Luxury
For every It item your heart desires, there’s a high-fashion house that makes the original—and is still the best. For brilliant enamel bracelets and scarves so gorgeous and silky, you’ll swoon to their touch, there’s Hermès. At Chanel, it’s black and white: You can’t go wrong with a quilted, gilt-chain-strap bag or two-tone patent flats. The smartest little black dresses (and big black totes) are at Prada. The go-to for going away is, bien sur, a jetset trunk set from Louis Vuitton. Need something cashmere and effortless? Max Mara has your number. And when it comes to forever, try finding a better friend than the dazzlingly pure, conflict-free diamonds at Tiffany & co. At Cartier, find a shiny something that not only tells time, but withstands it. For browsing every category of luxe, Holt Renfrew is still queen.
Fast Fashion
H&M has it all, from workaday basics to runway trends. Sometimes it’s almost too much choice, but we never tire of the designer collabs, be it zebra-print stilettos or a cobalt suede cocktail dress from Jimmy Choo, or underpinnings from Sonia Rykiel. Zara does spot-on impersonations of Dries Van Noten, Alexander Wang and Lanvin, plus show-stopping footwear. Then there’s Banana Republic, with soft satin tees and dresses and cozy eternity scarves. For white shirts, trouser-cut jeans and other ever-fresh classics in fits for every body, the Gap can’t be beat. When casual Fridays turn to cocktails, we turn to Le Château for instant shimmer. Urban Outfitters is a hyperactive mash-up of Olsen-ite fads and coolly casual basics. French Connection brings it with flirty party frocks and creative workwear. Say what you will about American Apparel’s ads, but its 50/50 T-shirts are 21st-century wardrobe staples. Our preppy hearts have belonged to Club Monaco since high school, and for holiday it gives the staple blazer new life in sequins, with plenty of cashmere for the less flashy shopper. For the same mod-classic feel, with sportier accents and super-low prices, find your nearest Joe Fresh Style, stat.
Shoes & Bags
True confession: Few FASHION editors are shopaholic enough to drop half a year’s rent on Balmain shoes. So for studded boots, bedazzled bags and other gotta-have-it trends, we go to Aldo. Nine West is best for new classics like motorcycle boots or reptilian pumps. At Browns, there’s something for every taste, from Chie Mihara’s chunky, quirky heels to spindly Manolo Blahniks and quality boots for Canadian winters. And little-sister store B2 has sportier styles (Marc by Marc Jacobs, Lacoste), harder-partying heels (Miss Sixty, Mimosa), and an on-trend house label, Browns ID.
First published in FASHION Magazine December 2009
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