My multiple Parisian shopping sprees have taught me that buying vintage is one of the best ways to find great items that still fit my 'recent university graduate with barely a penny to my name' budget. I also love that vintage pieces have already proven their worth by standing the test of time. When something has lasted for over 20 years, that is probably the best warranty a girl can get with regards to the item's quality. Let's be honest, how often have you bought something that you loveloveLOVE only to find your beautiful cashmere sweater is pilling after a month or the clasp on your new necklace has broken after 10 wears. I honestly find it a little exhausting to be so excited about a new, wonderful purchase I have made only to be disappointed by its craftsmanship. No one likes to feel like their money was, well, wasted.
Yes, Paris has officially made this girl a vintage LOVAAA and with less than a week left until I am back on Canadian soil I am anxious to explore a few of our homegrown vintage shops. While Canadian cities may not have the same fashion history as Paris and London, don't go thinking we can't serve up the goods. Remember this number? 100% Canadian vintage.
My friend Aleks Bibic recently did some styling for 69 Vintage Collective and seeing the photos of her work has upped my excitement tenfold to scratch the vintage itch once I am back in TO. Here are a few of my favourite shots. Photography by Andriana Hnatykiw.
Unfortunately, I never learned how to properly accessorize. Maybe it's because I am such a lover of routines, but my ability to put together a great set of accessories goes no further than the following: I have my standby of four rings that I change about every six months (by 'change' I mean maybe take one off, or move one to a different finger); a Tiffany's necklace which I received as a Christmas gift two and a half years ago; 'diamond' studs; and occasionally two silver bracelets. To summarize, it's all small, all silver, and it (basically) never changes.
I always admire women (and men) who are able to make an outfit go from 'good' to 'OOOOEEEMMMMGEEEEEEE that is BEYOND' through the power of a great bracelet, ring, scarf, etc., and I think I need to finally break out of my comfort zone and invest in some accessories. Yet the word invest appears to be a big part of the problem. For some reason I can never bring myself to spend money on a great accessory. When you cannot bear to spend more than $50 on a beautiful piece of jewelry and have a mild fear of colour, the options are definitely limited.
So I am now on the Great Canadianista Accessories Hunt. A mission to find gorgeous accessories that give your outfit that extra somethin' somethin' without making it say HELLO WOULD YOU PLEASE LOOK AT MY ENORMOUS BEDAZZLED NECKLACE....all for under $100. Any suggestions for where I should begin?
My love of fall clothes generally means that every August isn't just another month for summer frolic, but more of a 31-day countdown to September. I love feeling the nights get cooler and the days get shorter. My smile reaches Joker proportions when I spot the first fall leaves and the temperatures dip so low that I can finally debut my fall jacket. But nothing screams HECK YA AUTUMN like finding a new knit with a perfect fit. This year, I plan on looking to Left on Houston for the onset of sweater weather. Their knitwear is beyond, and it's available in quite a few stores in Canada (they have one of those handy little, 'enter your postal code here' gadgets that showed about ten Toronto locations). Do you love it? I love it.
I can't get enough of when fantastically well-dressed people step in front of my camera. Especially when you can see that they are already passing down their style to the next generation.
