Victoria Stores Update: Accessories for Spring

Despite the rainy weather we have been having this past week in Victoria, our shops have been brightening things up for Spring. Along with some new and fabulous jewellery from Erica Weiner, we have been adding a wide range of colourful accessories to liven up your winter wardrobe. Our OBI belts are one of the most versatile accessories to have in your closet, as it can dress up or dress down any garment, adding movement or giving it structure depending on how you style it. All OBI belts are two-sided with a silk-screened side and the other with a repeating graphic on Japanese cotton. Here is a link to some OBI tutorial videos we put together last year to get you started. videos

Silk OBI $49, Cotton OBI $44

Erica Weiner "American West" $89 - 1902 Indian Head Penny and Bison cut from real American coins

Erica Weiner Bee Necklace $34 in brass and Dancing Leaf blossom earrings in lace $24

Best Obi Blog Ever

It's finally time to discover the answer to one of the most common questions we get asked: How do you tie the obi belt?
The answer: sorry... actually there is no right way...
BUT! Don't despair, me and some of the ladies here at the studio have made videos of some of our favorite ways.

To start off, the obi belt has 2 sides. You can tell the difference by looking at the center of the belt and seeing that it is shaped differently on the top and bottom. If you wear it with the scoop up (pictured on the right), the belt can be worn just under the bust as an empire waisted accessory. This is great for all those small busted/big hipped girls out there (myself included). It accentuates the smallness of your waist, makes your legs look longer and draws the eye up towards your face. Think of an arrow pointing up!

If you wear the scoop facing downwards (pictured on the left) the belt looks great worn around your waist to elongate your torso, busty or tall ladies, this is great for you!

This way also looks really nice if you wear it around your hips to give some movement to a drapey garment, like our fabulous Hama Dress, shown in one of the videos below.

To start off we'll do the scoop side up ties:
Below is a video of how to tie a scoop side up (empire waisted) bow over our new colour of the Rhonda Honk Honk dress. Very pretty!


And here is how to do a lovely rosette knot.


How about a scoop up folded over box knot? Tres fancy.


And for the scoop side down ties:
Here's a single loop bow (like the bow above with only one loop) done around the waist over the Oscillator - THE dress to have for autumn.


Below is a hip tied scoop down simple box knot to add some movement to our delicious bamboo cotton hama dress.


Finally, we have a way to wear it with jeans! Casual and pretty, folded over and threaded through belt loops to be tied in a rosette on the hip.


One last tip: when trying out these knots, the easiest way to get a clean and crisp bow or knot is to try and keep the fabric flat when folding (not twisted or bunched).

Now go young padawans, tie your belts with experimental fervor and passion! Good luck :)

Spotlight: OBI Belt

My favorite item in the store right now is most definitely the OBI Belt.

For the tall and the short, and women of every size and shape, the Obi Belt is the perfect accessory for any outfit. You can dress up your dresses, cinch in a tunic, feel fabulous in a T-Shirt and go from day to evening glamourous with a quick switch of this multi-purpose wrap.

Wear it "point up" to give an empire waist, or "point down" at the natural waist to lengthen your torso.

Tie it in a half bow off to the side for a structured statement, or a centered box knot with the ends hanging for a "casual but put-together" look.

Tie it at the hip for a drapey feel, or fold it and put it through the belt loops of your favorite jeans to add style and colour.

The reversible fabric prints also do double-duty to add an accent colour to your outfit or bring up a colour from your base garment.

Come in store today and let us tie one on you. This accessory is meant to be played with, and it loves it!