Loafters have been the new ballet flats for some time now, and they aren’t yet ready to give up the ghost in favor of other flats.  Loafers are ideal for many reasons; they’re not as masculine as brogues, are easier slipped on and off than a jazz tie up and are often more creative in appearance than those tired ballet flats.

I love loafers, and these five below are just a sampling of why – they’re patterned, feature varied leather techniques and detailing.  One can opt for fabric styles as Charles Phillip’s, though my favorites are always the soft leather pieces like Rocco Pistolesi’s perforated design.

Light dyed skins are always a summer favorite, as shown with Newbark’s Manu, though one must have a significant shoe budget to acquire a pair of those lovelies.  In the opposite end of the spending spectrum, Dolce Vita’s Marcela is a treat for its coloring options as it’s price point.  Last of all we have a cap toe design by Belle by Sigerson Morrison; a piece that evokes a bit of Alexander Wang in my mind, though less sharply edged than the actual Wangs have been.

All of these pieces are vastly different yet synchronize perfectly; imagine what they could do for your casual, evolving summer style.

Claire Goldsmith‘s eyewear is quite exciting; it’s modern, stylish and definitely trendy.  When you look on the CG website, you can point yourself towards locally based stockists, where I found something quite curious indeed.  Aside from the bungle that Canada has states (quite forgivable); apparently we have some curious new geographical areas – a ‘state’ entitled ‘Maple Syrup‘.

Oh yes, lol away.  One has to wonder if this was a code monkey’s joke (who knows), but this is one hilarious web error.

Aside from the hi-larious geographic err, check out the optical frame collection as I guarantee they will be amongst your new favorites (I’m particularly loving the Carters in grey on blue sky, and O’Connell in smoke screen)

Backpacks are no longer only for the students or the incredibly causal (which are usually one and the same).  Leather backpacks of summer 2011 are like shoppers with back straps; many are minimalistic, some are indivdualistic, and all are very comfortable and convenient.

If you go for modern minimalism, Youareagirl’s style is my favorite.  It’s less sporty than Gear3′s shiny finished piece, and is less than 50% of the Gear3 piece’s cost.  For a hybrid of sport and style, Alexander Wang is a fantastic example of such style, and his new Marti backpack is no exception.  For those with a sense of humor, Jeremy Scott’s biker jacket backpack is the pick for you; it’s a bit satirical, and quite unique.

You don’t have to be one of those folks that lug around masses of stuff all around to enjoy the new backpack; treat it like a bag, only one that’s on your back instead of in your hand or across your body.

Neutral leathers tops are showing up all over the style realm this summer, and is one of the best options for wearing summer skins this year.  Hottest are the suedes; we have Day Birger Et Mikkelsen’s tee and H&M’s paneled sweatshirt, which I don’t have a photo of but is in stock right now in that caramel suede with a grey textile (it’s about $70 CA in Vancouver).

You could go the cropped sweater route with Allude’s piece, or a more blue collar friendly Tatouc Deluxe button up from Zadig & Voltaire.  The unmatched favorite piece is Zara’s tank; it’s reasonably priced at $100 US, is perfect for summer weather and is yet made of leather.  The best part? It’s leather on the front and the back.

Wear your neutral leathers during SS11 with grey textile, medium to light denims and a whole lot of jersey.  Since skins are typically a wintery trend, break it up with light, flowing and movable pieces that are easy to walk in and will let air in during hot days.

Menswear boots for the masses are typically causal or overtly proper. What’s to love about Pskaufman’s designs is that they are easily one foot in each pool; they are traditional brogue and zipper boots, marred with stains and paint to provide a beat in appearance.

Going through the website isn’t ideal; it is not designed as a proper ecommerce site, though the footwear makes it worthwhile time spent.  Favorites are the Interchange Work Chelsea in its worn out glory, as well as the Interchange Wingtip and Interchange Front Zip boots for their neon accents [all boots found here].

All footwear is made with full grain leathers, Goodyear welted construction with a recycled LightTread™ tire outsole on the outer and lined with leather and padded with memory foam (!) on the inside.

These are some serious boots, people! I’m really loving the Interchange Wingtip; boy or gals could pull that off during a neon friendly summer! Oh, I nearly forgot to mention this is the same man that designed the Nana x OC x Chloë Sevigny chelseas demiCouture featured back in December..check it, if you haven’t.

Stockist info: Madison at Fred Segal in Santa Monica, CA, Dungarees in Calabasas, CA,  Rogan in NYC and Johnny Sole in Porland, OR

These pieces may technically be last season, but there is nothing that stamps ‘old news’ on your forehead if you’re wearing something even recognizable from last season.  I recently acquired an Alexander Wang Diego bag, technically an ‘old’ design since it’s about a year old, but believe me that nobody gives a flying feck if your clothing and accessories are straight off the most recent design tables.  I’m still on a Wang high, and due to that we’re going to explore some deals compliments of The Outnet.

My favorites are wearable, transitional pieces one could wear effortlessly.  A light olive leather vest will be in vogue all summer long, which can be layered over light jackets such as denim, another leather (think black or grey), or just show some arm if temperatures are hot enough.

Asymmetry is still a trend favorite, so take a peek at Alexander Wang’s wool tank and tee in one.  Once again, it’s all about the layering possibilities – mesh, lace, a longer viscose sleeved garment, anything can be added underneath this piece for extended wearability.

OTK leather boots aren’t on everyone’s top list for summer, though a purchase of a quality pair now will save you money when times come to transition from summer to fall in August.  The Sigrid boots are beautiful with burned out calfskin, and feature the signature Wang heel cut out for added sass.

Summer is also the time of travel for many, thus requiring a versatile carry on.  One of the easiest to spot style blunder travelers make are acquiring sporty, utilitarian bags to their planes in the name of space and durability.  In this case, toss aside your outdoor adventures accessory and reach for the large Daria duffle instead.  It’s leather, has minimalistic studding and offers a cross body strap for hands free wear.  At just under $538, your classic bag is an excellent 55% off.

SS11 Dimepiece is a little bit like a more badass version of Wildfox.  Dimepiece has began to incorporate more creative cuts with their prints, most notably the oh-so on trend X-Ray Mickey tunic, Aggy asymmetrical split dress and the Mr. Madame tuxedo cut button up with fringe neckline.

This streetwear label is becoming more intuitive within design, while still working within the parameters that have had Dimepiece fans coming back for more; sass, style and wearability.

Other than the aforementioned pieces, demiCouture favorites are the Holy Cross racerback ($32), 3-D Cross sweatshirt ($60) and the Mesh Patchwork skirt ($60).

Okay, so after seeing this latest outcry from Anonymous (formerly fully focused on attacking the farce of Scientology), this is officially the week of crap flinging, only the monkeys are wearing Guy Fawkes masks.

Here’s the deal: after Danish artist Nadia Plesner made a socially observational image of a clearly starving child holding a chihuahua and a bag that looks a lot like one of LV’s uglier numbers.  She’s being sued by LVMH, and while one can debate whether they should be going after this artist or not, it’s in Anonymous’ cross hairs.

Anon is claiming LV’s legal action is the ultimate slap to free speech, which seems like a farce as we encounter larger attacks to corporate names nearly daily.  LV suing this artist was definitely a dick move, but it was perfectly within their right to do so.

What I find funny is that it’s clear that Anonymous is finger pointing at the easiest target, a brand people who [largely] spend without thinking happen to gravitate towards.  This seems like a thinly veiled attack on a supercompany, and incredibly childish.

While I was pretty ticked that Louis Vuitton’s PR representation sent my invite to their recent Hotel Vancouver boutique relaunch to the wrong address, I’m over it.  Nadia was playing with fire when she evoked an image of a copyrighted product and that’s her fight.

Louis Vuitton will do a bang up job screwing up their own image by the looks of it, and there’s no need for Anonymous to puff up and try and make LV drop the soap before they do.

BTW – if Anonymous harasses Marc Jacobs, I’ll cut ‘em, for serious.

The time for baring legs is almost upon us, and could even have arrived for you lucky buggers on vacay! Shorts are in endless supply, and it’s time to shine a light on the best, brightest and most interesting itty bitties to look at.

The hottest short supply is most definitely suede and leather, ranging from 100% suede like Topshop’s scalloped hem or Michael Kors’ utilitarian pair, or with patches as Proenza Shouler’s black pair.

Second only to skins are prints to keep roving eyes busy.  Florals are still in demand, which can be found in Insight’s Arosed, Delia’s Ditzy and Topshop’s more abstract Mushroom Rose pair.  Stripes are always in vogue, which can be shaken up from the norm with a multi colored stripe as Proenza Shouler’s Baja.

If you’re not into such intensity, try Wildfox’s Wild Child patch style or solids like Current/Elliott’s Captain in solid mint cotton.  For those that entertain a split personality when dressing, Markus Lupfer’s pleated satin-twill pair are utterly perfect dual greys to blend and layer around.

Woven rushes and leathers are taking over the looks for summer 2011, and not only with accessories.  While we do have a traditional woven bangle from Topshop and tall trilby by Junya Watanabe, there is so much more to the summer woven trend than the expected styles.

Beyond the average grass weaves, we are seeing an uprising of woven leathers.  These range from Gucci’s extreme tank to Roots’ new woven hobo [tip: Roots has a range of new woven leather bags; see them here] to Opening Ceremony’s Chantal 5 platform bootie or Frye’s Emma flat.  If you’re going for a woven flat this summer, avoid synthetics that will easily snap apart and smell foul; it’s not worth the immediate money save when you’ll be tossing them out after a month.

For the traditionalists, there’s always Mulberry’s update on their classic Alexa; it’s perfect for summer lounging or beach runs.  For smaller budgets, I suggest Kate Spade’s Point Breeze or Michael Kors’ Santorini.

Accessories provide us all with an identity, and YSL’s fingerprint piece is surely a jested nod towards that.

Following YSL’s example, we have a few other identity inspired pieces, though not to be worn at the same time.. ‘overkill’ comes to mind’ – YSL’s fingerprint earrings, fingerprint cufflinks (from MOMA, of all places!) or a printed Markus Lupfer tee that also happens to be on sale.

It’s that time again!

The Waldorf Hotel is hosting March 2011′s edition of The Chosen Ones vintage sale next week, and you’re not to miss it! The Chosen Ones is always a hot ticket for amazingly picked vintage, so get your buns down to the Waldorf on the 18th and 19th!

WHEN: March 18 and 19th, 11AM – 6PM
WHERE: the Waldorf Hotel [Googlemap]

Charlie & Lee had set up shop in Victoria, BC last year and have just released some excellent news that they’re moving to Vancouver.

This is quite a cute little shop with some excellent label stock and a snappy ‘tude, and to celebrate their move, they’re offering an additional 20% off sale items (up to 70% off) from their online store within the month of March w/ the promo code “MAKINGMOVES“.

There isn’t any word yet on the exact located C&L will be taking over, but rest assured it will be announced as soon as I hear.

Doc Martens boots have been the forefront favorite of the style savvy for many recent seasons, especially last summer with their release of floral 8 eyes and the like.  Don’t get too comfortable yet, DM’s boots have officially been usurped by one of their own family – the time of the creeper has come.

The creeps below are some of my very favorites; suede, pony hair, velvet, printed fabric, leather – so many different styles to chameleon.  Spring is a’comin, so get on your brights like the pink Hi Suede and the silver Koram Flash, prints as the floral Tapestry and excellent pony hair Leopardo or perhaps a crop of my most favorite fall boot, the wild card velvet.

Wear these as you would with your favorite brogues, jazz shoes, ballet slippers – just swap these DM creeps in wherever you would wear your favorite flats.

From designers to high street, everything is showing up in SS11 with a tuxedo-like tail.  Tailed jackets are now past tense, as we witness the morph of a historically loved cut jump into modern sensibilities.

The amount of trailing may vary from quite lengthly as with Topshop’s Scatter Tail dress, down to a more subtle Lazerade skirt whose tail moreso accommodates a riding up from bum shape than for an exaggerated style.

Try a refined 3.1 Phillip Lim sleeveless top for a more traditional tuxedo back, or a split leopard number from Topshop if you’re into the new punk uprising.  There are so many ways to incorporate this incredibly popular cut within your wardrobe, and it allows for experimentation with layering as much as how it falls on your body.

Think of it: how fun would it be to have the Topshop leopard blouse tails peeking from the back of a waist length leather jacket or blazer? The back effect would be quite unexpected and fresh.

Remember Down In Albion, way back in 2005? It was Pete Doherty’s heyday, and featured a delightful little ditty entitled “Fuck Forever” that ended up being the most popular track Babyshambles produced.

Tom Binns may have been a fan, or is just really jaded about the afterlife.  Regardless, he has created a set of oval dog tags emblazoned with ‘fuck forever’.  Rather eloquent, wouldn’t you say?

This piece is found within the NotJewelleryjewelry collection, and rolls at $93 US per necklace.  Not bad for flipping off eternity, right!

If you look at outerwear these days, you see many classics going into redux mode; the biker jacket, trench and miltary styles all have something to offer in the SS11 Burberry Prorsum collection.  Christopher Bailey has really let Burberry shine of late, and these latest pieces are certainly gems amongst the lot.

The personal favorite is not actually the studded biker or the studded crop trench, but the leather trimmed trench.  It is so incredibly versatile and timeless that this coat could literally be worn throughout decades and be just as appropriate as the day it was released.

I am so thrilled to continue to see provocative design arise from Burberry, and this collection is certainly some of the best seen from the label thus far.

Solestruck and Jeffrey Campbell have partnered for a pretty huge contest; they’ve asked for a new shoe box design for Jeffrey Campbell to use.

They have 10 finalists out of 400, and while there are some fairly excellent designs, the x-ray entrant really caught my eye.  Second up was the “Will Work For Jeffrey Campbell’ box, though it’s not exactly unique or striking.

I’m definitely loving the x-ray over all the others; which one is your favorite?!

It’s quite a feat to look a bit aged in the presence of Karl Lagerfeld, the great gran da of the fashion world, but Florence Welch seems to have gotten it down.

She’s only 24, but consistently appears older than she is and I believe I’ve clapped down the reason for many of her aged looks – that damn lipstick and oftentimes the heavy eye.  Girl needs to lighten up with the cosmetics!

I’m having a hell of a time finding a photo of her with lighter makeup on lips and eyes, but I’ve finally done it! See how much more flattering a lighter lip and naked eyes are on her features? Damn, what a difference.

Sole Society is a private shoe only sale website, built on the same basis as it’s parent company Hautelook, yet shows to have many deficiencies in design which [an absence of] made Hautelook such a success.  Sole Society offers a cumbersome, time consuming sign up process that has no place in modern internet’s instantaneous lifestyle.

To acquire an account, you input your details and go through 11 visual multiple choice questions so the site can create a ‘style bio’ for your monthly closet of shoes.  That’s one of Sole Society’s largest issues; you have a ‘closet’ of only six ‘designer quality’ (that’s right, they’re not even name brand footwear) choices. You’ve got to wait a full 24 hours for your six kicks to populate, and another 24 hours if you, like myself, did not fancy what was provided.

While Sole Society does have a rewards program of a free pair of shoes awarded for every three sign up and buys you acquire, there are no custom links available, only the option to invite friends via email address.  This is quite a weak point, since parent site Hautelook has had this availability since inception.

All of this hoop jumping costs $49.95 per month; that’s a membership fee that in exchange allows you one pair of shoes a month.  You don’t have to buy, but if you forget to manually ‘skip this month’ by the 5th, you’re going to get a membership fee charged on the 6th whether you want a pair of these ‘designer quality’ shoes or not.

Unsurprisingly, I suggest to avoid this site.  With such limited selection of visually unimpressive footwear and nearly fifty dollars at stake if you forget to manually skip out of the current month [full details], it’s certainly not worth the sign up or maintenance trouble.

If you’re hankering for sale price point footwear, stay with Hautelook, Beyond The Rack, Ideeli or Gilt.  You’ll find better quality brands at likely lower prices, which equals a happier, better shoed you.  It seems like the clear choice to me.