Rockin' out on Eglinton Avenue
Joan Jett sang it best: “I love rock ’n’ roll”.
That is, I love rock ’n’ roll and fashion, not as it was in the 1980s when too much Spandex and big hairdos made the boys look like gals and vice versa.
Rock ’n’ roll as it exists today in fashion has edge without hitting you over the head with it. And as the wares in three Eglinton Avenue West shops I visited recently demonstrate, fall’s new fashion looks have tempered that look with loving little glam-ish details that’ll make you want to strut your inner head banger in style.
You’ll do a 360 at 306 Boutique while you shop your deal-lovin’ heart out. Inside the warehouse-style space, you’ll find a rocker-glam-meets-girly chic vibe, evidenced by concrete floors and industrial light fixtures combined with a blingy chandelier and long, lush blue curtains in the changeroom area.
The independently owned shop carries a broad selection of affordable trendy ladies’ fashions, accessories and outerwear. The 10-in-1 dress in purple or black, $79, can be wrapped various ways to give you a barely dressed celeb look to a more classic wrap-style finish.
Want more of a biker look? Try the skinny jeans by Mavi for under $200 each and pair ’em with the very on-trend biker jacket by C’est Moi for $85. Toss on a couple heavy metal chunky chain necklaces, also by C’est Moi, for $25 each. Then add a $20 reversible tank by the same brand, which has a scoop neck on one side and a V-neck on the other, for your rocker chick look.
It could be overkill, but the studded cummerbund-style leather belts are jaunty Joan Jett.
306 Eglinton Ave. West, 416-545-1226, [url=http://www.306clothing.com]www.306clothing.com[/url].
Across the street at Madison Shoes & Accessories are heaps of different shoe and boot styles for women in varying price ranges, but the rocker-inspired ones are most special. Think zippers, buckles and ruching details.
The patent leather platform heels by Joan & David, $280, are more on the glam side of rock, unless you wear them with ripped stockings à la Courtney Love.
But the suede peep-toe high-heeled ankle booties for $150, called “Phantom”, could definitely help you get your fashion vroom-vroom on. The “Joyride” suede high-heeled booties with shirring up the front and a zipback, $180, will have you revving up your fashion motor in no time.
For the bad girl with a touch of movie star wannabe in her, the Boutique 9 “Red Carpet” tall boots in black feature open toes and wrap-around straps, $395.
And if studs are your style, the “Darcy” studded black shoes by the same label for $240 will gear you up for a bit of rock ’n’ roll raunchiness.
Check out the new Nine West America Collection if you prefer a bit of western chic to your leather duds. The wedge moccasin, $160, is so popular it’s sold out but I’m told more are arriving soon.
333 Eglinton Ave. West, unit 3B/4, 416-932-9978, [url=http://www.madisonshoes.ca]www.madisonshoes.ca[/url].
[attach]920[/attach]I missed the fall event at Magnolia, a fashion boutique that’s been open for about a year. But owner Juan Carlos assures me they’ll be regular events, so ask about them the next time you’re in.
There are some fab designers represented in this tiny-yet-chic and oh-so accessible shop. The black transparent polka dot blouse by Canadian-born designer Tara Jarmon could be rocked up with the skinny blue velvet pants by Hoss Intropia that I’m currently lusting after, $265.
Toss on a royal blue ruched leather jacket by Toronto-based Izzy Camilleri, around $975, and you’ll epitomize the chicest side of rocker glam. The shop also carries the designer’s headbands and belts.
If you want to punk out a bit, the black tank by local designer Lucian Matis, $95, has silver discs encrusted on the front. Now that Fashion Week is over, more Matis pieces will be coming in for the holidays, but note that Matis specializes in made-to-order gowns and the boutique, I’m told, is one of the few that works with the designer on custom pieces.
David Dixon’s holiday collection will be arriving in November, so stay tuned.
In the meantime, rock on, ladies.
333 Eglinton Ave. West, unit 2B, 416-488-9893, [url=http://www.magnoliaonline.ca.]www.magnoliaonline.ca.[/url]