Snowfall in Toronto this winter has been, well, non-existent so this city’s shoe lovers have been able to go crazy and kick off their usual cold weather boots and Uggs (thank goodness!) in favour of more interesting footwear.

Both women and men are sporting flat-sole leather oxfords, dance shoes and brogues, as well as desert boots (pointed and round toes). Pretty much anything with a pointy toe –  with laces, slip on, flats or heels – is in vogue with the hipsters and styles are evocative of either the 50s, 80s OR 90s in what can only be described as a jumbled multi-decade mess of influences!

In other Toronto winter firsts – local guys can stop their vintage whining come mid March as vintage stores, Stacked and Lost + Found, are co-hosting a menswear only vintage sale. Rock ‘n’ Rogue is on March 12, 13 and 14^th at Cream Tangerine Gallery Café at the Great Hall and will offer a wide selection of hand-picked pre-loved items. Good vintage menswear is so rare that this event is a big treat for Toronto’s fashionistas.

I do not know why, but it seems that some trends simply will not die.  The trend I am referring to here is Ugg boots.  They look awful, they aren’t waterproof or good for your feet, yet people will not stop wearing them everywhere, with everything, in distasteful colours all over the place.  The ultimate fashion faux pas is the ugg boot worn in combination with the latest in horrific varieties of the spandex pant–the ‘jegging’ worn skin tight (of course) and painted with delicate faux denim detailing.

Thankfully, there are some people who naturally gravitate toward classier atire, and this season most of them can be seen jazzing it up adorned in a variety of posh wear somehow incorporating sequins.  From dresses, shoes, and handbags to vests to cardigans, skirts, and ties, sequins are the toast of the holiday season.

When it comes to accessories, chunky rings and bracelets have that unique crossover appeal between casual and dressy, and add a little funkiness to any outfit.  I am especially fond of pieces made by local artists or from recycled bits of… anything.  As an avid cyclist I am particularly impartial to accessories made from bits of bicycle chain – earrings, necklaces, and bracelets.