So you’re not quite as swift with the Singer as your mom once was.

Thank goodness there’s another mother who’ll whip up a gorgeous handmade dress for your budding fashionista. With au courant details like 1920s drop waists and Liberty of London fabrics, the modern frocks by Vancouver line Mette will have her standing apart from the crowd.

And not because she’s wearing a bright orange polyester shift—that was you at age 4.

Dresses from $40, www.mette.ca

Warm patio parties may be no more, but prime cocktail season has just begun.

We’re embracing autumn with a crisp new attitude and now that Marika Brose’s eponymous line of dresses is available in Montreal, we’ll be stepping out (and out and out) in style.

Fairy-tale inspired, the collection has a moody feel that’s perfect for a cool evening soirée. We adore the black stretchy-but-structural bodice dress ($695) worn alone, or paired with a cropped blazer.  But for full-impact gala moments, invest in the hand-sewn crystal mini ($995) or grey ostrich-feathered floaty dress ($625).

Fall forward, indeed.

At Holt Renfrew, 1300 Sherbrooke W., Montréal, 514-842-5111, www.holtrenfrew.com

Thrift store frocks are a great way to stand out from the crowd, but we’re not so fond of the second-hand smell.

Instead we’re turning to the classically cool creations of mymommadethat dresses designed by Nancy Rosa and her seamstress mom.

Each of their pretty ’60s-style numbers (from $140) is made from unused vintage textiles and structured to fit the curviest of curves. For spring soirées, throw on a puffy-sleeved belted Elora mini with antique buttons, and this summer look out for their striking ankle-skimming maxi dresses.

Mom always did know best.

www.mymommadethat.com