Glamorous Grunge.

Words and some images originally published in The Toronto Star (thestar.com), September 28, 2010. Written by me!

Marc Jacobs glamourized grunge in 1992 by sending waiflike models down the Perry Ellis runway in oversized flannel shirts, cashmere long johns and combat boots.

That collection shook the hallowed halls of high fashion, and while it may have gotten Jacobs fired, the looks changed the way the world saw street style.

Girls raided their brothers’ closets for khaki cargo pants and red-striped wool socks, while guys sought out hardware stores for cheap checked jackets and overalls.
 
Those who coveted Kurt Cobain’s closet have since grown up — and so have the clothes. Cargos are now skinny; flannel shirts fit the torso; chokers can be worn at a cocktail; and Docs have heels.

The shapes are more flattering but the rebel feel is still the same. Rock on, Marc.

Bullet Choker, $880, Lia Sophia, www.liasophia.ca.

Double-Weave Boyfriend Shirt, $29.50, Old Navy.

Panther Cargos, $220, Fidelity Denim, Over the Rainbow.

Diva Viviana Desert Boot, $165, Dr. Martens.

Getting Lippy.

Words and some images originally published in The Toronto Star (thestar.com), September 21, 2010. Written by me!

Yves Saint Laurent fall 2010.

Would lip gloss, by any other colour, look just as sweet? Considering the wave of new, chameleon-like lip candies, we'll say yes.

These shiny-smacker makers are one colour in the tube (e.g. moss green and dark purple) but another on the lips (e.g. shiny neutral and dusty rose).

So don't let the tubes trick you — these products respond to your unique lip colour, creating the perfect, personalized pout for fall.

These three are my absolute favourites:

Hard Candy Fortune Gloss in Fate, $5.98, at Wal-Mart.

Lipglass in Jealous, $17.50, MAC.

O-Gloss Noir by Smashbox, $25, at select Shoppers Drug Mart, Murale and Sephora.

Flare Ups.

Words and some images originally published in The Toronto Star (thestar.com), September 21, 2010. Written by me!

Chloé Fall/Winter 2010

While physics says what goes up must come down, designics (is that a word?) says what was once tapered must become flared. After what feels like 62 seasons of skinny trousers stealing centre stage, the scene is now set for the rise of the flared pant. 

These belled beauties popped up all over the fall 2010 runways. Rochas kept its short and sweet, while Balmain's Christophe Decarnin's had a hard-edged rocker vibe (quelle surprise).

But if you don't want to look like Joan Jett day-to-day, try pairing them with a wide shoe (to ground the look) and a roomy top (to balance the tight rise).

Bolero, $50, Reitmans

Lace top, $39.95, H&M

Bella Super flare,  $129, Stone Blue Jeans, www.piperlime.com

Gualuski platform clogs, $39.98, Aldo

Mermaid cuff, $55, Banana Republic

Whitting clutch, $19.98, Spring Shoes

Little Ms. Dressup

Words and some images originally published in The Toronto Star (thestar.com), September 14, 2010. Written by me!
 

Yes, you’re a mature adult with adult tastes, but don’t you miss playing dress up with your dolls just a little bit? It’s OK; you can admit it… 

Dace, the covetable clothing line from Vancouver, has done something about it. Collaborating with über-talented fashion illustrator Dallas Shaw, Dace has drawn up a pretty, perforated paper doll along with three looks featuring seven pieces from their fall 2010 collection. 

One sheet of snippable outfits are available free on http://www.dace.ca/ at the end of each month this fall.

While your inner child will want to reach for the scissors, your grown-up sensibilities may prefer to frame this fashion-forward beauty.

Loving Leo.

Words and some images originally published in The Toronto Star (thestar.com), September 14, 2010. Written by me!
 

Alexa Chung at the 2010 Emmy Awards (Getty Images)

Admit it: when Rachel Zoe proclaimed “Oh my god, a leo-pard hat!” on her reality TV show, you laughed. But when Alexa Chung walked the red carpet in her choice catty cover-up, you lusted.

The desire to be wrapped in spots this fall is fierce; thing is, designer leopard print coats don’t come cheap (Balmain’s number has a price tag of $18,605). Luckily, the I spotted an alternative: Joe Fresh Style’s faux-fur leopard print coat for $89.

Sure, a leopard can’t change its spots, but with the plethora of cool cat-coats this fall, why would we want it to?

Faux-fur leopard print coat, $89, Joe Fresh Style.

Balmain coat or a down payment on a house?

Fast Fashion.

Words and some images originally published in The Toronto Star (thestar.com), September 14, 2010. Written by me!

There’s an interesting shopping trend taking place across the pond: the merging of e-commerce and fashion journalism.

First, London’s The Daily Mail created Femail, an online boutique filled with frocks from their fashion features. In early September, The Daily Telegraph revamped its fashion and beauty website (fashion.telegraph.co.uk) with the same philosophy. 

Bye, bye, shop browsing. Hello, browser shopping!

Like Hilary Alexander's style picks?

Well, she likes this dress, and you can buy it right from the website.

Letting the cat out of the bag.

Words and some images originally published in The Toronto Star (thestar.com), August 31, 2010. Written by me!

Mee-ow!

Considering the range of MAC’s Fabulous Feline line, you may actually need nine lifetimes to properly preen with all these products.

This new-for-fall collection takes its texture and tonal cues from the most dazzling domesticated cats: the regal Russian Blue, the chocolatey Burmese and the spotted Ocicat.

Leopard Luxe Eye Shadow x 4, $43

Each bright-eyed beast is featured in the campaign (they held a cat casting call — seriously) illustrating the inspiration behind of the myriad of smoky greys, warm ambers and muted plums.

The best in show? The Superslick Liquid Eye Liner, $21, which comes in nine shades, dries at a panther’s pace and transforms your eyes from moggie to minx.

See? Being a cat lady doesn’t have to be such a bad thing.

Palace Pedigreed Super Slick Liquid Eye Liner, Smoky Heir, $21.

Leopard Luxe Mineralize Blush, Utterly Game, $25.

Burmese Beauty Lipglass Fancy Cat, $17.50.

Burmese Beauty Lipstick, To Pamper, $17.50.

It’s a wrap.

Words and some images originally published in The Toronto Star (thestar.com), August 31, 2010. Written by me! 

We all feel nostalgic about grade-school fashion fads from time to time. Hyper-colour T-shirts and neon bike shorts may have a special place in our hearts (if no longer in our closets), but one time-capsuled craze — the friendship bracelet — has graduated from mere memory to trendy talisman.

Chan Luu bracelets, $118 to $275.

Banana Republic befriended American jewellery designer Chan Luu, known for her wrappable woven wonders, and asked her to create a limited-edition bracelet collection.

Knotting together leather, coloured thread, precious metals and semi-precious stones, Luu’s designs appeal to the kid in all of us — and not a skein of gimp in sight!

Chan Luu bracelets, $118 to $275. Available at Banana Republic’s Eaton Centre and 80 Bloor St. W. stores.

Going the distance.

Words and image originally published in The Toronto Star (thestar.com), August 31, 2010. Written by me!

Brooks Brothers non-iron shirts, $99.50.

Creams for a wrinkle-free face! Diet bars for a pudge-free waist! Nowadays, it’s tough to find a product that actually does what it pledges to do.

So while there’s no doubt that Brooks Brothers’ non-iron stretch shirts are beautifully made (accordion-pleated cuffs, anyone?), do they live up to their crease-proof proclamation?

To test that promise, this machine-washable shirt took a little cross-country adventure, beginning in Toronto and ending on Salt Spring Island. One overnight flight, two ferry rides, four hug-happy family members and three very excited, jumping dogs later, this tailored little traveler proved not all promises are made to be broken.

A few minutes in the dryer and it’s ripple-free, ready for its next adventure.