Toronto's Unofficial Uniform?

Recommending Black Market for used "tees" and anywhere in Kensington Market is hardly a direct line to looking good. Straight guys in used "tees" are a problem, not a solution. And I'm sure telling everyone to shop in the same neighbourhood will result in quite a few "singular look[s]."

There's nothing wrong with second hand clothes, as long as they're selected with care. Many of the second hand shops also have tees of acceptable size and quality that just have a logo that looks vaguely vintage.

I'm not trying to suggest guys run out and buy XL came-in-a-case-of-Molson shirts, and I suggest Kensington because of the kind of variety one finds in the shops.

The reason guys in tees is 'a problem' is the lack of thought that goes into choosing the ensemble, not because there's actually a problem with tee-shirts. I'm not married to a tees-or-nothing mentality, I'm just trying to start a little brainstorming.

What sort of thing would you like to see the heretofore uncreative and/or carelessly dressed lads in?

i dun know about u, but guys always get mocked for trying something new. its a masculinity thing to not care about clothes, but to just "throw something on". Hence, the shirt-jean clones.

Tis better than all the boys coming in on the Go trains clad in their out-of-towner uniform of polos and khaki shorts.

there is a Men's store called STARS, check it out, resonably priced and classy stuff

Let's face it, this city is dominated by a few major brands (Puma,Diesel, Energie, and stuff from Zara and H&M) and most guys stick with these...they don't have the creativity or the will to wear something different.

Guys in Toronto are still for the most part conservative in their style, and in the 'wear-what-everyone-else-is-wearing' mindset. They are just not the experimental fashion types who would go out of their way to find those new spots to buy clothes.

I think people here are also scared to make a statement with their look - they are more comfortable wearing the latest style to look cool, but don't want to take a risk and stand out TOO much.

It takes more work and a lot more creativity to wear clothes that are different than the norm...and that, by the way, is also true for women in this city ;)

Look around. How many stores do you see that sell nothing but clothes for women? Now look for the male equivalent.

I have a bigger problem. I'm tall and large-build. Even when I find a men's department they they don't stock anything in my size. Nothing. My only choice is Moore's or Big and Tall. "Yes, sir. We have shirts in white, white, white and off-white... Coats? Yes, sir. We have those in black, black, black and grey."

This city is hopeless but I still find ways to be creative (not sharing that secret in fear in may become a trend) and if you're a regular build there's no excuse. It's not easy but it can be done.

Well whatever boys, you stick with your sheepish ways...
I'll just go shopping for my men in England! haha

Be honest, you came up with this idea while sitting at the bar on 'girls night out' didn't you? The mindless complaining of a girlfriend setting in motion the gears of the genius machine, huh?
"Oh my god Stacie, I'm totally gonna write about this for my next blog."
Self assured giggling and 'fuck guys,I just wanna dance' female camaraderie.
Congratulations on your epiphany.

Wait, did I say congratulations? Sorry, what I meant to say was: are you kidding me? Your alternative to the simplicity, timelessness and class of a dress shirt is James dean and the pre-fab coolness of vintage t-shirts?! If only everyone knew that salvation was but a $60 pre-weathered rolling stones t-shirt away! 4 years ago you'd have been writing about how guys needed to ditch their low-brow look and try something a little dressier, so they follow your advice and yet still they can do no right. Not to make this into a larger metaphor for the differences of men and women, but I think there's a larger pattern at work here.
Be happy that guys are caring enough to put on a shirt with sleeves, instead of urging them to venture off on a path that very well may lead to salmon colored 'Daytona 500' tank tops and acid washed cut offs. If you want to insult anyone for their choice of clothing (which is an insanely egotistical and hollow endeavor to begin with) you should aim your sights on those self conscious fools who value so highly what they (and others) wear, not a group of people who by your own admission, probably couldn't car less.

Well, I bet you "couldn't car [sic] less", anyway.

It's cute how you think I'm one of those chicks who has 'girls night out' and feels the need to blog about things my 'girlfriends' talk about - have I been mistaken for Leah McLaren?

I actually came up with the idea after walking home from work on a Friday night, and seeing every other group of guys wearing the exact same thing - usually the same colour in a slightly different shade. I noticed the same thing while I was out at a friend's birthday party on Saturday night, and walking home down Spadina.

Did you miss the part about buying things cheap and/or second hand? I would never suggest anyone buy a shirt over 20$ unless it was for a wedding or something.

And clearly this is just my opinion - I just think guys should be more individual in their choice of attire. If guys had their druthers, they'd probably wander around in boxers all day. If girls only cared for comfort, we'd be in comfy pants and sweatshirts. The world might be a happier place.

Let there be no misunderstanding, you were most definitely NOT mistaken for Leah Mclaren. You are 1/100th of the blogger that she is. She's an icon in this field, you're a no one. A used condom wrapper, teeth-torn and discarded.

Just kidding, I have no clue who Leah Mclaren is. I just took you as being the mindless sort of twat who would complain about a guy lacking the 'individualism' to purchase pre-fab vintage t shirts from a store that specializes in one stop alterna-coolness.

Admit it, when I credited your story to the drunken musings of 'Stacie', that shit made you laugh though, didn't it?

Who gives a crap! This is the most mindless thread I have ever happened upon. Did the authour not read an earlier post about Jamie Shannon and his "lighten up" campaign?

What do you care what other people wear and who gives a shit about your opinion regarding it? Shouldn't you at least include a picture of what you were wearing to give us a little perspective?

It seems to me that someone who bothers to go home and craft a lesson for young men on fashion needs a better hobby than blogging.

Stick to suggesting burritos and breakfast dives.

The venom in the comments suggest to me that this post struck a nerve. I appreciated the insight and took it with a grain of salt, as I do with anything interesting that I read on the Internet.

for guys, I think if you have a nice, fit muscular body, it really doesn't matter what you wear, it will hang nicely on that well toned physique.. so, instead of looking for the right shirt and pants, spend more time in the gym to work on that bod first, then clothes shopping will be a breeze, because everything will fit just nicely!

I think it's interesting that you say Toronto girl's don't have a uniform... granted they may have more than one but uniforms they do have. Peasant skirts?

http://stillepost.ca/boards/index.php?topic=9366.0;topicseen

Someone deemed this the "best article ever written"! :)

Frankly, it really is more about how you wear the clothing not what clothing you wear. Some people can pull it off nice others look like total fools. The collar up is the in for pollos, BUT in my eyes only about 5% of the wearers don't look like they're posing with every step when they're doing it. You know, the head bent in a little, the swagger, etc. I wear my lacoste with the collar down, not because I think it's cooler and I don't care if collar up is cooler, but because I find it much more comfortable. Afetrall, you'll best wear your clothes if your comfortable in them. I see alot of ladies walking down the street with very risque attempts that could work, but manyt seem to doubt their own choices either by a.) constantly trying to readgust one garment over another, tuck one flap here and there or b.) by flagrantly throwing themselves with inflated arrogance as though "they are the shit" but you know that thy're just trying to overcome their insecurities.
These are far from facts, just my own assumptions. In the end, ladies face it, in general, guys aren't as interested in fashion as girls. IN GENERAL, not all. That doesn't mean they don't want to look good, but many fewer want to spend a whole day searching out for those perfect button-ups/undies etc...

Wear what you want, if it's a 1 dollar shirt from good-will or a 200 dollar silk, just try to leave the ego behind when you do.