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

If your bloke’s got swagger, there may be a few bow ties hanging in his closet already.

Up the ante on his collection with a stunning York Wu bow tie handmade with couture grade leather, silk or chiffon.

York, an interdisciplinary designer who spends his time between New York and Toronto, told the New York Times style magazine recently that he wants his Noeud Papillon ties to be the equivalent of a Lanvin dress,  “structured and strong on the inside, elegant and effortless on the outside.”

This is one gift you’ll want to steal.

Price upon request: www.wuyork.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

You don't wear "mom jeans," so why should your brood?

The new kids and babies version of Gap's 1969 Premium Denim jeans are just like yours with dark washes, distressed grey denim, skinny styles and zipper ankles, all with adjustable waistbands so you don't have to worry about them flashing too much bum.

Good jeans run in the family, obviously.

From $29.50 at GapKids and BabyGap across Canada, www.gapcanada.ca

An online store becomes a bricks-and-mortar shop? Now that's as backwards as a Dr. Seuss book.

But it's true: Ashley York the website is now Ashley York the store, new to The Pier on Bowen Island B.C. The best selling clothes and accessories are made by moms, such as the rough-edged denim "guy ties" ($19). We loved the albino sock monkeys, baby balls made from vintage fabrics and the polka dot Australian splat mats for under the highchair.

Not goin' to Bowen? There's even more available online.

Ashley York, The Pier at Bowen Island, 604-947-2200, www.shopashleyyork.com

Shoe racks, closet caddies and drawer dividers keep your wardrobe in order, but your bulging bookmark bar of fashion blogs is a hot mess.

Don’t distress: give your blog reading some love with Bloglovin’. The simple online reader stores all your favourite sites in one spot. You can create your own groups like “Parisian Street Style” or “Everyday Glam Girls” to segment your feed and request email notifications so the minute Garance Doré publishes a pic of Carine Roitfeld outside the couture shows you’ll know.

Styled and sorted.

www.bloglovin.com

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

Our new British girl crush isn’t Alexa Chung, Daisy Lowe or even Georgia Jagger. It’s the Guardian's fashion editor Jess Cartner-Morley. 

In her video blog, How to dress, Cartner-Morley expertly tackles a new fashion trend every week. From clogs and party dresses, to pulling off sorbet shades and the tuxedo look, she breaks new styles down from high-end to high street. We love how she translates even the trickiest trends for us mortals, without sacrificing the vital details. Her angle? Find what flatters you, instead of blindly following a fad from head to toe.

Watch How to dress and other Guardian Fashion videos here.