Spring Break
The far-north fashions of Toronto, eh?
Hopkins Couture
Issue date: 2/7/08
I set out to write a three-part series on the fashionable goings-on of three major cities. The first takes me back to Toronto, the second to French-Canadian Montreal and the third to the sleepless New York City. The first of three reviews appears below.
"Bleak season was it, turbulent and cold," as I stepped onto the tarmac and returned to my native Toronto. The holidays were upon us, and along with them the superfluous sense of creativity and originality. I speak, of course, of the weather-inclined fashion of the north. Whereas Baltimore is relatively warm, dry and snow-less, Toronto is quite the opposite. And while I may curse the 20 centimeters (eight inches to you) of snow packed onto my driveway, I also see the inspiration it brings with it.
Along with the snow and sub-zero temperatures comes a wide array of scarves, hats, boots and jackets. For the fashion-forward, bundling up must be fashionable, which is a notion not widely shared by college students. Canadians have mastered the art of deep winter fashion, evident as I walked the streets of downtown Toronto. While I tried to keep inconspicuous, sneaking furtive glances at the young and well-dressed, I noticed several trends which have not appeared, or perhaps will not appear, in the windy Homewood paths.
The color palettes here are neutral, many opting to stick to black coats and suits. Black is always stylish in moderation and gives the wearer a look of sophistication and a quality of astuteness. Another personal favorite sighting of mine is the grey overcoat. Sweeping and chic, it is aggressive and compromising at once, and it looks good on anyone.
Another topic of interest, for those who live relatively far south of the border, is the ski parka. With our copious amounts of snow, don't be surprised if you see northerners wearing something out of a travel brochure for Norway. The parka has seen a recent emergence in hip-hop culture, with the large and wide use of the cashmere-like fur lining of the hoods on jackets. Not only does it feel soft and warm, but it also makes you look like the bad-ass you want to be.
"Bleak season was it, turbulent and cold," as I stepped onto the tarmac and returned to my native Toronto. The holidays were upon us, and along with them the superfluous sense of creativity and originality. I speak, of course, of the weather-inclined fashion of the north. Whereas Baltimore is relatively warm, dry and snow-less, Toronto is quite the opposite. And while I may curse the 20 centimeters (eight inches to you) of snow packed onto my driveway, I also see the inspiration it brings with it.
Along with the snow and sub-zero temperatures comes a wide array of scarves, hats, boots and jackets. For the fashion-forward, bundling up must be fashionable, which is a notion not widely shared by college students. Canadians have mastered the art of deep winter fashion, evident as I walked the streets of downtown Toronto. While I tried to keep inconspicuous, sneaking furtive glances at the young and well-dressed, I noticed several trends which have not appeared, or perhaps will not appear, in the windy Homewood paths.
The color palettes here are neutral, many opting to stick to black coats and suits. Black is always stylish in moderation and gives the wearer a look of sophistication and a quality of astuteness. Another personal favorite sighting of mine is the grey overcoat. Sweeping and chic, it is aggressive and compromising at once, and it looks good on anyone.
Another topic of interest, for those who live relatively far south of the border, is the ski parka. With our copious amounts of snow, don't be surprised if you see northerners wearing something out of a travel brochure for Norway. The parka has seen a recent emergence in hip-hop culture, with the large and wide use of the cashmere-like fur lining of the hoods on jackets. Not only does it feel soft and warm, but it also makes you look like the bad-ass you want to be.
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