The Long & Short of Style
Fashion

Lusher and Co.

Handcrafted supple leather, soft vintage luxe, these are just some of the adjectives that perfectly describes the handbag collection from Lusher & Co. This Canadian woman owned brand was brought into being by Sheryl Temporao who made it her mission to create beautiful pieces that use time honoured old world techniques to fashion upcycled leather new works of art.

Follow along with us as we show you how we’ve styled some of these unique pieces from Lusher & Co. And just for you readers we have a 20% off code for you – “longshortlove“

Gail – in Handbag Heaven

Anybody that knows me knows that I am a handbag FANATIC! I have so many bags that I could probably purchase a small used car LOL. Yes, I know that this obsession is a little excessive but what I can I say other than it is what it is. So, when Leslie and I were approached by Sheryl of Lusher & Co, I was over the moon y’all! Listen, this is handbag fanatic’s dream come true. This Canadian brand out of Victoria, British Columbia, make handcrafted leather goods that have a luxe yet casually chic feeling that I absolutely love.

Look 1:

Nera Crossbody Clutch (gifted): Lusher & Co. // Sweater: Boohoo // Skirt: Pretty Little Thing (old) similar here or here // Shoes: Aliexpress

For my straights sisters here are some options for you: Sweater // Skirt

The handbag I selected from the Lusher collection is this crossbody bag called “Nera” in the colour teal. This bag really works for me because it’s incredibly versatile. It can be worn as a shoulder bag crossbag or a clutch. As a I mentioned, the bag is handcrafted from beautiful, supple Italian leather.

The leather, as mentioned earlier, has gorgeous patina to it which gives the bag a vintage vibe. The Nera crossbody clutch features distressed brass studs with a wrist-lit that is also studded. The bag measures 27cm x 4 cm x 21 cm has several interior pockets as well as a pocket at the back of the bag.

The strap is adjustable so one can wear it as a shoulder bag or as a clutch as the strap is removable and is the perfect accessory for a brunchin with friends look or night out on the town outfit.

Inspired by the Nera clutch I, of course, had to create some looks to showcase the versatility of this handbag. The first outfit hints to my 2019 life when it was possible to frolick outside without the long shadow of COVID-19 threatening to burst our bubbles. So, while we may be in the middle of fall I’m still embracing bright citrus colours in the form of this knit sweater that I paired with a silver faux leather skirt. And of course the perfect “cherry on top” of this look is the Nera clutch.

Look 2:

Blazer: Sumissura (old) similar here from Sumissura, the fabric is called “Taylor” // Jeans: JustFab (old) similar here

For my straight size sisters: Blazer // Jeans

For my more smart casual look, great fitting jeans and a blazer are the perfect pairing for a workplace setting.

So, the Nera clutch crossbody is both versatile and style and will slip into your wardrobe seamlessly.

Leslie’s Loving Lusher.co Like…

Movement Duffle Bag: Lusher.co // Coat: River Island (old, similar here) // Sweater: Topshop (old, similar here) // Culottes: River Island (old, similar here) // Boots: Zara (old, similar here) //

For my plus size perfect babes: Coat // Sweater // Trouser // Pants //

Duffle Bag: Lusher.co // Coat:  (old, similar here) // Top: Long Tall Sally (old, similar here) // Jeans: Zara (old, similar here) // Shoes: Tory Burch (old, similar here) //

For my plus size beauties: Coat // Top, Top // Jeans, Jeans //

I love a unique, great quality bag. You know one of those bags that not everyone has, doesn’t die after 2 months of use and gets better looking with age? That’s why, when we discovered Lusher.co I was UBER excited! My parents instilled in Gail & I from a very early age the importance of buying quality pieces, whether it be furniture or toys, and that’s a lesson that I just can’t shake. Lusher.co, with its focus on using genuine, supple, vintage Italian leather, and handcrafted pieces just spoke to my soul!

Added to this high level of quality is the brands focus on using sustainable, eco friendly “up-cycled” leather in their products and I was in bag heaven! As you probably guessed, the first piece that caught my eye was the “Movement Duffle Bag”. A gorgeous weekender style duffle perfect for weekend getaways, short business trips and carting work to and from the office.

I had been looking for the perfect duffle, one that was not too cumbersome, that had several pockets (essential for travelers) and looked freaking hot with any outfit I wore (yes, I llike to travel cute!).The Movement Duffle hit every mark!

With a great, large outside pocket it makes reaching chargers, phones etc. super easy. Then inside is where it became a game changer. You know how sometimes you find a bag and you think it’s phenomenaluntil you actually use it? Only to discover that they don’t have the interior pockets you need and all your stuff is just jumbled around in the body of the bag like a junk drawer? Well, Lusher.co covered all those bases! This duffle has MULTIPLE interior pockets. A nice medium sized one that is great for money, ID, travel docs etc., and on the opposite side are 2 smaller pockets that I put my headphones and keys in – sigh…I was literally in bag heaven the first time I used it. I even went so far as to do a bag demo for my parents!LOL My Mom, who literally approves of nothing, LOVED this bag and tried to confiscate it (I’m still feeling guilty that I said no LOL. But in my defense, she doesn’t travel!LOL). 

Another element I just love about this duffle bag is that it’s available in several colours so you can choose that one that speaks to you! I was sorely tempted to get this duffle bag in blue, but I opted for a more neutral colour that works with a lot of my wardrobe. If I didn’t mention it before, I’l mention it now; I love to travel cute. You know like in old movies where the ladies are wearing cute driving outfits or cute airplane looks, that’s me! While I don’t go all out, I definitely bring some style to my travelling gear! 

This overall look is one I’ve travelled in a few times. The key for me is a bag I can easily carry (e.g. the Movement Duffle Bag), and pieces that are loose fitting but cute. I cannot be constricted, whether it be on a plane, train or automobile. Thus, this look allows me to deconstruct it as soon as I get to my seat!LOL Pants allow for freedom of movement and are easily unbuttoned if necessary. Cute sweater will hide unbuttoned pants, and the boots are lose and slouchy, thus easily removed! All of my requirements met!

All in all, Lusher.co have created a beautiful bag that meets all my needs for both travel and work. I love that they are a Canadian brand and incorporate sustainability into their business model while offering gorgeous pieces that are well made and of high quality. The Movement Duffle Bag has become my go-to bag for weekend trips and photo shoots alike and I can say this: for the first time, I can’t wait to see how a bag ages! 

While the bags were gifted, the opinions expressed are our own.

And that’s the long and short of it!

Photography: Roseline Bonheur

Fashion

The Long & Short on eShakti Part 2

We’re back with a wardrobe remix for the zebra print dress we scored from eShakti.com. Scroll down for the 411 and click here if you missed part 1 of this 3 part style series!

Leslie’s eShakti Remix

Dress: eShakti // Overlay Tulle dress: Zara // Belt: Zara // Shoes: Office (old, similar here) //

Plus size babes, as we mentioned in part 1 of our eShakti turn-up, this animal print dress comes in all sizes and can be customized to fit your every curve! Click the link above to get the deets on this gorgeous dress!

Plus Overlay Sheer Dress: Universal Standard //

If you missed the first installment of our eShakti style remix click here to check it out! For my second look, I remixed my beautiful eShakti dress for an evening out on the town. Dinner and drinks here I come!

The sheer overlay, bold earring and bracelets give the look a more night time vibe! I`m ready to take on the town and cause a stir! Watch out concrete jungle, here I come!

Gail’s eShakti Remix

Dress: eShakti.com // Blazer: ASOS Curve (sold out) similar here // Faux leather bustier: Ashley Stewart (old) similar here or here //

For my tall sisters, as you already know, the dress is available in a size you! Here is a blazer option for you though – Blazer // Corset Belt

So, I’m back with look number two wearing the same zebra print dress form the fabulous online retailer eshakti! For this outfit I was going for a more boardroom babe look.

I added this nude coloured blazer that I last wore here. That’s what’s so awesome about having versatile pieces in your wardrobe – you can mix and match to create all kinds of new looks without breaking the bank!

To push the envelope even further I added this faux leather bustier to that wore in this post earlier this year. And since there simply was not enough zebra print in this look I added zebra pumps for good measure. And there you have it – look number 2!

And that’s the long and short of it!

Gail & Leslie xoxo

Photography credit: Roseline Bonheur

While this is a sponsored post, the opinions expressed are our own.

Fashion

Now Trending

We are giving you some more fall trends to heat up the season! ladies, we’ve got you covered!

Leslie’s Asymmetric Essential

Top: Zara // Belt: House of CB // Skirt: Kaela Kay (sold out, similar here)// Shoes: Office (old, similar here) //Coat: Zara (old) similar here

For my curvy babes: Top // Skirt (Kaela Kay has got our plus size babes covered)// Belt //  Coat

We LOVE when we find companies that cater to women of all shapes and sizes and Kaela Kay is one of our absolute faves! Don’t think that you can’t rock your African print pieces year-round. This Kaela Kay skirt is the perfect piece to rock with boots and a chunky knit sweater when the weather really gets cold. The colours are also perfect for the season as well. But while we’re in this transition to full on fall, I opted to rock my skirt with an asymetriccal neckline top and leopard print pumps.

The asymmetrical neckline is a big trend for fall. I scooped up this top at Zara and I went 2 sizes up so that I could have a really blousie look. Ladies, don’t be afraid to go up sizes to get the right effect. Going up a size also helped me get the longer sleeve length I was looking for in this top. Again, just because retailers show you a particular garment styled a certain way, you can always switch it up. I am NOTORIOUS for wearing my clothes backwards when I think it just looks better that way on my body. It’s about making the piedces work for your body, notmaking your body work for the pieces.

I added this oversized belt to the look just to highlight my waistline, shorten the look of my torso (because I have a very long torso) and add another interesting detail to the overall look. The leopard print pumps let me get that print on print action I love, and leopard print goes with just about anything so it’s a winning combination. 

Once the weather gets a bit cooler, I would throw on my mustard yellow coat as that is a colour in the skirt and mustard goes so very nicely with green. 

My peoples, I am ready for winter, spring, summer,and fall with these pieces. Versatile and stylish. Just love that killa combo!

Gail’s Checks & Balances

Plaid Suit: Target (old) similar Jacket // Pants // Snake Print Coat: ASOS Curve (old) similar here // Belt: Addition Elle // Shoes: ASOS (old) similar here //

For my tall glamazons: Plaid Jacket // Plaid Pants // Snake Print Coat

One of the big trends for this fall season is plaids in all of it’s variations so dive in and give them a try.

If you’re a regular reader of The Long & Short of Style then you know I love a great fitting suit and this one definitely fits the bill. The versatility of a suit can’t be beat.

When looking for the perfect suit here are two tips:

  1. Make sure the jacket or pants fit the largest part of you. Yes, the jacket may be large in the shoulders or the sleeves a little too long or the pants too large in the waist but a visit to a tailor can easily fix those issues easily.
  2. Pay attention to the fabric as well. Look for ones that have a little bit of stretch so you don’t feel confined.

So, for my suit look I decided to add this snake print coat – another big trend of the season for some extra pazzaz. I also added a cognac coloured belt to cinch in my waist. And with that my friends my “Like a Bawse” look is complete.

And that’s the long and short of it!

Gail & Leslie xoxo

Photography credit: Roseline Bonheur

Fashion

Blazer Switch-Up Part 2

We are bringing you Part “Deux” in our blazer series with these fabulous blazer remixes to show you how to get the most out of your classic blazer! In Part 1, you saw us rocking our blazers with our casual jeans for a more laid back look. Well, hold on to your hats because we`re turning the dial up a notch (or two) with our blazers, remixing them to take you from the boardroom to the bar for some networking and of course, cocktails!

Gail’s Blazer Remix

Blazer: ASOS Curve // Pants: Pretty Little Thing (old) similar here or here // bodysuit: Fashion nova //Shoes: Zara (old) similar here

For my tall glamazons here are options for you: Blazer (see Leslie’s fabulous blazer) // Pants

As I said in last week’s post a blazer is a wardrobe workhorse that is just so versatile. With this look I remixed my blazer to complete a boss babe boardroom chic look.

What I especially love this blazer because they cut is fabulous and I love that how the belt cinches in my waist perfectly.

So for this look I was keeping it neutral from head to toe. Gone are the distressed jeans and in their place are a size 22 neutral coloured wide leg pant. I love these pants because when I walk it looks as though I’m floating because the material is a polyester /crepe situation. These pants feature a swath of material that come across one leg and tie at the waist for a really neat avant-garde feeling.

Now you may have heard that plus size women especially petite plus size women should try to shy away wide leg pants but y’all know how I feel that shoulds regarding what plus size women should wear.

Lowdown from Leslie

Blazer: River Island (old, similar here, here) // Dress: H&M (sold out, sihmilar here) // Shoes: Zara (sold out, similar here) // Purse: Coach (old, similar here) //

For my plus size babes: Blazer (see Gail`s gorgeous blazer) // Dress

I`m a “blazer babe” because I`m totally one of those chicks that loves a hot blazer. Striped, floral, colourful or neutral I love them all! That said, for those of you who may not be into blazers the way I am, you may want to start with one that is a bit more on the neutral side like the one I`m rocking here! As you know, from last week`s post, I went more casual with that look (seen here). This time around, I wanted to demonstrate how you can layer your blazer over a cute dress to create a whole new look, one that also just happens to be perfect for fall!

I personally love when my blazers are a little bit big. That may be in part because I usually have to buy them that way to get enough length in the arms, but it is also because I LOVE to wrap them kimono style and rock them with a belt – cinches my waist and adds another interesting detail to the look!

This dress has gotten sooooo much wear this summer. I know you cannot see the entire dress here, but it`s the perfect piece to wear over and over again in many ways. Here, it provides the perfect canvas to set off this beige blazer. The print adds a ton of visual interest to the look and I love that it`s a midi. Since pleated skirts are a huge trend for fall, I`m also on trend too (whoop-whoop)!

To round out my look I pulled on my sock booties and this leopard print clutch. 

I`m now definitely ready for a cocktail!

And that’s the long and short of it!

Gail & Leslie xoxo

Photography credit: Roseline Bonheur

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