Dreaming of escape? Add a touch of city glamour to your cottage retreat
What’s a city girl to do when the urban jungle becomes too vicious? Retreat to a lakeside paradise, of course. It’s natural therapy of a different kind
So long, smog. Hello, sylvan shores. If anything will slough off urban stresses, it’s a rustic waterfront idyll (especially one that’s well outfitted). Gucci top, $1,400, belt, $495, trousers, $1,100, at Gucci in Toronto (416-963-5127). Manolo Blahnik shoes, $695 at Holt Renfrew (holtrenfrew.com). Large designer suitcase, $2,800, small designer suitcase, $2,800, art deco train case, $595, hat box, $165, hard case (in rear), $95, at Cynthia Findlay Antiques (cynthiafindlay.com). Leather travel bag, $498 at Roots (roots.com).Photography by Shane Laverdière/Fashion styling by Tiyana Grulovic
A loaf of bread, a jug of wine and thou? Sounds good, as does a comfy coastal perch overlooking an endless horizon. Pass the Chablis! Chanel sweatshirt, $3,375, pants, $2,600 at Chanel boutiques across Canada (chanel.ca). Manolo Blahnik shoes, $725, Equipment silk blouse, $316 at Holt Renfrew (holtrenfrew.com). HBC blanket, $350 at Hudson’s Bay (thebay.com). Picnic basket, $125 at Cynthia Findlay Antiques (cynthiafindlay.com).Photography by Shane Laverdière/Fashion styling by Tiyana Grulovic
That first cup of joe becomes a meditative moment without the distractions of the city. (And doesn’t everything seem to taste better in the woods?) Rochas top, $975, pants, $995 at The Room (thebay.com). Tabitha Simmons shoes, $995 at Hudson’s Bay (thebay.com). Enamel coffee cup, $6 at West Elm (westelm.com).Photography by Shane Laverdière/Fashion styling by Tiyana Grulovic
For the American writer Hamlin Garland, merely the memory of a pastoral interlude could prove restorative. “My recollection of a hundred lovely lakes has given me blessed release from care and worry and the troubled thinking of our modern day,” he noted decades ago. Talk about lake effect. Club Monaco sweater, $129.50 through clubmonaco.com. Eugenia Kim headband, $95 at Holt Renfrew (holtrenfrew.com). Cutler and Gross sunglasses, $500 at Cutler and Gross in Toronto (cutlerandgross.com).Photography by Shane Laverdière/Fashion styling by Tiyana Grulovic
In an episode of Sex and the City, a prospective beau charmed Carrie Bradshaw by stating that hiking was really just walking. Whatever you call it – and regardless of your pace – a trek through the woods can do a body (and soul) good, particularly if it leads to a mossy, sun-dappled glade. Horses Atelier desert flower dress, $580 at the Bay (thebay.com) or through horsesatelier.com. Chanel boots, $1,425, flask, $3,800 at Chanel boutiques (chanel.ca). Roots backpack, $318 through roots.com.Photography by Shane Laverdière/Fashion styling by Tiyana Grulovic
According to Winston Churchill, “there is something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man.” Could the same be said of women and fish? From B.C. to Atlantic Canada, lodges and tour companies are offering girls-only fly and salmon fishing outings in greater numbers these days. Many ladies, it seems, are hooked. Ula top, $455 at Hudson’s Bay (thebay.com). J Brand overalls, $369 at Holt Renfrew (holtrenfrew.com). Insulated camera bag by Poler, $72 at North Standard Trading Post (northstandard.com).Photography by Shane Laverdière/Fashion styling by Tiyana Grulovic
As awesome as the natural world is, civilization does, of course, offer its own pleasures. For those instances when formality and rusticity intersect, a handsome frock that travels well is a handy item to pack. Calla dress, $650 through avenue32.com or thecorner.com. Erdem for Cutler and Gross sunglasses, $600 at Cutler and Gross in Toronto (cutlerandgross.com).Photography by Shane Laverdière/Fashion styling by Tiyana Grulovic