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Fashion & Style

Street Style: King West

Posted by John McArdle / February 4, 2010

Street Style TorontoName: Zach
Occupation: Developer
My Style: "My style is kind of a mash of different things. A little bit military, a little bit casual, sometimes really basic."
Favourite Item: "My favourite thing is probably my glasses. they're a classic style and can be worn with anything."

Name: DJ
Occupation: Sportscaster
My Style: "I'm just trying to make the best of the cold weather, Canadian winter style. Co-ordination is a must"
Favourite Item: "My scarf. It sets the colour palate and ties everything together"

Street Style TorontoName: Sarah
Occupation: Writer/Producer
My Style: "I love a killer pair of shoes and my style often centers around a colour, theme or accessory. Fun, bright & energetic is the name of the game"
Favourite Item: "My jacket. Basic black, goes with everything."

Name: John
Occupation: Designer
My Style: "My style? Americana, English Hunting with a mix of French Hip-hop"
Favourite Item: "My Barbour jacket and my newly rediscovered Levis Jacket I found in the back of my closet from a few years ago."

Street Style TorontoName: Mona
Occupation: Business Strategist
My Style: "I would describe myself as geeky chic with a tomboy twist... in all, you'll find a natural tone of androgyny throughout. I definitely do not classify my sense of style as feminine."
Favourite Item: "My boots. I love them because they were given to me
by my mother. They were hers. They remind me how classy and stylish she is."

Name: David
Occupation: Associate Creative Director/Professor
My Style: "My style tends to run towards the preppy/classic. Jeans are
definitely part of the daily uniform and I am an absolute sucker for a gingham shirt."
Favourite Item: "This is the first year in many that I've finally invested in proper winter gear. The difference is incredible. Most notable are my Dundaroon coat and my Converse by John Varvatos boots."

Street Style TorontoName: Sarah
Occupation: Business
My Style: "I like the form and functionality of men's clothing."
Favourite Item: "My hat. I love the colour and it helps keep me feeling warm."

Name: Drew
Occupation: Internet Development
My Style: "Honestly, I'm a jeans and t-shirt type of guy. If I can find good quality dark denim that fits, it's bought."
Favourite Item: "I'm really into my fitbit these days. It helps that I'm a nerd, but I wear it everywhere... even to sleep"

We want to see your Street Style! Send us photos of your own street look, or head out to the streets of Toronto and take photos of men and women you think should be featured on blogTO. Send submissions to streetstyle [at] blogto [dotcom] along with text (name, occupation, my style, favourite item) like you see here.

Discussion

63 Comments

donnatron / February 4, 2010 at 10:35 am
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Woah, King West? Who knew. This is my favorite Toronto street style by far.
HEY BABY! / February 4, 2010 at 10:41 am
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DJ could totally lie on top of me if he wanted to.
agentsmith / February 4, 2010 at 10:44 am
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Sorry Sarah, the long shirt under a short jacket just looks silly.
Jen C / February 4, 2010 at 10:45 am
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Sarah (#1) forgot to put on pants
Cobretti / February 4, 2010 at 10:48 am
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I'm surprised you didn't take a shot of Mona's horse. She was riding one, correct??
Wooden_Tofu / February 4, 2010 at 10:50 am
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Agree with @donnatron - King West just rocked the socks off this one.
Biggups to Sarah, Mona, and John on this one!
Cam / February 4, 2010 at 10:53 am
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Hands down best one yet! See Toronto, you can look good in the cold weather
Sebastian Owll / February 4, 2010 at 10:54 am
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Probably the best style yet. Some of these people are dripping with pretense.
liz replying to a comment from Jen C / February 4, 2010 at 10:54 am
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They are leggings. They're quite common.
John / February 4, 2010 at 10:55 am
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finally. some well dressed people. everyone looks great here. well done.
Davor / February 4, 2010 at 10:58 am
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Props to John McArdle and the fashionable King West folks where I work - awesome edition of Street Style
EricM / February 4, 2010 at 11:18 am
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Yup, this piece changed my life.
pete / February 4, 2010 at 11:28 am
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best yet, wow. first 4 guys pull off good, cool looks.

notice... no mention of frickin Value Village, haha
Mona replying to a comment from Cobretti / February 4, 2010 at 11:30 am
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My horse was not King West street style enough
kevin / February 4, 2010 at 11:36 am
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I didn't know Toronto was getting so much rain that it's been flooding. You know what I mean, right Zach?

Just kidding, Zach looks so amazing! So bonerable.
HK / February 4, 2010 at 11:41 am
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HEY BABY!.... i totally down with your comment. DJ, are you a DJ? if soo where?

wink wink
Jason / February 4, 2010 at 11:46 am
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Nicely done. Not crazy about the short jacket over a long shirt though.
S. / February 4, 2010 at 11:48 am
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Non-pretentious. A little bland. Toronto.
sammy / February 4, 2010 at 11:52 am
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finally, modern and sophisticated..great job blogto!
mjp replying to a comment from Jason / February 4, 2010 at 11:52 am
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I think that is a dress. A shirt-dress, which I notice is maddeningly present in stores.

This IS the best yet, though, overall -- I'm really glad to see dudes (Zach, DJ, John ftw) -- plus I learned about a new gadget so overall it's yay.
Brad / February 4, 2010 at 11:57 am
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I'm going to be different and talk about the photos themselves.

Some nice shots in here, but you should ask your subjects to step away from the wall/truck/garage door. Working with depth would really help to make your shots more visually interesting. (the alleyway guy is a great example or that working for you).

And ok, if you want..the fashions are fine, if a little on trend. None of them are badly dressed, just online I prefer to see people who are making fashion a personal statement with unique pieces, things from 50 years ago or else made by themselves or friends. I want to be inspired by this blog, not shown stuff I see everyday just because it's fashionable.
Rachel / February 4, 2010 at 12:10 pm
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Does it really come as a surprise that King West would round up the best street style? Come on folks, know your city!

Either way, good job, BlogTO. A few street styles ago I nearly vowed never to read you again.
Dawn replying to a comment from Brad / February 4, 2010 at 12:13 pm
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YAWN!!

nicely done blogTO.
Andrew / February 4, 2010 at 12:30 pm
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"Fun, bright & energetic is the name of the game" says the chick covered nearly head to toe in black and grey?
Dave Z / February 4, 2010 at 12:52 pm
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This was really good. Oh King West. You're so fashionable.
keven replying to a comment from Brad / February 4, 2010 at 01:08 pm
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Style != Fashion
good articles on that subject here http://myitthings.com/Fabuless/Post/fashion/It_Trend/Style_Vs_Fashion/913212008154119934.htm
urh replying to a comment from Brad / February 4, 2010 at 01:20 pm
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Ya, I noticed this too. The subject in each picture here is centred in the image against its background. I'd be willing to bet that the photographer didn't leave the comfort of the green square for this set.
Zoe / February 4, 2010 at 01:21 pm
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Fina-freaking-ly!
Folks with style. Everyone looks great, with Zach being my favourite.
Nicely done, BlogTo!
Gloria / February 4, 2010 at 01:22 pm
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Mona, love the jacket.

Also, more dudes! = good.
nitroMiner / February 4, 2010 at 01:36 pm
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If this is what passes for style in Toronto - or breathlessly stated as King West, you're sadly delusional.

Seriously. Schlubs in kicks, pants too long, straight off the rack — and you call it 'style'. LOL.

Mona has style - yeah, you wanted her to pose with a horse. Maybe atop a Ferrari and you'd approve, yeah?

<a href="http://www.thesartorialist.com/photos/11710CCBrwnHat2513Web1.jpg";>This is Style</a>.

The Yonge & Bloor crowd showed more style. This lot, dreary.

YMMV
Mona replying to a comment from Gloria / February 4, 2010 at 01:50 pm
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Thanks Gloria. Its a military style jacket from Club Monaco :-)
rob / February 4, 2010 at 02:03 pm
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Zach kills it!
L / February 4, 2010 at 02:17 pm
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best. street style. ever.
jinxx008 / February 4, 2010 at 02:26 pm
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Welcome to the GAP...
Patrick / February 4, 2010 at 02:38 pm
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You guys! I think the people with nice, or at least constructive things to say actually OUTNUMBER people being internet jerks for no reason! We did it!
Up_N_Up / February 4, 2010 at 02:42 pm
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every1's looking good in today's installment.
Zach's style is my fav.
...and eww David has knock knees. Don't dig guys with knock knees.
Cobretti replying to a comment from Patrick / February 4, 2010 at 02:51 pm
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I'll do my best to try and bring up that Internet Jerk ratio. Here:
"Hey, look at me, I'm Zach. I match my tuque to my socks and everyone on the internets likes me. Why didn't the internets go to my high school??"
BJ / February 4, 2010 at 03:00 pm
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Drew is totally bangable! The rest are fags!
Nizz replying to a comment from Cobretti / February 4, 2010 at 03:07 pm
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I believe the horse that Mona rode in on is featured in the pic to her right, the glasses-wearing, purse-toting, long-headed horse, "David".
b / February 4, 2010 at 03:28 pm
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This has to be one of the better Street styles.

Good job John!
Big Boy Ben / February 4, 2010 at 03:55 pm
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Definitely Drew for the win! And I'm not just saying that because I'm wearing what appears to be an identical outfit... seriously... I say it's like Zach Galifianakis sans-beard.
odb / February 4, 2010 at 04:48 pm
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Ah, the familiar uniforms of the King West folks. Nice snaps!
Steve / February 4, 2010 at 05:39 pm
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hmm. these just look like regular plain outfits to me. nothing wrong with them but nothing great either? it seems to me like when theres nothing to make fun of (or praise), then its considered good style here? odd.
:) / February 4, 2010 at 06:08 pm
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This poster is much much better than the last street style blogger! Kudos
mick / February 4, 2010 at 06:19 pm
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Sarah #2 could totally lie on top of me if she wanted to.

(he said sheepily, kicking at an imaginary pebble in the dirt)
shane / February 4, 2010 at 06:52 pm
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And Sarah #1,
I like your teeth, your dress, and your angled left knee.
Meet me for a drink if you wish
I will be at the Communist's Daughter, 10pm tonight












toowongfoo replying to a comment from nitroMiner / February 4, 2010 at 09:45 pm
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Why don't you compare the TTC to the Paris Metro or Yorkville to the Champs-Élysées while you're at it?

If you can't recognize the stupidity of the comparison you just made, you shouldn't even be posting here.

And the picture of the guy you linked would be brutally mocked if featured anywhere else but on the the sartorialist. Go suck a lemon.
Chino / February 5, 2010 at 07:39 am
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what the hell is French hip-hop???
HAHA / February 5, 2010 at 10:05 am
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Funny how these people look almost the exact same as others on Street Style, but since they are in King West, they suddenly look cool.
King West has the most over-hyped fashion, bars and restaurants in the City!
HAHA / February 5, 2010 at 10:06 am
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Funny how people seem to love this style, when they look almost the exact same as the folks in other Street Style submissions. But I guess they look better because the location is King West. Get over yourselves. KW has the most over rated, overhyped bars, fashions and restaurants in the City!
clara replying to a comment from toowongfoo / February 5, 2010 at 10:11 am
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haha.
well put!
nitroMiner replying to a comment from toowongfoo / February 5, 2010 at 11:30 am
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Seems you've been sucking lemons.

Yeah, how stupid of me to point out what 'style' is. I'm not comparing Toronto style to any other city. I mentioned, if this is what passes as style in Toronto.... then it sucks, yeah.

Just my opinion, but I didn't see any style in the models chosen, aside from Mona's.

That's why I added the disclaimer, your mileage may vary...I should have said your opinion may vary.

I think those favouring the 'style' here consider themselves peers. Not mine, s'all.

eh, so my opinion is different than the overall majority, so I shouldn't post here at all? LOL.
TraderZed replying to a comment from HAHA / February 5, 2010 at 11:36 am
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As much as I'm in this post, I do agree with you. I just want to make it clear that I hate King West, and don't live anywhere close to it. I just happen to work a few blocks north and be in the area.
Monochromachic replying to a comment from donnatron / February 5, 2010 at 02:27 pm
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I agree. It also features more guys! love zach, john, and mona :)
SoWhat? / February 5, 2010 at 03:26 pm
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Nothing new here...just 905'ers that have moved to King West.

No style, no fashion.

quite bland actually.
Elohel / February 5, 2010 at 04:50 pm
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@John

I don't see any of -Americana, English Hunting with a mix of French Hip-hop - in your choice of clothes. Next time don't try so hard to come up with a type of style and just say "Whatever is on my floor".
jt replying to a comment from SoWhat? / February 5, 2010 at 07:02 pm
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@SoWhat just saying, i know 5/8 people shown and none of them live or love King West. Also, most of them have been in the city for several years. I'm not saying I'm opposed to '905'ers' but I am opposed to torontonians like you who make the rest of us torontonians look like assholes. you're bland.

Alex / February 5, 2010 at 08:09 pm
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Leggings are not pants.
Sarah replying to a comment from Brad / February 5, 2010 at 08:47 pm
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Actually, my coat is from 1962.
mike / February 5, 2010 at 11:38 pm
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Not feeling DJ's look (mostly because the fit of his clothes) but everyone else is cool.
play nice replying to a comment from SoWhat? / February 6, 2010 at 02:04 pm
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I have had the pleasures of working both on King West, and in Vaughan (aka "905"). I should also note that I myself live in the West end in Toronto. First off, from my experience working on King West, I can say that a lot of the people that work/ hang out regularly in that area are very well dressed, like to spend lots of money on their appearance, and though they may look put together, they can lack in actual personal style and creativity. Many Vaughan people seem to also like to spend LOTS of money on maintaining an image, but can go over the top and look tacky, overdone, and basically douchey.

The people pictured do not fall into those categories. Everyone here looks great. They all seem to have a sense of personal style without trying too hard. Even if they are from "the 905", who cares?? People are people. Stop being mean.
mick / February 6, 2010 at 02:41 pm
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Sarah #2:

know that kissing my whole face would be equally acceptable.

(p.s. bring the hat!)
JoshF replying to a comment from Jen C / February 8, 2010 at 09:08 am
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Bland. None of these outfits are stylish, except for Zach and Mona and maybe Sarah #2. Sarah #1, Drew...boring!

Nice go at it though.

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