Wendy Woulds | stockings with open toe shoes?

Amanda L.: "One of your options for changing up your holiday dress is to wear strappy sandals.  How do you get around the issue of hosiery since we're talking about December here?   Is there a clever way to wear hosiery with your strappy sandals or do we just grin and bear the cold?" 

Wendy Woulds: "The easiest to execute - grin and bear it... just like this :D 

If you are confident in your abilities to match patterns I would suggest finding a patterned stocking like fishnets or a lace pattern to match with the strappy nature of your shoe. Important point: make sure you buy sandal foot stockings!"

Holiday Dress

You can wear one simple dress to every Holiday event you have this year!  Seriously.

There are many easy ways to create very different outfits from one dress.  If you do it right, I guarantee people won't even notice that you are wearing the exact same dress to each of your Holiday events.

To demonstrate, I've used a little black dress, but please know that you can apply the below ideas to any simple dress you have in your closet.

The Tips

Use jewellery to change the whole personality of an outfit: pearls look classic; while a chunky necklace can add drama; while chandelier earrings look glamorous.

Have some fun with shoes: Boots look strong when paired with a dress; flats are more relaxed; pumps give a classic look; while strappy sandals are sexy. 

Add layers: when you add layer pieces like sparkly sweaters and blazers over your dress, it totally changes the way the dress structure appears and therefore  the way you appear in that dress. 

Add an embellished handbag: take advantage of the Holiday season as an opportunity to use the great evening bags you have hiding in your closet.  Depending on the personality of the bag, you can add funk or elegance to your outfit. 

Once you start mixing and matching jewellery, shoes, purses, and layer pieces,  you will discover you have more outfits in your closet than you think!

REFINED. Gift Experiences Under $50

I was recently asked by a Toronto newspaper to sum up my gift shopping philosophy... my answer: "Be Creative!"  

This year my creative gifting wheels have been set in motion by local gift experience websites - a phenomena popular in the UK and slowing coming to North America.  For this stylish gift tip, I have interpreted the concept, and compiled a list of my top 5 Toronto* gift experience picks under $50: 

1. Waters Experience at Body Blitz Spa - a relaxing gift, and if you go together you have a chance to chat and catch up. $48 per person.

2. Test a Style Coach with THE REFINERY - a gift where she will discover clothing and accessory styles that make her shine. $40 per person.

3. Eyebrow Shaping at The Brow House - women love to pamper themselves, so give her a gift where she can do just that! $25 per person.
4. Afternoon Tea at MoRoCo - afternoon tea always feels so decadent and fun! $45 full tea, $18 cream tea; per person prices.

5. Tastings at the LCBO - the LCBO offers a wide range of courses for different tastes and budgets. prices vary - many between $25 and $45. Across Ontario.

At prices like these you can treat yourself to the gift experience as well and enjoy some time with this special woman.  And we all know time together is the best gift money can buy! 

*many of these gift experience ideas can be applied to places in your city.

...stay tuned for next week's top 5 gift experiences under $100.

THE REFINERY Holiday Gift Guide

Home "Sweat" Home

I LOVE sweats! That's right, I said it, I'm a closet sweat pant and hoodie lover!  Wow, does that ever feel good to get off my chest!

When I first started THE REFINERY, I thought that as a personal style coach I was going to have to let go of my passion for these soft and cozy items; since then I've embraced it.

Here's what I've realized... sweats have a time and place, and for me they signify it's time to relax.  There is something so comforting about coming home, putting on your coziest pair of sweats, and curling up on the couch with a tea - ah relaxation!

The issue with sweats is that they're so comfortable many of us want to wear them everywhere: picking up the kids from school, going to the grocery store, perhaps even out to dinner (you know who you are)!  To define those appropriate/inappropriate times to wear sweats I have devised a test. Before I leave the house in my most casual of outfits, I ask myself, "If I saw someone I haven't seen in 5 years at (fill in the blank of wherever I'm going) would I feel embarrassed to be seen like this."  If I think I would feel embarrassed by this situation, I change my clothes before I leave.  I want to feel confident in every situation I may encounter, and so should you!

Here are 3 places I always feel comfortable wearing sweats outside the house:

1. I'm on my way to an activity that requires I wear activewear

2. I'm going for a walk through High Park

3. Anytime I'm at the cottage

I have others.  In the end this is a personal comfort level that you need to decide for yourself.  Be honest with yourself.  Do you really feel fully comfortable in those sweats, because embarrassment is totally uncomfortable!

Wendy