Ah, January - the coldest month (at least here in Canada) - is also the time of year when we're supposed to put into action all of our hopes, dreams and resolutions of the new year. Mother Nature, you can be quite the little bitch. It's only fitting that I received these images from last summer from my friend and former theScore (RIP) co-worker, Michael Andrew Reid, during the coldest week of the year. But in keeping with goals and personal resolutions (I will blog more, I will do my hair at least once a week...the usual), I figured why not lift frosty spirits and focus on a warmer, slightly less layered time and outfit. 

As a sporty girl who works in fashion (or a fashiony girl who works in sports, depending whom you choose to ask), I love integrating not just athletic wear but actual jerseys into my regular wardrobe. I'm also a bonafide jersey collector - I tried to quit a few times, but why fight what you're good at - right? Soccer jerseys have long been the mainstay of men for mixing in a sporting shirt into a casual outfit as they fit much like a regular shirt, albeit in a performance material. They're much more tailored than say an authentic hockey sweater, and much less long than an NBA jersey. But why let the boys have all the fun? The World Cup led to a lot of fun jerseys mixed with some boring, basic ones but all in all - there was plethora in the streets of Toronto (I live by Little Portugal aka the all green and red everything neighbourhood)  and New York City. One of my favorites was this Team USA soccer jersey as it had a few of my sought after elements when it comes to the overall aesthetics of athletic pieces - bold colours, clean lines, effective logo placement, and flattering fit and colours. As a Canadian girl of French heritage, the tricolour (ha!) and unabashed lover of New York, Americana, and captain Clint Dempsey, the US jersey was the right choice for me.

I hunted far and wide (okay, Nike and Moddell's in downtown and midtown NYC) for my own Nike Football USNMT Road World Cup  jersey. I thought about going men's, women's or kids - but the women's sold out, the men's silhouette was too long and boxy so the kid's jersey fit just right - as did the reduced price point. I've had my eye on the perfect, unstructured white blazer season after season and I finally found the perfect one in this boxy, rouched sleeve blazer by Helmut Lang at Toronto's own Jonathan + Olivia. I went in a purchased it before we started the shoot for about $200, instead of the retail $670-$750 because there was a pale peach foundation spot on the garment. After I consulted with my dry cleaner (I had gone to check it out the day before and consulted it with my guy Wayne, who I see more than father) I purchased the jacket knowing he could get it white and right. I paired the jersey with my favourite distressed Lee jean shorts by Fruition LV, which at this point were beginning to fray a bit too aggressively on my rear, so I put on my Nike Pro Combat 3 inch shorts underneath for coverage and comfort. After all, denim on pale skin in hot weather, isn't so comfortable, so the shorts wicked any sweat and kept my keeps from making appearance on Ossington Avenue. Keep your cheeks on the beach, ladies. I added a pair of black thigh high stockings and my black leather Browns Shoes stiletto over the knee boots that I bought back in 2011, that so happen to be trending now AGAIN to edge the outfit up a bit. Pro tip: if you have athletic thighs and calves like me, try a stretch leather boot instead of one with a zipper! I wore my usual gold and rose gold jewelry - my Nike Fuel Band, Maison Martin Margiela ring (they came in a set of 4, I've lost 3 - help!), various rings a Balenciaga "inspired" cuff from Quebec department store Simons and my wolf ring from the Campbell River Museum - my birthplace. The bags are by Mishka NYC (thank you!) and Zara. My hair was cut and blown out in a Bardot-esque (my Frenchie-ness, yet again rears it's head) by Palm Sunday finished off my white acrylic nails that I miss everyday. The flushed face is courtesy for the worst summer stomach flu of my life - Jesus be a make up artist!

I feel like the Lang jacket really brought it all together to take it from cut offs and a tee to a more sophisticated place. This is roughly what I wear on a daily basis in the summer, give or take stiletto boots for a more sneaker. Next time you reach for a graphic tee and heels, why not a try a jersey instead to add a little sporty spice to your life, or some stiletto boots if you're feeling more posh than sporty. Let me know what you think of the look and you can shop the pieces and similar styles below.