Happy Birthday, Forest City Fashionista!

Yes, my baby is one year old today, and my, how she's grown!  Thanks to those of you out there who are not afraid to show some style and personality in what you wear, and to those of you who are interested is seeing who I've captured with my camera, I've been able to post regularly, and have gone from 200 hits in my first month, to 5,500 this month.  I couldn't be happier, and am looking forward to continuing to startle the unsuspecting and stylish passer-by with my camera for another year.

The Signature Accessory

I've seen this young woman a couple of times now, and each time I've noticed her beautiful scarf.  Some people have a particular accessory such as a scarf,  a great bag, or a statement necklace that they love to wear, and it becomes somewhat of a signature, and I don't know if that's the case for this woman or not, but it did make me remember her.  I also liked the silver trim on her shoes.

The Full Skirt

I like the full skirt paired with the fitted leather jacket, and the nice pop of colour of the green scarf--a perfect outfit for flower shopping on a chilly spring day

In The Navy

I love this outfit on her--the fitted military style jacket with the pleated skirt are an example of great fit and proportion.  I was also happy to see someone wearing navy instead of black--especially when it works so well with her colouring.

Coming Up Roses

As we get closer to being able to pack away the winter coats and boots til next year,  I notice that people whose wardrobes feature predominantly black are starting to incorporate some bright colour into the mix.  Blog favourite Pauline shows how some light-coloured accessories and a punch of hot pink makes a fitted top and draped skirt transition perfectly from winter to spring.   Take a look at the  pretty flower details below:

Was It Just Last Week?

When we were wearing cute spring shoes, with bare legs?

Vintage Spring

Love the pattern and combination of colours in this vintage coat, especially worn with the orange scarf

Psssst! From Mars is having a Sale!

Yes, that's right, as of yesterday, From Mars is having a sale (which, should not be news, because most stores have had stuff marked down since November), but if you are a fan of the indie labels that they carry, you will want to go and take a look, as there is a whole wall of women's clothing that is 70% off, including some things from the ultra-funky line Myco Anna.  I got this beautiful Myco Anna sweater at a ridiculously reasonable price.  There is also a selection of shoes and boots from brands such as Fly London and Eject, that are marked waaaaaay down.  Tell the girls I sent you! 

Shoe-in

Easily the coolest shoes I've seen on anyone so far this Spring!

The Rant

Friends have suggested to me over the last year that if I  have trouble finding stylish people to shoot, that I could do a "What Not To Wear" blog.  When I started this blog, I knew that I wanted it to be a positive celebration of those people who push the envelope with their clothing and style choices, not a mean-spirited critique.  However, now that the weather has been nicer, and the temperature has risen to the double-digits, I feel compelled to make a plea, to women everywhere, but particularly those on the streets of London.  Please stop wearing black (or any other colour) leggings as pants!  Black leggings are not pants, they will never be pants, and should not be worn instead of pants.  Do I need to explain the phrase "camel toe"?  Cellulite encased in black, shiny lycra, is still cellulite, and it's not pretty.

It's Spring!  Wear some colour, wear a skirt, wear a dress--you can even, if you can't give up your leggings, wear them under a skirt or dress for extra warmth.  A top that comes to the top of your hipbone is not a dress.  Black leggings are the refuge of the dull and the unimaginative--there, I said it.  If you need some inspiration, just take a look at some of the people on my blog.

In The Pink

I first noticed the contrast of her dark hair and eyes with her pale skin and the shades of pink, and then I saw the unusual detail on the skirt, which she got in Japan (figures!)

Future Fashionista

This is one of my favourite photos that I have taken recently--this young woman was shopping in From Mars with her Dad, and I thought her outfit was so well-put together, especially when I found out she was 14.   I love the brightly coloured accessories,  the mix of fabrics, shapes and proportions, and I'm not sure what she's done with the laces on her shoes, but it's very cool, whatever it is.  She looks age-appropriate, stylish and confident--something most women twice her age have difficulty achieving.

Bright Blue

Such a gorgeous shade of blue; great contrast with her dark hair

Indie Media Fair - Central Library

The downtown Central Library hosted an "Indie Media Fair" this afternoon.  There were tables featuring zines, art, handicrafts, stickers, pins, and comic books.  Thank God there was something interesting to do indoors because the weather was terrible outside.  I got there late, so people were starting to pack up, and most of the crowd had thinned, but there were still a few interesting looking folks around, including Heather, (above with her family), who has recently opened a Yoga Studio in London (it's called the Practice Loft--thanks to Amara for the correction).

A

I recognized this young woman, Amara, who creates these very funky apron-wraps that can be worn over pants, skirts or  leggings as she wears hers here.  I've wanted one of these since I first saw them at From Mars, where you can find them for sale.  The woman in the previous photo is also wearing one over her pants.  If you want to contact Amara about purchasing one of these, she can be reached at: amaranthseeds@yahoo.com

There was also this young woman, who I thought had the greatest pair of glasses that suited her girly, vintage-inspired style perfectly.

Spring Black

With just a touch of purple, pink and red.  The girl on the right appeared on my blog back in November and I believe she was wearing black then too. 

It's About the Boots

Nothing says Spring like a great pair of fuschia suede boots, at least that's what I always say.

Tim Burton - Film Genius, Style Inspiration

I have no plans to make this blog a showcase of "What the Forest City Fashionista Wore", but I was very happy with this outfit, especially after a colleague at work pointed out that I seemed to have a Tim Burton (one of my favourite directors!) vibe going on.  Must be the combination of the dark colours and multiple layers with the stripes and checks.  Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice!

The Belted Coat, A Coffee, and a Nice Smile

I mean, really, what else do you need on a beautiful sunny day?

The Colour Purple Pt. 2

Two things I noticed on the streets of London this weekend: first, with the warmer weather, people were doing a lot of creative layering, instead of just one heavy coat; the second, there was a lot of purple everywhere.  This woman is demonstrating both of these trends, and I really like the mix of textures and colours she's chosen.   The layering says "Spring", but the purple--I don't know, is it a sudden surge of Western University pride, or is it just THE colour for Spring this year?
*Note* - I was informed that it was Founders Day for the University of Western Ontario this weekend, and that Alumni were encouraged to wear purple, so perhaps that accounts for some of the sightings

The Colour Purple

in its various shades of plum, grape and lilac...I think the hat is adorable on her!

Red Buttons

Not like we needed a reminder of what the weather was like last weekend, but at least the bright crayon colours this woman was wearing was a welcome bit of cheer on a windy, snowy day

Swept Up

I was walking on Richmond Street enjoying the sun this afternoon when this young woman, or rather, her hair, caught my eye as she sat in the window of a coffee shop.  I am always happy to see women who are brave enough to crop their hair, as long hair is still by far the most common style for women in their 20's.  I love the colour and the style she's chosen--it reminded me of a modern female version of James Dean.

All Tied Up (x2)

I noticed these boots worn by a student at UWO today, and thought they were rather unusual with the mix of patterned knit and solid leather and the lacing up the leg.  Then later the same day I see a second version, in black (see below).  What are the odds?

Fur-Topped

On a winter's day with an icy wind and most people bundled in parkas with hoods, I was impressed by how sleek this woman looked in her neck-to-toe black, with the striking yet practical fur hat.