aritzia cropped sweater

A Cropped Sweater is Jillian Vieira’s Secret Style Weapon

“I’m not sure I’ve met a more versatile topper in a long time.”

Welcome to Stylist Sessions, the new series where we ask fashion stylists to shop their closets and show us how they wear a beloved item in different ways. Consider it proof that there’s more than one way to rock WFH style.

 “I think it’s a fallacy that in order to be considered inherently stylish, one has to be ‘on’ all the time, even in the middle of a pandemic,” says Jillian Vieira, a fashion stylist and The Kit‘s former fashion director. “If I’m being honest, our worldwide situation has done a number on my psyche, so I’m all about what feels good right now.” For Vieira, that’s a simple rotation of hoodies, bike shorts and sweatpants. “When literally no one is going to see me except my husband and a few friends over FaceTimes, I’m comfortable just being comfortable.” 

Still, Vieira does believe fashion can be an escape. “Sometimes I’ll peruse street-style roundups to revel in the spectacle of it all and remember what it’s like to put so much care into an outfit.” Like many of her peers, Vieira is keen on supporting beloved local brands. “I love Cadette, Andrew Coimbra, Eliza Faulkner and my Calgary-based friend Emma Lou Doll who has remained so creative during this time, producing her gorgeous slow-fashion pieces and non-medical masks. They most definitely have me dreaming of sweeter, sunnier times.”

“Just play” is Vieira’s best piece of fashion advice. “We get so caught up with what looks ‘good’ on our bodies and miss out on a whole host of opportunities to truly feel good in what we wear. I really think this is the way one develops a true sense of style.” 

Vieira chose to “play” with a recently acquired cropped sweater from Aritzia. “I’m not sure I’ve met a more versatile topper in a long time.”

aritzia cropped sweater
Jillian Vieira

With Jeans

“After digging up some old silk neck scarves to fashion into makeshift face masks, I was reminded of just how chic they look when they’re being used for the intended purpose. Tucked into the mock neck of this pullover, it’s a super simple way to add a little elegance to some basic denim, like my favourite tapered pair from Frank And Oak, and some beat up Chucks.”

 

 

Jillian Vieira

With a Slip Skirt

“I’ve owned this waist-high Reformation slip skirt for years now and save for a super-cropped tee, the top options that work with it are narrow. I was thrilled that this pullover sweater gave me another seasonally appropriate way to sport it. Paired with my go-to pair of Vans and some scrunched socks, it makes for breezy, but elevated look to transition into spring.”

 

Jillian Vieira

With Pleated Trousers 

“Truth: you couldn’t pay me to wear proper pleated trousers in isolation, but I think this look is proof that a quarantine staple can transition out from idle days to the real world (making it a worthy investment now). The beauty of it is all in the balance: sporty basic on top, business on the bottom. Topped off with a leopard print scrunchie, everything from top to bottom is effortless and easy to wear. This might just be my new work uniform.”

 

Shop Jill’s Look 

aritzia cropped sweater
AritziaTna sweater, $60, aritzia.com 

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frank and oak jeans
Frank and OakFrank and Oak jeans, $90, frankandoak.com

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VansVans sneakers, $65, vans.ca

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VSPPre-loved Issey Miyake trousers, $275, vspconsignment.com

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GarmentoryAugustina Studio scarf, $62, garmentory.com

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