Vancouver-based Alexandra Grant (27) is a Fashion and Lifestyle Blogger and Content Creator who documents her outfits over at To Vogue or Bust. She combines Urban Pretty with a touch of Boho, and Modern Classics with lots of Trendy. Alexandra loves feminine outfit touches, rocks red lipstick and beachy waves. She also loves “thrown together” messy looks, but keeps things very polished with her impeccable make-up and styled hair.
“I describe my style as ‘femme tomboy’, if that makes any sense – I gravitate towards the lived-in quality of boyish dressing but always add a femme or delicate quality to my styling as well. As I’ve grown older and my style has evolved, I find it’s become a lot less fussy. I tend to gravitate toward more comfortable pieces and looks that work with a busy lifestyle, which usually means my outfits are far more simplistic!
The combo of dark florals, bare legs and leather accents reminds me of a very polished version of ’90s grunge. Alexandra is sporting a playful above-the-knee floral print frock with skinny belt to emphasize the waist. The dark background colour cleverly echoes the black sleeves on the coat. Great juxtaposition also between the tougher vibe of the military-inspired mixed media topper and the girly dress. Pairing the cool-toned grey fedora with the khaki is a little unexpected, but works well because the black band picks up the black in the rest of the outfit. The wood heel on the high-heeled ankle boots creates a two-toned effect that bookends our blogger’s outfit and hair. Alexandra’s signature red lip amps up the girly factor.
A pointelle mesh sweater with large holes is the perfect pullover for a bike ride on a hot day. Covered yet breezy, pretty and comfortable. Plus the pointelle provides built-in textural interest. Opting for white on white makes it look extra Summery. Outfit structure is achieved by scrunching the sleeves on the fluid fit pullover, and by pairing the sweater with tighter fit shorts. As much as I love the white on white, I have to say that the pale pink booties really make the outfit for me. So unexpected! The pink feels so fresh, and the buckles add soft edge to this pretty look. The cognac suede tote adds even more textural interest, while the warm colour is a nice contrast against the cool tones of the rest of the outfit. Pink lipstick, and dainty necklaces and bracelets finish off the look.
There is a lot going on in this nonchalant, thrown together look: stripes, tweed, torn jeans, different colours, multiple layers, and chunky knitwear. But subtle details pull it all together. Rolling the jeans and tucking the top creates structure that offsets the volume of the big, cosy coat. Wearing the scarf long offsets horizontally cutting lines. And note how the cardigan sleeves peeking out from under the coat are the same shade of navy and the same waffle knit as the scarf. A good way to add visual cohesion. Alexandra’s vivid red lipstick and rosy cheeks echo the red in the top. Finally, her orange-y cognac tasseled bag doesn’t match but goes with the light brown booties and red top.
Bringing unexpected touches to her outfits is Alexandra’s forte. Here, it’s going for burgundy tights instead of hosiery in another shade of brown. The luxurious colour adds playful interest without being over the top. The tights also keep our blogger’s legs warm under the short, pleated skater skirt. Playing with different shades of brown — whisky leather jacket, dark tan skirt, and cognac booties — is a fun take on the classic tonal look. The ivory beanie and sweater work well with the colour palette. The pullover is turned into a statement piece by the addition of the rhinestone embellishments. The very subtle turquoise accents make the browns pop, and the leopard print clutch further emphasizes that effect. Raspberry red lippie adds the polished finishing touch.
Alexandra loves to travel. Here are her tips for looking stylish while living out of your suitcase.
“I buy multiples of pieces that can mix and match easily (for me, that’s menswear-inspired linen T-shirts, silk tank tops, pleated A-line skirts and skinny jeans) so that I can constantly pair up separates differently. I rely on locally bought jewelry or a strong lip to really accessorize the looks. Also, I like to travel with just one or two toppers, so usually I stick to a leather jacket when travelling since it’s the one piece that looks amazing with just about anything.”
There are many different ways to do Sporty Luxe. For this ladylike outfit, Alexandra went with only one sporty piece, a sassy sweatshirt. Semi-tucking the oversized top into an elegant, pleated midi skirt creates a relaxed and modern vibe. The full skirt is a flattering length for our blogger. The black ankle strap sandals do create a horizontal line, but the open style showcases lots of skin, which lengthens the leg line. So does the semi-tucked sweatshirt. The light blue stripes are low contrast against the cobalt skirt, which makes for a soft and pretty look. And then Alexandra throws in a second primary colour with the red clutch. Spunky and fun!
This cosy Winter outfit has stolen my heart. It’s the combination of the Winter whiteout with those rich browns. Chic and fresh! Our blogger has tucked white skinny jeans into flat, tall cognac boots. A practical and stylish solution for snowy and rainy weather. A cream cable knit pullover layered under a long cardigan with big collar keeps her warm and toasty. The sweater and cardigan are the same colour which makes the layers look less bulky. Plus, the subtle colour contrast against the optic white jeans feels very elegant. Sporting skinnies also tones down the volume up top. Alexandra keeps things casual with a brown parka with faux fur hood as the topper. It’s the same length as the cardi, which helps to create a long line. The big, chunky knit scarf and suede tote add tonal textural interest, and match the lighter streaks in our blogger’s hair.
What do you love best about Alexandra’s Urban Pretty style? Let us know in the comments below, and be sure to check out the rest of her polished, on trend outfits on her blog. Or find out more about what inspires our blogger on her pinboards.
This ensemble was inspired by the colours of Derek Lam’s Spring 2015 collection. The model is wearing a pair of toffee trousers with a white top, cognac belt and lilac leather coat. Why wait till Spring to sport this gorgeous colour combination. If you have the pieces to wear for Autumn and Winter, go for it. 
