Toro Magazine.com, the print turned online magazine for men, claims to provide ‘What men need to know about Sex, Style, Drinks, Cars, Sports, Music & Video!”

In its newly revived Stylebook section, street fashion photographers from various cities around the world – including yours truly – capture interesting men in their dapper, or sometimes quirky looks.

For my first installment, check out pics from the Holt Renfrew Fashion Week media party >>>

by Daniel Wilson

Once upon a time men dressed up and putting on a pair of cuff links would be as natural as putting on socks when getting dressed. Then came Casual Fridays. North American men began going to work looking like out of work golf caddies in baggy khakis and corporate freebie polo shirts. Slob became acceptable and we entered the dark ages of mens dressing.

But now there is a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel as men have discovered the mirror and the accessory. Bay Street is belting out its demands; if our female coworkers can have fun getting dressed, why can’t we? Why do they get the great jewellery and this seasons ‘It Bag’ while we’re left with festive holiday neckties?

Enter Chris Zownir, a former Bay Street Boy himself, as its knight in armor, a champion in the fight against Bay Street Blah and his company Cuffwear.

“The Bay Street uniform is still pretty standard,” says Chris, “but cuff links give men a chance to be unique. Its something fun.”

And his designs are fun. With images like martinis, bulls and bears, buy and sell signs and Bond girl-esq ladies, Cuffwear offers men myriad chances to wear their mood, if not their heart, on their sleeve.

At $65-90, Chris’ cuff links are priced low to inspire creativity. You can own several pairs for different moods or mix and match, “and if you are staggering home in the morning,” says Chris, “ and realize you lost one you haven’t ruined a several hundred dollar investment from Tiffany’s”

Inspiration comes from the fashion in the 60s TV show Mad Men, but its not just the clothes. “Maybe, just maybe,” says Chris, “if men return to more traditional fashions and style elements they might return to traditional manners. Opening the door for other people and just general politeness.”

Stylish men, polite or otherwise, can find Cuffwear at Rolo, Gotstyle, The Coop and Rego all in Toronto or online at cuffwear.com.

Other places for Cufflinks in Toronto:
Green Shag, 670 Queen Street West
Courage my Love, 14 Kensington Ave.
Barbie’s Basement Jewellery offers custom cufflinks
www.linkyourshirt.com

Menswear Rockstar Outfitter Opening in T.O.
By Daniel Wilson

Photos from the Buckler Fall 2008 show

It is only with hopeless inadequacy that I can describe one of the finger foods and the Andrew Buckler store opening bash as potato skins. Tiny fresh new potatoes were cooked to perfection and scooped out to be stuffed with velvety caviar (and quite possibly small pieces of angels) and served to cigarette panted fashionistas screaming niceties at each other of the sounds of electrified rockers Holy Fuck.

It was good that the flat screen behind the bar showed the Buckler runway presentation on loop as the store was too packed to actually see any of the clothes on the racks. The models fit with the labels shank-sharp tattooed image and they oozed enough sex appeal to make me blush. Buckler somehow manages to make preppy staples like plaid button downs and sweater vests scream ‘fuck you’! The makeup perfectly stated that either the models did nothing but lie in the sun in Speedos all day, or that they were in need of a good bath. Rather sexy either way.

The Buckler boutique is the first in Canada and is sure to become a destination for stylish boys with money that are bored of Got Style.

Andrew Buckler, 700 Queen Street West

Maha & Cristabel rant about What NOT to Wear – including thongs and crocs, at PRIDE in this month’s FAB Magazine:

PRIDE FASHION FAUX PAS
Every year we see more and more fashion crimes committed in the name of Pride. With so many offending outfits and atrocious accessories everywhere, who can we depend on to show offenders the true scope of their visual assaults? fab saw a light at the end of the tunnel courtesy of celebrity stylist/scene whore Maha and ultra-fashionista/clubland superhero Christabel who gave us these warnings, musings and suggestions aimed at this year’s top 10 worst Pride outfit choices.

Sonja’s Photos

Opinion by Daniel Wilson

A t-shirt can be an amazingly sexy garment; James Dean knew that and so did Marlon Brando when he rolled a packet of cigarettes into the arm of his tighty-whitey. Modern day fashion rebels wear t’s featuring v-necks so low you can clearly see where they were only just separated from the umbilical cord despite minus 20 temperatures.

Here are some helpful tips on the wearing of this classic garment in today’s fashion environment. Please note, this is just my humble opinion and you can follow my advice or laugh at it at will.

The standard American Apparel(AA) low cut v-neck is really as low as you need to go guys, proud though you may be of your Nair fetish. Remember, there was once a time when men were proud that their testicles had dropped and hair grew on their chests. They wore clothes with cleavage in order to show off their virility, not their complete lack thereof.

Slogan t’s are not ok. Katharine Hamnett made them ok, and if you have one of hers by all means, wear it (and I will beat you up and take it), but otherwise no. Slogans you think are witty are not; they are as shallow as the fabric they are printed on. Please remember, how can a t-shirt speak to you when there are thousands of them made? (Note, House of Holland is also ok)

Band t-shirts are hard to wear. If you are wearing something with the name or imagery of a hot new band, chances are by the time you’ve washed it you’ll be embarrassed to be seen in it. Vintage band t’s are better, but it’s still a fine line. The Nirvana smiley face t-shirt may either make you look way too ironic, or that you actually live in your parent’s basement. A Nine Inch Nails t-shirt can work as an actual homage, ditto New Order, but it should look like your club-stamp smeared, same sex lover passed out in it a few dozen times while going through a sweaty fit.

AA is a great store to get t-shirt basics as their shirts can be worn on their own or layered under a more interesting garment, but please just one AA item per outfit. I know soft cotton in lovely colours is addictive, but it is not an outfit or a fashion statement. Entire wardrobes wrung from the racks of American Apparel make you look like a pastel, hipster Marc Rothko painting holding a 50.

There really is so much more to say: are metallic’s permitted, what is the rule on holes or stains, V-neck, boat or crew? Oh well, I need to leave some room for people to make mistakes or else what more would I write about?

Toronto L’Oreal Fashion Week, Spring 2008 Collections
by Daniel Wilson


Death In Venice never looked as stylish, or cheerful as at Philip Sparks men’s clothing and shoe collection at Town Shoes. The nautical theme was carried through the use of subtle pinstripes, boat shoes and a pallet of gray, cream, red and blue.

The most innovative piece was a windbreaker made from blue rip-stop tarp nylon, but when this same fabric was used for a double-breasted trench it missed the mark somewhat. Most of the collection was beautifully tailored with fitted pants and form-hugging vests however the use of extremely narrow double breasting on fragile cardigans seemed illogical.

As the first Canadian designer to make a collection for Town Shoes, Philip has big shoes to fill but the clean maturity of his designs suggest he is well ready for the challenge.