Head to Toe Fall for $50!

Jeans, jackets, purses, shoes, scarves, shirts, dresses and skirts @ Value Village

The Challenge:
To find a complete fabulous outfit for $50.

The Find:
An amazing 'eurotrash' stylish outfit (complete with boots) that I love:


1. Marciano jeans (perfect condition AND already hemmed) $9.99
2. Upside down tank top shirt with ribbon detail, screen print and jewelled embellishment $12.99
3. Fake Prada purse (that I gave to a thankful friend because of my adversity to fake bags) $7.99
4. Knee-high Italian leather boots $12.99
5. Grey velvet cropped jacket $12.99

When I began this challenge of finding a complete, head-to-toe fall outfit, I could have opted for a cutesy dress and cardigan combo or 80s tapered pants and boyfriend blazer - but decided on more practical pieces that I could mix and match and get the most wear out of: jeans and a shirt.


Value Village has a huge selection of jeans, nicely organized by size, ranging from $7.99 to $9.99. The two pair of jeans I ended up buying - Marciano and Club Monaco - were in great condition and fit perfectly!


I passed up many colorful vintage pumps for these boots. Although they're a few seasons old, I could not pass up the $12.99 price tag for perfect condition leather Italian designer super high boots that'll look great worn over jeans or even with a dress.


I attempted to seek out the perfect 'vintage' boyfriend blazer but came upon this fabulous grey velvet cropped jacket for $12.99! I splurged on this trip and bought a second jacket - a snug, bleached zip-up jean jacket!

Value Village stores are all over the city - all with different inventory that changes constantly! For the best finds and deals you should try to peruse often.

We are giving away 2 - $50 Value Village gift certificates through our Torontostreetfashion Facebook Group >> courtesy of Value Village!

Dress to Express at the Ballet

The annual National Ballet Fundraiser is held in the dazzling Four Season's Center, by award winning Canadian architects Diamond & Schmitt. The translucent building is a natural habitat of culture vultures eager to indulge in an evening of dance and drinks. The dress code of this year's gala is "dress to express" - a wise choice at any cultural event. Far too many folks in Toronto dress to repress! Here are a few easy tips to get you from glum to glam.

THROW DOWN THE GAUNTLET!

Biko Beauttah looks beautiful in classic black satin evening gloves. Go for broke by wearing a cocktail ring or bracelet over your satin, or take a trip to Northbound for opera gloves in latex or leather. (Don't worry boys, that's what 911 is for).

PEARLS PEARLS PEARLS!

Whenever adorning with pearls, you should always wear enough to make you wonder - "Is this too much?" The answer, of course, is always no! Gloria Sharp turns her Oscar de la Renta and Michael Kors ensemble from fine to fab, by piling on the ocean gems.

FEATHERED FRIENDS

Paula takes a little black dress on new flights of fancy with this stunning fascinator by David Duncley of KCs hats. This Toronto designer has studied in England with Royal milliner Rose Cory and offers up a yummy selection of hair accessories for the bold and beautiful.

TOP IT OFF

While we are all ready to "go-go Ascot" to garden parties, the evening hat is a sure fire way to get gorgeous. Baronness of the Bias-cut, Lana Lowen (of Lowen Pope), turns heads in her own fire-engine red, 40's film goddess gown topped off with this black beauty from Wild Haagan.

All photos by Karen Brockest.

Pride Fashion Faux Pas

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.

Acid Wash @ Jones

Acid Wash is back!

Available at JONES, 557 Queen Street West
or www.shopatjones.com

Fit: Tight
Waist: Low
Legs: Super slim
Style: Acid wash with zipper detail
Price: $109

What to wear to Fashion Week

Of course we encourage personal style to reign, especially at Toronto's foremost week of fashion; but we'd thought we'd offer a few very basic tips to being sharp and spotted amongst thousands of the city's best (or at least most interestingly) dressed!

For Spring 2008:
Oversized Jewellery: rings, bracelets and neckwear. Wooden, big beads, natural textures.
Coloured Tights: yes, coloured tights are still 'in', especially since this trend hasn't gone super-mainstream in this city. Ladies, you can do it! (Why not even try coloured footwear?!)
Belted/High-waist Skirts: Lady-like meets urban chic. Not only for hipsters!
Colour: Yellow, purple, blue, pink. You name it - just get out of that black!

During the last fashion week, Liza asked Toronto's style icons about their thoughts...

Adam: "It is better to dress in a unique way to express your own personality." | Marlene: "Wear comfortable shoes!"

Alison: "Try to anticipate the trends you are going to see, and be the first to wear them." |
Rolyn "If you're not confident enough to put an outfit together, go for something basic and add an unusual detail to it, or go for style in an outrageous accessory."

Stand Outs

We all want to stand out when it comes to fashion. In the sea of black - which is the staple colour of winter fashion it seems - you need killer accessories.

With fashion week only eight days away, now is the time to augment the terrible black hole with bold design that blasts out colour and style. TSF recommends silk neckties in electric colours made by designer Jane Haselgrove, available from The Rage [13 Kensington Ave] and eclectic, mad necklaces from Elizaveta Yankelovich a.k.a KAMELEON stocked at Boutique Le Trou [940 Queen St West]. One of a kind is always the best way to impress!