Spring Cycling Fashion in Toronto

Guest Post by C.M.

Bicycles are the latest fashion accessory to go mainstream... the weird thing its not normally what people think of when they think "fashion accessory"... although obviously Paris Hilton seems to think chihuahuas make good fashion accessories.

So ignore the bracelets, the faux scarves, the Fendi bags... watch out when you walk into Club Monaco or any other high end fashion store for women and the biggest accessory in the room is a shiny European-style cruiser bicycle with a price tag of $599 or more.

Blame the explosion of bicycle culture in the mainstream of urban centres around the world, but I am personally going to blame traffic gridlock and Ontario's graduated licenses program (which didn't even put a dent into teenager driver accident fatalities) for making it so much more difficult for young people to get a driver's license.

Whatever the cause, the point is bicycles are now considered kewl and the must-have item for fashionistas who are increasingly environmentally friendly, love yoga, have experimented (and possibly failed) with veganism and seem to have forgotten their boots are made of leather, and so is the nice bicycle seat their sitting on.

Online cycling culture and style has been promoted heavily. There is thesartorialist.com which has a cycling chic section with photos from Milan and Paris, but the absolute favourite is copenhagencyclechic.com, which should be enough to make any red blooded Canadian man drool due to the veritable harem of attractive young women on bicycles on that website.

And when you're thinking fashion, don't think spandex. Yuck. Think jeans, skirts, short shorts and an array of clothing that compliments the female body instead of just clinging tightly to it. (I for one believe cyclists who wear spandex are morons with no fashion sense and wannabe racers.)

In Toronto cycling fashion has reached a point where I sometimes stop my bike and just watch the other cyclists go by just so I can admire the females and their bicycles whizzing by. I can appreciate looking at both.

If you're interested in cycling chic in Toronto you can also check thecommonelite.org, which illustrates you can pretty much wear whatever you want when cycling... and that spandex wearers are a bunch of socially inept rejects.

Footwear and choice of skirt matters little either. You will frequently see young women wearing miniskirts and platforms (or even barefoot) while cycling.

Is Steampunk the New Goth???

Watch out what you see on the subway late at night because while in 2001 you might have seen some pretty freakish goths, by 2011 standards that just isn't weird enough. Steampunks (or depending on your fashion sense, Steamgoths!) is the new thing.

No, there's no fantasy element to this. True, many goths were into Wicca, vampires, magic, fairies and such... steampunk is about retrofuturism... anything that looks old but is futuristic at the same time. Think really weird pocket watches, corsets, circa-1900 clothing and gadgets that run on something other than electricity. (Like the steampunk clock shown below.)





Part of this fad (if you can call it that) can be blamed on the Sherlock Holmes movie that came out in 2009.

However there is several other films we could blame as well, including:

• Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow, 2004
• Van Helsing, 2004
• Steamboy, 2004
• League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, 2003
• The Time Machine, 2002
• Wild Wild West, 1999
• Sleepy Hollow, 1999

In terms of clothing however this is the part where there is lots of room to grow.

See brassgoggles.co.uk and community.livejournal.com/steamfashion for ideas.

Goggles is a common idea when people think of steampunk, but its a bit of a cliche too.

Think leather, brass or copper, gears, clocks, levers, chains (like bicycle chains), Victorian patterns, pinstripes, damask, argyle, hair is usually up or a bob... You can also have fun with tattoos, piercings, dyed hair, torn clothing, tools (ie. pocket wrenches and gauges).

"[Steampunk is] drawing on actual history. You can pull into it what you're into and put your spin on it. It's accessible yet expandable," says Jake von Slatt (aka Sean Slattery, of Littleton, Mass.), who likens the philosophy behind steampunk to open-source software. "There is a real focus on sharing, exploring things together, building community."

Steampunkers also have conventions to exchange ideas and compare clothing and gadgets, they dress to the nines and party like it's 1899.

Mr. von Slatt is currently "steampunking" a fiberglass, 1954-style Mercedes kit car, adding salvaged gauges and lights from other cars and gold filigree trim. Drawn to steampunk's "do-it-yourself, making something from nothing" mantra, von Slatt scavenges most of his components.

Basically wherein gothic culture the protagonist is a vampire or demon, in steampunk the villain is a gadget-crazed mad scientist.

And the hero is a goodie-two-shoes bicycle mechanic who builds himself a steampunk bicycle...

I am sure he gets plenty of weird looks, but anybody who is into bicycles will appreciate what he has done. Its a retro recumbent bicycle, and that is just plain kewl.

If you are looking for something steampunk-esque to read, we recommend The Keepers of the Maser series of graphic novels by Italian comic book author Massimiliano Frezzato.

Huzzah!

People who wear Black look Sexier, More Confident and More Intelligent

UK retailer buytshirtsonline.co.uk recently conducted a survey to determine what customers thought about different colours.

What they determined was that BLACK was by far the best colour when it comes to customer feedback on the topics of Sexiness, Confidence, and Intelligence. See the charts below to see the results.

Black and Blue make the person appear to be more intelligent.

Black is considered to be the most attractive, regardless of gender.

Black and Red inspires the most confidence.

Also their survey determined that RED was considered to be the most arrogant colour.

Red by far is considered to be the most arrogant colour to wear. Orange apparently is considered arrogant by association.

Taken together with the fact that black has a slimming effect and is the go to clothing colour for artists showing their work at art galleries, what you realize is that black is ultimately one of the best colours to be wearing. Sexy, confident, intelligent, slimming, artistic, and only a tiny dash of arrogance.

What is also interesting is how orange is basically the worst colour to wear. Orange is 2nd last, next to pink, in intelligence. Orange is only slightly better than brown for attractiveness. Orange is dead last for confidence, while simultaneously came in 2nd for arrogance. That is a bit weird that orange is considered to be the least confident, but very arrogant at the same time. Bizarre.

So word to the wise - buy more black clothing in the future! Like the awesome black cape below:

Kish - The Epitome of Men's High Fashion

Every Fashion Question Any Man Ever Had Has Been Answered By One Store - Kish

By D. Eze.

Fashion is usually a woman’s game. All the fashions show usually have women strutting their stuff down the runways of Milan, New York and Paris. Sure there are a few men’s collections, but for the most part it is usually women who get the most of the attention.

The fashion trends that come out of these fashions shows usually revolve around women and focus on what colours women should wear and what styles are the most fashionable this season.

Men are always the proverbial bridesmaids in this situation. Without the resources available to women, what can a man do if he wants to look good?

The truth is all men want to look good too, but they just don’t know how. They have no options on style, no information on trends and no opportunities to improve their looks.

Enter Kish Wear.  This men’s fashion atelier solves men’s problems regarding style, affordability and quality.

With products that range from heavy winter coats to crisp white dress shirts, Kish provides every man with every possible need.  The clothing also has the added benefit of being extremely fashionable as if they stepped of those runways I referred to earlier.

When I shop for pieces I always look for two things: how much will it cost me and does it look so good that I just can’t say no.  I am happy to say that Kish takes care of both of my concerns pretty well.  Below, I elaborate on why the price point and the style at Kish are just what you need to take the next step toward a more fashionable you.

Price Points

I decided to put together my own outfit just to see how much it would set me back.  Upon first looking at the website, I have to admit the style and quality had me a bit  worried that I might have to pay a hefty price for my desire to step my style game, but quickly learned that my worries were for not.

I put together a pretty amazing ensemble including Burgundy Incotex Slim-Fit Trousers made mostly of cotton and Elastane that were made in Albania, a nice Plain White Spread Collar Shirt that is crisp and clean made of cotton and polyester, and a pretty wonderful looking Knitted Italian Zipper Turtleneck Sweater made of polyester, viscose and alpaca for less than $200.00 dollars.  At other stores I could be paying twice that for the same amount of quality and style.

This is a great three-piece outfit that I could pair up with things I already own to expand my wardrobe choices exponentially and I gain the ability to make my tired old clothing look extra special given the quality of the pieces.

Style

I have mentioned before that these cloths look like they came directly off the runway and I was not lying.  The range of colours, patterns, cuts and fits all combine to make even the most unstylish schlub into model material.

Kish releases men from their black, navy blue, grey, and brown/tan prisons and lets them revel in the freedom of bold, interesting colours.  Turquoise and burgundy are among some of the colours you can look forward to wearing with this atelier along with the mainstays listed above.  You can mix and match with a broader range of hews and experiment with something you may not have considered wearing before.

The patterns are much more interesting too.  You no longer have to choose between tartan and pinstrip, now you can be guided by whatever inspires you.  One interesting patterned piece is a lovely blue and white water drop skirt that is definitely one of a kind.

Slim fit is unquestionably in and very much represented by Kish in a broad range of slim fit styles.  Their European cut trousers and blazers are very trendy and will absolutely turn heads.

Asymmetry, dynamic cuts and clean lines are mainstays with this fashion house and are most prominent in their sweaters and jackets.  Some prime examples are the Charcoal Grey Peacoat and the Knitted Italian Wool-Blend Brown Cardigan.  If you want to look like you are forward thinking in terms of style give these wonderfully tailored pieces a try.  One thing is for sure; your admirers will not believe the price.

There is no need to wonder what can I do to improve my style, Kish answers all of your questions with simple, clean, dynamic clothing.  Pick and choose which pieces you think will make you look your best and walk with pride with your chic self.

So look no longer men, you have finally found your salvation.  Be stylish, be bold, be daring and check out Kish.  You sense of style will thank you for it.

Paco Rabanne's Metal Dresses

Below are some examples of Paco Rabanne's Metal Dresses.

Yes, they are made from thin strips of metal. Overall they are quite heavy - like wearing armour - but they are also amazing dresses and very rare.

Matching Hat and Poncho Jacket

Matching Hat and Poncho Jacket

Honestly, it just looks very cool. Good for Spring, Summer or Autumn.

Goes well with hiking boots or with heels.

Hemp Fiber Hats!!!

By Tamyka Bullen

Hats come in different shapes and come in different fibers. I only have one hat that is made of hemp and the design of it is so beautiful. It is hard to find more hemp hats at mainstreamed stores as you only find them at a few fair trade stores. When I bought the hemp hat, the texture was rough but wasn't itchy. It was flexible like the coil string that you can bent. Hemp hats are perfect to wear during the spring, summer and fall times.

What I do not know that there are some benefit to wear hemp hats...
1. They are lightweight, absorbant and longlasting.
2. They are UV and mold-resistant.
3. Hemp can blend with other fibers
4. They are organic since a little water is only required and is renewable resource.

Archery Fashion Chic

Archery has been a big thing ever since all the archery movies that came out in 2012.

But frankly it only seems to be getting started. The sport of archery has seen a renaissance since the mid-2000s and all the recent archery movies and TV shows are just jumping on the bandwagon and pushing the sport into hyperdrive.

Actors like Jennifer Lawrence (photo on the right) are doing a lot to promote the sport of archery, and especially for women this means an activity women can excel at without having to worry about what the rest of society thinks of them.

eg. Like the stigma around female weightlifters and bodybuilders. So unlike bodybuilding women archers can exercise and have their cake too. (Although try to keep the cake to small portions, we are watching our waistline.)

But what about fashion and archery?

ARCHERY FASHION TIPS

#1. Tight Fitting Clothing.

Why? So the bow string doesn't rub against your clothing while you are taking a shot. Don't think of this as a limitation either. Think of it as a way to liberate yourself and explore your options.

#2. Dress for the Weather.

My advice? Wear tight fitting layers so that you can shed those layers whenever you want, depending on whether it is too hot or too cold.

#3. Wear a Sports Bra.

If you are a very busty gal this is going to be a must. The sports bra will flatten your breasts out more and the bowstring won't be rubbing against them in an awkward fashion.

#4. Arm Guard.

Leave space on your bow arm for an arm guard to protect your arm. You can even make your own arm guards (also known as bracers) using rawhide leather. Just cut out the shape of the armguard, poke holes in it with a knife, and then use a shoestring to stitch the sides of the armguard together like you would ice skates.

#5. Gloves.

You will need archery finger gloves or a release tab for your arrow hand, but for your bow hand some people like to wear a glove. My recommendation is to buy either weightlifting gloves or cycling gloves - because they will give you more grip and be fairly comfortable. Try them on in the store to make sure they fit and only buy gloves that feel comfortable to you.

#6. Hat.

Keeping the sun off while doing archery is a big deal. Baseball caps work, but they are a pain because you have to take them off every time you shoot. Feel free to experiment with floppy hats that fold back while you are drawing it back.

#7. Shorts or Skirts?

If it is very hot outside you are going to be tempted to wear shorts. But skirts work equally well, depends whether you want a tan or not. I don't recommend wearing pants or jeans if it is super hot outside however. The good news is that none of these below the waist fashion choices really matter for archery. You can wear a ballerina tutu if it makes you feel good.

#8. Shoes / Boots.

Wear footwear that gives you lots of stability. Archery is a sport about form and you want to be perfectly still and balanced while you make your shot. Wear shoes that give you the ability to balance easily - which means anything with heels is automatically not an option. (The photo below of the Asian girl wearing high heels is ridiculous!)

#9. Get a jacket that is tight fitting.

This goes back to #1 at the top, but basically many jackets are rather bulky and not suitable for archery. Try on a number of jackets in stores and try to find one that is comfortable, fashionable and form fitting.

#10. Costumes!

For fun you can also try medieval costumes - but try to follow the tips above so that the clothing is still suitable for archery and the weather / etc.

If you are looking for archery lessons in Toronto I recommend hiring a personal trainer from CardioTrek.ca.

Also check out the following pages:

Archery Equipment

Archery Lessons

Archery Rules

Toronto Archery Range

Toronto Archery Clubs

Toronto Archery Blogs

P*rnstar Fashion Chic

NOTE - I apologize for the bleeps. They are done deliberately.

Dressing like a sl*t is a rather unusual trend within the fashion industry. Typically done by girls in their teens or twenties, its done to be deliberately provocative and to arouse attention. In many ways it is a sign of youth rebellion.

You might believe me that people are doing this... in which case have a look at American Apparel's advertising images, like those shown here. That is really their goal. Selling clothes to young women who want to dress like sl*ts.

And if you are looking to dress like a sl*t then look no further than the adult fashion industry. You know, the type of clothing that you can find in an adult fashion store / s*x toy store. Those clothing in such places will give you plenty of ideas of what is expected when people talk about P*rnstar Chic.

P*rnstar Chic, if you are unfamiliar with the term, is a new phenomenon whereby the p*rn industry is now considered hip, kewl, fashionable. And thus, dressing like a sl*t is likewise considered kewl.

And to be fair, dressing in that way has been considered fashionable for centuries... it just varied on how they did it. The Victorian women did it using low cut dresses to show off their cleavage.

But in a modern sense there are many ways a person can accomplish this. Wearing lingerie as a shirt, wearing panties instead of swimming shorts, wearing a corset instead of a vest... These are examples of one type of P*rnstar Chic - whereby you are wearing lingerie as regular clothing.

There are other ways to exhibit this chic look too... including leather bondage gear (which has been done many times over by people into heavy metal and goth music).

The end result is really just a fashion statement wherein a person identifies themselves as being more sexually liberal and open minded.

More P*rnstar Chic Tips

#1. Wear your bra OVER your t-shirt instead of under it. It looks bizarre, but combined with other pieces of eccentric clothing you can create a really strange and provocative look.

#2. Wear bodysuits. Yes, it also makes you look like a danger, but it is a really sl*tty look too.

#3. Show off your shoulders or mid-riff, either in combination with really tight clothing, or extra loose clothing.

#4. Add elements to your clothing so you look more like a dominatrix.

#5. Get really tall boots that go above your knees. Expensive, but they look amazing.

#6. Fake tattoos. Or real ones. Either way, they do their job.

I also want to note that dressing a specific way doesn't mean that you're a sl*t. Or a prostitute. Or a high class escort. Or a dominatrix. It is really more like a costume.

It simply means you enjoy dressing a specific way. So if someone likes to dress in black leather, a tight fitting black corset,  long finger gloves, and fishnet stockings that doesn't mean that she is a dominatrix. She might simply be a goth. Or a fan of comic book superheroine Black Canary (who is famous for her fishnet stockings).

We should also note that the typical escort agency in Toronto doesn't promote their employees by wearing sl*tty clothing on the street. They're much more sophisticated than that. For $200+ per hour they can afford to be wearing Versace and other pricey brand fashions.

So in reality the people who are dressing like a sl*ts... well, they are just messing with your head. The escorts are blending in and aiming at high fashion - cocktail dresses, etc. Because their goal is different... they want to look classy and respectable, because then they can charge more money for their services.

 
American Apparel knows exactly what they are doing with their advertising.

Except a couple years ago they nearly went bankrupt because they had narrowed their focus too much. Since then they have been trying to diversify a bit, but they're still marketing mostly to thin young women.

Which is ironic, since the more lucrative market in the USA is actually women who are overweight. Regardless, their goal is to sell fashion using sex - and young women are always looking for more ways to look sexy and attract a mate.