Going to the Chapel...

So you may not be getting married this summer, and for that matter you may not even be going to a chapel of any kind. But what is far more likely is that you will have to attend at least one event this summer where you will be expected to take off  your flip flops and jean shorts, and actually look presentable. And I mean presentable presentable. Like presentable to your grandmother presentable. Not like "at work on a Tuesday and who cares if I wore the same pants on Friday" presentable. Real presentable.

What makes dressing for summer events difficult is contending with the elements. Wind, rain, heat, sun, lack of sun- and that's just the cocktail hour. Depending on what your attending, dressing for the elements is just as hard to decipher as what exactly "resort wear chic" listed on the invitation actually means. But not only that, dressing to impress is just as difficult. Heaven help you if you show up wearing the same thing as someone else! *shivers* But, that is why we are here to help!

If you're a lady, and not the center of attention (and not even in the periphery of attention) are are attending a function where pants just won't do, you may opt to up the cool-factor and don a little denim, or play with the asymmetrical appeal of the high-low skirt.

Jacket and floral dress; Bryan's Fashions 

Asymmetrical high-low dress; Bryan's Fashions 

If eyes are going to be on you on the big day (family pictures, a speech, a toast etc.) and the dress code is seemingly formal, then you make want to up the ante and go with a more glamours cocktail dress (ie. buy the one with the shiny things attached.) 

Intricate lace number; Le Chateau

Frilly and fabulous; Bryans Fashions 

What you should never be afraid of, when attending a function like a wedding or graduation, is the possibility of standing out. However you want it to be for the right reasons. Wow those around you by daring to try something different. Step outside the box. Play with pattern, colour, shape and style

Be bold in a bright patterned full skirt; Bryan's Fashions 

Go long! Gown style summer dress; RW& Co. 

For gentlemen the monotony of the suit and tie, especially in the summer, increases the possibility of fatigue. The same old black suit just won't cut it anymore. Not when there are opportunity to join the Technicolor world at large. Whether it be a statement or a nod, the formal fashion dictates that colour is our friend. 

Go big, or go home! A red blazer says it all; Le Chateau 

 A neon surprise; Le Château 

Hey- grey is still a colour and a bunch of shades of doesn't sound too bad; RW & Co.

Maybe you want to go super casual? Coloured linen is your friend; RW & Co. 

So, there you have it! Every option for every summer occasion imaginable! Now, if the guest list to each event provides no crossover- you can just buy one! But what fun is that? 

Have an occasion coming up and don't know what to wear? Hit the comments below! 

Happy Father's Day!

"A father is someone who carries pictures in his wallet where his money used to be" - Unknown 

Sometimes it's easy o forget that a Dad isn't just someone who fixes our cars, does the heavy lifting, mows the lawn, and generally watches out for us. Which is why, I suppose, Father's Day was invented. It's a day to remind us of all the things that dad's do. Whether we ask them to or not. Whether we thank them for it afterwards or not. It's a day on the calendar, just reserved for him! Now, what are you going to do about it? 

The optimal thing would be to buy him a present, give him a gift, provide him with a token of appreciation. Sounds good, right? Except when you pause for a moment to think- what do you you buy him? On average father's rank on the "Hardest People to Buy for Scale" somewhere in between  Santa Claus and the Pope (Who are, when you think about it,  both 'fathers' - Christmas and Holy respectively) More over, you don't just want to buy just anything. You want to give SOMETHING. Something good. Something to thank him for putting on your winter tires, for lending you $20 bucks, for strongly advising you against getting that soulDecision tattoo. 

Well, don't fret! We spend the majority of our waking hours in a a shopping centre (the largest multi-level shopping centre the province in fact.) and if we can't come up with something to give a dad this father's day then no one else can! And not only that- we've also provided some sick father's day fashions that you can maybe show your dad to get him to throw any that "I'm with stupid" t-shirt. Check out our chat with CTV Morning Live for the full interview! 

Golf Clubs; Sport Chek 

Leather Jacket and Satchel; Boutique of Leathers 

Eponymous Rider Gear; Jersey City 

For the tech Savvy Dad; iPhone 5 from iWorld Connect 

Shirt and tie; Tip Top Tailors 

Bevvy of Watches; Spare Parts 

Our Model Floyd showing the classic casual Dad- Look; Eddie Bauer 

And here he suits up with attire from Tip Top Tailors 

Floyd's Grandson Jadyn proves style runs in the family with a casual preppy look from F2 Fashions 

For the running enthusiast Jadyn Shows off running apparel from Sport Chek 

Father and Son Duo Jeremy Dodge and Nathan show off matching outfits from The Bay 

IN FASHION

Last week, as part of a kick off to the Saskatoon Fashion and Design Festival (SFDF) the Midtown Plaza hosted our first annual IN FASHION event. And now, after the tulle and the dust has settled we have time and the energy to look and back and see how it was done.

Since our slogan is Everyday Fashion First, it is only suitable for the Midtown to not only kick off the events of the SFDF weekend, but also to present to our customers, the ways in which they too can look, and feel fashion first, everyday. That's what is at the heart of our IN FASHION event. More than a fashion show, our event wanted to draw in our guests and shoppers, and present to them the ways in which  to stay in style this season (and also to pamper them with products, swag bags, and delicious treats). By holding noon hour and an after-work session we were able to present to the busy shopping crowd the best in spring/summer 2013 fashion, hair, and make-up trends.

The production of an event like this takes week of planing and organizing, that all culminated in a 24 hour period. The amazing team at SFDF had everything go off with out a hitch. The stage and production equipment was delivered after the mall had closed, and in quick succession our backdrop was assembled and a quick run through of the next day's events.

Almost there, but not quite... 

A quick run through with Rebecca King and our Model Bevan. 

Our VIP guest received swag bags packed full with Midtown merchandise

Pretty soon the stage was set. 

Our VIP section. 

Global TV's Kevin Stanfield was our host 

Fashion Designer Rebecca King presented the very best looks for Spring and Summer 

Black and White stripes are a huge trend this season 

Men are wearing short suits in classic black 

Jade is the hottest colour this season 

Tammy from Angles Salon and Spa presented hair and make-up tips 

Stylists from Angles Salon and Spa perform hair and make-up transformations. 

We would like to extend a hug thank you to the team at SFDF, Angles Salon and Spa, our wonderful retailers, our models, and those to came to watch for making our first ever IN FASHION event a success. 

Did you check out our IN FASHION event? Hungry for more? Keep checking back for more great Midtown Plaza events! 

Dress to Impress!

Whether you are dressing for a night out, the Met Gala, or -perhaps- something a little more local (say- the Silverspoon Dinner in Saskatoon) There are numerous things to consider. How daring do you want to be? Do you want to stand out, or fit in? Are you a taste maker? Or do you stick with the classics?

Midtown Plaza partnered with The Silver Spoon Dinner to impress their already impressive consortium of attendees with the latest fashions from Midtown Plaza retailers. Pulling together show stopping dramatic dresses, fabulous frocks, and trendy duds is harder than it looks. Especially when you want to get the look just right. It takes days of preparation, and more than a few creative heads to come together to get just one outfit right. Thankfully, as our tag line suggests, we put Fashion First- and so do our amazing retailers. Working with Mexx, Melanie Lyne, Le Chateau, RW&Co.,  and Bryan's Fashions, we put together stunning looks that the Silver Spoon and our customer would adore. Town Shoes graciously let us bags and shoes for the event as well!

Angles Salon and Spa provided hair and make-up for our team of models. Ensuring every hair was in place, and every lash was decadently detailed!

We narrowed our looks down...

Arranged them just the way we needed.. 

I think we came up with some pretty stellar looks- and I know a lot of the attendees took notice! 

Mexx 

Bryan's Fashions

Melanie Lyne 

RW & Co. 

Le Château 

What do you think? See any must have's for your next formal occasion? Let us know!

Hot or Naut(ical)

Every season has a theme, an inspiration drawn from something from the past or an imagination of the future. With spring and summer, our imaginations can run wild, and as the sun (finally) begins to shine and temperatures rise (incrementally)- more than one person will find themselves imagining an idyllic life of leisure. Everyone has done it: imagined living the life of the idle rich; summer's spent entirely at the lake, the ocean, on a yacht. For some that's a way of life, and other's it's only a dream, but just because you don't have a million bucks desn't mean you can't look like it.

This spring, thanks in part to the weather, and the resurchnage of preppy chic, it's no surprise that we are seeing hints of nautcal, yacht, and preppy fashions in many of our stores' collections. So even if, at present at least, we are still land locked, it's never to early to start dressing the part.

get your sea legs with a pair of nautically striped wedges; Call it Spring 

A boat shoes in every colour! Perfect on deck or off; Call it Spring

A preppy, fitted striped blazer is a perfect blend of business and pleasure; Suzy Shier 

Nothing says Nautical like Navy; Costa Blanca 

As preppy as possible! A fitted two-toned polo in deep blue; RW&Co. 

Sail away with a polo in every colour; Tip Top Tailors 

If the collar fits- Set sail for adventure with a Peter Pan collared blouse from Ricki's 

Earn a full salute with a striped 3/4 length tee; Ricki's 

 Are you ready to dive in to these Spring trends? Or does nautical inspiration make you feel like you're walking the plank? Hit the comments!

Juno What to Wear: Everything Else!

We've covered footwear for music's biggest night, but there is a lot more to an outfit than just simply stepping off on the right foot. First impressions are made within the first few seconds, and if someone misses out on your shoes you could be starting off on the wrong note. For a cohesive, altogether outstanding ensemble you have to go all the way. Which often times mean hitting all the fashion high notes. If there are any residual effects from 80s rock still being felt in glam-fashion today it is that more is still consistently more. More studs, more leather, more neon. These are items sure to make anyone's (and your own) best dressed list.

Simple yet studded. Added details like studs to a black tank lends an edgy vibe; Guess? 

Colour me intrigued? Leather and music go hand in hand- stand out with an electric blue bomber; Guess

Look red hot in coloured and treated denim; Guess 

Stand up and Salute! Brass and camo top; Sirens 

Rock and Ragged? Torn inserts; Sirens

Shear paneled tops amp up the drama; Costa Blanca 

Maxi relaxing! Take in the show with a summer vibe and maxi dress; Costa Blanca 

More leather! Capped leather sleeves add a rocker flair; Sirens 

Go wild! Animal print dresses scream concert attire; Sirens 

Unleash your inner Keith! Scarves and skulls make beautiful music together; Costa Blanca

So, have we hit a high note? Are these outfits a bonafide hit, or a one one hit wonder? Hit the comments below!