New Season. New You. Old Wardrobe.

Because you’re a student and sometimes we can’t even…

Sending a warm welcome to spring summer 18 and a hard goodbye to oversized chunky knits that are winter fashion.  The beginning of a new season may seem exciting and new to the average human calling Earth their home, however, for a fashion conscious and trend savvy person, establishing a new season’s wardrobe can be both time consuming and very expensive.  Don’t get discouraged poor fashion students… there is hope! With the democratization of fashion, the idea of “shiny and new” is made affordable to us who find ourselves in a constant flow of creativity and style posted all over social media.  Admittedly, it’s hard to say that the new Balenciaga isn’t on our minds, but with fashion moving so quickly, those brand names stay classics as new wardrobe staples come at a much lower price.  By taking a closer look at some wardrobe essentials like chokers, t’s and jeans, it may be more affordable than ever to stay on trend and even create your own from those pieces in the corners of your closet – you know the pile.

Chokers from the 90s have been the latest style to resurface and thankfully this time they look better than ever.  Chokers are accessories that can take any basic white T and boyfriend jeans and turn them into an outfit to wear out on the town.  These statement pieces are essential to warm weather wardrobes and they certainly don’t HAVE to break the bank.  Take a look at this comparison and see how this new “fahion for all” concept makes trends affordable.  The Neiman Marcus department store, I’m sure has it’s loyal customers but why pay the premium when you can buy one hundred and thirty three of Charlotte Russe’s style for the same price!?  

The t-shirt.  A wardrobe staple since it became socially acceptable.   The most recent trend of taking scissors to plain T’s comes from none other than Kendall Jenner – there, I said it… Come on, it’s a fashion piece; the Kardashian’s were bound to be brought up at some point.  Designers have taken to this idea and it’s more likely than not to walk into a current store and see walls of distressed t-shirts.  One designer in particular, Christophe Decarnin, took to this idea and ran with it in Balmain’s latest line.  A tidy price tag for this distressed shirt of $1,625.  It must be made of strands of emeralds? Nope 100% cotton.  May I now turn your interest towards a BooHoo look alike, also 100% cotton:

Almost nothing could be considered more classic than a pair of jeans.  Almost nothing changes and evolves more throughout time than jeans.  From ripped to cropped, mom jeans to flared, all have had their time and could not be happier to say they are now all back in style.  Because what else are you going to wear at the end of the week when all eight pairs of your black leggings are in the wash bin – jeans. Classic with an edge makes light wash cropped jeans an easy wear wardrobe staple that will bring you into the spring season.  Bright colours with hopes of warm weather ahead, as well as affordable price tags.  Okay, I’m going to do it again, however, her jean line is the newest jean craze so I have no choice.  Khloe Kardashian’s Good American jeans promote positive body messages with different fit options – cute idea Khloe.  Of course they come at a premium price but fear not – if you don’t want to invest there are alternatives!

Bring those creative juices back to life with the sun coming out more often find hope in the fact that you can stay stylin’ without breaking the bank.  These wardrobe staples can work from morning to night if you make them! Most importantly before you buy anything new, I challenge you to check the corners of your closet for hidden gems and revive them with scissors, sandpaper, sequins, knickknacks, any embellishment this season.

Trend Report: Spring/Summer 2017

Trend Report: Spring/Summer ’17

A simple guide to what you should be wearing NOW.

It’s time to ditch the parkas! Warmer months are upon us and that means it’s time for fresh look. From new colours to silhouttes there is plenty to get excited about. Here’s what you need to know to be on trend this season.

Think Pink

        

Particularly of the fuchsia variety.  This bold hue was seen all over the runways at Balenciaga, Celine, and Valentino this season. Incorporate it into your look as a fun, unexpected pop of colour using a bag or shoe. For the more adventurous, layer different shades of pink for a dramatic monochromatic look.

The New Trench

Trench coats are timeless wardrobe staple but this season we are seeing an update on this classic silhouette. Opt for a looser, more oversized version for a more modern version as a versatile layering piece for those in-between months.

Bold Shoulder

Hello 80’s revival! This season we’re having flashbacks from this particular decade where excess was everything. First, we’ll talk about the resurgence of the shoulder pad. From jackets, to tees and hoodies fashionistas everywhere are embracing this trend. While some styles, as seen at Vetements and Balenciage, may be a little outrageous for most, but those who want to try out the trend can opt for a slightly more relaxed version. This way you can still capture the 80’s silhouette without looking like you just rummaged through you’re mother’s closet.

For the less adventurous, and off the shoulder top is a great option. This style is great for the warmer months and is extremely flattering! You’ll still capture that 80’s vibe but in a less overt way.

Bra Tops

Take the crop top trend to the next level with this trend. We’re seeing this lingerie inspired look everywhere on runways and on style mavens like Gigi Hadid and Kendall Jenner. Rock this look with anything from jeans to evening skirts. For a more conservative look, throw on a blazer or a bomber jacket for a little more coverage.

More Althleisure

This fashion movement is here to stay. We have seen the momentum of this trend grow from season to season and it has become less of a trend but more of a fundamental shift in fashion that caters to a specific lifestyle-merging business casual and sportswear into one. For those who haven’t’ gotten on the bandwagon yet, it’s time! Almost every major retailer has gotten on board with this phenomenon so it won’t be difficult to find inspiration. Mesh panels are huge right now whether it be for leggings, tops, or jackets. It’s all about mixing sport textile in with your existing pieces. If you are able to keep the colour palette neutral and muted, you can actually achieve quite a polished look. However, accessorizing is the key to keep your look sleek and ensure that you don’t look like you just came from spin class. Throw on a structured leather jacket or a duster coat, a great bag, and a pair of mirrored shades to complete the look.

Vintage Vibes

Second hand clothing - potential for gold?

Shift Where You Thrift

    Being a young student pressed for cash is not always fun, especially when your major is fashion. Luckily one of the current trends is wearing anything vintage, and in this case living in Toronto has its perks. There are a few cute thrift shops in the core of downtown Toronto that will definitely soothe your vintage vibes as well as your wallet. One trip to Queen Street West will be sure to satisfy your need for the adventure of thrifting. Your first spot to hit should be Black Market Vintage, your inner grunge self will thank you. The name alone excites you doesn’t it? The next stop is Public Butter, this shop is more retro and you’ll easily find some goodies based on how huge the store is. Your final destination will be House of Vintage; while the prices are a bit steeper, the well known designer brands will be sure to peak your interest. These are my top three shops to score some second hand pieces, but there is so much yet to discover. Where will you shop your vintage?

Sell Your Unwanted Goodies

    Do you have a closet that screams, “clean me, I’m stuffed”, or is that just me? It seems as though my closet regenerates clothes that I didn’t even know I had...  or even want. I’m all for donating your clothes to charities, however sometimes my wallet is a little skinned. I used to throw all my unwanted and sometimes brand new clothing into black garbage bags for Goodwill until I found Trend Trunk. Trend Trunk is an app that lets you sell your clothing with limited fuss. After posting a few pictures as well as a description of your item, you are ready to make some cash as well as some room in that pesky closet. Trend Trunk makes things remarkably easy in regards to shipping out your sold items, you don’t have to pay a dime. Have I sold you yet? It gets better. If you still feel bad for not donating the clothes, you can donate your proceeds instead. Now go shut up that closet and clean it out!

Va-va-voom Vintage

    Having some trouble picturing these vintage trends that I raved about earlier? Let me paint it out for you. Right now one of the top trends would definitely be band tees, I know this is old news, but hear me out. Old band tees are hot, but what’s even hotter is distressed band tees. Kendall Jenner pulls off the look by cutting a deep V in her vintage tees and pairing it with a cute bralette. Even if you’re not a fan of the Jenners you’ll be a fan of this trend, no doubt about it. Bye-bye bombers, hello jean jackets! The next one on my list of favourites is the oversized jean jacket. I especially love it when you make it your own and add some patches or even destruction. What I’m trying to say is, vintage apparel is as hot as you make it and is also extremely unique. How often are you going to see the exact same vintage item on someone else in the streets of Toronto? So move out of the way fast fashion, vintage is coming through.

Why and How To Avoid Fast Fashion

Zara, H&M and Forever 21 are some of the most popular shopping spots for North Americans today. This is because these stores offer on trend pieces that will not break the bank. Although, most people are unaware of the negative footprint a purchase from these stores leaves on the economy and environment. By doing simple math it is easy to calculate that the items worth at cost is about half of what you are paying. A 50 percent mark-up is very common for all merchandise sold in retail. The cost price encompasses every element of the manufacturing and transportation process. If an item is being manufactured in Bangladesh to sell in North America it is hard to believe that a price as low as $10 could account for entire the manufacturing process including paying the seamstress.

Many people do not know how to avoid fast fashion while still dressing how they want to and not spending more money. There are a lot of good options when trying to eliminate fast fashion. Buying less and buying of quality is the best option I have found as it has helped me save money while building a wardrobe of pieces that will last. Shopping at thrift stores and buying vintage is a good option to find unique pieces at extremely cheap prices. Majority of the merchandise at thrift and vintage stores is better quality and cheaper than the merchandise sold at fast fashion stores. Another benefit to shopping at thrift and vintage stores is recycling used clothing. The amount of clothing that is thrown away every year is surprising being that there are many ways to donate and resell clothing.  If everyone utilized the clothing that is already made and recycled what he or she want to get rid of the amount of wasted clothing would decrease drastically.

If people started buying of quality and less frequently we could support designers and companies who manufacture their clothing in fair ways. This would also help us eliminate the fast fashion sector of the industry which causes environmental damage along with paying workers unfair wages. It would also help the economy by supporting manufacturers who are in our country and not overseas. It is actually very easy to balance your spending if you buy stuff you love instead of stuff you like. The clothing you invest in will last much longer than the mock versions sold at Zara or H&M for extremely low prices. When you need a new garment the best option is to buy recycled or vintage clothing because it does no harm to the environment and will be able to add to your wardrobe without wasting money.

Making the transition to building your wardrobe and avoiding fast fashion does not have to be overnight. You can keep the clothing you have already purchased from fast fashion stores but just have the goal of shopping at thrift, vintage and higher end stores majority of the time. It is surprising how fast you can build a solid wardrobe by keeping track of where and how your money is being spent.

Sneaker shopping : Downtown

Sneaker Shopping: Downtown

Toronto’s sneaker scene has undergone a constant expansion throughout the last two decades. It has never been easier to find the sneakers you need in the convenience of our city. From hyped to luxury, the city’s got you covered. 

Livestock 

First stop, Livestock. They have been supplying the city for almost a decade with the latest releases, collaborations and special in-store exclusives. This is the go-to spot for all sneakerheads, either local or visiting. Alongside the impressive sneaker array they are fully equipped with clothing: with everything from Palace to Arc’teryx’s Veilance line. Here, you will find a broad selection of the season’s Nikes, Adidas, Y3s, Jordans and Asics.  With two locations, one at 116 Spadina Avenue and the other at 406 Roncesvalles Avenue, you will be able to find what you are looking for. 

Ossington Ave. 

Next up, Jonathan and Olivia (49 Ossington Ave). This store is definitely one of Toronto’s top designer boutiques and their sneaker selection reflects that. Here you are able to find the new Raf Simmons, Maison Margiela and Rick Owens. Although the stock does move quickly due to its strong following, this is a great place to check out. Stocking the latest seasons by your favourite designers, here you will also be able to find an outfit to pair with your new kicks.

While checking out the Ossington strip: Lost and Found (44 Ossington Ave) is also a great spot to find what you’re looking for. Stocking Nike and Adidas’ latest releases, they will not disappoint. 

Department store pick-ups

Side note: if you are looking for luxury sneakers, without a doubt make sure to check the luxury department stores. Holts and Harry Rosen have been supplying the luxury sneaker market for a long time now; with the recent expansion of the American stores like Saks and Nordstrom, a huge variety of luxury sneakers  is now available.

A few notable mentions:

• New to Toronto, Exclucity (552 Queen St W), are now supplying the market with a vast selection of sought-after sneakers, they also run raffles for the hyped shoes , (keep in mind for the next Yeezy drop).  
• Capsule (69 Yorkville Ave #106) has also been a front runner in the sneaker scene, a must-see for sneaker heads. Also located in Yorkville, Serpentine (132 Cumberland St). They are at the forefront of the grunge aesthetic, here you will find the Rick Owens you have been dreaming of. 
• Lastly, Essential located at 384 Yonge Street @ shops of Aura If you have had your eyes on a pair of Yeezys or Jordans and need them this is your spot, a hypebeast’s dream. 

GET YOUR CREEP ON - follow these creatives on Instagram for all your fashionable, investigative needs.

GET YOUR CREEP ON
If you’re going to be on Instagram, nix following another Kardashian and look to these four leading Canadian creatives for all your fashionable investigative needs.

Petra Collins

Frequently used emoji: Sparkles

Signature pieces: Silk blouse, floral 90s dress and Gucci bag

Say hi to the OCAD graduate who is a spicy feminist with unprecedented talents behind the lens. Famed photog. Collins regularly works with Wonderland, Vogue and Rookie Magazine, does casual campaigns for Adidas and Stella McCartney—no big. If that’s not enough, Collins moonlights as model and muse for the house of Gucci. Her IG is the reason why people say the term lit in public and since Vogue named her one of the 40 creatives to watch in 2016, girl's a hard follow.

Preetma Singh

Frequently used emoji: Pizza slice

Signature pieces: Neon windbreaker, graphic tee and boyfriend jeans

Singh might be the baddest chick IG has the honour to host. Born in Toronto, Singh went to Princeton, where she became a fancy lawyer, only to decide to take her talents elsewhere (insert VOGUE). The superstar editor/model/stylist later worked for numerous other mags. including MarieClaire, Nylon and The Wall Street Journal before settling in as content producer for Nordstrom. Catch her at NYFW, where she can walk, talk and wear it all. Oh and did I mention she’s got green hair and is the drummer in a band called Vomit Face? Yea, she’s the epitome of brash, carefree angst, so keep up.

Hannah Sider

Frequently used emoji: Black heart

Signature pieces: Track pants, vintage sports tee and gold hoop earrings

The party bae behind the scenes, captures every runway show and, to quote R. Kelly, “then after the show, it's the after party. And after the party, it's the hotel lobby” because she snaps those too. Sider is THEE non-stop resident cool girl, which bods well for her jet setting Instagram reel. She’s often found hanging with Lukas Sabbat, Hailey Baldwin and Sarah Snyder and that’s when she’s not busy shooting A$AP Rocky, Drake or Kenny J. It’s suspect how chill this Ryerson alum is despite her insane work hours. You want a glimpse into the good life? This won’t be a follow you'll regret.

Chloe Wise

Frequently used emoji: Butterfly

Signature pieces: Balenciaga hat, mini skirt and overalls

Remember when the fashion community went nuts for a Chanel No. 5 bagel bag back in 2014?! That fashion fake out was thanks to Wise’s satirical sculptural art piece. Since then the oil painter, sculptural and video artist Wise has been busy with international exhibits, a Marc Jacobs campaign and low-key book to push. The Montreal native can be found laughing her way through the streets of NYC, or in studio donning a cowgirl hat. Her IG feed is constantly filled with eccentric style, mixed with the sass of a thousand Chelsea Handlers. Do you love to laugh while perusing genius art? Hit that follow.

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New Season, New Clothes - A Male Guide to Stay Fresh for Less

New Season, New Clothes -  A Male Guide to Stay Fresh for Less

The warmer weather is here and you can finally store that heavy winter parka deep in your storage without looking back… well maybe for a few months. Now that your bulky jacket is out of the question, let’s see what summer essentials we can put in that empty closet space without breaking your bank. The question that usually always comes up for me is, “is this really worth that price!?” and with that, showing you a few alternatives to very trendy and high fashion pieces that you can rock in the summer.

Dressing from bottom to top:

            One of the most iconic shoes in the past 10 years, the Common Projects Achilles Low being a very sleek and subtle shoe that can go with any piece of clothing is one of the first alternatives being shown. Retailing for over 500$ CAD this show is definitely a summer shoe that you might want to invest in, but for the ones who want the same look here are some alternatives. The first runner up is from the brand Axel Arigato a brand started up in Summer 2014, they offer the same subtle and sleek options but for half the price. If this is still too pricey for you then the Adidas Stan Smith that comes in a different silhouette than the other two, is still a very clean shoe that will go with your whole summer wardrobe that is also the most comfortable out of the three after my own experiences.

Feel the cool breeze on your knees:

            Jeans in the summer? Seeing as how hot out summers can get, looking good is still number one on peoples lists and these pair of jeans might be on their mind when thinking so. These Saint Laurent jeans being highly sought after but very unobtainable due to its 1300$ price point might throw you off, but don’t give up on them just yet as there are many alternatives to these ripped jeans. Before doing your research on the perfect pair of distressed denim, maybe look into your closet for a pair of jeans that already fit you well enough and approach it the DIY way. DIY being a very popular trend, there are many video tutorials online that teach you how to get this distressed look for almost free. If DIY isn’t your forte, then spending some money on a pair of Represent Clothing jeans might be the answer for you. While the quality is very exceptional, the price point being almost a quarter of Saint Laurent’s, these jeans will for sure give you the same look.

Vintage? In the 21^st century?

            Bring the old-school style back! With the roar of vintage clothing and band tees, brands have taken advantage of this and started to come out with their own. Very trendy brand Fear of God run by Jerry Lorenzo had come out with a reworked Metallica band tee that retailed for 300$... bizarre, right? Why buy a reworked band tee for 300$ when you can have some fun and go thrift one yourself? If you’re that lazy type, then I have an option for you. Local Toronto stores such as Urban Outfitters and H&M always have the right alternatives for whatever you’re looking for especially these trendy band tees.

One Of The Boys - a "boyfriend" style how to

One Of The Boys

Boys will be boys, but now the girls can join too  

Attention, Attention: baggy jeans and shirts are back in style, and us gals could not be happier! I mean who doesn’t want to ditch their skinny jeans for a pair of oversized, destructed pants? Lucky for you, one of the biggest trends of the Spring and Summer 2017 season will be the “boyfriend” style.  We’re here to tell you how to work it, and where exactly in Toronto you can be sure to find what your inner tomboy is looking for.

The Basics:

Let’s start off with a staple that you will need to complete the overall look. The “Plain White Tee”, and no I am not talking about the band that had a one hit wonder a decade ago. This “PWT” should be a little loose fitting (maybe go one size up from your regular), and have an informal neckline (try a “v-neck” style). For the perfect fit, try Artizia’s “Talula” brand tee, which comes in a variety of other pretty colours to suit your preference. The shirt is made from a silky soft jersey, which means you may never want to take this baby off. It retails for $35.00, and it is worth every penny.

The Holey Grail:

Finding the perfect fitting jeans is like finding a needle in a haystack, it takes way too long and most of us give up before succeeding. Well, thankfully for this style, boyfriend jeans are flattering on any body type. On top of that, there is an added bonus of being able to cheaply  thrift jeans and distress them yourself. Adding authenticity and individuality to an outfit is of the utmost importance these days, and this is the perfect way to start. Check out one of the many Value Villages in the downtown core and pull your favourites.

Steal His Sweater:

Did we mention this look would keep you cozy on those cool summer nights? Of course, if you have a significant other you could ask to raid his closet. For everyone else, no fear! Urban Outfitters has that oversized varsity sweater that you have been dreaming of. Now you can live out that high school fantasy of dating the football star and becoming prom queen. Pair this with those distressed jeans and you have really got something. This Urban Outfitters exclusive is priced at $69.00.

She’s Gone Country (not really though):

Another essential that you will need is a baggy plaid shirt. Don’t worry if you’re not into the  “country” look per say, you’ve got more options. There are plenty of solid coloured button ups that will do here as well. Our favourite store to shop for plaids has got to be Brandy Melville. Every store some unique styles and they come a little “pre distressed” so the shirt does not look so brand new. Prices range from $30.00-50.00.

Cropped:

We have to bring back a little girlyness to this look somehow. That is where the crop top makes its comeback. Since we are talking summer here, showing a little skin never hurt anybody! This shirt can be worn underneath the baggy button up or on its own. And yes, this is another great staple that you can thrift by cutting and making your own out of any shirt you find, or if you want – head to any cheap department store.

Music Recommendations - 4 Artists that will speak to your Soul

With summer quickly approaching, it’s now a good time to look back upon or search for some music to experience with friends and family or when you just need to relax throughout the season. Here are few artists who have released incredible albums over the past year that will provide you with the good vibes you are looking for.

“Summer’s not as long as it used to be...”

Shortly after the release of Channel Orange in 2012, Frank Ocean seemed to have disappeared off the face of the earth. For years fans have been eagerly awaiting for another release from Ocean. With the hype reaching critical levels after the numerous rumours of a second album, Blonde was released in 2016. An album filled with beautiful melodies, catchy hooks, incredible production and songs of self-reflection whilst remaining very minimal, Blonde is a phenomenal album and just a pleasure to listen to.
boysdontcry.co

Yes Lawd!

American singer, songwriter, rapper and  drummer (multi-talented artist) Anderson .Paak began his

commercial success with the release of his album Malibu early 2016 in which he draws upon his numerous musical influences (such as Marvin Gaye) and creates an hour of groovy, funky and soulful tunes to listen to. Following his widespread critical success, Anderson .Paak released another album, Yes Lawd!,  in collaboration with producer Knxwledge. Staying true to his form, the duo created another album of chock-full of smooth, funky and soulful songs.
andersonpaak.com

Process

British singer-songwriter and producer Sampha invites you into the inner workings of his mind with his debut album Process. Although the content of the album at times is very somber, it is also uplifting in the beautiful vocals and melodies accompanied by subtle but well -crafted production that Sampha has created. Process is an extremely emotionally-charged album, which also presents listeners an artistic and beautiful insight of Sampha’s emotional state over the past year.

sampha.com

22, A Million

The third studio album by American indie-folk group Bon Iver marks a stylistic shift from their

usual acoustic sound. The group experiments with heavy electronic production and autotune, which at times feel very robotic,but still manages to give listeners an extremely heartfelt and emotional vibe

throughout the album. Bon Iver utilizes heavy synthesizers along with their usual acoustic instruments and vivid lyricism to deliver many beautiful ballads, which in turn provides a very satisfying listening experience.

boniver.org/

Theme of new issue: Spring/Summer 2017

Theme

• Looking Forward: Defining Canadian Fashion

Theme Suggestions

• Blurring Borders
• Futurism/The Future, New Age, The new generation, The future of fashion
• Defining Canadian Fashion
• Influence of hip-hop culture on Toronto fashion
• Minimalist living, Simple
• Inclusivity - blurring borders, Welcoming Issue.. Welcoming new everything
• The Arts
• Modern Pop
• Social Disruption
• State of the art
• Student's Voice
• Questions
• Modern
• Diversity issue
• Style in the 6ix
• Subsequental

Keywords:

• Completely Different 
• Captivating 
• Customized 
• Platform
• Intelligent 
• Eye-Catching 
• Original 
• Cool 
• Fun 
• Change 
• Inspiration 
• Looking forward 
• Disastrous union 
• Enlightening 
• Informational 
• Engaging 
• Innovative 
• Modern 
• Satirical 
• Alluring