Fashion: Exile & Ego

By Alexandra Sostar

Spring is here ladies and gentlemen! Um, what? For us Canadian fashionistas, the launch of the spring collections traditionally marks a disconnect between how we’d like to showcase our personal style, and the frigid, snowy weather outside. Sheer, fluttery confections and dainty strappy sandals? I don’t think so. Try long underwear, wool socks and down coats twice the size of a regular person. While flipping through this month’s latest crop of fashion magazines for inspiration, this fashionista was pleased to discover a plethora of utilitarian, comfort oriented, and potentially affordable pieces perfect to compliment any style, or below zero temperature forecast. Working on an equally frigid student budget, this seasons variety of must have wardrobe staples meant to last a lifetime ranged anywhere from tough-chic military jackets to a rainbow of “nouveau prints” in enough color palettes and patterns to inspire the most discerning art student. But nouveau prints? Of course not. The beauty of the season’s best pieces is not only the wide range of choices to fit your own personal style, but the return of real, wearable and oh-so-affordable clothes. These are the pieces that make up the bones of your wardrobe, the blank canvas for your constantly evolving personal style. They’re also the styles that, like much of the fashion world, have already been done. They’re already old hat. But as we all know, old hat is affordable, tried and tested. The only question that remains is where to find the best selection, best quality, and best price to add that trendy key piece to your collection? Take a cue from the ever-revolving fashion industry and step back into the past for quality, buildable basics with budget friendly price tags at Kensington Market. Vintage is always in, and so is the wide selection of mix and match basics available at Exile Vintage Clothing. For those of you coveting spring’s gorgeous palette of prints, one step into Ego reveals a dazzling array of textures, colors and patterns sure to satisfy your color cravings and just in time to remedy the dark winter blues.

Exile
20 & 60 Kensington Ave.  Toronto, ON
(416) 596 0827  (416) 5957199
www.exilevintage.com

Ego
9 Kensington Ave. Toronto, ON
(416) 596 8282