If the cool fall weather has sent you knee-deep into the yearly ritual of hunting through your closet for warmer fashion, consider the vest. In addition to the sweaters, cardigans, and coats typical of the season, the vest is a refreshing alternative for layering your look and fighting off winter winds. For true vest-in-show style, try sophisticated tailoring at the office, cozy, functional fabrics on the weekend, and unexpected texture for a trendy twist.

1. Zara Combined Fur Waistcoat ($80)

2. Alice + Olivia Crocheted Wool Cocoon Vest ($365 USD), available at Net-a-Porter

3. Diane von Furstenberg Harrington Belted Vest ($593), available at Shopbop

4. BB Dakota Dustin Herringbone Vest ($104), available at Shopbop

5. Banana Republic Faux Fur Belted Vest ($124)

6. J.Crew Herringbone Vest ($150 USD)

By: Elizabeth Pryde, Vancouver

You should follow me on Twitter @elizabethpryde.

Want to work in fashion? Visit fashion career website for Canada Style Nine to Five.

1. Style inspiration: Burberry Prorsum Fall 2011 RTW. Photo courtesy of Style.com.

2.Vasia by Ulla Johnson Trench Coat ($149), available at Urban Outfitters.

3. Gap Suede Trench Coat ($318).

4.  J.Crew Double-cloth Trench ($404 US.)

5. Banana Republic Mad Men Collection Leopard Trench ($240).

By: Elizabeth Pryde, Vancouver

Want to work in fashion? Visit fashion career website for Canada Style Nine to Five.

Fresh and fabulous for the weekend

1. Aldo “Swansen” heel in Bone ($34.99) Available at www.aldoshoes.com

2. Club Monaco www.clubmonaco.com “Aleta All In One Romper” in Blue Print ($187.94) Available at www.shopbop.com

3. Nine West “Hey Jute Large Clutch” in Natural/White ($64.99) Available at www.ninewest.ca

Date night in the city

4. Aldo “Nachod” heel in Beige ($27.99) Available at www.aldoshoes.com

5. Tommy Hilfiger “Legging Jean” in Summit Wash ($79.00 US) Available at www.tommy.com

6. Club Monaco www.clubmonaco.com “Zoey Sequin Tank” in Putty ($128.43) Available at www.shopbop.com

Sleek and polished at the office

7. Steve Madden “Unityy” Heel in Blush Patent ($89.95 US) Available at www.stevemadden.com

8. Banana Republic “Lightweight Wool Melange Blazer and Pencil Skirt” in Grey (Skirt: $56.99 Blazer: $154.99) Available at www.bananarepublic.ca

9. Aldo “Iachetta Handbag” in Taupe ($45.00) Available at www.aldoshoes.com

Subtle and sophisticated, nude heels are a wardrobe staple. The neutral hue creates an elongated, streamline silhouette and is available in a wide range of versatile styles and tones, perfect for all occasions. From work, to weekend, to those hot summer nights, put your best strut forward this season, proving you can wear it nude.

By: Elizabeth Pryde, Vancouver

Want to work in fashion? Visit fashion career website for Canada Style Nine to Five.

Stay cool under the sun in light, translucent pieces. Work sheer tops, skirts, and dresses into a modest wardrobe by sticking to sheer accents, layering over a tank top or slip. For the daring type, just see what you can get away with. This look is best with blousy, loose silhouettes—anything too tight borders on tasteless.

1. Zig Zag Lace Scoop Back Dress, $56, available at American Apparel.

2. Silk Blend Button Up, $29.80, available at Forever 21.

3. Black Layered Maxi Skirt, $80, available at TopShop.

4. Sheer Cascade Open Cardigan, $95, available at Banana Republic.

5. Acne Denim Spellbinder Silk Shirt Dress, $200, available at Jonathan + Olivia.

6. Striped Sheer T-Shirt, $19.99, available at Kensie.

By: Sara Constantineau, Toronto

You should follow me on Twitter @sara_rochelle.

Want to work in fashion? Visit fashion career website for Canada Style Nine to Five.

Wedding season is in full swing, and what you choose to wear is as important as the gift you bring. You can’t try to outshine the bride, but all those cameras mean you have to look your best.

1. Backswept Dress, $268, available at Anthropologie
2. Leather Pumps, $49.98, available at ALDO
3. Chain Bow Clutch, $59, available at Bebe

For an evening ceremony, you can’t go wrong with a fun cocktail dress, as long as it’s not too revealing. Add some subtle bling with metallic accessories.

4. Gemma Beaded Neckline Draped Dress, $348, available at BCBG

5. Madison Laser Cut Op Art Large Wristlet, $198, available at Coach

6. Metallic Sandal, $225, available at Michael Kors

A destination wedding calls for effortless, summery style. A lightweight maxi dress, strappy sandals, and a statement cuff create a look that’s both simple and striking.

7. Nadya Maxi Dress, $160, available at Banana Republic
8. Gold Cuff, $25, available at Guess
9. Braided Sandal, $298, available at Stuart Weitzman

By: Sara Rochelle, Toronto

You should follow me on Twitter @sara_rochelle

Want to work in fashion? Visit fashion career website for Canada Style Nine to Five.

Lax dress code? Lucky you! Keep this look office appropriate with longer shorts and clean, crisp neutrals.

Experiment with this season’s trendy brights with complementary colours for casual and chic weekend style.

Up the sex appeal for a night on the town with leather micro shorts and a metallic blazer.

1. Max Azria Bemberg-Twill Blazer, $438, available at BCBG MAXAZRIA
2. Bermuda Short, $43.40, available at Banana Republic
3. Pique Blazer, $119, available at Zara
4. Lucca Couture Chiffon Scallop Short, $48, available at Urban Outfitters
5. Emery Metallic Linen-Blend Blazer, $425, available at net-a-porter.com
6. Leather Short Pants, $227, available at Michael Kors

By: Sara Constantineau, Toronto

You should follow me on Twitter @sara_rochelle.

Want to work in fashion? Visit fashion career website for Canada Style Nine to Five.

Instead of spending hours combing through store after store for a perfect summer dress, save yourself some time and effort and make just one stop this year – Banana Republic. The consistently fashion-forward clothing line has launched its most inclusive and desirable signature summer dress collection to date. The collection boasts more than 70 beautiful and unique dresses, with the price points ranging from $69.50 to $298.00 (and good news, most are under $100.00!).

Befitting its seasonal inspirations, the collection is filled with exotic prints, bold solids, and a prismatic array of vivid and tropical colours. Not only are the prints and colours exactly what one would want in a summer dress collection, but the fabrics are both summer-appropriate and inherently luxurious: fine linens, silks, and cottons add to the lightness and ease of the pieces. The other bit of good news is that regardless of what event you are dressing for, the collection has a dress for each occasion.

Though we may not be experiencing the warmest of temperatures at the moment, take a cue from the fabulous fashion blogger Blair of Atlantic-Pacific in the picture above who threw a light military-inspired jacket over her Banana Republic Monogram dress. With the easy addition of some warm-weather pieces, these beautiful summer dresses will carry you well into the summer, at which point you can finally get rid of the jackets!

If you’re in nearly any major city then you undoubtedly have a Banana Republic nearby, but should the store be out of reach for you, visit Banana Republic’s online store! Happy shopping!

By: Alexandra Grant, Vancouver

You should follow me on Twitter @tovogueorbust.

After what seems like forever, the cold weather is finally gone and Spring has arrived. Celebrate the glorious return of warmer weather by kicking off those winter boots and donning one of these flirty, feminine Spring dresses. Opt for a soft nude tone or pay homage to Mother Nature’s rebirth with a colourful floral pattern. Pair any of these styles with ballet flats and a great blazer and you’re ready to welcome spring with open arms.

1. Paintstroke Floral Dress, $19.90, available at Forever 21
2. Staring at Stars Wildflower Sundress, $59.00, available at Urban Outfitters
3. Wilfred Nina Dress, $155, available at Aritzia
4. Silk Flounce Dress, $185, available at Banana Republic

By: Shareen Sandhu, Toronto

Striving to look professional sometimes leads to snooze-worthy fashion. If your 9-5 uniform is putting you to sleep, inject some drama into your day with the quintessential work dress. When you’re not worried about competing separates it’s easy to look put together with virtually no effort, which is perfect for blurry-eyed early mornings. Add visual interest with subtle ruffles, lace and pops of colour. To keep things office-appropriate, avoid skinny straps, too-short hemlines and flimsy fabrics.

1. Irene Dress, $295, available at Teenflo
2. Sheer On Top Dress, $58, available at Kensie
3. Belted Soutache Lace Dress, $2,595, available at Michael Kors
4. Layla Leather Dress by Rag & Bone, $999, available at Jonathan + Olivia
5. Silk Ruffle Layer Dress, $84.99, available at Banana Republic
6. Tailored Shirt Dress, $298, available at BCBG MaxAzria

By: Sara Constantineau, Toronto

You should follow me on Twitter @sara_rochelle.

Whether your tendency is toward rock-star revelry with studs and chains or ladylike charm with bows and lace, make sure the gloves you wear this winter add a little something extra to your outerwear. Elbow-length styles mean instant drama and they’re ideal for covering up forearms while wearing this season’s on-trend capes and crop sleeve coats.

1.Cable knit fingerless gloves, $19.50, available at Gap
2. Studded glove, $69.50, available at Banana Republic
3. Long leather glove, $88.00, available at BCBG
4. Gloves Balm C, $54.90, available at Mango

By: Sara Constantineau, Toronto