FASHION Magazine

For those of you who ain’t the type to completely trend-ify your wardrobe, let your extras do the talking with this list of 24 accessories for the foolproof freshen up.

View by trend The ’90s | Athlete | World

See the spring statement photo shoot »

Whether it’s a wordy print, an arty pattern or an accessory that will get them talking, make a heartfelt statement this spring. Nude male model: optional.

See the Gucci fringe shots »

Gucci’s original bamboo handle is getting a major high fashion upgrade for Spring 2014. Hot on the heels of the release of the brand’s latest short film, “The Fringe”, the luxury Italian fashion house has commissioned fashion’s most sought after female DJs to give their spin on the coveted bag. Providing their It girl statuses to the campaign are Harley-Viera Newton, Leigh Lezark, Pixie Geldof, JaKissa Taylor-Semple (DJ Kiss), and Chelsea Leyland.

See all the backpack styles here »

No longer just for high schoolers, the backpack has undergone full fashion resurgence over the past few seasons. Its appeal is quite simple: it leaves you hands-free and perfectly in-line with fashion’s ongoing nineties fascination. Whether you need to schlep around your groceries or double fist two coffees, the backpack is a must-have for gals and guys on the go.

This season, everyone from Proenza Schouler to 3.1 Phillip Lim have created luxe versions of the style. And while the backpack has been making runway appearances since 2011 (lest we forget The Row’s alligator skin $34,000 take), some skeptics still deem it too junior. Haters would be directed to Chanel’s Spring 2014 collection, which featured a graffiti style canvas number already holding a waitlist demand.

See the Spring 2014 accessories »

Though we’re already ahead of our wants, currently coveting into Fall 2014 by way of fashion week, there’s a bright new season ahead and our shopping brains are already thinking bare legs and bright hues. To get you in the Spring 2014 shopping mood, we swiped 15 amazing buys just-added to e-tailers around the web. And while they sure are pricey, they’ll pay off in #OOTD spades all season long. Just think of the Instagrams!

See the Heroine Chic photo shoot »

The stars of our favourite childhood tales help tell the story of a season full of fashion character. In this photos shoot from our winter issue, we merged the Princess and the Pea with the likes of Chanel and recreated a fantasy version of the Paper Bag Princess complete with Givenchy logos. Take a high fashion trip back to the days of innocence.

The statement earring has had a long and trendy lifespan and this season, it shows no signs of slowing down. The ultimate glitzy outfit cap made appearances on runways at Dolce & Gabbana, Oscar de la Renta and Versace and come holiday season, the right pair of earrings can transform virtually any outfit from a LBD to jeans into a polished and sophisticated look.

The statement earring is a definitive party staple, yet can propose some outfit challenges for timid dresses. So, how do you wear ‘em without looking overdone? Style Panel to the rescue, as usual. Barbara Ann Solomon of Barbara Ann’s Style blog shows us how to rock large gold portrait earrings and leopard at the same time.  Becky Kung of Velvet and Vino shows us how to stay casual but polished in military green and bright crystal bauble earrings.  Amber Desilets of Canadian Fashionista braves the cold to show off an LBD and emerald statement earrings.

Question 82: How do you wear statement earrings without looking overdone? Read the answers now! »

AMBER DESILETS, LONDON | BARBARA ANN SOLOMON, TORONTO | BECKY KUNG, CALGARY | LYNDSEY FOREST, EDMONTON

See the flat trend on the runway »

When red carpet renegade Kristen Stewart wore a pair of Converse Chuck Taylors with her Yigal Azrouël dress at the MTV Movie Awards in 2009 (or the sneakers she wore on any number of subsequent red carpet walks), she was essentially flipping fashion the bird. In this industry, comfort has historically been a four-letter word: f-l-a-t.

This season, there’s a more sophisticated way to save your soles.

After years of sending models teetering down runways in sky-high strappy sandals and stilettos, designers have become the new flat-vocates, endorsing everything from clunky lug soles and creepers to trim, slim loafers and sleek skimmers especially suited to holiday dressing.

Like so many other recent trends that can be traced back to Lanvin, it’s arguable that the house’s ubiquitous stretchy, girlish ballerina flat of 2002 was fashion’s gateway drug to comfort. Once you go flat, you never go back. This season, Lanvin creative director Alber Elbaz sent winter floral party dresses down the runway but grounded their feminine whimsy with more mannish oxfords in leather, velvet and glitter-encrusted versions. This new flat provides a balance to the proportions of fall’s revival of ’50s volume, from the new New Look of full dirndl skirts at Rochas to the boxy topcoats at Céline.

See our favourite Spring 2014 shoes »

With Paris Fashion Week ending our month long preview of all things Spring 2014, it’s time we gushed over the shoes that accompanied all that we are dying to wear in the coming season.

Femininity reigned supreme on the runway through Balenciaga, Dior and Roland Mouret’s take on the stiletto. Dior’s complexly inter woven straps would make any shoe addict salivate. At Balmain, our impending full coverage boots will shed a few layers and appear as heeled boots with varying dotted sheer and embellished cage finishes. While we saw Saint Laurent’s fall styles embrace the studded and spiked appeal of punk’s aesthetic, Junya Watanabe clung onto the trend for his Spring 2014 shoes with a menacing ankle boot. Enviable green snakeskin heels and platform chunky heels were seen at Gucci and Michael Kors respectively. Spring is incomplete without feather embellished flats as seen at Rochas.

See our picks from Ali’s collection »

1/5

al—euclid-ring

Euclid ring ($46, etsy.com)

2/5

al—gladstone-necklace

Gladstone necklace ($62, etsy.com)

3/5

al—dakota-ring-A

Dakota ring ($48, etsy.com)

4/5

al—cameron-studs

Cameron studs ($26, etsy.com)

5/5

al—hudson-band

Hudson band ($58, etsy.com)” target=”_blank”>etsy.com)

Toronto based jewelry brand Ali Laure is making headway in the independent design world by keeping it simple. The line abides by a minimalist and architectural aesthetic—a welcome change from the ornate statement necklaces that have dominated the jewelry world for the past few seasons. The brand’s designer, Ali Clarke, derives inspiration from her everyday travels in Toronto: “I am constantly stalking people’s fingers and ears when in line at the bank or grabbing coffee in the morning,” she confesses. Clarke’s talent for scoping out the best trends from the street and distilling them into what she refers to as the brand’s classic feel is a challenge that she welcomes in her studio daily.

See the London street style photos »

The sun may have been beaming down on the street style scene during London Fashion Week, but the temperamental weather didn’t fool fashion show attendees. Wrapping themselves up in the chicest of layers, street style stars outside the Spring 2014 shows continued to rock the fall coat trend from plaid to print to bold eye-catching colours. Even Mademoiselle C aka Carine Roitfeld, who was in town to launch the premiere of her documentary, was the epitome of Parisian chic as she strutted down the streets in an anything but ordinary charcoal-grey coat.

Though it looked chilly, many fashion week regulars were not afraid to bare their legs in dresses and skirts of various lengths. Boldest of them all (with a jacket in hand, just in case) was Miroslava Duma who bravely faced the wind in a crop top and a tartan midi skirt.

It’s impossible to deny our dependence on statement accessories when faced with the challenge of upping our outfits. We lay gem packed baubles on our necks, slip into OTT heels and carry the new It bag whenever possible. Say “aye!” if you agree that the bolder, the more vibrant and the more elaborate the accessory, the better.

With this season’s riot girl trend requiring metallic hits and the power skirt suit relying on femme’s demand of opulence, it’s no surprise that the Fall 2013 runways featured many statement accessories. From decadent gold crosses at Dolce & Gabbana, to fur-covered heels at Fendi and a globe shaped purse at Chanel, we love that accessories have morphed into nouveau shapes and textures this season.

And here to help us navigate these new statement accessories is the Style Panel. Barbara Ann Solomon of Barbara Ann’s Style Blog upped the ante on her composed look by slipping into her on-trend plaid Erdem for Nicholas Kirkwood heels. Proving that it’s possible to pair neon and animal print, Becky Kung of Velvet & Vino shared one of her street style looks from New York Fashion Week, and we have to say brava on the lacey neon skirt and studded animal print clutch combo. And a Rebecca Minkoff bag makes a double appearance in this week’s challenge: Anum Khan of SummerXSkin wears the mini Morning After Clutch (M.A.C) in “Bittersweet” while Nicole Wilson of Dainty Girl rocks it in “Port.”

It’s safe to say that our girls are all for accessories that add a little va va to their voom. Keep reading to see all the statement accessories that our Style Panelists are wearing this season.

Question 69: Which statement accessory are you rocking this season? Read the answers now! »