Our Holiday Weekend Guide

Happy Friday everyone! Team Canvas is taking advantage of the holiday weekend to spend time with family and friends. We hope that you all are doing the same! If you're still hunting for the perfect brunch spot, you can find some of our favorites here. 

No plans yet for the weekend? No problem. Check our some of our favorites places around the city to to enjoy a sunny day outside. And just in case the weather is right and it does on Sunday, check out our favorite indoors activities in SF.

Whatever you do, have a fabulous weekend!

Stay Stylish,
K&M

Layering for Spring Showers

Spring in San Francisco can be a cruel season. The weather often shifts from warm days to rainy and foggy nights. What is the key to successful dressing in the city? We've said it before and we'll say it again--LAYERING!

Start With a Clean Base

For this look I stared with black denim and a tailored denim shirt. If I get warm and end up back at my base there is still enough interest with the denim and my silver flats to keep the look compelling.

Add a Touch of Print

Scarves are a SF accessory necessity. We recommend always having a great solid, two tone print and multi print in your wardrobe. I chose this animal print inspired design (its a good alternative for those who don't like leopard). The pop of blue coordinates with the denim and poncho without being a direct color match.

Finish with A Outwear Piece with Panache

Outerwear should be your secret weapon for spring dressing. A wool layer may not feel appropriate, but it's a year-round fabric for the city. The lighter shade and playful fringe keeps the poncho relevant for spring and on trend.

Stay Stylish,

K&M

Dressing Outside the Box: Cultivating Your Style

During one of our weekly meetings Megan asked if I wanted to write a blog story about how my style has evolved over the last five years since I started styling full time. It triggered some introspection on how I've let down some barriers when working with clients to let my own personality and style shine.

For this photoshoot I chose a backdrop that personifies the beginning of my life in San Francisco--Chinatown. When I first moved to the city 11 years ago, Chinatown was part of my daily commute to fashion classes. I love the vibrant spirit and tradition of the neighborhood and to me that sums up what the world of fashion should balance.

Build A Foundation On What Works

For Megan and I, we have always been conscious of what we wear with clients, it sets the tone for the shopping experience. Looking back at my wardrobe when I first started styling, I aired on the safe side.  I know my body type and what silhouettes work best for me and stuck to that. I feel most comfortable in tailored and elegant investment pieces over the latest trend. These continue to be my foundational pieces--or basics.

Keep Harmony and Balance

Over the years I've incorporated more "fun" statement pieces into 20% of my mix that are relevant to what is happening in fashion and still resonate with my story. If you are unsure about working with a trend, make sure you have a good tailor to help you get the fit just right. It's important to remain in touch with your boundaries and push yourself to dress outside your box. When you do this, you start to innovate and see other things in life differently too.

Cultivate Your Garden

Voltaire said it best but, the key to cultivating your personal style is knowing that it will never be finished.  There is something unique about clothing in that if you take the time to look at your style, you will learn a lot about yourself. As exhausting as that seems, it shouldn't be. Part of the beauty (and pain) of the fashion industry is that it is constantly challenging and re-inventing itself. At Canvas we encourage the same, but acknowledge the best changes are the slow ones that evolve with you overtime.

Stay Stylish,

K&M

The Classic with a Pop Look:  Zara Striped Blouse $49.90, AG Skinny Jeans $235, Sole Society Earrings (similar), FSNY Animal Print Flats (similar)

The Three Shirts Every Man Needs For Spring

Photo Credit: Ayobade-Adebayo

Are you a man looking to update your closet with some spring essentials? Well look no further because we are dishing on the three button-down shirts that will carry you through the season looking sharp.

Spring calls for lighter fabrics, softer colors and even a floral thrown into the mix. Below are our top picks. Don't be afraid to make them your own in a variation that works for your style. 

Stay Stylish,
K&M

Jack Spade Pinstripe Chambray, $86 (on sale)

Chambray

Add a little breathable texture to your look. Think of this as your everyday linen shirt. It's perfect for a weekend bbq or layered under a sportcoat at the office. Mix it up this year and try a nehru collar (pictured) instead of the standard button down collar.

Bonobos Slim Fit Gingham Sport Shirt, $88

Gingham

If you don't have this print in your closet right now, your neighbor must be stealing your J.Crew mailer. This print has reached the point of satire, but why not mix it up by choosing a fresh shade for spring? We are fans of lavender, green or pink pastels. Go ahead show off your softer side...

Rodd&Gunn Slim Fit Sport Shirt, $148

Floral

This print is not just for the ladies this season. Florals have gone mainstream  and are a fun way to add a little personality to a casual day-time look. If the print is feeling a little to bold, layer on a linen blend sweater. For evening stick to a two tone floral print and pair it with a jacket or sportcoat.

Print Mixing Our Way to Spring

In the spectrum of style, print mixing is an advanced move. Some people call it "power clashing prints" while others refer to it as the "not matching match". It's one of Megan's favorite ways to dress and often one of the hardest things for more conservative dressers to try.

Embrace the Chaos

The secret to mixing prints is to not overthink it. The more analytical you are, the more complicated it can feel. Start by replacing the solid shirt in your everyday uniform with a soft print and work your way up from there.

Tips for Mixing Prints

Feeling a little nervous if you can pull it off? It may take a little extra attitude -- however, there are a few basic rules to make it easier.

1. Start small.  Keep it simple with classic geometrics like a stripe, dot and then pair it with a spring floral.

2. Leopard is a neutral. DVF said it first and we agree. If you are wearing a floral blouse or bold stripes, add a pair of leopard flats or jacket like Megan did above.

3. Know your scale. Choose one print that dominates and one as an accent. For example, Megan is letting her floral blouse dominate and the leopard accent it.

4. Limit your color palette. Make sure that your colors are complementary (opposite on the color wheel) or different shades of the same family (dark blue and baby blue).

5. Invert your prints. If you aren't into bold colors, try inverting your prints by pairing a black item with white stripes with a white item with black stripes.

Outfit details: Zara printed poplin top, faux leopard fur jacket (similar), Levis 710 jeans, Nine West flats (similar) and Alexander McQueen sunnies.

Stay Stylish,
K&M

Face Time: Megan's Spring Skin Must-Haves

I won't lie, I have become a bit obsessed with my skincare routine since my last birthday. I've blogged about age spots, DIY organic masks and even my Nana's homemade aloe pads. So as soon as the Spring sunshine peeked it's head out from the grey clouds, I knew it was time to update my skincare.

Start the Day Fresh Faced

I love Dermalogica's products. So, when I was gifted their new daily superfoliant from local CODE Salon I couldn't wait to try it. One word - AMAZING!  I use it every morning (if you have sensitive skin like Kimberly, she recommends using it every other day) to gently exfoliate my face. After toning, and putting sunscreen on, I add a small dab of DCL Hydra Boost Finishing Serum to plump my skin and add a glow.

Makeup Bag Necessities

Usually when I leave the house in the morning, I am gone for most of the day. That means that my purse needs to be stocked with essentials for a fresh face. Mid-day I touch-up and reduce shine with Clinique's Beyond Perfecting Powder Foundation + Concealor. I also love Viseart's Theory Palette in Minx because it doubles as cheek color on the go. And of course, always my favorite sunnies to hide my eyes when they're tired!

Stay Stylish,
M&K

The Lux Sweatshirt: Pretty in Pastels

Pretty in Pastels

A new wave of 80's style is in vogue for Spring 2017 and it makes me think of Molly Ringwald. Hello pink! It's the pastel shade dominating the racks right now, along with plenty of bows, lace and ruffles. 

Is this shift to softness a fashion backlash from the androgynous style we've seen over the past few years or a response to the current political climate? Whatever your theory, half of the design world has gone for what we are calling "hyper-feminine" style.

Chose One Element To Keep It Modern

It is a weird moment when styles from your childhood are trending again and I'm not quite sure I need to do it the same way. Instead, I decided to take on the trend and make it my own. I chose a modern watercolor sweatshirt from Athropologie over the popular font driven graphic sweatshirts (they felt too a la Espirit for me) as the inspiration for my look.

Pro tip: Less is more. Pick one detail to keep it modern and avoid looking like a time capsule.

Add a Dash of Structure with Oversized Pieces

The key to wearing any voluminous piece is finding balance with structured coordinates. In this case I paired the sweatshirt with a s button down shirt underneath and added a dark skinny jean.

Break The Rules: Opposites Attract

To keep the look from getting too "girly" I paired the sweatshirt with frayed hem jeans and added a Madewell necklace to keep it looking modern. I also layered on a few traditionally menswear pieces (a banker stripe shirt and oxfords) to add touch of irony to the look. The result was a simple, easy style that is on trend and still feels like "2017" me.

Stay Stylish,

K&M

The Look: Water Color Sweatshirt (size up) $88, BR Riley-Fit Ruffle Strip Shirt $69, AG Raw Hem Skinny Leggings $250, Michael Kors Nude Oxfords ($92.99 On SALE), Madewell Dream Keeper Fringe Necklace ($29.50 On SALE), Rebecca Minkoff Grey MAB Tote

A special thanks to our SF Photographer, Kelsey Johnson, who always manages to make us look great! 

Parisian Chic: Oui Love Spring!

With the sun out this week, we couldn't resist having our Monday meeting outside at one of our favorite French cafes. Here in San Francisco, it almost feels like we went from cold, windy and rainy to warm and blue skies overnight (probably because we did!).

Transitioning Your Wardrobe to Spring

With the quick change in climate, I'm not quite ready to let go of my winter favorites and am finding fresh ways to bring them into spring with me. 

Lighten Up Your Shades

I searched most of winter for the perfect trench coat (read our Trench Story here and here.) to replace my staple black. While scouting looks for our spring shoot, I came across a gorgeous laser cut trench in clearance at Banana Republic (see photo below). The lighter grey shade is perfect with the blush and other pastels popular this spring. While our days are warmer, there is still a chill in the air in the mornings and evenings, so this is going to be the perfect piece to carry me through the season. 

Spring's Velvet Revival

Velvet is another big trend from Fall/Winter that carrying over into spring. I love these pale pink velvet ballet shoes (another BR sale score!). To soften them up for spring, I have been pairing them with a lot of white tops and printed pants. It's the perfect balance of sweet and stylish. 

So tell me, what trend are you most excited to renew for spring?

Stay Stylish,
K&M

DIY Challenge: How to Fray Your Denim Like A Pro

Destressed denim is a standard in any fashion lover's wardrobe--but do you choke at the thought of investing in something already torn apart? We get it, which is why we thought we'd help some of you ease into the game. 

The Frayed Denim Trend

Denim trends come and go, but the frayed hem has been a hot look the past few years. It is simple enough you can do it at home. The beauty of this trend is you can really make it your own--the cropped bell cut, the staggered hem (think high-low mullet cuff), and the super fringe are all styles that you can do yourself. 

How To Fray Your Denim At Home

Today we are going to keep it simple and take one of our old pairs of denim and spruce it up for spring with a basic raw hem makeover.

The Basic Raw Hem

What you'll need:

• Chalk or a tailors pencil
• Safety Pins or straight pins
• Fabric Scissors
• Seam Ripper/Tweezers
• Old Pair of Jeans Freshly Washed
• Ruler or Straight Edge

Step 1:

Iron your jeans (this should really be the only time this should ever happen, unless your name is Kimberly or Monica ;)). Make sure you have a fresh foundation to start with and release the original hem if you need more length.

Step 2:

Test out the length by trying them on and adding a straight pin or safety pin where you want to hem. Make a straight line on where you want your fringe or fray to start with a pencil or tailor's chalk.

Step 3:

Make sure the length is exactly what you want or cut the hem slightly longer to start (measure twice, cut once friends).

Step 4:

Snip, snip, snip

Step 5:

Release some of the threads from the hem, lightly pulling your seam ripper or tweezers along the bottom of the hem. If you look an the inside of the denim pull some of the loops by the edge of the hem. In between releasing threads, pull the hem tight at the sides to "fluff" up the fray.

Step 6: Enjoy Life in the Fray. If your hem after washing looks too much like a jellyfish for your taste snip the loose threads for maintenance.

Stay Stylish,

K&M

A Wardrobe Classic: The Best Men's White T-Shirts

What man doesn't love a good white t-shirt? A closet staple, they're a versatile piece that can be worn with pretty much anything. But what makes a good white tee really good? We like to stick with the three Fs: Fit, Fabrication and Function.

Breaking Down The Perfect White Tee

When searching for the perfect tee, keep in mind whether you are a crew neck or v-neck man. From there, identify you if like a slim, fitted or a boxy style. Fabrication is another important factor. This lower the thread count, the thinner the tee. We recommend 100% cotton tees for comfort and durability. 

Our Favorites By Style

Best V-Neck
Uniqlo Supima Cotton V-Neck, $9.90
Made with 100% Supima® cotton, this shallow v-neck looks sharp all on its own, but also layers great. Plus the price can't be beat!

Best Crew Neck
Welcome Stranger 8-oz Bison Tee, $42
This slim-cut tee from local SF menswear shop Welcome Stranger has structure and hold its shape after eight hours of wear and tear. 

Best Undershirt
RibbedTee Retro Fit Tee, $36 for two
This lightweight shirt is ultra soft and slim without being clingy. The generously cut collar stays concealed under your button down and the length is just long enough to stay put when tucked.

Stay Stylish,
K&M