Halloween Shmalloween...

As a bona-fide Stylista Fashionista, I view everyday as a day to dress-up. One of my favourite things about fashion is that I can choose to be a different person any day of the week based on how I feel/what I decide to wear that day. Those of you who know me could tell you that I tend to lean towards a few key looks: preppy/trendy/street/classic.

Notice how none of the aforementioned looks involved the word slutty? That's because I choose never to embody that look no matter what day of the year it may just happen to be.

Enter: HaLLoWeEn.

As a young girl, I remember counting down the days until the opportunity to transform myself into an over-the-top Princess or Minnie Mouse character. Oddly enough, now that my childhood years are behind me, I finally understand why Halloween is referred to as a scary holiday.

When did Halloween become an annual excuse to let your inner provocateur run wild? When did it become acceptable to premise any legitimate costume idea - such as a Police Woman - with the word sexy? Sexy School Girl, Sexy Librarian, Sexy Fairy, Sexy Teddy Bear, Sexy Sailor, Sexy Lifeguard, Sexy...Prostitue? I for one have never seen the appeal in dressing like a "Sexy Nurse" or "Sexy Witch" for the life of me. In fact, I would be nothing but ashamed to walk the streets looking like - well...someone who walks the streets!

Therefore, I have decided to take a stand and not give in to the social pressures of "dressing up" on Halloween. I would like to extend my personal support and applause to those of you who also opt to pass on dressing like a sexy + noun.

Happy Halloween Boys and Girls!

Classic Soles

G.H. Bass & Co. created its very first Weejun Penny Loafer in 1936. The classic style continues to to be an American favorite (note the spelling) to this day. At $109, you just can't beat the traditional hand sewn construction and soft leather linings.

With that being said, check out Chloe Sevigny's modern spin on the classic shoe...

See you at Bass!

Move Over Houlihans....

I 'm on the prowl for a long utility skirt; my soon-to-be new love. Basically, I want to be outfitted in utility-wear from head to toe. Damn...I should really think about just joining the army.

The Shoe Boot: Love it or Hate It?

J. Crew Weatherby Riding Boot, $375

Growing Up: Leather

As a 24 year old woman/girl/person, I am learning more and more about myself as the days pass. My latest self-discovery/acceptance is that I am no longer into leather boots (as in the to-the-knee or over-the-knee varieties).

Not sure exactly why I am no longer on board, but I am glad I am analyzing these assumed trends on a more personal Stylista Fashionista level.

Moreover, I have also come to realise that I am also not a fan of the coveted leather jacket (also regardless of style/cut). What can I say? Leather jackets just don't do it for me anymore.

I guess the only leather I am a fan of these days are leather t-shirts, dresses, legging/pants, mini-skirts, shorts and of course the oh-so-gangster combat boots - which can all be grouped into a category of unconvetional modernized leather pieces.

Needless to say I will not be buying leather boots or (another wasted) leather jacket this year.

My-oh-my, what a liberating revelation...

Designer Sample Sale Alert!

Extra! Extra! Designer Sample Sale Alert!
Womenswear, Menswear & Accesories!

Who: I-AMM Showroom
Where: 372 Richmond Suite West Suite 117
What: Rebecca Minkoff, TLA, 3DOTS, Love Quotes, White & Warren
How: Up to 75% off retail price
When: Tuesday, October 26 - 9 to 7pm & Wednesday, October 27 - 9 to 7pm

See you there all y'all Stylista Fashionistas!

Hats Off to TOPSHOP

Maxi Dresses for $195, 3/4 Sleeve Tops for $199, Pleather Shorts for $165, and the list goes on.

Since TOPSHOP graced Jonathan & Olivia with its presence last June, the general consensus surrounding the new addition has been: "The stuffs pretty cool, but totally overpriced." (See above prices for qualified reasoning)

I will proudly admit that I too have uttered the above sentence, however a TOPSHOP pricing revelation seems to be upon us. Finally, TOPSHOP can be in our good books again as the following pieces are now set at prices which make actual sense.

Please see below for a feeling of instant excitement:

Fur Hood Padded Parka, $199.00

Faux Fur Collar Pea Coat, $195.00

Army Cape Jacket, $125.00

PU Trimmed Pea Coat, $175.00

Downy Fleece Lined Zip Boots, $205.00

Isn't love a great feeling?

My Dream. Job.

First of all, let me just say how happy I am for those of you out there who:

a) know exactly what you want to do with your life, and are either:
b) on the path to making your career goal a reality, or
c) are already working in your desired line of work

For the rest of us, I believe it is important to keep on truckin' along until our big glorious career realization/opportunity comes a knockin'.

Now that my foreword has been outlined, I would now like to propose my dream job to the universe. My dream job would involve: (in no particular order)

1. Fashion writing, editing, creativity, commentary, research, collaboration and opinions
2. Fashion-related travel and attendance at various fashion events, launch parties, fashion shows, galas etc.
3. Getting to wear whatever I want to to work (fashion forward thinking encouraged)
4. All points of contact (calls, emails, meetings, tasks, functions) to surround the subject of fashion
5. A committment to long hours, with an undertone of flexibility and somewhat of a work/life balance as well
6. Friendly, ambitious, genuine, enthusiastic, [fashion]-knowledgable, leave-your-attitide-at-the-door co-workers
7. Tangible professional advancement opportunities
8. A respectable boss with mentor-like qualities
9. Pimp swag perks
10. Location: Downtwon Toronto, NYC, Rome, London or Paris office

There, I said it. Now come to me my pretty.

Unfortunately there will be no pics attached to this post. That being said, I promise to post a picture of my dream job when I do get it. Pinky swear :)

Wedge/Me/Now

Hot: Platform Suede Wedges

The Money Shot

Check out our boy all lubed up & enjoying life with an enlarged version of his new Bang fragrance strategically covering his banging parts.

Now that you've seen the ad, there's nothing left to do but go BANG yourself.

Quote of the Day

He may be a famous American Fashion Consultant, the Creative Director at Liz Claiborne Inc., the Honorary Chair of Parsons: The New School for Design & the Co-Host/Mentor on Project Runway, but what really makes Tim Gunn the man is his incredibly outspoken commentary on the truth behind the Fashion industry.

Gunn's candid commentary addresses the likes of even the industry's most untouchable fashionista's, i.e. Mizzzzz Anna Wintour herself. In Tim's latest book "Gunn's Golden Rules", Tim describes a real-life episode where he saw Wintour being carried down five flights of stairs by her team of bodyguards after the Peter Som fashion show in 2006:

"I was with a colleague from Parsons, and we had been discussing the will-she-or-won't-she-take-the-elevator question, so we ran over to the elevator bay to see if Anna would deign to get on. She wasn't there. Then we looked over the stairway railing. And what did we see but Anna being carried down the stairs. The bodyguards had made a fireman's lock and were racing her from landing to landing. She was sitting on their crossed arms."

Holy high horse lady, you're straight up whack.

To add fuel to the Vogue fire, Gunn also recounted seeing Vogue's Editor at Large Andre Leon Talley in a reclined state while his surrounding staff members "fed [him] grapes and cubes of cheese one by one, like a bird in a nest."

As can be expected, Vogue reps strictly denied both allegations. Tim Gunn has since been advised to enter into a witness protection plan.
Tim's latest commentary (and our official QOTD) was directed at Designer Isaac Mizrahi, whom is apparently not taking home any personality-of-the-year awards either. Gunn refers to Mizrahi as a "spoiled snob" and explained to the Daily News, "Oh, please, I was so kind to him. I mean, I wouldn't have the words to describe some of the more abhorrent behavior. He really is a terrible, terrible, terrible person."

I'm still laughing out loud. Hard.

Having been a victim of the fashion industry's unspeakable leadership myself, I fully support Mr. Gunn's mission to expose these bastards.

Some may think Tim Gunn is off the wall for publicly recounting his insider observations, however I think the real fault lies in the unspeakable behaviors themselves.

Tim Gunn: 1, Fashion Industry Tyrants: 0

Army Surplus Stuff

Guys: Now that the summer is over and its back-to-fall time, you are in search of a new Fall trend to adopt that is still aligned with your normal guy image. Have no fear.

If you aren't the trendiest fella of the bunch and you plan on picking up just one new item this Fall, I would suggest a utility-esque sweater c/o Gap or Zara. Pair your new sweater with a basic tee and some fitted dark jeans and you are definitely good to go.

If it just so happens you wanna take your trendiness to the next level and you have some extra shopping dough on the side, opt for some refined cargos and/or modern-fit trousers. I actually came across a really nice pair of cargo pants (available in an array of neutral tones) at H&M for under 40 bones, which we all know is totally do-able. There are also some great Zara pantalons which I have included in my fashion collage below.

And if you reeeeally want to impress the world with your Stylista Fashionista status, put your top-siders into retirement for the season and embrace your new-found pimpness with some new boots. Now I'm not insisting the boots have to be of the traditional combat variety - all I ask is that your bootwear selection be appropriately representative of the current season (a.k.a. the top of the boot tops off at your ankle bone or preferably even higher). Have a look at some great boot finds a la Urban Outfitters and Zara also pictured below.

Without further ado - Let the Fall 2010 Menswear Stylista Fashionista Fashion Show begin!