Style

by Brenda McMillan photos by Steve Uhraney

I fondly remember my first real mother-daughter shopping trip. It was in the mid ‘60s and we had a rural route address, which meant there were no sidewalks, no street lights, no second car, and no daily bus service.

On Thursdays, “the big bus” (as my Mom called it) would swing by the end of our country lane on its way to Hamilton. One particular Thursday morning my Mom, my older sister and I waited with great anticipation for the big bus to take us to Eaton’s to shop for dresses for my uncle’s upcoming wedding.

“Sit up straight, don’t bite your nails, don’t ask for every outfit you see (that was directed at me), mind your manners, watch your purse…” said Mom, but in a pleasant way so as not to spoil the moment. “Make sure you wear clean underwear and socks. You never know when you might be in an accident.”

Fast forward 45 years: Mother’s Day is on its way and I’m invited to share a mother-daughter shopping day with Catriona (Cat) Macfarlane and her 7-year-old daughter Alyson (Aly).

First stop—Melanie Lyne. As soon as she stepped out of the change room in the first dress, we knew it was the one. It was a ‘50s inspired strapless, black and white polka dot dress with a graduated hem line. “I love this dress!” exclaimed Cat. “I could wear it dressy with heels to opening night or more casual with a pair of flats for the summer.”

Chantal Lewis, Public Relations Manager of Laura Canada says polka dots are perennial favourites, returning to the runways season after season. “Polka dots have a glamourous appeal that easily translates into classic, retro and modern interpretations.” she said.

Minutes later, Cat emerged from the dressing room again in a stunning grey-toned monochrome outfit. A grey knit shell and matching ombre knit cardigan worn over wide-leg grey pants (on the opening page). The pièce de résistance was a soft grey silk ombre scarf that Cat casually wrapped around her neck with dramatic flair.

“Neutrals, from soft grey to khaki speak to several of spring’s key messages. Soft femininity, sleek minimalism and a tougher, urban warrior aesthetic,” says Chantal. “Wearing a monochrome palette creates a flattering, visually seamless and elongated look.”

For a more casual look for “date night,” Cat chose another perennial favourite—black jeans that look dressy paired with a black and white polka dot blouse with balloon sleeves. The blouse is tapered at the waist by a band of black stretch fabric. A black and white bag completes the chic uptown look. Just add a pair of black pumps or a pair of black flats to capture the Audrey Hepburn vibe.

Cat and Aly headed over to Okaidi (pronounced Oh-ka-dee), the trendy children’s store which originates in France. The store carries kids’ sizes from one month to 14 years, specializing in top quality cotton and cotton blends. Acting Store Manager, Trepany Falvo, suggested a “pretty in peach and coral” dress in lightweight cotton for Aly.

“Peach is the ‘in’ colour for summer,” says Trepany as she handed Aly a soft grey cardigan to wear over the dress. Next Aly tried on a structured cotton dress with bold coral flowers worn with a white bolero and co-coordinated with a coral canvas shoulder bag. The look on Aly’s face said it all: Perfection.

So many outfits, so hard to choose just one or even two, but one thing the mother-daughter team did need to purchase was exercise-wear to go to yoga and to Aly’s acting lessons. At Okaidi, Aly chose a white and navy tee paired with black leggings and a white cardigan and matching head band.

Cat headed next door to lululemon athletica to be outfitted in black Groove crop pants with a colour band of Chirp (a soft lemon yellow) and Lagoon (a spring-like green) along the waist band. She paired the crop pants with the co-coordinating Power Y racer back tank in Chirp and added a zip-front jacket in Lagoon.

Later, Cat quotes her Mom’s words of wisdom: “When you are feeling bad, it is important to look good. Then you’ll be feeling better in no time.” GL

Black and white
combinations are the essence of
effortless, chic style.

Black and white
polka dot blouse
with balloon sleeves.

Black jeans.
White purse with
black trim detail.

Whether in prints
or solid, this
combination,
even at its most
basic, is crisp,
refined and
essentially
flawless.

Aly wears summery,
seaside themed
prints in easy to
wear cotton fabrics.

Denim jacket and
shorts from the
Vacances Americaines
Collection.Pink pattern
top and white leggings.

Green and white
ruched satin
sheath dress.

Perfect for spring.

Aly wears pieces
from the Okaidi
Good Look Collection.

An of-the-moment
look. Light weight
cotton t-shirt dress.
Mix ‘n’ match
(with grey cardigan)

Pretty in peach
and coral.
The “in” colour for summer.