We may have traumatic memories of trying to climb a rope in 9th grade gym class, but one thing we do look back fondly on is our gym class attire.

Toronto's Muttonhead has launched a Locker Room pop-in-shop at Gastown's Board of Trade boutique, and its urban athletic aesthetic has us doing jumping jacks. The unisex spring/summer collection, inspired in part by vintage baseball cards, looks like a '70s track-and-field meet, minus the polyester.

The made-in-Canada pieces include a Henley baseball shirt ($92), a lightweight French terry Camping Hoodie ($132) and Duck Shorts ($143) constructed from sustainable fabrics like tencel, organic cotton, bamboo and hemp.

Now we're feeling like a good sport.

Muttonhead Locker Room at Board of Trade on until May 5, 206 Carrall St., Vancouver and online at www.muttonheadcollective.com

While it is very easy to resort to neutrals, a balanced wardrobe requires a splash of colour and a bit of print.

Loeffler Randall’s spring 2013 collection has just the right amount of both, featuring bags and shoes in a mix of bold patterns and rainbow hues. We love the Dhalia platform ($495) in black and white for those wanting a monochrome graphic to spice up a black outfit, or the Rider bag in cobalt ($495) to contrast with our spring pastels.

And for the colour adventuress, the Mini Rider in floral print ($395, pictured) and neon red leather will add some drama to most outfits, which is a good thing. Playing it safe might be a good idea when it comes to finances, but not always when investing in fashion. —Alexandra Suhner Isenberg

Loeffler Randall spring 2013 collection exclusively at Violet Boutique, 3012 Granville St., Vancouver, www.violetboutique.ca

There’s a new reason to shop in Le Château, and no, it’s not to reminisce about the prom dress we bought there in high school.

They’ve just launched a new collection, Le Château Studio, and the clean lines and simple cuts are a great reason to shop at this well-known Canadian retailer. Think skinny acetate trousers ($79.95), botanical printed t-shirt dresses ($89.95, pictured) and sporty silk tops ($69.95) that will take you from the office to cocktail stylishly and effortlessly.

Since we’re the kind of girls who like to dress high and low, these clean cut looks could nicely complement some great Jil Sander and Stella McCartney pieces or our mix-and-match go-to, J. Crew. —Alexandra Suhner Isenberg

Available at Le Chateau in Metrotown, 4700 Kingsway, Burnaby, 604-439-9415, www.lechateau.com

Denmark is the Scandinavian country best known for its furniture, Lego, and the well-established Copenhagen fashion week, so we are quite excited about the launch of Minimum, a men’s and women’s collection that embodies casual and cool, the Danish way.

The slightly lopsided Denia sweatshirt ($50) is perfect with jeans and clogs (also very Scandinavian) and the Vega coat ($122, pictured) will stand out amongst all the parkas in this rainy city.

Plus, this is a bit of Denmark that is way more affordable than that mid century dining set we have our eye on…. —Alexandra Suhner Isenberg

Minimum at Board of Trade, 227 Union St, Vancouver, 604-681-2111, www.minimum.dk

Zara.com's Canadian launch sure had the bloggers buzzing, but what got us chirping was the cool kids selection.

With spring just around the corner (and last year's tops showing a bit too much belly), we're determined to ease the morning tutu struggle with pieces that look look as good on a 3-year-old as they would on her mother.

Stocked with a wearable selection of on-trend but not-too-precious clothes, this Vertical Stripe Dress ($45.90) and the navy Bermuda shorts ($35.90) are the perfect touch of Gallic for our 7-year-old, while the 3-year-old will be splish-splashing around in this striped suit ($17.90) that just screams "French Riviera!"  

Ordering was easy, delivery was fast and free - now if only registering for pre-school were so easy….

www.zara.com

What better way to show your Celtic pride than with a bit of green, the official Pantone colour of the year.

We'll be writing down our deep, dark secrets (aka laser hair removal appointments) in this Moleskine notebook: $17 at Chapters.ca

This Newberry Flat from Splendid is technically clover, but with a shoe this pretty, let's not split hues.  $98 at Splendid.com

But we won't mind a few chilly spring days… it will give us an excuse to wear this smart J. Crew wool-blend coat. $325 at Net-a-Porter.com

This Want Less Essentiels De La Vie tote is green in more ways than one - it's made with organic cotton. $175 at Ssense.com

And a set of chic diamond cluster and emerald earrings from Birks will have us doing a happy jig. $8,800 at Birks.ca

That'll make 'em Pantone 17-5641 with envy.

Prized shoes or a sentimental dress might be the favourites in our wardrobe, but it’s the T-shirts and jersey basics that we wear most frequently.

Vancouver-based fashion label Tana + Bee knows this, and that’s why its collection features very wearable jersey tops, tanks, and cardigans, in chiffon rayons, linen slubs, and micro-twills. The shapes vary from skinny to oversized, and feature draped details that flatter in the right places.

We’ve always said you can’t have too many shoes or bags. Now we're adding jersey tops to that list.  —Alexandra Suhner Isenberg

Tops from $95 at Moulé, 1994 W. Fourth Ave., Vancouver, 604-732-4066, www.tanabeedesign.com

High fashion indie shops congregate in the Marais alongside to-the-trade fashion, great art, and, like everywhere in Paris, hot girls on bikes! A tour:

Stop for delicious (and affordable) café alongé (Americano) and pain au chocolat at Christain LeCroix’s favourite neighbourhood spot, Le Sancerre. If you have kids, let them run wild in the gated park across the street. 87 Rue des Archives, Paris.

 
Pick up the best bedding, table linens, Japanese stationery, and maybe even a Vanessa Bruno coat at the famous 3-storey lifestyle store, Merci. Look for special collaborations with the likes of Maison Martin Margiela (trompe d’oeil door, pictured). The adjoining restaurant is known for its healthy fare. 111 Boul., Beaumarché, Paris, www.merci-merci.com

 
Designer children’s clothes like you have never seen (baby Chloé!) are up to 60 per cent off at the clearance outlet of Fifi de Vem. 17 Rue de Turenne, Paris.

 
The Lebanese couscous counter at the lively food market dating back to 1615, Marché Des Enfants Rouge is known city-wide. Great for a refueling pitstop at the end of a fun day. 39 Rue de Bretagne, Paris.

 
Open till 7:30 pm, the flagship store for Isabel Marant does inventory every two hours. Watch the chauffeurs crowding the street waiting for their charges doing serious credit card damage inside. Pale blue leather leggings anyone? 47 Rue de Saintonge, www.isabelmarant.tm.fr

 
Just a block away is the hush-hush tequila bar housed in the back of the teensy taqueria that everyone is talking about, Candelaria. You mean you went all the way to Paris for cheap Mexican food? We sure did.  52 Rue de Saintonge, Paris, www.candelariaparis.com

—Sarah Bancroft

New Year's Eve can go either way… it could be a raging success or you could end up standing on a street corner at 1 a.m., waiting for a taxi that will never arrive. Regardless of what happens, you want to look good doing it.

Hair Accessory fit for a Goddess

Keltie Leanne’s gold Goddess hair chain is a perfect accessory for the girl who likes to wear her hair down. $28 at www.keltieleannedesigns.com

Love the Night

Vancouver-based jewelry brand Amouro makes delicate necklaces that show off a décolleté, and what better night to do that? We love the Andrea necklace that wraps around your neck like a very dainty scarf. $250, from www.amourojewelry.com or at Bernstein & Gold, 1168 Hamilton St., 604-687-1535.

Carry Your Heart On Your Sleeve

Topshop’s stud heart box bag might not be that roomy, but all you really need on NYE is your phone, a credit card, lipstick, and a key. $64 from The Bay’s Topshop stores, www.thebay.com

These Boots are Made for Celebrating

Strappy sandals seem like a great idea when you are getting dressed, but it’s December. Fluevog’s Malibu boot in black and silver screams party but allows for socks. Win-win! $789 from Fluevog stores. $789 at www.fluevog.com