“It’s Finally Warm Enough to Care About Outfits Again—Here’s What I Wore”

Spring is beginning to flirt with Montreal—teasing us with a few warmer days here and there. And with each glimpse of sunshine, I feel that irresistible urge to peel off my cozy loungewear and dress like a functioning human again. Not just any human—a chic, intentional, ready-for-a-cappuccino-on-a-terrace kind of human.

Here’s the thing: I adore getting dressed up. But, like many of us, my motivation tends to fluctuate with the seasons—and the gray, lingering winter (plus a bit of anxiety) has left my creative fashion spark feeling… well, hibernated. That’s why, as part of my spring reset, I printed out a series of styling prompts. The goal? To shop my closet with new eyes, rekindle that playful fashion energy, and remind myself that getting dressed is a form of self-expression—not just another task.

Today’s prompt? Monochromatic with texture contrasts.

Initially, I reached for my faithful black Aritzia trousers—effortless, tailored, the kind of staple that never lets me down—and a mid-sleeve turtleneck. My mind went straight to black for the monochrome base. My wardrobe is filled with neutrals, but wearing white or beige on bottom didn’t feel right for the day’s chilly breeze. I’ve also done the denim-on-denim thing recently, so black it was.

That’s when I spotted her—my black satin slip dress. Sleek, slinky, quietly sensual. The perfect answer to the “texture contrast” part of the equation. I layered it over the turtleneck for warmth (Montreal spring is still a little shy) and threw on a soft, almost cloud-like cardigan from Uniqlo—scored on a mega sale, might I add.

Then came the fun part: shoes. I tried knee-high boots first, but they felt too wintry. Then black tights with Mary Janes and sheer polka-dot socks—a look that veered into retro grandma territory. Not quite the vibe. So I ditched the tights, let a little skin peek through, and voilà! The outfit finally came together.

To add a final feminine flourish, I tied a black bow in my hair. Something about that tiny detail brought the whole look full circle—romantic, thoughtful, a little flirty. I even walked through Old Montreal like this and didn’t freeze or feel overdressed. Instead, I felt like me again.

The process reminded me how much I love playing dress-up. How empowering it feels to reimagine pieces I already own, and how satisfying it is to create something fresh without buying anything new.