Criminals love a good chapeau (see Bonnie & Clyde, Al Capone), and while we aim to walk the straight and narrow we can’t help but steal their stylish caps.

Where we’ll be buying them however, is the new Goorin Brothers hat shop that’s popped up in Yaletown, the first of its kind in Canada. Its Hamilton Street space tips its hat to where those wicked wearers of yore would have frequented, an old saloon or gentlemen’s club, with rugs, aged wooden floors, and leather and velvet chairs.

As for the show toppers themselves, the wide-brimmed Bella ($65) and the handmade Clockwork bowler ($140) are the two hats we’d get in trouble for.

Goorin Brothers, 1188 Hamilton St., Vancouver, 604-683-1895, www.goorin.com

His Valentine’s Day fantasy may be French Maid, but we prefer something with French lace that we can wear past February 14.

And what could be more perfect than a bra and brief in blush tones from Agent Provocateur. In addition to appeasing your significant other, the softly sexy Gypsy set satisfies two spring trends—skin tone shades and letting your lingerie take centre stage.

For everyday wear, let just a bit of the bra peek out from the top of a jacket or dress as seen on the Akris runway. And on Sunday, let the set speak for itself and don’t be surprised if he offers to dust the living room en Français.

Bra ($235) and brief ($175) at Agent Provocateur, 1020 Alberni St., Vancouver, 604-688-2712, www.agentprovocateur.com

It’s time to trade auld for new and exchange carols for Carrall Street.

That’s where you’ll find new boutique, Lynn Steven. What once housed a rowdy saloon where Joe Fortes served drinks some hundred years prior is now a house of style. Owner Nicole Dennis Durnin has stocked her shop with brilliant embellished basics, like white tees covered in studs (Monrow, $105) and little navy dresses adorned with zippers (Isabel Lu, $160).

There’s also cozy knitwear by local line Granted, gemstone jewellery by celeb-favourite Pade Vavra and, come spring, luxe tops by Toronto designer Erin Kleinberg.

But it’s not just the new product that’s worth stopping in for. In the centre of the store, a circular wall made of 5,600 old books conceals the change room—that’s what you call chic lit.

Lynn Steven, 225 Carrall St., Vancouver, 604-899-0808, www.lynnsteven.com

Tact can’t be taught and style can’t be bought, but pretty frocks can be sought at The Fair.

The shop, which started as a strictly virtual venture, has broken ground in Gastown. Inside, owner Tammy Joe and Jennifer Nosek stock Academie, their own line of limited edition silk dresses ($270) and one-of-a-kind repurposed vintage pieces, alongside cool imports from Korea, including wool boyfriend blazers ($130). There are also scores of vintage shoes and accessories, which the fashion-passionate Joe sourced when she was a travelling medical software consultant.

Let's hope this fair never leaves town.

The Fair, 415 Abbott St., Vancouver, 778-882-3565, www.shopatthefair.com

What keeps you warm and gets you noticed? Larry.

The line of scarves, shawls, cowls and ponchos by Vancouver blogger-cum-designer Terri Potratz is knit with Alpaca fleece from the Cariboo that’s spun into yarn on Salt Spring Island. In scrumptious shades of oatmeal, charcoal and mocha, and with deft touches of felt and leather, her latest collection ($75-$600), which just arrived in shops Obakki and Body Politic, was inspired by the rugged landscape of central B.C.

And if some heavy necking with another Larry leaves a mark, this Larry also conceals the evidence.

www.wearelarry.com

You don’t have to be a Pevensie sibling to have a wardrobe transport you to another world, just open your closet door to personal stylist Jessie Carlson.

With a sharp eye and eight years of experience under her belt, Carlson rids clients’ closets of what doesn’t work, consults on what garment gaps need filling and leads three hours of focused shopping to find key pieces that fit different frames. At the end, they walk away with a revitalized wardrobe, and a personal style write-up to help chart a course through the clothes and make future shopping trips more fruitful.

Consider her your own Rachel Zoe, without all the L.A. drama.

The Starter package ($500), by appointment only 604-614-9658, www.jessiecarlson.com

While close in proximity to each other, the Italian cities of Naples and Capri are a lesson in contrasts. We delightfully dabbled in both the gritty and the grandeur.

stay
Located a few hundred paces from the bustling Naples train station, the UNA Hotel is conveniently located and a little oasis in the midst of the city’s madness. In soothing shades of green and beech, rooms are quiet and serene. Make sure you don’t miss the bountiful breakfast at the hotel’s own rooftop café, complete with views of downtown. From €89, Piazza Garibaldo, 9-10, Naples, +39-081-5636901, www.unahotels.it

drink
Located on the small Megaride island alongside the grand Castel dell'Ovo and a bevy of other outdoor cafés, Le Bar is the coolest of the bunch for a good cocktail, conversation and even hooka if you have the hankering. The drink list is long, the crowd young and trendy, the atmosphere cool and relaxed. Le Bar, Via Eldorado, 7, Naples, +39-081-7645722.

shop
In the morning, head for the docks and board a hydrofoil to Capri where shopping is an otherworldly experience. For the sandal-obsessed, a visit to L'Arte del Sandalo Caprese is a must. Cobbler Antonio Viva has been making them for decades. Sophia Loren and Jackie O are a couple of his former clients. Via Orlando, 75, Anacapri, +39-081-8373583, www.sandalocaprese.it

eat
With the money you saved skipping the overnight stay at a pricey hillside hotel, treat yourself to some of the best cuisine on Capri. The family-owned Aurora restaurant is known for its Mediterranean cuisine and high-profile celebrity friends. Order “pacchero,” a pasta dish of parmesan and zucchini flowers, and you’ll go home very happy. Aurora, Via Fuorlovado, 18-22, Capri, +39-081-8370181, www.auroracapri.com

We spent a weekend in Europe’s “other" fashion capital living la dolce vita.

stay
The AC chain of hotels is to southern Europe what The Standard is to the U.S.—modern design at retro prices. From the transparent bathroom sink countertops crafted from a solitary piece of glass to the stylish cocktail lounge downstairs, its Milan  outpost is fit for a Donatella-in-training. Other posh perks include a complimentary mini bar and breakfast (not to mention a cute and attentive concierge). From €120, Via Tazzoli, 2, Milan, +39 02 20424211, www.ac-hotels.com

shop
No need to dash to Florence for your Elio Ferraro fix. The store that’s renowned for its unparalleled collection of vintage couture and décor has opened up shop in Milan. Conveniently, it’s just around the corner from the AC, so you don’t have to carry your bags of Valentino very far. Via P. Maroncelli, 1, Milan, +39 02 43113202, www.elioferraro.com

10 Corso Como isn’t just a shop, it’s a destination. The brainchild of Carla Sozzani, look-alike sister to Vogue Italia editor-in-chief Franca Sozzani, it takes up an entire palazzo housing a book and music store, gallery, boutique, outdoor café and indoor restaurant—all of which bubble over with a bounty of beautiful people all hours of the day. Corso Como, 10, Milan, +39 02 29013581, www.10corsocomo.com

eat
The elegant old-style eatery Osteria Stendhal offers good vino, tasty Italian fare and Milanese specialties like saffron-infused risotto. We feasted on a decadent dish of gnocchi with veal ragout and truffle oil that almost made us forget about the Armani bag we touched, but couldn’t take home. Via Ancona, 1, Milan, +39 02 6572059, www.osteriastendhal.it

Knitwear and ankle boots have us lusting over fall fashions, but nothing says transition piece like a fabulous new scarf.

The very “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds” Tie-dye Circle Scarf ($47) by American Apparel is our must-have item for the odd weather between summer and fall.

The scarf is 100 per cent cotton so it’s light enough for warmer days but warm enough for cooler temps. Hand-dyed for a one-of-a-kind touch, it comes in four different colour combos (heather gray and black is our fave) and can be worn a dozen different ways including as a dress and a capelet.

Now that’s really a transition piece.

At American Apparel, www.americanapparel.ca

We never thought knitting was knot cool, but new outfit Wool and the Gang is making it that much Kool-er.

The Parisian company crafts complete kits that include wooden knitting needles, Peruvian yarn, clever patches (one reads “Cash-mere if you can”) and on-trend patterns created by women who’ve worked for the likes of Colette, Vogue Hommes International and Balmain.

For these warmer temps, we love the lightweight Tula tank top and when the weather cools the Lula Hoop, a closed looped scarf meant for beginners, will keep our clavicle cozy.

It’s the perfect project to spool around with in your spare time.

From $85 at www.woolandthegang.com or www.netaporter.com