A Good Heart Never Goes Out of Style in Truro Nova Scotia
by Zoe, Miss Teen Nova Scotia 2017
Nova Scotians are known as very laid-back and relaxed people, which is something that shows through our everyday fashion choices. Whether we’re out for cheesecake at a quaint coffee shop or chilling on the beaches of Northumberland Shore, a loose sundress and a hat is our go-to attire! Comfort is one of the main qualities we look for in clothes, because when we feel good, we look good!! Despite our love for comfort, that doesn’t mean we are any less stylish! Here are some of the street fashions that best exemplify Nova Scotian living, all scouted on Prince Street in my hometown of Truro!
Prince Street: The heart of downtown Truro
In the recent years, the town of Truro, located in central Nova Scotia, has really become more of a funky and artistic community. With cool coffee shops and bakeries popping up at every corner of the block, Truro is the perfect place to express one’s individual style. Here we have hipsters, farmers, seamen, chic workaholics, and little girls in frilly dresses! With the opening of the new library and civic square on Prince Street, there is no better place to be in town! On Prince Street who will also find local boutiques, the Truro Farmer’s Market, the popular Nook and Cranny restaurant, and the Marigold Cultural Centre! On August 2nd, I ventured out on Prince Street to photograph and interview fashion icons wearing some of our town’s latest trends!
Dannette: The Frugal Female
This lovely lady has such a simple yet elegant style. It captures the true essence of “pretty and practical”. Best of all, she buys most of her outfits from thrift stores for $10 or less! In our area, there are several second hand clothing stores, such as New to You, Frenchies, and Louis. When you take the time to thoroughly search the bins, you can find some pretty neat items! And once you pair them together with a couple accessories, you get a killer outfit! Her deep purple collared blouse made of polyester really complements her skin tone, while her sparkly sandals add a beautiful touch of bling! She also a chose a pair light grey leggings for comfort and practicality! And finally, she topped off the look with a cute side braid! At 58 years old, Dannette is proof that you can be stylish at any age! I think it is important to represent every demographic and age group in fashion and style magazines, no matter how young or how old the people are! She is a beautiful person inside and out, and it was really a pleasure to meet her. Something interesting about Dannette is that she “tells it like it is”! Honesty sure is a good quality to have! In her free time, she enjoys dancing, walking, and gardening. This picture was actually taken on the corner of Prince and Inglis Street, another shopping hotspot in downtown Truro! We didn’t have too much time to chat as Dannette was on her way to a meeting, but all I can say is she totally ROCKED this look!
Chloee: The Denim Dreamer
This young and playful style looks great on 17 year old Chloee! She is an avid arts supporter in the community and has directed a musical called “Rock of Ages” as well as the “Charlie Wilcox Film Project”. She is also in Girl Guides Canada and has participated in youth forums and other community projects. She is wearing a dress that consists of a navy denim high waisted skirt and a blue and white horizontally striped tank top. Like Dannette, she purchased her dress for only $10 at Louis, one of Truro’s most popular thrift stores! She is also sporting some red Toms shoes, which were on sale for $20 at a local shop called Margolians! The blue pearled necklace she is wearing adds the perfect touch to form a colorful, youthful and laid-back style! And of course, a girl’s best accessory is always her smile!! This picture was taken in front of the Truro Public Library and Civic Square, at about 7:30 pm. Chloee is a dreamer (like myself!) and she is also a strong advocate for youth empowerment. She is such an inspirational girl and she really shows her funky, artistic side through her own individualized style.
Bill: The Local Librarian
I happened to catch this librarian after he was heading out from work for the day. Of course, if you hang it in front of the library all day, you’re bound to come across at least couple librarians! He has a very sophisticated style that works great with his occupation while giving him some much needed comfort for the day! Bill is wearing a navy and white vertically striped collar shirt, paired with a pair of beige pants which cost around $50 at Mark’s (Denver Hayes brand), along with a light brown leather belt. Both the shirt and the belt were Christmas and birthday gifts. He tops off the look with some fancy black leather work shoes which cost $100 from Clark’s. He says he generally doesn’t put much thought into his style, but regardless, he still pulls off this look pretty well! After all, once you’ve truly found your own authentic style, putting together outfits to reflect on it is a breeze!! Bill has a passion for reading and running, and he is so lucky to work at the beautiful Truro Public Library!
Islay: The Casual Camper
Beautiful Islay loves to camp! Every summer, she tours around our province with her family exploring nature and visiting provincial and national parks. Personally, I have never camped before, but I would sure love to try it, as it is one of the best ways to get up and close with the beauty of nature. A frequent camper needs a practical, comfortable, and easy-going style, and her attire serves all of those purposes while adding a casual, colorful flair. She looks super happy and confident in this picture, and in the end, it isn’t the clothes that matter, it is how you wear them. She is 16 years old and with her love of ballet, piano, reading and photography, she is living the teenage dream! Islay’s rayon and spandex black tank top which she got at Warehouse One for $15 looks great with her blue denim shorts from American Eagle, which is one of her absolute favorite stores! She snatched the shorts up for approximately $40!! And finally, her cute sandals were from Sport Chek, cost $40, and are made of yoga mat and fabric! They have a beautiful knitted pattern of pinks, oranges, and blues. Although her outfit is fairly simple, it is adventurous and adorable, just like her! Islay attends the local Acadian school and is currently working at the French Community Centre day camps for kids! She is a sweet and kind girl and she rocks this outfit even more with her great personality!
I sure had a great day photographing fashion icons on Prince Street, right in the heart of downtown Truro! There are so many unique styles and colors, and it’s really an eye-opening when you can stop, slow down, and appreciate the self-expression in your own community. I am so grateful to live in a country where I can express myself anyway I want, and one of the best ways to do that is by the means of personal style. Clothing tell us a lot about a person, they can show their current mood, their career, and even where they live or where they have traveled to! But in the end, fashion is not only about what you wear, it is about how you present yourself to the outside world. To be a stylish person, you must first have a stylish personality, and although trends may change, a good heart never goes out of style!