My Paved Runway - Andy

My Paved Runway is back this weekend, and ready to give you more good-looking locals with their own ideas of what fashion means to them. This week I happened across a visitor to our fine city who was impressed with how creative Torontonians can get, but he does a great job showing flashy city-style himself.

Who: Andy Chitty, 21, Manager of Menswear at Urban Outfitters

Spotted: Queen and Spadina

How would you describe your style?

I try to be sophisticated and I try to be hip as well. I like to throw in a little bit of the scenester vibe, but more or less try to look mature with a youthful expression.

That whole "scenester"/"hipster" style... people tend to trash it or write it off. Do you think it's more of a trend or is it actual fashion that's here to stay?

Fashion is all about trends. The scenester thing can be a little overwhelming though. That's when you combine every small trend that's not even going to last a year and I think that's what the scenester is all about. But that style does carry some good stuff! Incorporating that into a more timeless fashion can work.

Where did you get your clothing from?

The vest is vintage. The shirt is Jack and Jones, the tie is American Apparel and the shorts are actually Quiksilver. They're just skateboard shorts that I rolled up to give them a more preppy vibe. That style is really in right now; the shorter, above the knee shorts for men.

Speaking of men's styles, what do think of men's fashion and what the typical guy wears?

I think it's lazy. Well, maybe not lazy but more afraid of getting into the fashion world and caring about fashion. I think men's fashion is evolving really quickly - there are always new magazines coming out and I think a lot more men are becoming more comfortable with embracing that. I also think that a lot of men want to care about fashion, but they're held back because of social standards.

Do you see this getting any better?

Definitely. The past few years, I myself was insecure about it. There have been some risky things I've done with fashion and I think once you get over that first hump of the risk then you just get used to it. The attention that men get because of it is almost rewarding... like this!

What stores do you enjoy shopping at?

Any vintage store bacause you can never go wrong there. I just bought amazing leather shoes with a gold buckle. I wore them yesterday and got so many compliments on them! American Apparel is really good, I wouldn't say if that's going to be your whole outfit, but more incorporating it into other things. It's great for layering.

I really enjoy your hair, where did you get it cut and why that style?

I actually cut this in my bathroom with a razor one day. It's kind of like a Mohawk, but I didn't want a true Mohawk so I gave it a gradual cut. I don't even use product, I just use conditioner. I put a little on after the shower and just kind of scrunch it up. I like it very natural but still quite stylish.

What was your style like 5-10 years ago?

Back then I think I was into American Eagle. Just the sort of preppy-high school stuff you wore to fit in. But I definitely remember trying stuff that was a little bit bizarre like cutting my jeans and having that torn look. I had baggy jeans and I tried to bring back those rips like in the early 90's. I failed at that! It wasn't a very tasteful style but I think you could tell by looking at me back then that I was trying to experiment with fashion.

Is there a thought process that you go through in the morning when choosing an outfit?

It really depends on how I'm feeling, which I know is the expected answer. But if I'm feeling confident in what I'm going to be doing that day, I dress for the occasion. I also manage a program at a hospital and the patients just love when I come in because I usually wear some eclectic things, and it's stuff they don't really get to see when they're in the hospital.

My Paved Runway is published every Saturday, highlighting fashion on the streets of Toronto. It's here to spark your creativity or just give you a chance to live vicariously through others.