Second Hand Rose

In a previous post I mentioned that I purchase a lot of my clothing from secondhand stores, and my most recent acquisition was this pair of *very* pink leather pants from Love Sick in Wortley Village.  The challenge was to wear them in a way that didn't scream "Barbie and her Harley", and I came up with the above outfit that made me feel a bit like a modern Cossack.  The shirt was a gift from a guy from Mexico (I mentioned how much I liked it on him, and he gave it to me), and the embroidered vest was from Value Village.  I was having a bad face day, hence the cropping :)

On the Street - the Leopard Print Bag

I'm generally not a big fan of animal prints - I had a snakeskin print pleated skirt that I wore in my 20's that I was in love with, but that's about it.  This bag caught my eye because it was a welcome bit of eye candy in the sea of black parkas that was Queen Street West on Thursday.  Apparently even Toronto has its off days for stylish street wear.

The Small Print

My friend Lily has a great collection of dresses, and this is the latest addition, a black & white silk print that a friend brought her from the UK.  The tights came with it, and I liked the juxtaposition of the two patterns (see closeup below)

Fur Real?

Yes, it's me, in a fur coat, and it's real fur, mink, I believe.  Anyone that knows me knows that I love animals, have rescued a number of strays in my lifetime, and do not advocate the killing of animals for their skins unless you're living in the arctic tundra with no other way to keep warm.  That being said, I also believe in recycling, and buy a lot of my clothing at secondhand stores.  This jacket was $25 at a charity shop, and after keeping it in my closet for a year, to the point where the fur was starting to dry out, I decided it deserved better than that.  I like to think the previous owner had some fun while wearing it (her initials, EDW, are in the coat), and it's still got some life in it, so I decided to stop treating it like some sort of politically incorrect precious object, and wear it as much as I can.  Better to be loved a little longer than relegated to landfill.

Plum Perfect

By now you have probably figured out that Pauline never looks boring or frumpy, and has become one of my favourite people to shoot for my blog.  Since the weather has calmed down a bit, (at least for now), we've been given an opportunity to bring out the stylish outerwear and slush-inappropriate footwear.  The coat is such a flattering cut, and a great colour-- it even matches her hair! The boots: over-the-knee but not over-the-top, great low chunky heel.  She gets a 10 out of 10.

Signs That Spring is Coming

Pink and Green together, frilly skirts, brightly coloured Converse

Grey instead of Black or Brown (Ankle booties by Neosens)

Black and Grey and Cool All Over

Remember the young man in the skirt?  Well, this study in funky black & grey works in the same store that he does.  I tell you, the guys on Queen Street West know how to put it together.  I love the visual interest that he creates using only two colours and clean, modern shapes.   I'm sure that some of you are wondering what's up with all the photos of Toronto folks when this is supposed to be a London Street Style blog.  Well, I prefer to feature subjects from my home turf if at all possible.  I know it's winter, and no one feels like making an effort when it's cold and grey, but don't let those smug Torontonians show us up!  Throw on that plaid scarf with those cool striped tights and a red skirt and get out there (and tell me where you'll be so I can take your photo)

Forest City Fashionista Featured in "YourStyle"

Hello all, am pleased to announce that the website for the local magazine "YourStyle", which features a page devoted to my blog, is up and running.  Now the people to whom I've been blathering to about this since September can actually see what I was talking about, since it's rather difficult to obtain a copy of the actual magazine.  You can find me here:   http://yourstyle.yourmagazines.ca/lookonstreets.html

In the Spirit of Family Day

I present this adorable couple, who were lovely to talk to, and graciously allowed me to photograph them.  I love so much about his outfit: the hat, the striped scarf, the mittens on strings.  She looks good too, and I covet her brown lace-up boots.   Hope you enjoyed the holiday, with, or without family.

The Poncho

I would hazard a guess that this woman wasn't making an intentional style statement with her striped poncho, and was only trying to add an extra layer of warmth on a bitterly cold day, but I loved the colour (which I saw from a half a block away), and that it was so different from the black down-filled parkas that everyone else was wearing.

Modern Vintage

The contrast of this young woman's tribal tattoo and funky pants with the vintage fur coat drew my attention immediately.  I am not usually a fan of tattoos on a person's face, but the placement and design of this one is almost like makeup, or jewellery, and I think it emphasizes her beauty rather than detracts from it (see closeup below).

R.I.P Alexander McQueen

So very sad.  Such creativity, and only 40.  Photos courtesy of MSN.com

The Ricard Clutch

Have never seen a clutch purse like this before, and it does jump out at you against a background of grey and blue grey.  This woman knows how to mix her layers for maximum visual appeal.  This is another one of the photos that was published in Your Style Magazine.  Unfortunately, a copy of the magazine is rather difficult to find (the only places downtown that have it are Copps Buildall and Framing and Art on Kent Street).

Summer in Winter

Yes, her name really is Summer, and if I spelled it wrong I hope she'll let me know.  She and I were both looking for bargains at Balisi on Queen West on the weekend, and I took her away from shopping with her Mom long enough to take her photo in her fabulous coat and furry boots.  For those of you who care about such things, her coat is by Nanette Lepore, and it fits her so well, it doesn't overpower her small frame.  I love the oversize specs too.

Ribbon Trail

This is another photo from the fall "Your Style" shoot.  Many of you will recognize Pauline, one of my favourite blog subjects, and she's wearing one of my favourite dresses. 

I Spit in the Face of Winter

Even in a wind chill of -20, some people manage to maintain their cool, without looking cold.  Personally, if I had been dressed like this, I would have frozen to death yesterday.  Great hair though.

Red Accents on Richmond

Another photo taken in the fall, but not posted.  I love to see women with grey or white hair wear brightly-coloured glasses like these ones here;  the red frames (as well as her lipstick) make such a nice pop of colour against the sleek, stylish layers of grey, white and black,

Showing Off Your Style

Back in the fall, I was offered the chance to have some of my street style photos published in a magazine called "Your Style",  which was to be a new addition to the family of magazines published by Your Magazines Canada Inc., based here in London.  The magazine was originally scheduled for publication in November, but was delayed, and finally came out this week.  After I was asked to contribute some of my street shots, I told the subjects in the photos I planned to submit to the magazine that they would not appear on my blog, but instead, would be in print.  With all the time that has passed, I feel badly that these photos didn't see the light of day until now, so in an attempt to remedy the oversight, I will be posting the photos here over the next few days.  They were taken in the fall, which accounts for the lack of snow and winter clothing.  My apologies to the people, like the young woman below, who so generously allowed me to take their photos, and have probably wondered what I did with them...

Liked the contrast of the distressed leather over the cheerful print of the dress