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by The Backseat Stylers | November 16th, 2011 
I’m obsessed with velvet and leather this season. I just bought these Loeffler Randall velvet stilettos, and I’ve been wearing my OBJECT for Danier leather pieces non-stop ever since the temperatures dropped. But one piece that incorporates both fabrics? Never in my wildest dreams did I think I’d find such a thing, and yet here’s this navy blue velvet blazer with leather piping staring me in the face, combining the two together perfectly. To die for!
Oh, but it’s by Miu Miu, of course, and it retails for $1,195. Ouch. Aaand it’s already sold out on Net-a-porter. Phew! Saves me from having to sell my left something for it. The story ends well for my pocketbook today, but I’ll still be daydreaming about this little jacket all winter…
xx, S
Image Credit: Net-a-porter
by The Backseat Stylers | March 9th, 2011 
My obsession with Smythe continues! Ever since the Holt Renfrew Presents show at LGFW last season, I’ve been anxiously awaiting the arrival of Smythe’s Spring collection in stores – equestrian jackets in olive and pale yellow, in particular. Their extremely well-cut blazers with contrast leather elbow patches get me Every. Single. Time. No matter how many times I vow not to buy another Smythe jacket, I always find myself sucked in again when the new lookbook comes out. And here I am once more – my heart going pitter-patter again like it did when I first spied the army green equestrian blazer coming down the runway. It must be mine!
Aside from the popular equestrian jackets, Smythe’s new collection also includes a navy cadet jacket, a classic trench coat and other Spring outerwear essentials. Find a stockist near you here.
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by The Backseat Stylers | August 6th, 2010 I love living in Toronto and can’t imagine living anywhere else in the world (for now), but there is one thing we’re missing in this city that once in a while makes me want to pack up and move – New York sample sales. I’m tired of hearing about all the Louboutin and Manolo sample sales every year that I miss out on and can only daydream about. It’s high time Toronto had it’s very own sale that puts the entire city’s fashionistas into a frenzy!
Well, fellow Torontonians, I think I have found it. These past 2 weeks, The Room at the Bay has been clearing out its Fall 2009 and Spring 2010 merchandise, and they mean business. Jason Wu, Prabal Gurung, Balmain and Matthew Williamson, among others, can be had at 85% off (ticketed at 70% off plus an additional 50% off). If your jaw just hit your keyboard, then you’re having the same reaction I had when I heard about the sale. While news of the event only reached me a week into it, I still managed to nab some amazing finds, so if this is the first you’re hearing of it, RUN – don’t walk – to the 8th floor of the Bay Queen Street…today’s the last day!
To give you an idea of what was available (until I snagged them!), here are my newest acquisitions:
This Prabal Gurung Fall 2009 ivory silk skirt makes me feel all prim and proper. I have no idea when I’ll have the occasion to wear it since the heavy silk makes it all fancy shmancy, but I had to have it. I imagine that Michelle Obama’s closet is full of such skirts, so I’ll mentally reserve this piece for when I get an invite to a White House social function. Yes – it’s that sort of skirt.
On the complete opposite spectrum from the sophisticated Prabal skirt is this Barbara Bui leather shift dress from Fall 2009. I can’t find a photo of the back of the dress on the internet and I’m too lazy to take one myself, but there are horizontal cutouts in the back that make this dress fierce with a capital ‘F’. I’m also unsure as to what occasion would call for such an edgy piece (certainly not a White House function), but when the right event presents itself, my dress and I will be ready.
I adore Erin Fetherston – her designs are ultra-feminine and chic. I’ve already had some great Erin Fetherston finds from The Room in the past, but this is my favourite to date – the Bianca jacket from her Spring 2010 collection. In fact, I love the navy and black tuxedo jacket with its matching bow belt so much that I bought the long-sleeved mini dress version too. My friend J told me it wasn’t crazy to buy both, and I chose to believe her!
I’ve also been drooling over Erdem’s Spring 2010 collection at The Room all season and I finally got my hands on a piece. It doesn’t hold a candle to the stunning black rosette dress my friend J snagged, but this black and white floral pencil skirt will be perfect for work. Unfortunately, this runway photo doesn’t do the floral print on the skirt any justice, but it’ll have to do for now.
I picked up a few other items as well, including a Sonia Rykiel red tweed jacket, Jason Wu ruffle shirt and ADAM by Adam Lippes tweed skirt. All in all, I’m feeling pretty darned happy. What would make me deliriously ecstatic, though, is if this clearance sale became a regular thang…a Toronto institution of sorts. Like the Vera Wang sample sales in New York. Here’s hoping!
xx, S
by The Backseat Stylers | March 17th, 2010 Just a few days ago, I declared that my search for a navy blazer had ended with this Zara purchase. I am a liar. Because just mere days after my announcement, I placed my very first order ever with FORWARD by revolve for this D&G herringbone blazer.
 
The jacket’s not perfect, but it was calling to me. When there’s only one left on the site and it’s my size and it’s on sale and I find a code for an extra 10% off, I can’t possibly not click the order button. Besides, all that keeps the blazer from the peak of perfection is fancier buttons. Like the buttons on Emmanuelle Alt’s Balmain jacket.
I’m feeling a DIY opportunity coming on. Usually when I say that I never follow through, but this time I think I might actually mean it. Does anyone know of any fabulous button stores in Toronto (Queen West?) or online (Etsy?)? Share please!
xx, S
Photo Credits: The Sartorialist, FORWARD by revolve
by The Backseat Stylers | February 26th, 2010 
I’ve found it – the perfect double-breasted navy blazer with wonderfully detailed gold buttons! Well, I’ve found it, but I haven’t found it. I discovered it on Emmanuelle Alt among Tommy Ton’s fashion month street style snaps for Style.com…but I have no idea who the designer is. Knowing my luck, I’ll probably find out in a few days’ time that the jacket is off-season and no longer available and/or prohibitively expensive. I’m praying to the shopping gods for help on this one!
UPDATE: I fiiiinally figured out the designer. Good news is that it’s not off-season. Bad news is that it’s Balmain, which means it’s a few thousand dollars more than my budget. *sigh*
xx, S
by The Backseat Stylers | November 20th, 2009 The upcoming holiday season calls for all that’s bright and shiny, but when it comes to your wardrobe, a few key pieces will do the trick. Sequin jackets and sparkly statement necklaces are around every corner at the mall these days, but selecting the right pieces to avoid going down the gaudy path can be tricky. Luckily, there’s Club Monaco, where the offerings are always on trend but also always chic and timeless. To sparkle this holiday season without hurting the eyes, visit your local Club Monaco boutique for the Alliandra matte sequin boyfriend blazer and the Crystal Shard necklace, among other party-ready pieces.
by The Backseat Stylers | November 11th, 2009 Now that Zara’s finally put up photos of the November collection on Zara.com, I can share my recent finds, which I was too lazy to photograph myself.
The first find was this structured shoulder wool blazer with satin lapels. I’ve tried on so many power shoulder blazers at Zara over the past few months and none seemed quite right. This jacket I fell in love with the moment I laid eyes on it and, lo and behold, it was even my size (a rare feat when it comes to Zara shopping). This photo really does the blazer little justice, since you can hardly tell it has Balmain-esque shoulders and satin lapels, so you’ll have to take my word for it when I say that it’s fabulous. I can’t wait to wear it over the holiday season.
My second find was this shawl collar cocoon cardigan. When I spotted it on the mannequin in the Zara window I muttered “O M G!” and practically ran in the store to find one for myself. It was definitely meant to be, because I snagged the last one on the floor. I am so in love with this sweater; it’s both very chic and incredibly comfy – always a winning combination. And grey seems to be the new black in my wardrobe these days.
I’ve been doing rather well at Zara lately and it’s because I’ve finally figured out the secret to successful Zara shopping: find out when new shipments usually arrive and drop in shortly after. I’m telling you – shopping at Zara is a freaking race in Toronto! I have a recurring calendar item on my Blackberry for Zara new arrivals on Mondays. Just kidding. No need for a BB reminder when I already have it ingrained in my head!
xx, S
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THE BACKSEAT STYLERS BY T & S
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