Despite all the fashion magazines and style blogs out there, sometimes you just don’t have the slightest clue what you should be wearing. Canadian stylist Rachel Matthews knows it can be quite overwhelming for women to sort through the abundance of trends on the market each season to find what really suits their personality and body type. As a means to help Toronto ladies improve their self-esteem and have some fun with their wardrobes, Matthews has created a series of fashion seminar events called Rack to Rack FunShops. Over vegan cupcakes and pink champagne, attendees learn how to shop for their body type, get creative with basics and style those tricky pieces that have been sitting back in the closet for far too long. Take some of Matthew’s advice to heart when planning your fall wardrobe:

- Uneasy about buying coloured clothing? Incorporate the season’s colour palette with bags, shoes, belts, and jewellery that can be switched up for day or night.
- Don’t be afraid of mixing prints or textures in a look. Just be sure to keep the clothing in the same colour family.
- Don’t spend an entire paycheck on trendy pieces. Instead invest in the highest quality basics and classics you can afford and pair those with affordable seasonal pieces that will add interest and help you create a new look.
- A good seamstress or tailor can be your best fashion friend. If you have trouble finding pieces that fit properly right off the rack, take them to a professional to be altered or better yet have them make you a pair of pains, skirt, or a blazer to your exact measurements.
- Get to know the sales associates at your favourite stores. They will help you shop more efficiently and keep you informed of upcoming sales or new arrivals.

By: Daniela DiStefano, Toronto

Follow me on Twitter @ddeestefano.

Want to work in fashion? Visit fashion career website for Canada Style Nine to Five.

If you’re a Vancouverite and have the slightest inclination for fashion, you’ve undoubtedly already heard about Style Quotient and the man behind all the magic, Paul Melo.  Read on to catch a rare glimpse into what Paul looks for in his photo subjects, his thoughts on Vancouver style, and more!

Aside from having great style, what is it about a person that makes you want to shoot them?

It’s more about the person’s presence amongst the street crowd, the moment, and yes, their style.  Sometimes I see someone in a perfect sliver of sun or reading a book on a park bench and enter their world for a moment.  More than anything I look for personality.

If you had to sum up Vancouver’s style in one word (or maybe two-three), what would it be?

Hip Casual.  I seldom see people ‘dressed-up’.  It’s more a mix of ‘on-trend’ and hipster.  I would love… L-O-V-E to see more women in dresses (pretty dresses) as day-wear.  In Vancouver women are more apt to dress-up to go out at night.  For some reason the fashion sense has come together into a conservative safe-zone.  I would also love to see men dress it up.  Even when men do wear suits, they are seldom tailored or bespoke.

What drew you to street style photography in the first place?

I’m originally a natural light portrait photographer that has been focused on graphic design over the last many years.  As a designer, I spend most of my time in front of the computer.  I wanted to re-connect with people and shoot more.  Photography is my first love and although I love fashion, I don’t love the synthetic process of shooting ‘fashion’ as fashion photographers do.  While on a trip to New York to visit a friend who is a creative director at a major fashion magazine, I was complaining of the lack of unique, character locations in Vancouver to shoot fashion.  She challenged me to think more creatively.  So a couple of weeks later I hit the streets, StyleQuotient.ca was launched and within a month it was garnering six-figure traffic.

I also prefer the authentic nature of street style photography.  For me, shooting people in natural environments under unpredictable conditions is just more fun.  Almost every time I’ve ever done a pre-planned studio fashion shoot I’ve been disappointed in the result.  Not because the model wasn’t beautiful, or the photos didn’t come together, but because it rarely feels natural.  It’s not their clothes, not really their style and more about trying to accommodate everyone’s ideas.. make-up, hair, styling, the model, the client… on and on.

Photography is about a moment.  A photographer with nothing but a camera and their eye is more artful than a studio full of gear and people playing a part.

My last few ‘fashion’ shoots have been with real people I discovered on the street.  Just me, the subject, and their own closet.

Name your three go-to locations in your city for street style shooting.

Easy…the art gallery and surrounding intersections, the stretch of Granville between Smithe and Cordova, and Yaletown (because I live there and always find people roaming around my stomping ground.)

If you had to give one style recommendation to our readers, what would it be?

Just one?  Wear clothes that fit, great shoes, and a nice bag.  One or two quality accessories can turn most looks into style.

~ Paul Melo | StyleQuotient.ca

By: Alexandra Grant, Vancouver

You should follow me on Twitter @ToVogueOrBust.

Want to work in fashion? Visit fashion career website for Canada Style Nine to Five.

Alexandra Grant is a 20-something fashion blogger and writer. Aside from her blog To Vogue Or Bust, she also has a background in freelance music journalism and fashion writing. When not writing, she’s training for her next half-marathon, hanging out with friends, reading, or eating as much as humanly possible.

Daniela DiStefano is a freelance writer and aspiring magazine editor with a Master’s degree in journalism from The University of Western Ontario. An avid people-watcher and nail polish hoarder, Daniela loves writing about everything from stylish events to lipsticks and cocktail dresses. Visit her blog, Making it to the Masthead (www.danieladistefano.com) and follow her on Twitter @ddeestefano for more on her writing adventures.

In honour of Cupid’s holiday we’ re looking at the couples who always look fabulous together on the red carpet. While out with your SO, the key is not to dress alike (see Justin Timberlake and Britney Spears at the 2001 American Music Awards), but to complement each other. Armie Hammer and his wife, journalist Elizabeth Chambers, are newcomers to the red carpet thanks to Hammer’s double role in The Social Network, but they know how to dress to the nines. Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie stick to what they know, sporting dark suits and simple, monochromatic gowns. Robert Downey Jr. and his wife Susan are such a cute red carpet couple because Downey’s quirky sartorial choices means he doesn’t take himself too seriously. Gwen Stefani and Gavin Rossdale never fail to impress with their edgy style, and David and Victoria Beckham both like to takes risks with what they wear.

By: Sara Constantineau, Toronto

You should follow me on twitter @sara_rochelle.

A Vancouver girl paving her own way in Toronto, Shareen Sandhu moved to the big city to pursue her love of fashion. She is a graduate of Carleton University with a BA in Law and Sociology, but following a career change, she decided follow a long time dream of fashion and writing. A lover of all things animal print and a good glass of white wine, the only thing she wishes for herself is to walk in four inch heels. Unlikely. Visit her blog Pleats, Ruffles, Hemlines…Oh My!

Who: Catherine Mellor, ICT Manager from Highbury, London.
What: Glasses – Tom Ford. Scarf & tights – H&M. Dress & necklace – Cos. Coat – APC.  Boots – Acne. Knee-high socks – American Apparel
Why: Catherine describes her style as minimal, practical & modern. Her favourite item at the moment is her navy dress from Whistles.

Who: Miles Williams, Interior Designer from Kensal Green, London
What: Jodhpurs – BBC costume dept sale. Shirt – Levi’s vintage. Oversized cardigan – Homless ‘pop up shop’.  Army dress jacket – ‘The Military Guy’ Portabello Market. Scarf – H&M
Why: Miles describes his style as ‘swap shop chic’ and likes that he can wear what he likes and not what he’s told to like. His favourite item at the moment is his Penfield bobble hat (cos it’s bitterly cold at the moment!) and his Euro Disney ‘Mickey’ jumper is a close second.

Who: Marie Grant, Receptionist/Illustrator from Queens Park, London
What: Coat – Gharani Strok. Top – vintage Frank Usher. Skirt – New Look. Shoes – vintage Gina. Bag – vintage Louis Vuitton
Why: Marie likes to mix old with new, or smart with casual and her outfit has a lot to do with her mood of the day. “I love that London has no boundaries when it comes to fashion, you can be as wierd and wonderful as you like.  Plus there are hidden gems all around London to find cheap, unusual bits – the trick is to keep them a secret!”
Marie’s favourite accessory at the moment is her vintage Gucci bag (circa. 1960′s) she got 10 years ago in a charity shop for only £2.50!

Who: Chantal Vorres, PA from Stoke Newington, North London
What:  Coat – Gap. Hat & scarf – borrowed from housemate. Mittens & necklace – b-day pressie. Denim shirt – her Dad’s. Leggings – Topshop. Trainers – Converse
Why: Chantal likes to mix vintage with high-street and try out new combinations. “I think the London fashion scene is really edgy and fun.  People are not scared to try new things and no one bats an eye which means people have the freedom to be really creative and over the top.  London has a fantastic mix of shops, markets, vintage and independent designers so there is something for everyone’s taste and budget.  London rocks!”  Chantal’s favourite item at the moment are her Converse trainers – “they have injected some fun into my outfits and made me look at my wardrobe with fresh eyes”.

Who:  Myree Tydings, Graphic Designer from London
What:  Shoes – Marc by Marc Jacobs. Trousers – a little shop in Hong Kong. Jacket – Alexander Mcqueen. Beanie – River Island. Scarf – Jigsaw

By: Nicolette Lang-Andersen, London

Elim Chu from The Style Seen

Miss Content from Haute Content

Caitlin Agnew from My Fave Books and Toronto Contributor for christielohr.com

Oscar PR Girl

Melissa Knight (left) from Miss Melissa and Nicole Soon from Le Mode Du Jour and contributor for The Style Spy

Anya from I’m the It Girl

Niki Blasina from A Haute Mess

Christie Lohr, owner of this website and fashion career website Style Nine to Five

We have a new edition to the team! Jessica MacKinnon moved to Montreal to attend McGill University and fell so hard for the city that she still calls it home seven years later. When she is not busy discovering new local artists and designers, Jess spends her time with friends, studying, and working on her own line of jewellery. She likes sequins, french, wine and travel. She dislikes UGGS and extreme heat. She also has her own blog Mac & Mac.

Her first story below!

Ginger 62 hosted the reveal and launch of the Pinups for Pink! calender, created by Penni Thow, Lisa von Sturmer and Karolina Turek. 100% of the proceeds go to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. 2011 Pinups include actors Ona Grauer and Amanda Tapping, TV personalities Erin Ireland (itstodie4.com), Fiona Forbes of Urban Rush and ET Canada’s Erin Cebula, sexy stylists Karolina Jez, Brei and Andrea, Jillian and Kristy of Operation Style, olympic athlete Ashleigh McIvor, broadcaster Kuljeet Kaila, artist Pamela Masik, Mashiah Vaughn, founder of Open Sundaes and Jewelry Designer Susan Fiedler. Buy yours today and help them reach their goal of $100,000. Hot totties for an incredible cause.

By: Christie Lohr

You should visit fashion career website Style Nine to Five and follow me on Twitter @Christie_Lohr.