Category: History & Society

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Fashion Flashback – Boho Style

I don’t like sweatpants. I understand it’s a personal choice that may be controversial, especially among the younger crowd. But I come from a time when we balanced comfort with stylish clothes. We didn’t wear crinolines to poof up our skirts before gliding down curved staircases. Nor did we tease our hair into towering beehives. But we chose pieces that made us happy; pieces that spoke of our personal taste.

Don’t get me wrong, we followed fashion trends just like the ladies before and after us. Yet, we were lucky to have access to a diverse range of apparel, and that allowed each of us to be unique in our own way.

We wore bold colours, chunky heals, beads, and belts, silk and denim. We were loud, we stood out, and we loved it.

Then came blah!

Baggy sweatpants, dresses that look like they escaped the set of Little House on the Prairie, and shapeless sheepskin boots flooded the scene. And to be fair, even those who didn’t care about the utilitarian style didn’t have much choice, since variety was not on offer.

Until recently.

I was on the subway heading toward downtown Toronto, on an extremely cold January day, when two women possibly in their early twenties entered the train. Despite the sub-zero temperature, both were dressed in a retro style that reminded me of another era. They both looked chic, and effortlessly amazing.

In fashion there are certain pieces that can come back any time, and be an immediate success. That’s because they transcend short-lived trends. They’re classics that live on.

If you’re one of those who is exhausted with bland, stamped-out, and boring, welcome to the club. This month’s Fashion Flashback is a love letter to pieces that refuse to stay in the past. They keep reappearing, slightly reworked, pretending they’re new again. So find them, wear them, and flaunt your style.

70s Bell Bottom Jeans

They flare, they sway, they dramatically announce each step like they’re late for something fabulous. Pair them with a halter top or a form-fitting graphic t-shirt, and suddenly your legs look like they go on forever. Wear them for a few minutes, and you’ll be wondering why skinny jeans ever bullied you into submission. 

Platform Heels

If you want to add a little height without suffering in silence, platform heels are your friend. They’re bold and chunky, and unbothered with modern minimalism. From go-go style boots to sandals, platform heels add a degree of undeniable glam to any wardrobe. And when you wear a pair, you’re saying, ‘I am who I am, and I’m proud of it!’

Beaded Jewellery

These accessories say so much about the person wearing them. Beads, charms, even tassels, they are so versatile, and you can layer them to make the outfit work without the individual pieces actually matching. They jingle softly when you move. They are both timeless, and priceless. Most bohemian-style jewellery is not attached to a big brand name. Many are handmade. That’s what makes them unique, and they show everyone how interesting you are. So, if you don’t own any yet, start your collection now!

Anything Fringe

Fringe makes clothes and accessories feel alive. It captures the eye with every movement. And it goes well with almost any piece. From sleeves, and vests to bags and boots, add a touch of fringe, and you’ve given the piece an energy unlike any other. It also taps into something a little rebellious. Fringe has its roots in craft. It instantly reminds us of travel, and adventure, of music scenes, and counterculture. Pieces with fringe add the ultimate bohemian vibe to your outfit.

Clothes can still feel joyful, expressive, and a little bold. The pieces we fall in love with tend to circle back because they made us feel good, not just another copy and paste. So the next time you’re in front of your closet picking an outfit, why not go with a bell bottom that sways, or platforms that announce who’s in the room? These aren’t relics of the past. They are reminders that you’re still your own trend-setter, and that makes you fascinating and fabulous.

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Thrifting for Glamour

Last Tuesday I ducked into my neighbourhood thrift store. I hadn’t planned on buying anything. But they get new shipments on Tuesdays, and I needed to do something else other than sitting at my desk. 

If you’ve ever been to a thrift store, you know that the first thing to hit you is that musty scent of old stuff. It’s unmistakable, but for us hunters, it is the call of a lost treasure, waiting to be found. Ok, maybe not as dramatic, but you know what I mean. Everyone goes to the thrift store thinking they might score the next big find! 

That day, the threat of an impending snow storm had kept the masses away. I almost had the place to myself, which in a thrift store is kind of an eerie sensation. As always, bulky furniture like credenzas, and hutches greeted me at the entrance. Once in a while, you might find a midcentury table with its legs poking out at cute 45-degree angles, but that wasn’t the case this particular Tuesday. Today it was all about dated, orange-tinted oaky stuff. The trip seemed to have been a bust already. That was until I spotted the lamp laying lopsided among what can kindly be referred to as a bunch of junk. 

From the distance of several aisles I could barely make a carved bronzish base and only a portion of a colourful shade. It had all the markings of a Tiffany lamp. I kept my cool, not wanting to alert the other few hunters who had braved the weather for the catch of the day. 

I approached the lamp and gingerly pulled it out of the pile of thrown together electronics. It was in an amazing shape. The patina on the heavy base had a vintage brownish shine. And the top had a gorgeous floral design with bright reds, greens and some blue. I turned it over to see if I could see any markings. No such luck. What I did notice was the price sticker. It was a steal. I mean, the lamp wasn’t authentic, but it also wasn’t a cheap imitation. The thing had been built with great care, and craftsmanship. 

If you’re wondering, I did buy the lamp. I was planning to put it on the night stand in my bedroom. But it has claimed a more prominent spot in the lounge right by my old, very comfortable sofa looking absolutely stunning. 

That’s the thing about thrifting. It lets you find your very own style. A great find rarely shows up screaming for attention. It isn’t always displayed under spotlights. Sometimes it’s tucked under a jumble of wires. 

Modern retail often tries very hard to sell us the idea of instant chic. Entire stores dressed in neutrals. Everything arranged to tell us exactly how to organize and design. Thrift stores don’t do that. They offer choice.

And that freedom of finding something unique, something that celebrates your very own taste, that is what defines true glamour.