Who What Wear When Why and How

Brad Goreski was recently featured in The New York Times and of course, being a Canadian that favours bow ties on boys and a jaunty approach to colour and print, I was pleased as punch. He, like Rachel Zoe, speaks in a sort of magical, fashion shorthand begging to be turned into a pink patent book of Brad-isms and sold by the cash register.

I only watch a little bit of the Rachel Zoe Show. When I did, Brad was like the ray of bright sunshine to Taylor’s impending rain cloud of doom. Don’t get me wrong, I liked them both and they played off each other well. I liked the eye-rolling, the shoulder shrugging and the scowling that Taylor did in response to Brad’s breathing and the moments where he won her affection and she would reward him one tight smile before she remembered her role on the show.

I liked how she wore all that black, how she detested socializing but not working and her straight faced un-amusement. Straight out of central casting came Brad to counteract all that LA gloom and doom. Brad with his plaids, prints and eager promises. I also liked that adorable, eager face that Brad had on for much of the first season, no doubt a testament to his great work ethic and his desire to please. And he wore glasses and short shorts and smiled a lot at celebrities in a way that suggests, 'Yes I am excited about your celebrity, I can try and hold it in but I don’t think that I can wipe this eager beaver smile of my face. It's just my face.' And how cute it is!

How endearing is that?

And so, for all the boys wearing prep school blazers and bow ties, showing their smiles and their socks as a result of dear Mr. Goreski? Hurrah and thank you!

Climb Every Mountain

I like my city heels to be high, platformed and preferably with lots of tread. I want to bike in them or rush to the movies in them or kick assailants in them. I want to trick you into thinking I am normal height. I know its terribly un-chic to admit it, but I want to be, above all things, comfortable.

I know one of the things for Fall is to look ladylike and pretty so the other thing must be to don a cape and run around in sturdy, strapped heels that imply ass-kicking and a love of the great outdoors, even if you are only referring to the walk between the coffee shop, the bar and home again.

Imagine my excitement to find these at the Topshop mini-store in Jonathan + Olivia. Jonathan + Olivia has lots of other lovely brands that tug at your heartstrings while you clutch your empty wallet (like APC, Acne and Alexander Wang - just to name the A's!) but for now, I will have to use my pennies for Topshop and my dollars for rent.

TIFF Star Spotting

ALL THE BETTER TO SEE YOU WITH, MY DEAR.

The Toronto International Film Festival is on! I live about two seconds away from the new Bell Lightbox and it's a madhouse outside my door. . . I've heard. I haven't actually taken part in any of the frenzy, but I have been seeing people in lanyards, texting madly into their blackberries about thenextbigthing (or, more likely, where to eat dinner). I've seen this when strolling to my local video store or meeting a friend for brunch or grabbing a late coffee with the bf, or rushing off to work, usually in the opposite direction to the direct action.

And what about all those people that are just, you know, hanging about? Those people are hoping for a glimpse of someone (I hear Martin Sheen is around and I LOVE THE WEST WING so I wouldn't mind being behind him in line for a coffee or something. And James Franco. Psst- and it's not because of General Hospital!)

Here is what I would wear if I was running around looking for celebrities for my scrapbook or hoping to get discovered or taking pictures for profit! Wedges are easy but heels are cooler (all the better to stare you in the eye, celebrity!) You definitely need a backpack for the schedules and sharpies and I think the sheer, romantic blouse is a nice touch, for that heart on the sleeve sort of look.

You could also wear this to watch a movie.

Alexa Chung for Madewell

Alexa Chung for Madewell is available now. How cute is everything? Pretty darn cute.

Who doesn't want to be the girl that looks perfectly thrown together, even if the look is a series of smart calculations?

The math is simple: Great sense of style + slouchy blazer + tucked in striped shirt + beaten leather boots + short hemline = easy, breezy, beautiful (ex)MTV girl.

The whole collection is perfectly wearable and captures that girly, pretty, messy, thrifted chic she does in her own life so well. It's everything you want to wear, always. Pretty blouses in printed silk. Slouchy tweed double-breasted blazers. Classic striped shirts to pair with everything. Peter Pan collar dresses. Velvet shorts.

Thrift it or die trying. Or for the impatient, buy it here.