FASHION Magazine

Packing for a trip to London, England can be challenging. Correction: Packing for a trip to London with a baggage limit of 20 kilos is certainly challenging.

Scanning my closet, the question that bounced around in my head was of course “W.W.K.M.D?” (What would Kate Moss do?) Well, first off, Kate would probably just pay the surcharge for the excess baggage…but that’s beside the point.

After packing the required Soho garments–Gladiator sandals? Check. Skinny jeans? Check. Black riding boots? Check. Tailored vest, or rather waistcoat? Check–I still couldn’t help but think that there was something missing.

If you are looking for jewellery with heart, and for pieces that won’t get lost amongst the crowd of silver chandelier earrings, look no further than Pretty Chic Boutique (34 Quebec St., 519-780-2800, prettychic.ca). The boutique offers one-of-a-kind pieces from Canadian jewellery makers and artisans.

It’s about that time–the time where a year of twisting dreadlocks and healing body tattoos finally pays off: Guelph’s own Hillside Festival (www.hillsidefestival.ca) is just a week away, and what is arguably the best part about summertime in Guelph is about to take over the city.

The 25-year-old festival sells out every year within hours of the box office opening, regardless of the fact that the performers aren’t announced for months later. Between July 24 and 26 the downtown will empty out as everyone and her second cousin heads out to the island on Guelph Lake.

With the temperature on the rise it’s easy to forget the weather that we’ve just endured. Just days ago, my sartorial daydreams were completely focused on all things waterproof–the search for the perfect rubber boots.

I often wonder about the trickle effect in fashion. What does it take for a particular trend to evolve and permeate everyday street fashion? How come some trends never make it past the fashion capitals? Does it take hundreds of people joining in, or just a select few to take it from runway to normalcy? I have many theories, but no definitive answer, I’ve decided that my summer project is to champion the trickle down effect of the new jumpsuit, and bring the onesie to Guelph street fashion.

There are certain events that mark the beginning of summer in Guelph: the first time you can sit on the Cornerstone patio without a sweater, the day Hillside Festival tickets go on sale, and shortly thereafter sell out, and for some, the opening of the Aberfoyle Antique Market (61 Brock Rd. S., 519-763-1077, aberfoyle-antiques.com).

I’m not sure if it’s just something in the air, or something in the water, but it seems as if every woman I walk past on the street is pregnant.  And it’s not because I’m eagerly looking for baby-bumps to live vicariously through, the myriad bumps are hard to ignore.  As is the fact that maternity wear has clearly changed for the better.

The transition from winter to summer can be an awkward one.  Suddenly the weather calls for sandals, skirts and dresses (sans tights).  And so, the first order of business is to repair and ready the winter-skin that has been abused and hidden for the past six months.

I headed downtown to Saffron Rouge (55 Wyndham St. N., 519-780-0467 x102, saffronrouge.com), Guelph’s organic skin care and aromatherapy boutique.   Saffron Rouge only carries products made with certified organic ingredients. (The same is true for their extensive online shop.)  Products range from hair and skin care items, to makeup and essential oils.

To celebrate Earth Day a Guelph company is making shopping green a lot easier.  On April 22, online health and beauty shop Well.ca launched their Green & Natural store.

Spring’s love affair with all things golden may be the opulence we need to distract us from dreary economic times.  Luckily, a glint of gold does not have to be extravagantly priced.  It’s not about the cost–it’s about catching the eye, and adding something special to the season’s nude palette.

I think I’m in love. For the past few months I have been searching for a pair of casual spring shoes, hoping that if I have the shoes, perhaps the snow will melt. I’ve been flip-flopping: Vans or Converse? Chucks? Keds? It’s been so long since I’ve had a good pair of slip-ons…I didn’t know where to turn. And then, in a random conversation with a friend, all sole dilemmas were solved. He told me about Toms Shoes (tomsshoes.com). And my search was over.

This month I was lucky enough to have a cross-country chat with the lovely Carlie Wong (carliewong.com).  Her sleek Spring 2009 collection caught the eye of fashion elite and her Fall 2009 outing is about to hit the runway at LG Fashion Week.