It’s ba-ack!

If you see a few more stilettos and double-cheek air kisses than usual around Marché Bonsecours, it’s because Montreal Fashion Week, is on. The best thing about this sartorial affair is that everyone is invited: Tickets to shows including Tavan & Mitto and Duy (pictured) are on sale for the public

Want to fashion week like a pro? Don’t leave home without:

1. Bright lipstick, especially if you want to attract the street style shooters.

2. Snacks, e.g. granola—glamour girls gotta eat!

3. A fancy iPhone case, because if you don’t tweet it, it never happened.

Follow all the action by following us: @MTLVitaminDaily. —Christine Laroche

350 St-Paul St. E., Montreal, 514-872-7730, www.montrealfashionweek.ca

No matter what the groundhog sees or doesn’t see tomorrow, winter is with us for another little while.

The best thing about pulling out of hibernation early? Gearing up with a sweet new jacket to hit the slopes in. We’re especially smitten with the offering from The North Face: Bright colours, tons of technical details and, best of all, fabulous fits that flatter our curves instead of giving them a boyish, boxy look.

The second best thing about pulling out of hibernation early? One word: Après! —Christine Laroche

The North Face, 4927 Sherbrooke St. W., Montreal, 514-489-1517, www.thenorthface.com

If Suri Cruise taught us anything in 2011, it’s that stylish pre-school attire is just as important as learning to tie your shoes.

Inspired by shopping trips to Paris and, of course, les chic petits enfants, Canada’s Dote Baby was born, a brand-new online baby boutique for fashionable parents with a discerning eye.

The store’s extensive international brand selection (shipping to: everywhere) includes adorable, trendy pieces from Sweden’s Cheap Monday, Bébé by Australia’s Minihaha, as well as the must-have, celebrity-adored Minnetonka Moccasins.

For those who appreciate the finer things in life, for the little ones in your life, yourdoting hours are about to go into overdrive. —Caroline Gault

www.dotebaby.ca

Last fashion week recycled fur designer Rachel F. gave out little furry clip-on tails to members of the media. We stuck ours on our purse, and it’s been our most complimented wardrobe piece ever since.

It’s time to let you all in on our little secret, now that Rachel F.’s gorgeous Fall/Winter collection includes a furry purse decoration made with raccoon tail and a coyote pom pom. It adds just a little bit of luxury to your look (and doubles as a tail for toddler nieces pretending to be kitty cats).

Purse pom poms for everybody! —Jennifer Nachshen

Find purchase locations online at www.rachelf.ca

The days of being called a boring four-eyes are over. Specs are the hottest new accessory for any urban woman (prescription or not).

We adore everything Alexander McQueen, alas; his signature skulls scarves, rings and clutches are often outside our budget. But we can justify picking up a pair of glasses from the Winter McQueen collection. Starting at $250 for frames and $300 for sunnies, these specs merge sexy, stylish and smart, all in one.

We can see clearly, now. – Jennifer Nachshen

At Doyle Ophthalmologists and Optometrists, www.doyle.ca

We adore a brightly-hued pant, but we’re pretty sure there’s more to life than just jeans. Enter the corduroy.

Our favourite Yoga Jeans by Second Denim now come in fine-wale corduroy in 3 classic cuts, boot, straight and skinny ($100) all made with 3% Lycra for Second’s patented comfy spring-back stretch. Choose from army green, royal blue, taupe and dark soapstone, and add a pair of ankle boots and a cropped sweater for a cute and comfy warm-winter look. Or wear the velvety black pair with a pair of pumps and a sparkly top for an evening look.

And if you feel like doing some yoga at the holiday party? You totally can. —Jennifer Nachshen

At Rocco Boutique, 4321 St. Denis St., Montreal, 514-845-0021, www.boutiquerocco.com

When it comes to shopping, men seem to have it so easy. They give their measurements, fabric and cut choices to a tailor, and a few weeks later, pick up a bespoke suit; whereas, we’ll spend days going from store-to-store to find the right fit.

Cin Tailleurs offers women made-to-measure mode, with exquisite tailoring by co-owners Cinthya Chalifoux and Gabrielle Gauvreau. You can pick from seasonal selection of styles and have your garment created to custom fit your curves, or sketch out something from your own imagination. At $375 for a day dress, $300 for pants, and $700 for a silk trench, a bespoke wardrobe may be something of an investment, but we think your body will thank you for not stuffing it into a too-small skirt or swimming in a poorly fit blazer.

Finally! Some equality for the sexes. —Jennifer Nachshen

Services by appointment: Cin Tailleurs à la Boutique Ouzilleau, 92 Laurier Ave. W., Montreal, H2T 2N4, 514-278-8571, www.cintailleurs.ca

We fell in love with Charlotte Hosten’s fabric-mounted mixed-media jewellery the moment we saw the stunning handmade pieces merging vintage beads, crystals, and fabric remnants in her signature style.

Now Hosten has a space to call her own, in her new Mile End boutique and atelier (you can peek through the curtains to see necklaces-in-progress in the back. The fresh, pretty space is filled with the designer’s creations as well as her personal coups de coeur. We’re lusting after the Moscow necklace (shown: $240) featuring silk, semi-precious stones and metal and the Enchanted Alaska necklace ($175) festooned with vintage rings. Hosten’s faves? A sweet Prairie Clutch ($362) made in South Africa, hand-knit scarves ($99) from the U.S. and a pair of Harricana earmuffs ($89).

It’s like a candy shop for our closet! —Jennifer Nachshen

Charlotte Hosten, 122 Bernard Ave. W., Montreal, 514-274-8511, www.charlottehosten.com

When we think of a general store, we go back to a time when you could get everything you needed in one spot. And we don’t mean last week’s trip to Costco.

Inspired by a shared a love of skateboarding, snowboarding, design and travel, twin brothers Oli and Mer moved heaven and earth (and a countryside barn, piece by piece) to create Magasin Générale Bruxe. Their carefully curated collection of art, fashion, furniture, and jewellery is housed in a stunning store that mixes skater-style with high-end design. We found a grown-up schoolgirl tunic by Betina Lou ($170), beautiful knits by lifetime, and mid-century design-inspired pendants by Tiny Little Chairs. Of course, we couldn’t resist picking up a packet of Pocky at the cash.

We think that’s everything we need! —Jennifer Nachshen

Magasin Général Bruxe, 5662 Sherbooke St. W., Montreal, 514-932-9802, www.bruxedesign.com

Spending an hour fantasy window-shopping on a fashion website is perfectly normal, however doing the same for a children’s clothing website seems weird.

But we just can’t tear ourselves away from Sweet William, the New York-based kids clothing and accessories site. With a beautifully curated selection of girls and boys clothes, Sweet William promises that all of their garments are made by environmentally and ethically responsible manufacturers. Our favourites include the Oeuf alpaca baby coat ($130) and the Nico Nico canvas poncho ($112, pictured.)

Set yourself a budget before venturing onto this site, and stick to it. If not you’ll end up with a well-dressed kid but a well-emptied bank account. —Alexandra Suhner Isenberg

www.sweetwilliamltd.com