FASHION Magazine

If fashionland had its own Chinese horoscope, this would certainly be the year of the peplum. Not only has the hip-riding volume plumper been going strong on runways for three seasons now, but its also been embraced by street style savants, bloggers and the like. But, if you’re still wondering how to wear the damn thing, we’ve turned to the Style Panel for several options. New this week, you’ll find With Love Gabrielle’s Marta Tryshak, the Style Panel’s latest member.

Question 16: What’s the best way to wear a peplum for your body type? Read the answers now! »

Or jump to: CARA MCLEAY, VANCOUVER | ELODIE PARTHENAY, MONTREAL | KASSANDRA CAMPONI, EDMONTON | KRISTIN MACDONALD, FREDRICTON | ISABEL SLONE, TORONTO | MARTA TRYSHAK, TORONTO | MO HANDAHU, HALIFAX | VANESSA HONG, BEIJING VIA VANCOUVER | VICKIE LALIOTIS, EDMONTON

Beauty trends may come and go, but key elements can be everlasting. For Fall 2012, braids and buns proved their staying power while red lips and black eyeliner were reinvented yet again. Here are three of our favourite takes on each and what you need to try these looks at home.

See the looks »

JUMP TO: GRAPHIC BLACK LINER | RED LIPS | BRAIDS & BUNS

If there were ever an example of dress code done well, it’d be last Thursday’s launch event for Marc Jacobs’ latest fragrance, Dot. The light and fruity fragrance came to life with its ladybug covered petal flacon inspiring a roomful of dot-wearing partygoers, dotted champagne cocktails (read: blueberries) and a dot manicure station from the team at Tips Nail Bar. With so many dotty ensembles in the mix, it was nearly impossible to pick a favourite. Nearly. In a green polka dot blouse, black polka dot shorts, and oversized bib costume necklace, Style Panel’s Danielle Roche, who sat tweeting the night away alongside her Kastor & Pollux co-conspirator Bianca Venerayan, got our vote.

See the photos »

Panelled, peplumed, zippered or embossed, leathers dominate with their versatility and sex appeal.

View the photo shoot »

See our full guide to Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal’s FNO! »

As Fashion’s Night Out quickly approaches, the announcements just seem to get better and better. And while we can only be half-excited over the fact that Azealia Banks is set to perform during FNO in New York City (make a last-minute change and come to Toronto instead, please?) we’re completely behind the news that she’s created a limited edition lipstick with M.A.C Cosmetics for the occasion.

A good Dolce & Gabbana show guarantees the following: a myriad of hot pant options, be it lace, crochet, or embroidered; saucy corset-topped little black dresses, and over-the-top accessories. The label’s Fall 2012 collection contained all of the above and more: lushly gilded capes and bow-bedecked heels are details that only begin to scrape the surface of this design duo’s most recent ode to Sicily. After much deliberation, we selected this gold and organza confection of a necklace to replicate for our designer DIY. Surprisingly simple to make, this statement piece treads a fine line between lavish and over-the-top, but when we’re talking Dolce, that’s exactly where you want to be.

Let’s DIY! »

Sequins, gemstones and bedazzled extras made many an appearance in our Fall 2012 trend report, from accessories to eyebrows. And while we might be waiting for it to get a little cooler before we start donning rich jewel tones, metallic makeup is ideal for an early transition—especially when it’s on your nails. Taking a cue from the sequined sunset on a pair of Roger Vivier boots, this week’s manicure is a glitzy gradient of blues, purples, coppers and gold.

Find out how to do this glitzy gradient manicure! »

Thanks to some stylish ladies, the usually-worn-by-the-boys headgear is no longer relegated to bad hair days: the embellished baseball cap is making a comeback.  Style stars like Gwen Stefani and Rihanna have been spotted about town donning some covet-worthy caps—Stefani paired a bright red cap with her gauzy beach ensemble, and Rihanna got the blogsphere abuzz when she donned a spiked Peace, Love and Understanding cap complete with tartan tail. From studs and spikes to prints and pops of colour, we’ve got ten caps that will upgrade your off-duty look!

Check out our cap roundup!»

As we’ve already attested to (twice!), one of fall’s most dominant trends is undoubtedly the black-on-black leather look made staple by fictitious mastermind Lisbeth Salander in The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo. Since such a tough as nails getup isn’t, well, everyone’s cup of tea, we challenged our Style Panelists to appropriate some portion of the look into their every day wardrobes. From Adventures in Fashion’s Vickie Laliotis’s girlie peek-a-boo sweater and faux leather skirt to Hello Elo’s Élodie Parthenay’s sleeve tattoos, this look varies in degrees of perfect execution.

Question 15: How do you transition your summer wardrobe into fall while it’s still warm outside? How can I incorporate fall’s leather look into my fall wardrobe »

Or jump to: ALEX GRANT, TORONTO | CARA MCLEAY, VANCOUVER | ELODIE PARTHENAY, MONTREAL | LOLITTA DANDOY, MONTREAL | MO HANDAHU, HALIFAX | VICKIE LALIOTIS, EDMONTON

We’re accessorizing our fall wardrobes with 48 of the season’s best boots and bags plucked directly from the pages of our latest trend report. From office-ready book bags and mannish loafers to bejewelled clutches, we’ve got you fully fall covered.

See all of our picks for fall accessories »

JUMP TO A TREND: WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE | GET DOWN TO BUSINESS | PUTTIN’ ON THE GLITZ

New York designer Joseph Altuzarra reportedly said that he wanted his Fall 2012 collection—certainly one of our favourites—to include pieces that “look rich, but feel easy”. With a range of multi-ethnic influences that ran from Morocco to India, and an array of luxurious details (see: thigh-high embossed and fringed boots, layered coin embellishment, and slick, military-inspired outerwear), it’s safe to say he hit his mark.

We chose a heavily embellished blouse with layers of coin fringe as a starting point for our Fall 2012 DIY series and following Altuzarra’s maxim has never been easier: trust us, this blouse is a cinch to make and the results are satisfyingly indulgent.

Let’s DIY! »

From cut-outs to bright colours, we’ve noticed a few celebs trying fall’s leather trend early, and we approve of the many ways its being re-imagined. Eva Longoria wowed us when she donned a laser cut Marchesa dress at the premier of her latest flick earlier this summer, and Emma Stone earned some serious style cred in the red leather Monique Lhuillier number she wore on the Tonight Show. Both of the stars balanced their leather looks with ladylike accessories—Eva paired hers with black patent pumps, and Emma completed her ensemble with a matching pair of Christian Louboutin heels and red lips. To avoid the biker chick look, we suggest you take note of Longoria and Stone’s longer hemlines, and stick to softer, feminine silhouettes.

Check out the leather picks!»