Missed opportunity: Michael Kors' Carney boot is sold out in Canada. In all sizes. Yes, really.

Although some of us in Canada (including this writer) are currently experiencing a balmy early November, it was high time that I saddled up a pair of boots for the coming winter. Being blessed with an average foot size means that while everything always comes in my size, they do tend to sell out rather quickly. I had my eye on a pair of Michael Kors’ boots until I found out that they were sold out in the entire country. Forget that idea; I’m all for online shopping but there was no way I was going to take a chance on footwear knowing that I may be a 1/2 size off.

So that led to a bit of panic about the possibility of all boots that I like being sold out in my size, everywhere. I had to act quickly, so I did. I bought a pair of these lovelies at Browns Shoes:

Bravo Browns knee-high boot in leather or midnight blue suede, $298

Oh, how the elixir of sweet success is so soon followed by creeping doubt.

Surely there’s nothing worse than buying something you feel great about and then seeing an equivalent that maybe you would have preferred. Case in point: me, sitting in a big comfy chair at a Chapters’ Starbucks, shopping bags filled with new boots gathered at my feet like sleeping puppies, lazily flipping through a fashion magazine as I watch a pair of Coach riding boots spin around the coffee counter to pick up a non-fat Chai Latte. How did I miss these boots? Would I prefer them to the Browns’ boots? Would I be able to wear them with as many outfits? The burning questions!

Coach Joele riding boot, USD $348

Yes, I realize that they are practically the same boot, but to the critical eye that has been eying boots for a few weeks now, they’re not.

And so I think I’m going to stick with my initial purchase of the Browns boots, although I may drop into Coach and try on these riding boots, just to be absolutely sure. After all, they are exactly what I really wanted this season. Sigh. And then I may just exchange the other boots for the same pair but in midnight-blue suede. Mmm… suede.

Images courtesy of Coach, Browns Shoes, and Footnotes Online, where the Michael Kors Carney boots can in fact be purchased in all sorts of sizes.

Takashimaya

One of the most beautiful stores on 5th Avenue is Takashimaya. The building itself is a thing of beauty and when you walk through the doors, you are surrounded by exquisitely unique merchandise. Takashimaya is a mélange of Japanese aesthetic and New York fabulousness. It’s a perfect combination of east and west style. I make a stop in here every time I’m in New York City and I am instantly inspired. This past weekend I had fun checking in on the latest goodies. If you aren’t in Manhattan, you can still be inspired by their online boutique.

Bark Cuff - handmade in NYC with recycled silver, $525

Geometric bangle, $850

Cashmere scarf, $225

Cashmere travel set, $325

Bottle cap umbrella, $100

Pulley red dress, $850

Rubber band watch, $25

Manhattan briefcase, $295

Sushi cuff links, $125

Photo of Takashimaya courtesy of Jordana.

Photos of merchandise courtesy of Takashimaya.

Top style awards for the week go to Gwyneth Paltrow in a stunning metallic trench by Alice + Olivia paired with Christian Louboutin booties, and Jennifer Lopez in Herve Leger with studded leather boots.

Gwyneth Paltrow in Alice + Olivia and Christian Louboutin

Jennifer Lopez in Herve Leger and studded leather boots

All images for this week’s Fashion Finalists and Fashion faux pas Friday posts courtesy of Fashionism.ca.

Vote ‘em! Yay or Nay to Diane Kruger’s dress from Narciso Rodriguez’s spring 2010 collection?

Yay or Nay: Diane Kruger in Narciso Rodriguez

Vote ‘em! Yay or Nay to this “I plucked the bird” dress on Shannen Doherty worn to the 13th annual Hollywood Awards gala?

Yay or Nay: Shannen Doherty wears feathers

Vote ‘em! Yay or Nay to Brooke Shields’ zig-zag glitzy number worn to a charity gala in New York City?

Yay or Nay: Brooke Shields wears a bad bad "mall gown"

Canadiana we love: the lamb's wool sweater with maple leaves and moose profiles, $100 at HBC

Is that a moose head (or two) on your sweater? That’s right: the Christmas sweater is having a trend revival and our heritage is up for fashion and athletic grabs- at least until the weather warms up in April.

Our athletes competing in the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics will be sporting the new line of athletic wear by HBC, which includes lumberjack-inspired check and the iconic knit sweater (featured above) that captures some of the spirit of Canada’s heritage and humbling landscape. The collection nicely incorporates the wonders of fibre technology into modern cuts and pieces typical of athletic wear. Call me a loon, but I can’t help but be drawn to the prints and parkas that couldn’t be anything but Canadian.

Oh, Canada.

HBC henley tee, $30

Heavyweight cotton tee, $20

HBC winter parka, $150

Images courtesy of HBC; these garments and many more from the HBC collection for the 2010 Vancouver Olympics are available in stores at The Bay and online on the company’s website.

Fashion designer Paul Smith with a very fun straw dipping into the bottle he designed for Evian

Evian has done it again, offering us another tempting jazzed-up water bottle as we tilt and pour with style this party season. Decidedly playful and in colourful Paul Smith tradition, the limited-edition Evian bottle captures the spirit of the designer’s career whose first collection showed in Paris more than 30 years ago.

Known and loved for his signature multi-coloured stripes and unexpected patterned lining to ties and jackets, it’s no surprise that this bottle is happily swirled with the colours and lines of Smith’s most cheerful designs. Paul Smith’s quirky take on men’s fashion perfectly embodies Evian’s “Live Young” message. Cheers to good taste and staying young at heart!

The limited-edition Paul Smith for Evian water bottle: party in your glass.

Paul Smith London Classic Fitted Shirt, $200

Mainline Classic Tie, $140

Paul Smith Signature Cufflinks, $110

Images courtesy of Evian and Paul Smith. This special Evian bottle will be available world-wide including Canada and the US.

Sculptz Chevron Shaper Top tights in plum, $35

At an end-of-season sale this summer I picked up a glitzy mini by Dutch label Gsus from last year’s holiday season collection. You’d never know it’s last’s year’s dress: with a mod fitted cut, a high neck and capped sleeves, this sequined number defies carbon dating practices. No question about it- it’s a party dress that commands its night out.

I had been thinking for a while about giving in to buy a pair of serious-control undergarments for these types of dresses; you know the kind- where even the most modest hors d’oeuvre has no place to hide. Everyone I’ve spoken to about shaper undergarments told me that they own at least one pair so it was high time that I graduated to an instant weight-loss of 5lbs, or so some claim. Shapers promise to tighten, slim, hold, shape, smooth, control, and sculpt the various bulges of our shapely figures and that’s no small potatoes when you take a look at me and my new mini.

There’s been a lot of talk and rave about well-known control shaper undergarment pioneer Sara Blakely and her formidable Spanx invention that is now an empire. Every time I’ve considered purchasing a Spanx product I stopped myself because I didn’t like the nude-or-black colour options. Maybe it’s just me, but the idea of wearing shapers is bad enough; does it really have to come in nude?

Obviously someone else had the same thought. Last week at Toronto’s LG Fashion Week, I was delighted to attend the launch of a new power shaper on the block that comes in fun colours. Welcome to the Sculptz revolution!

Colourful, trendy, comfortable: Sculptz

Manufactured entirely in the US and available here in Canada at Sears and Addionelle stores, Scuptz offers us what the shaper industry had been missing: that dash of colour that makes wearing shaping shorts much more interesting and dare I say, brings sexy back. Orange! Purple! Blue! Pink! Yes! Of course the option to choose black, white, or nude is always there if you really must.

Sculptz Shorts, $30 - 33

Colourrific choices for your Sculptz Shorts

Other playful offerings by Sculptz includes the patterned legwear (such as the Chevron Opaque tights pictured, top), camis to smooth the abdomen, boy shorts, leggings in capri- or ankle-length, and your staples of trouser stockings and sheer hosiery. A colleague of mine who writes on this blog had a chance to try on a patterned pair of Sculptz Shaper Top tights (pictured below, at bottom). She wore them to the office last week and not only did she say that they were beautifully comfortable, but she also received many compliments on her tights.

So without further ado, I’m ordering a pair of the shaper shorts. Turns out you can wear them under all sorts of garments- trousers, too.

My favourite options for smoothing under dresses are these high-waist numbers that prevent panty lines and roll-over waist band bumps. And with the promise of all-day comfort, who’s to resist a quick dip of the scale (at no effort)? Pass the hors d’oeuvres; this one’s having another spring roll.

Sculptz Hi-Waist Shaper shorts, $37

Sculptz High Waist Power Shorts, $35

Sculptz Classic Shaper Cami, $67

Sculptz Shaper Top Tights, $33

All images courtesy of Sculptz; all prices in Canadian Dollars. Sculptz are also available for purchase on the official website.

Unisex Bow Tie, $19, americanapparel.net

Last week on FIM I wrote about how bow ties are the next big thing in men’s fashion. Celebrities like David Beckham and Justin Timberlake are wearing them for fun and fancy. Many shows at Toronto’s LG Fashion Week had a bow tie or two come down the runway. Paired with a plaid shirt or a tuxedo, bow ties are quite a versatile accessory for men. But, with all good things, women want a piece of it. How does the bow tie trend translate for the women? Have a look.

Jewelry: 

Marc by Marc Jacobs Bow Tie Necklace Watch, $175, zappos.com

Bow Tie Necklace, $7, charlotterusse.com

Leather bow tie necklace, $24, Ulala @ etsy

Clothes:

via thesartorialist.com

Dotted Bow Blouse, $165, saksfifthavenue.com

Farhi Multicoloured Tie Neck Top, 130GBP, my-wardrobe.com

Farhi Multicoloured Tie Neck Top, 130GBP, my-wardrobe.com

McQ Alexander McQueen BLouse with Tie, $170 on sale, chickdowntown.com

D&G Cream Halter Ruffle Triangle Bikini, 165GBP, my-wardrobe.com

Photos courtesy of: americanapparel.net, charlotterusse.com, chickdowntown.com, etsy.com, my-wardrobe.com, saksfifthavenue.com, thesartorialist.blogspot.com, zappos.com