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The most wonderful time of the year

It's the most wonderful time of the year - the 2016 Winnipeg Folk Festival is here! 

Only two more sleeps until one of the biggest local event of the summer kicks off; are you ready to go? We've all been counting down the days since last year's finale, and our tents, tarps and coolers are all packed and ready. If you've somehow let this weekend sneak up on you, don't worry - you're not alone, and we've got you covered. 

Come down to the shop to pick up one of our many sale sandals for an easy slip-on/slip-off festival shoe. While it's an obvious tradition to go barefoot, it's best to have a sandal on hand for when you're walking the unbeaten trails or working a volunteer shift.

Keep your daytime essentials together in one of our durable and easy to clean canvas bags, complete with convertible straps, zip compartments, and even detachable water bottle holders on select bags. 

Most importantly: keep track of set times and your personal concert schedule with a handy and unique wrap watch, like the small embroidered one below. 

Finally, festival fashion. We at Rooster are most definitely not above wearing tie dye while celebrating the genre that revolutionized the way we fight for peace, man. Try a flowy dress or loose-fitting shorts over your swimsuit or bodysuit (for maximized freedom of movement while dancing!). 

Happy Folk Fest, guys and gals! See you at the mainstage! 

Brightest (Off) Whites

What better way to stand out in the sun than to project its light into a thousand-metre radius around you? Rooster's outfit of the week highlights a graduation in shades of white from head to toe, featuring some of Silver Lotus' newest arrivals.

Breezy, lightweight materials in light colours are a hot weather no-brainer. But it takes a bold gal or guy to venture into one's urban endeavors wearing a floor-length, stark white garment. Fear not - our customers are both bold and vigilant when it comes to their looks!

The lovely Melissa popped into this airy off-white maxidress and threw a bright collarless button-up over it to add some contrast.

Keeping it simple up top with her favourite Pyrrha talisman, we laced her into these dramatic neutral gladiators from Free People. Though the laces and general busy-ness of the sandals may add to the daunting-ness of the look, rest assured that the hidden full length zipper up the calf saves a whole lot of time!

This casual outfit is great for making your way down to the beach, reading on the deck, or - our favourite - a busy Saturday at your boutique job.

Even if white's not your thing (we hear you, chronic coffee spillers and parents of multiple toddlers), we've got several colour variations in this great maxi. Come by this week and see which suits you best!

Tying Things Together

Founded in 2010 a half-day away in sunny Australia, Sol Sana shoes have arrived at Rooster just in the nick of time. Combining classic vintage touches with shapes whisked right off the runway, the brand provides a pristine take on several summer favourites. Mules, platforms, stacked heels, and simple flat sandals rule the Sol Sana lookbook this summer - and the best part? Sol Sana shoes have been created with the special intention to provide high fashion styles at accessible prices.

Pictured above is Dice, featuring a retro squared toe and a high cut to prevent slipping.

With the cool and cloudy weather hovering over the city recently, we decided our Outfit of the Week had to be sophisticated yet versatile enough to withstand the addition and shedding of layers throughout the day. We kept it simple with an airy off-white Soaked in Luxury jacket - perfect for hiding additional layers underneath to beat that rush hour chill.

The similarly textured black A-line dress underneath draws attention to the accessories - in this case, the fabulous Sol Sanas and this intricately hand-beaded statement necklace featuring fringe, rich metallics, and a soft leather tie closure. 

The right statement piece can tie an entire outfit together with the help of a well-thought out and affordably priced pair of shoes. Happy coordinating!

Summer Is Funner

Happy Monday all!

Patios, windswept hair, beach days, and driving with the windows down - no question about it, summer nights are the best. While your summer wardrobe go-tos likely involve a lot of florals and brights (and whites, for the brave at heart), it'd be a crime to forsake the timeless piece: the Little Black Dress. 

This eyelets in this dress from Minkpink allow you to breathe and feel the breeze as you make your way over to your favourite watering hole. Date night, girls' night - this airy knee-length LBD leaves tons of room for customizing, making it your new weekend fave. 

Tie in gold accent pieces with onyx stones, like this Bauxo bangle and Betty Carré earrings. They'll be sure to catch the light as you sit under fairy light-adorned trees.

Finish off the warm-weather spin on a classic look with a bold silhouette. Jeffrey Campbell's Zaun features a chunky teardrop heel and long tassle-ridden straps, so you can wear them wrapped at the ankle or laced all the way up the calf. The soft leather lining combined with the padded insole balances the dramatic arch and creates a flattering and head turning look.

XOXO Rooster Gals

Treat Your Feet

Softinos knows feet. The brand, founded in Portugal (made there, too!), uses an all-around soft approach to crafting their footwear. Round shapes, natural deep dyes, and soft materials are poured into each design, resulting in a pre-worn feel and an astoundingly flexible sole. 

The ancient deep-dying technique used on the leather results in a unique wash of colours you didn't even know you wanted until now. 

With their lightweight feel and all-day wearability, Softinos are a fan favourite whether you're hiking, shopping, exploring a new city, pulling a double shift, or just out for a stroll. This spring we've stocked four different colours of lace-up styles - so whatever your adventure, we've got you covered.

For A Gal On The Go

Here at 105 Osborne, we are going wild for Jeffrey Campbell and his signature street-inspired styles. The brand, though only created at the turn of the millenium, has garnered a cult-like following across the globe. 

Accessible, fresh, and versatile, JC platforms are designed with the girl on the go in mind. Pairing a single-colour platform with a busy outfit streamlines and adds height, without the instability of a sky-high heel. 

We finished this lively patterned two-piece set from Silver Lotus with our new arrival Ximeno, available in black and blush. Winnipeg has a eons of walkable events and goings-on in the summer (Jazz Fest, Soul Nite at the Cavern, Interstellar Rodeo, endless patios, or movies in the park, anyone?), so make sure your feet are equipped for the sunniest of days and sparkliest of nights. 

Great News!

Your Outfit Of The Day doesn't always have to be runway-ready. In fact, some of the best #OOTDs are things we threw together 0.2 seconds before flying out the door on a busy morning. 

For example, you can't go wrong with jeans and a basic white t-shirt!

(Bonus points if your jeans have an elastic waistband, like ours do.)

For this look, we wanted to emulate a casual afternoon shopping in the village with the girls after weekend brunch. Throw a Brixton hat over that second-day hair and lace up those New Balance sneakers (which - let's face it - have yet to see the inside of a gym) and you're set!

New Balance Classics are raved about within the walls of Rooster. Sleek and comfy, these shoes fit perfectly with today's 90s/athletic-prep-chic look of the moment. They are also currently the only shoes in the store that come in varied widths!

Last but not least, grab your favourite leather accessory to tie your casual look together. Aunts and Uncles purses and wallets make great, long-lasting additions to your arsenal of bags, and their beautiful buttery leather is easy to care for. If you're looking to step up your bracelet game, check out our collection of hand chains, made right here at Silver Lotus. They're a delicate and unique piece that's sure to spark a conversation.

Pop by the shop to show us your favourite OOTD combinations!

Spring has (mostly) sprung

Fortunately, with Central Canada's temperamental climate and tendency to edge toward the cold side during this time of year, you can pair the best of both worlds. If there's anything Winnipeggers do well, it's coordinate fresh prints, colours, and textures with sensible layers. 

Although Miranda Priestly might find this choice a little cliche, we at Rooster love a good classic. 

Navigate the indecisive weather (and the potholes!) in an airy summer scarf and light, soft coat - much easier to carry on your arm than your bulky parka. 

Who doesn't love a cool neutral?

Wet, cool spring weather is frustrating, especially if you've already excitedly hauled out your spring sandals and peep-toes. Ease the pain of sliding back into boots with a sleek and uniquely textured short leather boot like the stunning Melissa Scrunch from Frye. 

No booters* here!

We love this spring look, made up of new arrivals from the shop. Treat yourself today!

*A regional term referring to the soaking of one's foot in the event of walking through snow, slush, puddles, or flash flood zones. 

Revamp!

Good news, Rooster gals and guys - we're making some changes to the Rooster blog! Along with updates about new stock and featured styles, expect to see some style profiles, brand information, and outfit ideas. We'll be highlighting some of our stylish gals' favourite looks, so watch this space closely!

First up is an everyday look I've been experimenting with since I first saw it on the Instagram of Bristol-based journalism student Hannah. The combination of dungarees and striped tops is a cool girl's dream - casual, with minimal restriction so you can move freely about your day. 

We paired it with a platform clog boot from Swedish Hasbeens to add some edge to the look. Handcrafted with ergonomic soles made of lime tree wood, Swedish Hasbeens can be worn with virtually anything (pair them with socks for a different vibe). We're expecting three new styles of Hasbeens in the shop any day now, so watch this space and our Facebook for news of their arrival. We can't wait! 

The top, simplified overalls, and boots are all readily available at Silver Lotus and Rooster.

Get Fancy

With the melting of the snow comes a very special fifth season: Grad and Wedding! Finding the perfect shoes to go with your dress can be a grueling process, but we've got you covered.

Gorgeous new heels from Steve Madden have arrived, and they're as versatile as they are funky. Several of our new styles - like President, pictured - feature soft suede laces for a customizable fit. If lace up isn't your thing, try a chunkier block heel for dance-all-night comfort. Or, pair an A.S.98 jazz shoe (in powder blue or dusty rose!) with your formal attire for a truly one-of-a-kind look.

(Or maybe you're just excited to hit the sidewalks without getting salt stains on your toes? Exploit that freeing sensation with this breathable suede loafer from Emu Australia, available in black AND brown!) 

Whatever your style or occasion, we've got your perfect fit.