FASHION Magazine

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How important is it to dress age appropriately? This is a question that, when asked, will generate a variety of different answers. Fashion by age is hardly a new phenomenon, but the contrast between what is or is not appropriate for certain ages has changed overtime. There may be some styles that are thought to be more suited to one age over another, but as we all know by now, fashion is never that black and white.

Keeping that in mind, check out our selection of the best spring pieces that work for a variety of different ages. From bright printed pants to classic blazers, these beautiful bouquet pieces can work for any age.

See this look up close » I never thought I’d see the day. Kate’s gone boho! Kinda. After holding fast to traditionally form fitting and tailored pieces up until the 6-months pregnant mark (and by that, we mean yesterday’s appearance), the Duchess of Cambridge seems to finally be embracing a slightly looser style with today’s […]

The post The Duchess of Cambridge wears a loose-fitting floral Erdem dress while launching a new counseling program in Manchester appeared first on FASHION Magazine.

See our shorts trend shopping picks »
See the the shorts trend on the Spring 2013 runways »

By Gabrielle Johnson

Several months before her 38th birthday, Gwyneth Paltrow took a pair for a spin on the red carpet. Forty-four-year-old Jennifer Aniston practically lives in them. And at 53, Sharon Stone was snapped wearing hers with a slouchy sweater and knee-high boots. As fashion statements go, shorts aren’t new: Sexy, sporty hot pants will forever be associated with the 1970s, while countless girls who came of age in the ’80s emulated Baby’s Dirty Dancing denim cut-offs. In the ’90s, shorts teamed with tights were a seasonless staple—a look that has since become an off-duty model classic.

On the ready-to-wear runways, shorts are also a familiar sight. Miuccia Prada opened her Spring 2000 show with a body-hugging pair, and has been experimenting with variations on the theme ever since. Marni designer Consuelo Castiglioni has been peppering her collections with them for years, in every length, fabric and pattern imaginable. This spring, tailored shorts have taken the spotlight. Chloé, Prabal Gurung and Fendi showed them in lush leathers; Carolina Herrera and Cacharel favoured light, shiny fabrics; Dolce & Gabbana, Hermès and Chalayan experimented with trippy prints; and Emporio Armani femme’d them up with sweet ruffles. Clearly, fashion’s cyclicality is what makes this trend so right, right now.

“Everything old is new again,” says Barbara Atkin, vice-president of fashion direction at Holt Renfrew. “Designers keep bringing back shorts, over and over again, in different ways. It’s the right time. We’ve had so many short miniskirts—it was time to evolve from that.” 

Canadian designer Arthur Mendonça, whose Spring 2013 collection included sequin-effect black tuxedo shorts and a raspberry-hued silk sheen version, agrees. “I’ve always liked [them] as a skirt substitute,” he says. “I like the whole sporty look of a tailored short, especially for spring and summer. It looks modern. The shorts we did were all high-waisted; they almost look like A-line skirts.”

At Cacharel, designers Ling Liu and Dawei Sun consider tailored shorts to be the new trousers. “They’ve become a basic, whether in winter or in summer,” says Sun. “They’re modern and easy to mix. Different lengths and materials allow you to create really diverse outfits.” Considering that spring’s new crop of longer shorts were trotted out on the runways paired with blazers, button-downs and (relatively) sensible heels, it seems these onetime vacation-wear must-haves have morphed into perfectly acceptable office attire. Depending on your office, that is. “What we in the fashion world see as office-appropriate is really much more of a fashion take on your office wardrobe,” says Atkin. “If you’re working for a traditional law firm on [Toronto’s] Bay Street, shorts of any kind are a no-no. It would be frowned upon, and you’d probably be asked to leave.”

See Beyoncé and Solange’s looks up close »

Beyoncé and Solange Knowles may be two of music’s most powerful sisters. But while they share the ability to create beautiful music, the two couldn’t be more different when it comes to style. Beyoncé’s style has evolved over the years, but recently we are used to seeing her in sexy bodycon dresses, short shorts, and lots of black. Solange, on the other hand, tends to favour bright colours, African prints and breezy, loose cuts.

So when Beyoncé was spotted in Cuba this week looking a lot like her little sister, we couldn’t help but do a double take. On vacation for her wedding anniversary with Jay-Z, Beyoncé donned a colourful Thakoon Addition Resort 2013 caftan overtop a dress while exploring the streets of Havana. With her hair tied up in a braided topknot, the singer looked spectacular while breaking slightly outside of her fashion comfort zone.

Printed mini-dresses are typically Solange’s forte. Last summer she wore a chic Stella McCartney frock with strappy sandals to an event celebrating Michael Kalish’s artwork in New York. After seeing Beyoncé in Cuba this week, we couldn’t help but be reminded of this Solange style hit.

Which of the Knowles sisters’ looks do you like best? Vote in our poll!

See our 15 clutch must-haves »

Bigger isn’t always better when it comes to Spring 2013 accessories and this season we’re holding on to statement clutches in all shapes, sizes and patterns.

While those larger than life body bags were the ultimate standard only a few seasons ago, Spring 2013 is the time to edit what’s inside your bag and retain only the essentials (iPhone, lipstick, wallet and that’s about it).

The clutch purse was everywhere on the international runways, and its appeal ran the gamut from quirky (a candy button style turquoise number at Fendi) to 1990s-inspired (a plaid fold-over bag at Dries Van Noten) to the really old school (Céline’s take on the classic brown lunch bag, which was reinvented in bright red leather.)

See the Mary Katrantzou x Current/Elliott collection »

Ever since we saw a preview of the Mary Katrantzou x Current/Elliott collaboration last fall, we have been anticipating the collection to hit stores. Thankfully, we can now purchase the vibrant, California-cool collection at e-shopping destinations such as Nordstrom and My-Wardrobe.com.

While fans of Mary Katrantzou might think that a denim collection is an odd choice for the London-based designer, the collaboration was actually her idea. Known for her unique prints, Katrantzou typically sends architectural and artsy looks down the runways. But after a critic suggested using denim with her signature digital prints, Katrantzou approached Current/Elliott with the denim designs in mind. The result is a wearable collection of jeans, skirts, tops and dresses with prints inspired by stamped visas, passports, bank notes, and postage stamps.

See all 36 must-have Spring 2013 accessories »

If you’re looking to round out your Spring 2013 wardrobe before the thermometer hits a favourable temperature, we have some easy fixes and it’s all about accessories. From peekaboo panels on red leather purses to woven wedges, these on-trend pieces can complete any look.

For Spring 2013 we saw festival style take its place on the runways of Altuzarra and Band of Ousiders, so why not complete your Coachella packing with a woven bangle and wicker clutch? Sun-drenched raffia, wicker and straw are woven into wedges, stacked heels and shopping totes, signalling laid-back summer style. And if you’re not flocking to one of the many summer festivals and want to keep it basic, the new see-through trend is one that will keep you in the clear. Basic accessories have been redefined by giving oxford shoes plastic inserts and chunky heels on strappy sandals have been made see-through. These peekaboo plastic panels lend lightness to polished metallics and patent leathers.

See the biggest Fall 2013 fashion trends »
See all our fashion month coverage »

Fashion month may have finally wrapped, but that doesn’t mean it’s time to forget about the trends that emerged for Fall 2013 on the many runways of New York, London, Milan, Paris and Toronto—In fact, it’s time for them to take front and centre. While shoppers everywhere are snapping up the best of the selling floor’s offerings for spring and summer, designers, buyers and editors alike are busy prepping ahead. And since we know y’all like to keep ahead of the curve, we’ve sorted through hundreds of photos and selected 10 of the top Fall 2013 trends so that you can mentally prep (and save) too!

Next season, it’s all about fur, which landed in both faux and real on runways including Marni, JW Anderson, and most strikingly at Fendi, where it was combined in a dizzying multitude of punky ways. The 1990s were back for another resurgence, continuing Spring 2013’s grunge trend at Saint Laurent in Paris and Chloé Comme Parris right here at home. On the street, the look was easily created by many fashion week attendees who layered plaids on waists, under jackets and even on tights. And while practically speaking, it may be no major surprise that outerwear was one of the top Fall 2013 trends, this show season we saw jackets take on new forms with quilting, oversized shapes and bold colours which were mirrored outside the shows, with equally interesting choices hitting the pavement

Here are 100 images to help jog your memory of the top Fall 2013 trends spotted inside and outside of the fashion week stents, so sit back, click through, and relive the fashion month in all its street style and runway glory.

View by trend: 1. 1990s |2. SKIRT SUITS|3. FUR | 4. HATS | 5. OUTERWEAR | 6. PINK | 7. PLAID | 8. STATEMENT ACCESSORIES | 9. CRAZY COMBOS | 10. UNIQUE PRINTS

See the last batch of street style from Toronto Fashion Week »

The finish line of World MasterCard Fashion Week Fall 2013 may officially be tonight but our street style photos stop here (sad face). To finish it off, our photographer Stefania Yarhi worked her magic (as per usual) to bring us some stellar shots of graphics, bold patterns and even a 90210 star!

Yesterday, florals were all the rage but today’s all about leopard print. The print was seen on oversized bags, logo-sweatshirts, added layers and the trend was rounded out with a literal tiger face on Andrea Beechey’s clutch. Me-ow.

See the Vawk Fall 2013 collection photos »

When we were first introduced to Sunny Fong on Project Runway Canada, it was clear that his talent extended far beyond reality TV stardom. His exquisite tailoring and attention to detail has made VAWK, his luxury ready-to-wear label, one of the highlights of Toronto Fashion Week. For Fall 2013, Fong focused on what he does best; namely simple, minimalist designs which resulted in a refined and surprisingly wearable collection.

Titled “Nordic Fauna,” VAWK’s Fall 2013 collection was inspired by the clean lines of Scandinavian interior design as well as classic winter hunting attire. An introductory video showing a series of images of the bleak yet strangely beautiful wintertime forests set the stage for what was to be an incredible display of minimalism with a unique Canadian touch. The collection kept with VAWK’s signature neutral colour palette and sexy form-fitting dresses, but stayed away from 1980s Madonna-inspired looks of Spring 2013. What was left was exquisitely crafted clothes that women all over the world would be happy to wear.

See our street style photos from Toronto Fashion Week Fall 2013 »

And on the third day of World MasterCard Fashion Week Fall 2013, show goers said, “Let there be colour! And florals! And studs!” (Or so we imagine.) The pavement was alive yesterday outside of the fashion tents and as predicted, everybody upped their game.

The pantsuit edged its way off of the runway and into the Toronto streets as we saw one gal wearing a hot pink version topped off with a leather jacket slung over her shoulders and a Lucite clutch. A+ for her look! And it’s safe to say our Style Panelist, Mo Handahu, doesn’t fear colour whatsoever because we spotted her in multiple bright floral patterns mixed together and finished off with purple clutch.

See the Joe Fresh Fall 2013 collection photos »

Punk, Paris and affordable price points: Hello, Joe Fresh Fall 2013. For the first time in as long as we can remember, the label’s signature bright hues were kicked to the curb in favour of an almost all black collection of highly trendy, ultra tough clothes inspired by the French captial during the early 1990s. “That chic French girl whose style was so effortless and cool. The early days of street style” said creative director Joe Mimran of the collection. Dressed in all black himself backstage, he waxed poetic about Fall 2013’s many artistic inspirations, which included the text work of artist Ed Rushcha (it made for two epically lettered sweaters that closed the show) and the words of Malcolm McLaren, which very literally set the show’s impetus with the lyrics “I wore black, you were black, Jazz is Paris and Paris is jazz.”