more when you stick to classics. For example, you can take a staple like a navy or black blazer…it will always look great with a white t-shirt BUT there are endless ways to change it up.
3. Clean your closet every season! Reassess what you have and build on what you need.

Thanks Micolle. Talk soon!