Sudipto

Sudipto is so cute. His outfit looks completely thrown together in the way that only a very skilled fashionisto can do. Judging from my new street style boyfriend here, the trick is to own a million really cool pieces that all layer really well together for a look I like to call, "What? This old thing?". And then you act really modest when people ask you where you got your incredible brown leather jacket.

Damn him for looking so beautiful while I shivered and goose-bumped my way through taking his picture.

Sophy

I saw Sophy at an Ethiopian restaurant on Rideau Street called Horn of Plenty, and I was so enthralled with her look that I actually went up to her table and asked if I could take her picture. I love that she's wearing both a men's necktie (as a belt no less!) and suspenders. I also love her striped knee socks and big pink earrings. This outfit is like the unicorn of Ottawa fashion. It is very very rare, and when you do see it, you rub your eyes a little to make sure it's really there, and then you hope to god you'll see it again in your lifetime.

The final portfolio

Youth League and the Spies is branching out into fashion styling, so to get ourselves some business, we got Danica and Maya--two of our bestest friends-- to model, a fantastic make-up artist named Jane to make us pretty, and our lovely photographer friend Patrick Shanks to take pictures. And now we have a bona-fide portfolio! How exciting is that?! Here's some of the final photos we've chosen from the over 800 taken that day...


















Clothes courtesy of Helena and my closets (and our models' too!). Location: my apartment.

Jeremy

You can’t do a street style special on Edmonton without featuring someone in cowboy boots. That would be just wrong. Thankfully, I found this lovely specimen at Chapters, and he dutifully agreed to be our Youth League token cowboy. Apart from the aforementioned cowboy boots, I love his scruffy jeans and worn-in hoodie. Some might argue that hoodies and holey jeans aren’t fashionable, but I beg to differ. Anything with a genuine lived-in look is tops in my books, as long the clothes fit well. And here they most certainly do.

Loyal readers, I am pleased to announce that this is my last Edmonton street style post. I will resume regular programming (i.e., profiling Ottawa hotties) this week.

Jill

I’ve been on the lookout for a nice pair of ankle boots for a while now. But it’s been kind of a half-assed search because I’ve always known that once I found a pair, I wouldn’t really know what to do with them.

I’ll admit it. I’m scared of ankle boots.

I’ve never been able to figure out what length of skirt to wear with them, if I could get away with them with skinny jeans, and if I’d ever wear them because I’d end up feeling more comfortable in one of my many pairs of safe—but still fabulous—knee-high boots.

Jill has put my fears to rest. Her ankle boots make this outfit. And her outfit is perfection. End of story.

Jessica

Alright, alright. Enough patting ourselves on the back. It's business as usual again at Youth League...

I met Jessica over Christmas while enjoying a lovely little brunch at Café Mosaics, Edmonton’s one and only punk rock vegetarian eatery. Much to my delight—and I’m sure the delight of many other guests that day—Jessica decided to come to work in this magical ensemble. I would be remiss if I didn’t admit that this is one of my favourite looks I’ve featured to date on Youth League. I think Jessica is my new style soul mate, as a matter of fact.

I’m so sad that you can’t see her beautiful feather headband, but everything’s going to be okay because you still get the opportunity to marvel her fabulous red lip-nail duo, the exquisite gold accessories, and that incredible paisley dress.

Gosh.

NOTE: I stand corrected. Jessica is wearing gingham, not paisley. Thanks to the pattern-conscious gals who caught this mix-up!

Danny

Okay, let’s jump right to it. Those shoes. Aren’t they just a smorgasbord of fabulousness? With the soles and the straps and the fuzzy fake fur interior, they’re pretty much all the things you could ever want in a shoe rolled into one. Like rolling your pant cuffs? Hate laces? Get cold feet in the winter? Well, you’re in luck!

It takes a certain kind of man to pull off a pair of shoes like this. A man who can work skinny jeans without looking like an emo kid. A man who can rock a tie clip and a pea-coat and look like he stepped right out of Nylon. A man like Danny.

Liz

Okay, seriously. No one should look this put together in the winter. I am so jealous of girls who can wear beautiful high-heeled boots in the snow and be able to carry it off without looking like a little girl trying to walk in her mom’s stilettos. Because that’s how I look. I tried it for three days in November and wiped out an average of seven times a day. In public, of course.

Anyways, back to Liz. Beautiful boots aside, I love the proportions of this outfit. The jacket is the perfect length and cinches at the waist in just the right place. The skinny jeans fit snuggly in her knee-high boots without any bunching. The handbag is just the right size of delicious. Everything is in its place.

Bitch!*


*Just kidding. You know I love you, Lizzard.

Blair

A trip to Edmonton would not be nearly as fabulous if one didn’t stop in at Halo for a Friday night dance party, or as the cool kids like to call it, Mod Night.

If dancing all night long in a gorgeous club surrounded by stylish people isn’t enticing enough, the deal gets even sweeter knowing that you can do a shot of Jager with Halo co-owner and DJ Blair McFarlane, pictured here.

Yeah, I know. He’s ridiculously good looking. And extremely well-dressed too. How’s that for a kick-off to your weekend?

You’re welcome.

I Heart Starlight

By far the best Friday night venue in K-W is the Starlight. If you've ever been there, nuf said. But for those who haven't I will create a visual: A mid-sixties to early seventies atmosphere created by vintage decor and groovy lighting; attractive staff that reek of "I don't care"; a huge hardwood dance floor (Original Fact #1-was once a dance studio); and to top it all off the craziest DJ in the Region, Dj Charless.

And when I say crazy, I ain't talkin' about those beautiful eyes or that crazy beard, I'm talkin' about those smooth as velvet beats he awakens my soul with. When he starts, I can't stop...unless he plays M-Bop again, then I will gladly refill my beverage.

But with every nightclub created by hipsters for hipsters, there will be at least one other fashionable individual (excluding yours truly) to snap at and post for all to see.

This is George and George dresses well. Just like me, George likes hip vests, cool collars up, skinny-minny neck ties, slender but not too tight trousers and my all time favourite sneakers in the entire planet, Puma Speedcats (Puma Plug #1). George confessed to me that his whole outfit came from a period in his life when he was living in London, England. So stylish that he landed on our little blog.

Plusan

The best thing about street style is seeing how people mix and match pieces to come up with something fresh and original. Plusan is a perfect example. I love those wide-leg cropped trousers and how she’s paired them with leggings and knee-high boots. This definitely isn’t a look you see everyday.

I also love how she’s working that incredible Louis Vuitton shoulder bag and Burberry scarf. She’s got a classic, simple look here that is enhanced by her bling accessories versus competing with them. Plusan gets it, and it shows.