Summer cardigans aren’t exactly a new concept. The lightweight, open-front knit has been completing outfits for decades, and has been donned by style heroes ranging from the late Princess Diana to Rihanna. And it makes sense. The summer cardi is nothing if not versatile, allowing you to withstand any scenario that the warmer months may present. Your day plans ran into the evening? Cardigan. The breeze by the water is a little much? Cardigan. Stepping into a building permeated with AC? A cardigan can definitely help with that. (Don’t forget that in the before-COVID times, a summer cardigan was a non-negotiable office staple from May to September.)
In the Spring 2021 shows, designers like Missoni and Celine turned the oft-humble cardigan into a fun time with optimistic colours, while Proenza Schouler kept things sleek and minimal. And when taking inspo from celebrities and the runway, look for unlikely pairings like striped knits coupled with floral dresses, or cropped cardis thrown over swimsuits. Bonus: the light, bright cardigan is the perfect piece to transition your wardrobe from summer to fall.
Thinking of adding some layers to your summer wardrobe? Take a look at the best summer-appropriate cardigans below.
Earlier this spring, Dove held a virtual summit called Behind The Filter, part of the brand’s groundbreaking Self-Esteem Project, which included panel discussions featuring makeup artists, TV hosts and more — and of course, an eye-opening conversation about social media and filters with the one and only Lizzo.
During the event, we were particularly captivated by Maraisa Fidelis, a Brazilian influencer who started a blog and YouTube channel in 2013 after going on her own natural hair journey and finding that there were very few Black Brazilian creators making content for women like her. Today, she talks about beauty, fashion and self-esteem, engaging with her 147,000 YouTube subscribers, through the lens of being a Black woman living in Brazil.
“I’d been chemically relaxing my hair since I was 11 or 12 years old. I wanted to have straight hair because it was what was considered beautiful; it was just the standard of beauty in Brazil. In 2013, when I was 24 years old, I decided to go natural because I wanted to know how my hair would grow. Back in 2013 when women online started talking about going natural, and I was inspired by them, so I was like ‘Okay, let’s do this.’ So I had my big chemical cut and I hadn’t seen my natural hair since I was 11.
“At first I got a lot of negative comments on YouTube, stuff about my hair looking ugly or not moisturized, and initially it was really upsetting because I’d only been wearing it natural for a short time. Eventually I started to understand that these comments weren’t really about me — they were about Brazil’s beauty standards, which were rooted in racism. People would ask if they could touch my hair and they’d want to play with it, as if it was something from another world, or something that belonged to the public.”
On growing up in a privileged environment and being the only Black student in class
“I grew up in an upper-middle class neighbourhood in São Paulo and my family was usually the only Black family anywhere we went. Over 50 percent of the Brazilian population is Black, but the majority live in poverty, so while I went to private school, I was always the only Black girl in class. I didn’t see anyone else who looked like me, so when I needed representation or a beauty reference, I could only really turn to my mom and grandma. They always made sure I felt beautiful, but of course being the only Black person at school still affected me. And it wasn’t just at school — it was on TV, in magazines, in dance class. In Brazil back then, you couldn’t even consider applying for a job on TV if you didn’t have straight, blonde hair.”
On the lack of products on the market for natural hair
“Back in 2013, brands weren’t making products for my hair type — at least not in Brazil — because like I said, straight hair was the beauty standard. So women like me who were wearing their hair natural had to turn to DIYs. My hair is curly and dry, so I needed oil but all that was available was olive oil, avocado oil and coconut oil from my kitchen. For nourishment I’d mash up fruits like avocados and bananas, and sometimes use mayonnaise. It wasn’t until maybe 2015 that brands started seeing content creators like me posting their DIY hair mask recipes and being like ‘We’re losing money with these women’ and that’s when I started seeing brands catering to my hair type. Today, things are so different. There’s such a wide range of options for natural hair. But honestly, even if these options existed when I was younger, I’m not sure I would have gone natural any sooner just because of what the beauty standard was at the time. I really don’t know.”
With summer in full swing, now is a great time to brighten your indoor space with the addition of some lively outdoor aromas. While you may not be able to take off on vacation this year, you can certainly enjoy the luxury that is being in a beautifully scented oasis. Be transported to a cozy campfire or a tropical beach — no matter your summertime vibe, we’ve got your favourite scents covered. Read on for eight summer candles that are sure to elevate your surroundings this season. (Keep an eye out for some of our favourite Canadian brands!)
Bath and Body Works “Sunshine Mimosa”
As its name suggests, this fragrance is inspired by celebrations. Made from essential oils, the “Sunshine Mimosa” blends bubbly champagne with fresh citrus to create a bright summery scent. The candle’s rich fragrance can fill an entire room, with a burn time of approximately 25 to 45 hours.
This limited edition candle by female-founded company Emilie Heathe is “inspired by the sparks that fly between lovers.” Its scent, created from a combination of palo santo, coconut and patchouli, is soft and sweet. Made with all-natural coconut wax, the candle is presented in a minimalistic, reusable jar — perfect for your nightstand.
Inspired by fresh peaches from the farmer’s market, this summer candle is sure to add sweetness to your surroundings. Each candle from Guelph-based business The Scented Market is hand-poured in small batches. The all-natural soy candle comes in a DIY-style mason jar, complete with a yarn bow.
Each candle by this California-based brand is inspired by personal recollections and cultural trends. “Ocean Escape” invites you to breathe easy by the water through its fresh, lightly sweet summer scent. Marine water and sea salt combined with creamy sandstone and sandalwood create an aroma of salty air, with added sweetness from cyclamen flower, water lily, and vanilla orchid.
This coconut and soy wax candle is reminiscent of a summertime picnic in the park. Its sweet citrus scent comes from a blend of grapefruit, rhubarb and orange essential oils, with the addition of florals like lilac and grassy verbena. The Toronto-based company says that the candle “recreates the feeling of spring’s arrival after a long winter, with scents inspired by friendship, freshness and florals.”
Coconut milk, sandalwood and amyris mix to create an aroma that’s reminiscent of a relaxing staycation. Just Bee Candle Co. makes a wide array of beeswax candles that are toxin-free and sustainable. With every purchase made, the business donates 10 percent of sales to America’s National Wildlife Refuge foundation.
Sweet yet tart, this mix of white tea and clementine smells just like summer. With a burn time of 40 hours, the candle produces a refreshing, fruity fragrance that will brighten any environment. Toronto-based brand Yummi Candles has four decades of candle-making experience and guarantees delicious aroma satisfaction.
When Toronto-based drag queen Miss Moço appears at the PlayDate Pride event (with food and drink included with your ticket) on June 27, she’ll be hitting the stage with other reigning stars such as Jada Hudson, Kiara, Juice Boxx, Steak and Manny Dingo; the event will be hosted by Tiffany Boxx.
For these fierce faces, the socially-distanced outdoor show won’t simply be another item in a joyful, educational and healing schedule of festivities — it will be a comeback after the thick of COVID-19 in much of Canada, a time during which many drag artists were only able to perform virtually for fans.
“The thing I miss most is 100 percent being with my friends and community,” Miss Moço says of the “magical” feelings of revelry during Prides past. “Since [the] month has become a bigger deal, [I would] be together with them every week!”
Miss Moço, who also hosted a regular drag brunch at The Gladstone Hotel in the before times (and is looking forward to co-hosting an event at Stackt Market with Jada Hudson on Tuesdays throughout the summer), started doing online shows when the pandemic began. Her last was during the final weekend of Pride 2020. “There were hopes we were going to be out of it all soon,” she says of that time period of confusion and perhaps naïve optimism, when she figured virtual drag was in its denouement as a common practice.
A year later, though, she and others are looking at what events are currently happening with interest and elation. “It’s a little more exciting this year because we’ve had time to figure things out, and there are a lot of interesting events to partake in,” Miss Moço notes of the diversity in Pride offerings from online dance parties to bingo to informative seminars.
She says she’s looking forward to the upcoming Drag Ball on June 26. “Boa is hosting,” she says about the Canada’s Drag Race contestant with admiration. “I enjoy seeing how other people put together absolutely incredible videos by themselves at home.” And does Miss Moço don a drag look while acting as a spectator?
“If I’m not going to be on screen then no, unless I’m in drag already,” she says. “But if I’ll be engaging with people and be seen, then I definitely will. It’s fun and shows your support.” She adds, however, that despite the fact that doing an entire drag look has a “huge amount of effort that goes into it, it’s easy to put on a pair of heels, no matter what. That’s something I’m working on getting into the feeling of, because when I go on stage I want to make sure I’m stretched and ready!”
Photography courtesy of Miss Moço
Beyond the intense glam routines that one’s sure to catch the final result of during Pride, Miss Moço says there’s a video series that shines a light on a variety of identity- and appearance-focused topics worth taking note of. “There’s the Beauty in our History talks,” says Miss Moço of what programming she’s been keen to tune into this month. The series is available on the Pride Toronto YouTube channel, the most recent instalment featuring hair expert Safiya and her presentation about the history of Locs, as well tips for how to care for them.
Miss Moço says the inclusion of such content speaks to how the world — and Pride itself — is continually evolving in effort, attention and strength. “These are chances to open ourselves up to learn about things we haven’t had much exposure to,” she says, adding that the overwhelming amount of conversation around accessibility, inclusivity, and the meaning of Pride shows that there are so many important perspectives and voices to consider when celebrating and remembering.
“There are issues that need to remain at the top of our minds and continue to be exposed,” Miss Moço notes. “[Something] can’t just be a hot topic moment that fades away. It’s been a year of learning and growing.”
Photography courtesy of Miss Moço
Speaking of both of these concepts, Miss Moço highlights that she’s been able to instil a feeling of worth, and nurture a mind for business, in the students — and future superstars — who attend a class she teaches through Toronto’s Drag Academy. “It helps them navigate discussions with corporate clients who want to book them for gigs,” she says. “And about understanding how to value their craft. That they can’t just take $100 to perform because that’s what someone offers.”
Here, Miss Moço also mentions having the opportunity to create structural change when performing for local and international corporate companies, and that however possible, she champions the notion that large organizations must support LGBTQ2S+ folks all year round, instead of merely during Pride. “People are blinded to it, and think they’re doing a good thing,” she says. “There’s always room for improvement.” And Miss Moço points to the importance of raising these ideas particularly within companies with global offices, to “spark change. There are countries people in our community still can’t go to because of who we are,” she notes.
Because of this fact, when Miss Moço discusses what Pride means to her, the answer is very matter-of-fact: “I like to celebrate my queerness every single day of the year. But, Pride Month is great to have as a spotlight on us, letting the world know that we’re here.”
Canadian actor and writer Dan Levy opened Paris Fashion Week Menswear Spring/Summer 2022 with a thoughtful speech on what fashion means to him. Levy sported a floral Valentino button-up shirt to record the monologue which was published on the official Paris Fashion Week website. From his home in Los Angeles, the actor best known for his role as David Rose in the beloved Canadian TV series Schitt’s Creek reflected on the iconic outfits featured in the sitcom, how fashion has allowed him to feel empowered, and the way that menswear is evolving.
As a self-described lifelong fan of fashion (who even held a brief internship at FASHION many moons ago), Levy said his time working on the Canadian show helped shape his admiration for the work that goes into crafting garments. “Helping to costume and style [Schitt’s Creek] characters gave me an even deeper understanding of just how significant a role fashion plays in our day-to-day lives: how a well-constructed garment can help you stand a little taller, carry yourself with a little more confidence and express who you are without ever having to say a word,” he explained.
The character of David Rose was known for his show-stopping fashion looks throughout the show’s six-season run. From large fuzzy sweaters to drop-crotch pants to kilts, Rose’s outfits provided representation for a fun, experimental side of men’s fashion. Playing David Rose made me Levy feel at home, Levy said. “I felt strong, powerful, and special, and that is the beauty of fashion.” In playing around with his own wardrobe outside of the show, Levy added that he sometimes thinks back to when menswear was “relegated to the back corner of the shop, and black tie was limited to just that: a black suit and tie.”
As genderless fashion continues to gain popularity in the industry, Levy enthused that things are changing for men’s fashion. “We can now wear Thom Browne kilts in lieu of dress pants and lemon yellow sequinned turtlenecks instead of button-down shirts,” he said. “There is no more exciting a time for menswear than right now, as the designers showing this week continue to reinvent the category.”
Paris men’s fashion week Spring/Summer 2022 will be running until June 27, and 72 designers and brands are on its official calendar, including Dior, Hermès, Louis Vuitton, Rick Owen, and Burberry. After two seasons of mostly digital presentations, France has lifted many pandemic-related restrictions and menswear fashion week will feature in-person presentations and shows. The shows will be live-streamed and posted to the official website, and Levy vowed that despite the time difference, he will be waking up early or staying up late to watch.
“I look to Paris Fashion Week to not only get inspired by the design but also to get a glimpse at how fashion will be shifting in the months to come,” he said. “Let Paris Fashion Week Menswear commence.”
