gap
A cropped peacoat, $69, from Gap’s khaki collection.
One great blog
Belated Happy birthday to Toronto Craft Alert, which celebrated its one- year anniversary recently.
The e-newsletter and blog has been a great service to the craft, fashion, art and design communities of Toronto, posting all kinds of great info about upcoming events and exhibits. It also includes profiles of crafters and designers, and an impressive index of links to classes, suppliers and indie shops that showcase homegrown talent.
FF salutes founder Jen Anisef, who’s clocked countless hours on a volunteer basis to connect the crafty folk of our town. Check it out yourself at www.torontocraftalert.blogspot.com.
Jean machine
Make your way to the Bay this week, where you’ll save 40 per cent off all women’s Levi jeans as well as 25 per cent off styles by Buffalo, Guess and Tommy Hilfiger.
And if you’d like to start your spring cleaning in your top drawer, then take advantage of the 40-per- cent-off sale on all Wonderbra brand boxed undies and bras. Men can save 40 per cent off Levi’s 501 and 505 styles as well as 30 per cent off spring shirts by Lee, Chaps, Izod, Buffalo and Guess.
The best way to instantly wake up your wardrobe for the new season is to scoop up some eye-catching accessories such as a fab large-scale bag, a retro-pattern silk scarf or wide headband and a fetching pair of oversized sunglasses. Embrace this spring’s boldly colourful accessories.
Prom perfect
Many young FF readers have e-mailed in wanting tips on where to hunt down affordable prom-gear. Vintage dresses are often the least expensive and most original-looking option, so check out the offerings in Kensington Market or try Vintage Bride in the Annex at 586 Markham St., lower level, 416-530-0025, where you’re very likely to find a dreamy retro cocktail dress for under $75.
If you’d prefer something spanking new, then peruse the racks at Fairweather, where numerous gowns from debutante sweet to downright vampy have arrived this week. Most are in the $99 to $150 range. Many of the styles look like they jumped right out of the pages of Seventeen magazine, while others are more Teen Vogue — i.e. sophisticated and fashion-forward with raw-edged details and asymmetrical hemlines and beading.
Formal dresses are also available at Sears, where all the lines in the prom section have been reduced by 30 per cent. The best selection is at Sears’ Eaton Centre location. If you can sew reasonably well or know someone who can, then consider making your own dress. Currently, all Simplicity patterns are on sale at Fabricland — buy any two for $5.
Laid-back khaki
This season Gap has revamped some of its classic khaki pieces, and they now seem more retro-cool than 80s preppy. And many of the separates have been vintage washed for a crumpled effect. They’re super-soft and comfortable, like your favourite shirt or jacket, but minus the two years of wearing them in. Most items are priced under $100, so they won’t bite your wallet.
FF loves the cropped peacoat for $69, as well as the French-cuffed shirt dress, also $69, but one of the stunners is a bit of a splurge — $148 for the military-inspired anorak, which is subtly tapered at the waist.
