Tag Archives: Shopping

We went on an epic quest to find shorts with an inseam longer than 2″ (It was hard, y’all! But we did it. For the love.)

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Blame Gaga. Straight up, some of the shorts out there right now are jean panties. STUDDED jean panties, at that. Like, studs all over the butt. Ladies, how are we doing this? Why are we doing this? I know it’s summer and we wanna get our legs out (we’re not moisturizing and exfoliating for nothing, after all), but some of us don’t want to get ALL of our legs out. Summer clothes do not need to be the start of an academic debate around where the legs technically end and the butt begins. We searched the internet and found some shorts options for those of us not interested in… whatever these are.

Neon Boyfriend Roll-up Shorts, $40.55, the Gap
These slouchy roll-up shorts come in a variety of neon and non-neon colours, but it is summer time, so let’s pretend we never read that thing about the non-neon, right?

The Furies Dhoti Short, $98.00, Urban Outfitters 
These might be divisive but they have an awesome laid-back “recently been backpacking, have a whole new worldview, don’t worry about it” vibe. These could go from cottage to campfire to ‘cue (short for ‘barbecue’, get on board) with ease.

MINKPINK Virtue Crochet Leg Short, $95.00, Urban Outfitters
“Oh, me? I don’t need to give it all away. These are just my fun, yet sensible, white summer shorts! What’s that? A bunch more of my leg is peeping through this cute crochet detail along the hem?? I guess NEVER MIND about that ‘sensible’ bit.”

ASOS Geo-Print Mid-length Shorts, $61.76, asos.com
These are sooo cool. They are the kind of shorts wicked-hot ladies in the desert in fashion editorials are always wearing with a crisp white button down and a silly hat. As if you needed an excuse to buy a silly hat.

Belted Swing Shorts, $23.80, Forever21
The most versatile shorts you will ever own. Define that waist, lengthen those legs, bike around the city without flashing any unsuspecting passersby.

ASOS Revive Big Ol’ Denim Shorts, $70.58, asos.com
Very rockabilly. Very cool. Stick a silk scarf on your head, get some big sunglasses, and you’re in business. With shorts this voluminous on the bottom, you could totally get away with a cropped, tiny top. Saddle shoes optional.

So there you are. Six options to look for if you’re trying to keep your cheeks to yourself for at least May/June. And remember: you have total control over your shorts-length if you make them yourself. So grab some scissors and some worn out old jeans and horrify your mom with a DIY project! HAPPY SUMMER!!!

The She Does The City Teen Guide to Thrifting

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Going shopping for clothes can be overwhelming. And when you’ve got more dash than cash, it can be harder to get the look you want without breaking the bank.  However, going to your local Goodwill, or Salvation Army can yield fantastic finds that wouldn’t look out of place on today’s runways.  Let’s face it though––thrifting can be overwhelming. Piles of polyester, unflattering fluorescent lights, and that unwelcome old-clothing stench can make thrift stores seem as unappealing as your least favourite meal; yet, with a little persistence and inspiration, you can unearth some serious sartorial treasures. We’ve gone bargain hunting, thrifting, and vintage shopping from Paris, to Glastonbury, to right here in Toronto––here are our tried and true techniques to scoring the perfect piece.

1. Go looking for something specific, but don’t be too committed to it: Scouring magazines, blogs, and films for inspiration allows you to zero in on what you want. As well, taking stock of your wardrobe, and filling in the gaps with new purchases is key. If you know what you’re looking for, it allows you to eliminate extraneous mess. But, don’t limit yourself so much that you miss out on something neat!

2. Pay Attention to Fabric: Though the ghosts of fashion disasters past may distract you, pay attention to fabrics. Garish power blazers may provide a momentary thrill, but may lead you away from the other goodies, and possibly a high-end designer piece. A trick we’ve picked up: stick your arms out, and just let them trail through the racks. Once you find a fabric that feels good against your skin––pull it out. We’ve amassed wonderful wools, soft silks, and buttery leathers this way.

3. Play with colour: In February, we embarked on a thrifting expedition in Scarborough. What we found? A blood-garnet, calf length a-line skirt rendered in a shining raw silk. Another great steal? A tomato coloured Danier leather jacket with perfectly slouched shoulders.  Unique colours make unique clothes; so don’t be afraid to try on something that’s a change from your usual colour palate.

4. Fit: Don’t keep to your usual size, and play with proportions. Trousers that are too big can be paper bagged at your natural waist for a gathered high waisted effect, and pencil skirts that are too large can sling low at your hips. Keep in mind that belts can be added to change the look of any garment.

5. Shop the boy’s section as well as the girl’s: An oversized men’s shirt belted at the waist can make a relaxed tunic or dress, while a little boy’s tuxedo jacket can make an excellent cropped blazer.

6. Play: Don’t see the garments as they are, see them as you are. Use your imagination to see how a skirt can be turned into a dress, a blazer into a vest, etc. Adding different buttons, or a slight length alteration can transform dowdy to decadent.

7. Keep a watchful eye:  Unfortunately, things may be stained or ripped. If you’re truly in love with a piece, it can always be repaired either by yourself, a crafty friend, or a tailor.

Photos by Becca Lemire

She Does The City Teen’s Guide to Exploring Kensington Market

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Some kids grow up in places called “suburbs” where the only market they get to cruise through is the supermarket, and pretty often it’s with their mom.  Now, we all know moms are the best, and that there are worse places on Earth than a supermarket, but let’s get down to brass tacks here and talk about one of the most vibrant neighbourhoods in the city: Kensington Market. If you like vintage clothes, neat coffee shops and watching hipsters hang with hippies, than you’ll love this gem located west off Chinatown. 

To get to Kensington Market, take the College streetcar to Augusta Avenue (one stop west of Spadina) and walk south. 

Kensington is kind of unofficially divided into three sections: restaurants and boutiques along Augusta, food shops along Baldwin, and vintage stores along Kensington Ave. In addition to this list, you should pop your head in to this delicious South American boutiques that line Augusta, try all the yummy bulk barns along Baldwin, and grab berries or other treats from the open-air fruit and veggie markets! 

Here are places you should definitely explore. 

VINTAGE

For great vintage, go to Kensington Ave. There are about fifteen vintage stores on this one block that have everything from gently used pink chucks to the cutest 1960s sundresses and racks and racks of denim cut-offs.

Here are some of our favourites:

Exile (22 Kensington Avenue, 62 Kensington Avenue)
Exile is great at Halloween, and awesome in between. This is the place for your vintage basics: Levi’s, plaid shirts, denim jackets, fur coats, leather coats, jerseys, and more, as well as costume-y items year round, like fishnets, wigs, and more.  

Flashback (25 Kensington Avenue)
Great for shoes.  

Sub Rosa Vintage (16 Kensington Ave)
It’s rare if there aren’t ten things you’d want to buy immediately upon arriving.  A very well-curated shop, indeed.

Dancing Days (17 Kensington Avenue)
The usual vintage fare, plus hammocks and other hippie paraphernalia.

Courage My Love (14 Kensington Avenue) At Courage, racks of beads and jewellery, incense and knickknacks hang alongside cashmere sweaters, vintage lingerie, Victorian-style button-ups, and the owners often have stories about the items, like a dress that used to belong to her mother, or a luchador mask he picked up on his travels in Mexico.  

Sole Survivor (16 Kensington Avenue) 

Get your shoes fixed by an awesome lady cobbler!

SNACKS

The Grilled Cheese (66 Nassau St.) 
Mmmm. The Grilled Cheese features mouthwatering sandwiches with crazy combinations, and a fun atmosphere—picnic benches on the patio in the summer, and a retro vibe inside.  

My Market Bakery (184 Baldwin St.) 
The counters are positively bursting with really tasty treats, including sugar cookie blue jays and Bee Sting bars—the lovechild of baklava and shortbread. The shelves are full of loaves, Montreal bagels, and other tasty treats. 

Big Fat Burrito (285 Augusta Ave.) 
The place to go for delicious Sweet Potato burritos (Seriously, add sweet potato to everything.) 

Moonbean Coffee (30 St. Andrew St.) 
This is a hustling and bustling coffee shop that captures the spirit of the market. Tea, coffee, ice cream-y treats, and delicious food. 

Hot Beans (160 Baldwin St.)
The most delicious vegan burritos, tacos, and donuts in the city. Yeah, donuts. 

Kos (61 Bellevue Ave.)
This is the place for super cheap greasy-spoon breakfast with your best friends. 

iDeal Coffee (84 Nassau St.) 
A great coffee shop with an excellent front patio that has a communal vibe. 

Wanda’s Pie in the Sky (287 Augusta Ave.)
Best croissants ever, plus delicious vegetarian lunch options, sweets, and, oh yeah, PIE! 

OTHER BOUTIQUES WE LOVE

Model Citizen (279 Augusta Ave)
Quality Canadian clothes and accessories, and on-site silkscreening workshop. If you love having stuff that no one else owns but everyone will want, head to Model Citizen.

Bungalow (273 Augusta Ave)
Awesome vintage and new clothing and accessories 

Kid Icarus (75 Nassau St.)
This is the place to get quirky birthday cards, pretty wrapping paper, and cool band posters.

Blue Banana (250 Augusta Ave)  

Literally everything under the sun – except blue bananas. This is a sprawling market-style space with handcrafted and quirky goods. 

Good Egg (267 Augusta Ave)
If you love to cook, or know someone who does, or you just like fun items, Good Egg is the store for you.  

Sonic Boom (201 Augusta Ave.)  
RECORDS! Proclaims the light-up sign above Sonic Boom, and that’s what you get. Vinyl, and music books. 

Pedestrian Sundays!
Check out Kensington Market on Sundays in the summertime for full reign of the streets on foot, buskers, passing drum parades, delicious treats to sample along your walk, and some really killer people watching.

Kensington warnings: 

- Don’t go late at night
– There are some sketchy characters in the park
- Hot summer day = fish is smelly.

How to Wear Florals Without Looking Like Your Grandma

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Florals are taking over the streets! If you haven’t joined in on this huge spring trend, the only question is, why not? 

If done right, florals are the perfect combination of sexy and sweet.  Whether bold prints or softer delicate ones, make a statement with what you wear.  Here are some flowery looks we are digging:

1. Pair this with a black leather jacket.  They will go together like peanut butter and jelly.  Nobody will be allergic to this outfit. Dahlia Ditsy Floral Dress With Open Back on ASOS, $118.79

2. If you are someone who can pull off a corset as a top then all the power to you and just know how jealous I am.  Since you’re skimping on the top, pair it with a solid maxi skirt. ASOS Crop Corset In Floral Print on ASOS , $40.21 

3. When is denim not a good choice? Add florals, no sleeves and a self tie to the equation and it makes it irresistible.  Pair it with a brighter hued skirt. Or why not rep the Canadian Tuxedo? But make the shorts coloured! Self- Tie Floral Denim top on Forever 21, $21.80

4. These shorts are so soft-hued and pretty I don’t know whether I want to wear them or just stare at them all day.  Wear them with a looser fitting white t-shirt tucked in and just count how many times people ask you where they are from. Talula Frou Frou Shorts in Kitsch Floral on Aritzia, $50

5.  In the summer I am all about the romper.  It has the look of a dress and appeals to my inner child who just wants to jump around without worrying whether my skirt is flying up. Here is something even your grandma would approve of! Look at that print! It looks like you could find it on a pillow in her house, but the style is classic. Camilla Playsuit by Goldie on Topshop, $88.17 

6. These pants speak for themselves. Pair them with a t-shirt and exude confidence. ASOS Cropped Trousers In Floral Print on ASOS, $73.10

Pair any of these with sandals or heels and you are good to go. Try to stick to solid coloured shoes since you want the floral to be the main focus of your outfit.  

If you are not sure if you can rock florals as a main part of your outfit (trust me, you can, and you will love it) then begin smaller with accessories or shoes.  Here are a few of my favourites: 

7. Tropical Flower Necklace from Forever 21 , $15.80

8. Dr. Martens Floral Cutout Oxford from Urban Outfitters , $110

9. Kimchi Blue Quarterstrap Wedge from Urban Outfitters, $49

10. Sequined Floral Wallet from Forever 21 , $12.80

So go enjoy the sun and let the flowers blossom!