toronto fashion week 2016 recap

big beautiful hair day 2

strong jacket game day 3

all the right moves day 4

men's fashion, break all the rules 

wrkdept presentation

outside the tents with my #1, seeing her first show :)

cafe bar pasta

Dress (vintage, Jones & Co Vintage, Windsor, ON; last seen here altered). Fur (second-hand, May-Court, Windsor, ON; last seen here). Hat (vintage, The Boodle Factory, Detroit, MI). Handbag (Chanel, vintage). Booties (Zara).

What better way to start your weekend than an early morning with friends and a heavy dose of caffeine!
Most mornings you will find Tom, owner of Cafe Bar Pasta on Dundas St W in Toronto, in the front window chatting with locals or a passersby.  Christine, his wife and the one responsible for the fantastic interior will pop in, say a quick hello and then is off; their young son has other plans than to stay and chat.
At night the cafe becomes a fine dining restaurant and bar hosting both dinner parties and intimate first dates.  It has become one of my favourite spots in Toronto. You really feel like you're part of the family.

Photos Renza

be bold

Floral print dress (vintage,  Treasure Chicks Vintage, Toronto, ON).  Denim jacket (Old Navy). Booties (Zara).

Nothing but a whole lotta love for this dress. I was so excited when I saw the bold print and simple cut at the Vintage Clothing & Textile Show Toronto, that I tried it on over my jeans and blouse right in the middle of the sellers' booth, looked at the seller and said, "its perfect, I'll take it". 

Sometimes, you just know!

 Photos Renza

miss v

I was always fascinated when I was younger while shopping with my grandmother (now a healthy 102!) that she could buy a blouse or jacket without even trying it on.  Having made all of her own clothes until she was late into her 70's, she would simply pull her measuring tape out of her purse, measure from shoulder to shoulder and if the garment measured an exact 15 1/2 inches, done deal.  She also told me that with my frame, similar to hers, I should always be shopping in the petites section.  She would school me in my teen years, during my grunge phase, the first time around, that my frame was far to small to be wearing the over sized flannel menswear that I loved, and even though I didn't listen then, her message stuck.  One of the many reasons that I gravitate to shopping vintage is the true fit. Quite different from today where one store a size 4 fits and the next a 00.  Really, 00 is not a size!  And while I don't shop with a measuring tape in my purse, I have a pretty well trained eye for what will work for my body.  The Valentino, MissV jacket that I found recently at a local vintage fair is a perfect example.  While I was initially attracted to the bubble-gum tartan (a first for me) it was only after I slipped it on and it fit like a glove that I was sold.    Gram would be very impressed with this one.  Classic, lady-like and a perfect fit!

Miss V by Valentino (vintage, Wild Thing Vintage, Toronto, ON). Levis (second-hand, 96 Tears Vintage, Toronto, ON). Saks Fifth Ave top (vintage, Lost & Found Vintage, Royal Oak, MI). Shoes (Nine West). Suede clutch (The Gap). Sunglasses (Ray-Ban).

Photos Renza

finding the ideal fringe jacket

So, my western fringe jacket count this season is up to four.  It seems ridiculous but...yeah its a bit ridiculous!  In all fairness to me, one I gave to a friend, one a is pale pink suede number that I plan to to dye black (any tips would be welcomed :), one is chestnut brown suede and over-sized and the one above, is a beautiful tan leather. 

I found the leather version buried in the back of one of my favourite spots in Kensington Market.  It was tiny, a hard find most often and free from any major damage.  I really liked it for its versatility.  Being leather it can transition to night and add some flare to my typical uniform, all black.

Leather fringe jacket (vintage, Flashback Vintage, Toronto, ON). Hat (vintage, Mama Loves You, Toronto, ON). Top (F21). Jeans (second-hand, 96 Tears, Toronto, ON). Bandanna, worn around neck (dollar store). Booties (Zara).

Photos Renza