A new consignment store in the heart of Rosedale is like shopping in your wealthy girlfriend’s closet.

Haute Classics touts designer frocks, shoes, bags and baubles handpicked by fashion-savvy friends, Stella Kim and Jina Han.

Our last visit left us lusting after a pair of pink suede diamante studded Diors ($550), an adorable black leather Betsey Johnson bag with bow buckle ($75) and an embroidered vintage Valentino skirt ($120).

Now, how do we go about making Kim and Han our BFFs?

Haute Classics, 946 Yonge St., Toronto, 416-922-7900, http://hauteclassics.com/

You know that friend who always has the perfect twist to her scarf, the to-die-for bag and the most recherchez thrift store finds? She just set up shop in Toronto.

In 2009 Breanna Musgrove left her post as an Aritzia Creative Director, packed her things and moved to Puerto Vallarta with her BF.  Between Spanish lessons and trips to Sayulita, she launched Scout & Catalogue, a gorgeous collection of handmade bags, scarves and accessories, inspired by Mexico’s boho vibe. 

Now settled in Toronto, she has added new lines to the mix. We love the super-soft leather Market Day Bucket Bag (US$134) for fall.

And for covetable vintage finds, peruse the Scout & Catalogue Yard Sale, which is packed with secondhand gems that Musgrove has lovingly restored.

Scout & Catalogue: www.etsy.com/shop/scoutandcatalogue

Yard Sale: www.etsy.com/shop/scoutandcatalogueys

You don’t have to be Julia Roberts in Eat, Pray, Love to pull off bohemian chic.

Start with an ethnic inspired bag ($325) like the gorgeous ones from Elliot Mann. Their uniqueness lies in the artful mismatch of vintage embroidered fabrics from all over the globe. All are gorgeously colourful and roomy enough for all your daytime essentials.

Finish the look with a simple jersey dress and plenty of bangles.

Javier, optional.

At Holt Renfrew, 50 Bloor St. W., Toronto, 416-922-2333, www.holtrenfrew.com

With summer in full bloom, we couldn’t resist a perfect straw cloche for picnic days at Cherry Beach.

You'll recall Mia Farrow as Daisy Buchanan in The Great Gatsby? Well, that’s how we feel every time we wear our Liliput gem (from $145).

Like Jay and Daisy’s wardrobe (Ralph Lauren did the costume design), the colours are soft and pale. We chose an ivory grosgrain ribbon on sand-coloured straw.

Now, are pearls too much for la plage?

Liliput, 462 College St., Toronto, 416-536-5933, www.lilliputhats.com

Cross body bags aren’t just for the postman.

From Mulberry to Isabel Marant, messenger style bags have received a stylish makeover of late.

We’re swooning over the selection at new online accessories boutique, AtoZane. Pick from a slouchy, metallic linen option ($150) from Hoi Bo, a gorgeous fringed version ($225) in calf leather from Modalu, or the suede satchel style bag ($649) from Tila March.

Hip, hobo and hands free.

AtoZane, www.atozane.com

As much as we love our summer staples – shorts, espadrilles and a tattered Panama – our fall fashion radar is most certainly on.

With her artful prints and feminine details, it’s hard to resist Calla Haynes’ collection for fall. An Olivier Theyskens graduate, (she worked with the Belgian designer at Rochas and then Nina Ricci), Toronto-born Haynes received her first major accolades at Paris Fashion Week.

This next collection is darker and edgier than her spring debut, but a smattering of thigh high hemlines, flirty ruffles and sheer fabrics keep things ultra-feminine and alluring.

We’ll trade in summer shorts for printed silk pants any day. 

Calla is available at The Room, The Bay, 176 Yonge St., Toronto, 416-861-9111, www.thebay.com

Gwyneth and Winona. Lauren and Heidi. Kelly and Brenda. Friend breakups are the worst.

Make sure your BFF knows you love and appreciate her with a You and Me necklace from elephantine (US$50). The ultra delicate piece comes in a shimmering silver or gold chain and a curved row of tiny beads in pink or gray. Each order is for two necklaces, one for her and one for you, so you can coordinate your looks just like in grade seven.


You and Me necklaces, US$50 for two, www.etsy.com/shop/elephantine

From Generation X to Generation A, Douglas Coupland’s latest project is a collection of Canadian souvenirs for a new generation.

In collaboration with Roots, the Vancouver artist-author has designed a limited edition line of clothing and accessories that digitize the down-home, from a test pattern t-shirt dress for ladies ($68) to motherboard print leggings for babies ($14.95). There’s also laptop sleeves, passport wallets and backpacks emblazoned with Coupland’s idea of a Canadian crest, complete with moose, igloo and satellite dish.

And that a pop culture man like Coupland should get his own Queen Street pop-up shop to house his colour-popping collection is only fitting.

Roots x Douglas Coupland pop-up store, 680 Queen St. W., Toronto, www.roots.com/douglascoupland

We’ve long had a love affair with the leather bags and bow clutches by Hoakon loves Helga, but now we’re having a summer fling with the line’s newest beach totes and bike bags.

Made from fabric and deconstructed vintage leather jackets, the bags are all handmade in Calgary. The upcycled, fully lined, textured black leather bike bag with a zipper closure and vintage belt straps for attaching to your handlebars (US$65) is the perfect cruiser bike accessory while the Ikat print beach tote (US$65, pictured) even has a pocket for your summer read.

Summer loving happens so fast.

At Hoakon loves Helga’s Etsy Shop.

Chapstick, phone, keys, cash, Visa, and I.D.


These are the essentials to carry for summer, not the 25lb baby we’ve been lugging around. In fact, since we spotted this cross-body number in ultra-soft leather, we’re determined to downsize. Even the buttery brown shade feels lighter than our signature black.

After all, on a sunny day your handbag should say, “laissez-faire,” not “I belong on an an episode of Hoarders.”

The Shasta, $98, at Heel Boy opening the doors to its new location today: 773 Queen St. W., Toronto, 416-362-4335, www.heelboy.com