How could you choose? 13 Style Panel members reflect on their favourite outfits ever

Date April 22, 2014

Can you believe it!? The 100th challenge. For nearly two years, our trusty Style Panel has been conquering style challenges from coast to coast.

In honour of the 100^th challenge we wanted to look back at the best-of by asking the Style Panel bloggers to chose a favouriite-ever look. This turned out to be the hardest challenge of all, since narrowing it down to a single look is no easy task. (Asking a fashion blogger to choose a favourite piece of clothing is like giving someone a litter of puppies and then telling them they can only choose one—nearly impossible, and sort of mean.)

The Panel, a handpicked group of Canada’s best-dressed fashion bloggers, has been answering your fashion queries using their unique fashion know-how. They’ve helped figure out Canadian tuxedos, taught us how to conquer normcore and fearlessly navigated through pastels. The Panel has been there like fashion seraphs leading through the sometimes-confusing trend terrain.

Question 100: If you had to choose, what would your favourite look be from recent years? Read the answers now! »

Cee Fardoe, 27
Paris via Vancouver | Coco and Vera

When I first started photographing my outfits it was, for me, a challenge to myself – I wanted to know how far I could go, how much I could really pull off if I had the confidence to own my crazy ensembles. It was fun. But it was also a lot like playing dress-up. And at a certain point, I found myself with two wardrobes; one made up of clothes I actually wore regularly and one made up of clothes that looked fabulous in photos. Bringing those two wardrobes back into one has been a learning experience. And I’ve found that the outfits I feel best in really are the simplest. The simple piece that eluded me the longest was the perfect LBD. Oh sure, I own black dresses. Ten of them, probably. But none of them was perfect. I wasn’t sure what people meant, when they talked about their perfect LBD. That is, until I tried on this dress at the Ted Baker store in Paris. I walked out of the fitting room knowing this was my perfect LBD.. And any outfit that it is part of automatically becomes one of my favourites – but I have a particular soft spot for this one, because it was the first time that I wore it, on a sunny summer day in Paris when it was really much too hot for anything black, because it was new and I loved it and I didn’t need any other reasons.

Cee’s wearing: Dress, Ted Baker. Shoes, Christian Louboutin. Clutch, J. Crew. Earrings, Keltie Leanne Designs.

Iva Grbesic, 37
Toronto | One Chic Mom

Crop tops are a big trend for the season and I am all over it but I’m not talking about the type Britney was wearing circa 2000 (I have to admit I wore those too). The crop tops I am suggesting are worn with high wasted skirts and pants and graze the top of those skirts and pants. The fun part about this combination is it becomes about the anticipation of seeing skin. It is almost Victorian – only a sliver shows and only when you’re moving, adjusting your hair, reaching for something. I’m in good company with Ann Wintour, Mindy Kaling and a pregnant Kerry Washington. Will you join me?

Iva’s wearing : Crop Top, Zara. Skirt, Express. Shoes, Banana Republic. Necklace, JCrew Factory.

Mo Handahu Favourite Outfi — Photography by Mfonirii

Mo Handahu, 29
Halifax | Lion Hunter

The moment I laid eyes on this skirt, I vowed I’d wear it one day. The fact that it was not in my size didn’t stop me from checking on it every few weeks or so. When it finally got within my price range I snatched it up knowing that I’d have to alter it to fit me. After taking in a few deep breaths and a few hesitations when the scissors touched the fabric I took the plunge and created a new waistline. I wore this to Toronto Fashion Week last month and I felt like royalty! The motifs and colours on the skirt and sweater just vibed so effortlessly; making this my most favourite look!

Mo’s wearing: Skirt, 424 FIFTH. Sweater, Peter Pilotto for Target. Shoes, Just Fab. Bag, H&M. Sunglasses, Forever21. Earrings, Costa Blanca.

Sandy Joe Karpetz, 25
Edmonton | The Pretty Secrets

This is my favourite look because it involves denim, leather, and a
touch of silliness; the plastic fast food necklace fits the bill
perfectly.

Sandy’s wearing: All vintage. Sunglasses, Ray Ban.

Becky Kung, 30
Calgary | Velvet & Vino

This past Fall/Winter season, I’ve had a major fetish for over-the-knee boots and stripes, so pairing the two into monochrome stripes makes everything complete!

I particularly love this dress paired with the blazer for its transitional elements across multiple seasons. For the cooler months, I wore this outfit with over-the-knee boots, keeping my legs warm. In the upcoming warmer months, I plan to pair the look with fun neon flats or high heels.

Becky’s wearing: Dress, 27 Boutique by Pink Martini. Blazer, Dynamite. Boots, Sam Edelman. Earrings, unikati & co. Clutch, TOPSHOP. Necklace, Gifted.

Jillian Lansky, 26
Vancouver| The August Diaries

This was a tough challenge. I have so many looks on the blog, how could I pick a favourite? But in the end, I went with what felt like a more elevated version of me. I love all black and I don’t care that some say it’s boring. It is perpetually and eternally chic. I’m also always in some kind of hat and/or leather jacket and these are two of my favourites.

Cara McLeay, 28
Vancouver | A Fashion Love Affair

Sometimes you just need an outfit that makes you feel instantly happy the moment you slip it on…for me, it is this one! A big tulle dress paired with a simple denim jacket makes for a romantic and effortless look, a combo I absolutely love.

Melanie Morais, 25
Edson, AB | BornLippy

One of my favourite looks over the past two years of blogging is actually a recent one. I’ve learned quite a bit since the beginning of my blog in terms of what works on my body and what doesn’t. Sometimes you can’t really tell unless you see photos of yourself! Although this look is pretty neutral in comparison to my usual outfits, I felt the most confident in it! When you feel confident it shows. I also love how timeless the outfit is, it’s one of those outfits that I could look back on and not be embarrassed! Here’s to another 100 Style Panel questions! ”

Melanie’s wearing: Trench, H&M. Tee, Aritzia. Jeans, Joe Fresh. Heels, Guess. Backpack, Coach.

Amy Nelson, 19
Calgary | Amy Flying a Kite

Out of all the outfits I have worn for my blog, this has always been one of my favorites. I feel like it perfectly sums up who I am as a person. Whenever I get dressed, my goal is to wear something that expresses my mood or character of that given day. When I can piece together an outfit that expresses who I am in my soul, not only do I feel accomplished but I am beaming with confidence! This outfit does exactly that — it expresses my feminine & quirky nature with the floral dress, light pink tights and over-sized hat. It also expresses my desire to explore and get mud on my boots.

Amy’s wearing: Dress and Poncho, Value Village. Hat, Goodwill. Boots, DNA footwear.

Kayla Short, 26
Halifax | Short Presents

My favorite look has to be the one I shot featuring my Short Presents t-shirt (inspired by my blog) combined with this tea length stripped skirt. There’s something about having an idea and then seeing it come to life that is so rewarding. It’s also cool to know that you can make it happen. Through designing, ordering, and selling these shirts I can honestly say I have so much more respect for clothing designers. I had no idea how many types of plain white tshirts even existed in the world, but I feel like I learned a lot and my appreciation has only grown. From start to finish I loved seeing this project through, and thus making this shot, my favorite.

Kayla’s wearing: T-shirt, The Short Presents. Jacket, Winners. Skirt, eShakti. Boots, Vince Camuto. Bag, Forever 21. Sunnies, Polette.

Barbara Ann Solomon Favourite Outfit — Photography by Brianne Kuzemchuk of Mango Studios

Barbara Ann Solomon, 25
Toronto | Barbara Ann’s Style Blog

My favourite thing I’ve ever worn, would be my J.Mendel wedding dress that I wore when I married my photographer, Trevor Negin, last August. The purchase of the dress from The Room at Hudson’s Bay was spontaneous and was very similar to the entire affair, a surprise to the 200 guests, whom were invited to our engagement party.

The accessories were just as important, with a pastel floral headpiece, lilac Pierre Hardy heels, and colourful Erickson Beamon earrings. We had designed my engagement ring with his grandmother’s stone and my other ring was a family heirloom.

See more of my wedding day look and story here.

Barbara Ann’s wearing: Gown, heels, and earrings, The Room at Hudson’s Bay. Floral Headpiece, Toronto Florist Shop.

Chris Wolf, 23
Halifax | Wolf Musings

This is one of my favourite looks from the past few years because it is just easy and relaxed, but with an edge; that generally encompasses my style. It was actually around this time of year in 2012 when I wore this. I happened to stumble upon this amazing pink Beetle and had to take a few pictures with it. As for the look: I feel like there’s always a surplus of colour everywhere in the Spring. While bright colours are always fun and exciting, I still like to go with all neutrals sometimes. Perhaps it is to break up all the neons and pastels you might see walking down the sidewalk…call me the antidote of seizures. Plus, you can always get away with more if you do it in a neutral/monochromatic palette.

Chris’s wearing: All items, H&M.

Sasha Xiao, 25
Toronto | Sasha’s Satisfashion

This girly look has to be one of my all time favourite outfits that I put together. For us who live in Canada where almost half of the year is covered by snow, knowing how to play with layers is definitely the key if we want to stay warm and fashionable at the same time. But living in the cold weather doesn’t mean we have to shy away from bright colours. With this look, I tried to stay away from the universal winter shade-black, but instead, I went for a brighter and more vibrant combo-grey and pastel pink.
Another thing I’d like to share is that investing in a nice coat is a must-do. One of my friends asked me why I could afford to buy so many expensive pieces to create this luxurious-looking outfit. But the truth is that except the coat, every piece in this outfit is under $50. So as you can see, a well tailor coat can go a long way.

Sasha’s wearing: Coat and top, J.Crew. Top, Club Monaco. Skirt and tights, Aritzia. Shoes and hat, Zara. Belt. American Apparel.