The Man Bag: Part 1

A friend of mine recently bought the most amazing peacoat. However, when he's busy jetting from meeting to meeting (with laptop and books in tow), having an old skater brand backpack doesn't cut it. So, he solicited my help (as he did with the coat) and I was happy to oblige. Not being an obvious expert in the field of man bags, I asked for some recommendations from some male blogger friends, and boy did they pull through.

Criteria:
a) cross body OR backpack
b) not too fashion-y (he's straight, so handbags are out of the question)
c) doesn't deviate too much from his personal style

However, while at the KnowShow, I saw some pretty amazing bags. One brand in particular, recommended to me by at least a couple male blogger friends, was there, and let's just say, it was love.

Element

Best known for being a skate brand, Element showed some great pieces at the KnowShow, illustrating their evolution. The brand had some great men's bags at the KnowShow. These 2 were my favourite - I love the denim of the backpack and the collegiate feel of the duffle.

Penfield

Penfield has been known for their outerwear - specifically their down-filled coats. Their products are made for the harsh demands of the New England climate and have been around since 1975. With nearly 40 years of industry experience, I would bet that Penfield's bags stand the test. Perfect for Vancouver's wet weather.

Herschel Supply Co.

My personal preference (and also as recommended to me). Herschel Supply is...Surprise!...local! That's right folks, these fine bags and wallets are based out of Vancity. The aesthetic of the products is simple, yet detailed. By picking from a brand that specializes, the selection is much broader - there are varying patterns, colours, and styles - so your biggest problem would be deciding which bag to get.

KnowShow

The KnowShow is Canada's premier lifestyle tradeshow. It primarily has snow, surf, skate, and street brands (Quiksilver, O'neill, Rip Curl), but has since started carrying more lifestyle brands like Native, Mavi, and Gentle Fawn. Attendees get to see what the brands have lined up for the coming seasons. But before you get all excited, tradeshows aren't for everyone. You can't purchase any of the items; they're strictly for your viewing pleasure.

This was my first time attending the KnowShow and I had a great time. I loved being able to browse through the brands and to learn more about the companies and their products. I really wish that more tradeshows would come to Vancouver. It would be a great way to further the industry and have people think and view things differently. 

I'm all about scouting menswear at the moment (related post to come!), so I was naturally drawn towards those products. It also didn't hurt that most of the vendors had super cute guys working.

Amazing TOMS women's shoes coming this summer. LOVE the pattern & colours

TOMS ballet flats

Menswear bags from Element

Organic denim from One Green Elephant 

Slick men's shoes from GRAM

Great display from Sitka

Digging this men's jacket

photo stock.

4 friends, 4 dresses

new boots

holiday feasting

hilarious church sign

bundled in kove handmade en route to work 

the sky burns in the morning

new makeup products

a glace into the past

reindeer at the Toronto Christmas market

Toronto skyline

homemade orecchiette

new sunnies 

menswear for day 

holiday festivities at the office

bundled for movie night

i really love my...Bass loafers

casual friday: rachel comey boots, fidelity jeans, men's club monaco tee, h&m sweater

3.1 Phillip Lim Resort '12

Tangerine Tango did not only grace the runways of Isabel Marant and Tibi, it was also one of the dominant colours of the 3.1 Phillip Lim Resort collection, which I absolutely love. The palette of the entire collection is fantastic; the monochrome looks in both neutrals and colours are amazing, plus the combination of the two. I always love the relaxing and comforting feelings that Phillip Lim's designs evoke. Yet at the same time, they're extremely classy and simplistic, and also juxtapose the masculine and feminine well.

You can shop the collection on Shopbop.

Images via style.com

Tangerine Tango - 2012 Colour of the Year

It's official, Tangerine Tango (Pantone 17-1463 for all you geeks out there) is the colour for 2012. This haute colour was spotted on a number of Resort & S/S'12 runways.

Isabel Marant

Tibi

Tibi

While tangerine can seem like a bit of a daunting and intimidating colour to work into your wardrobe, I've put together some ways to work this punch of colour into your 2012 colour palette.

Taking risks, either in life or sartorially, was one of your resolutions, wasn't it?

1) Make-up - try blush for a subtle look or go for the gusto with lipstick.
2) T-shirt from ASOS
3) Balenciaga sandals
4) Haute Hippe maxi dress - (Holt Renfrew or Shopbop)
5) H&M earrings
6) Half d'orsay pumps from ASOS
7) Pants from H&M

Images via H&M, ASOS, Shopbop, Farfetch, & Style.com

2012 Golden Globes

I generally find awards shows a bit of a snooze. I love the opening monologues and watching the red carpet...buuuuttt that's about it. While I love film, I would much rather just read about the winners the next day. I do however love skewering the celebrities and their fashion yay's and nay's.....by myself....out loud.....while stuffing my face full of carbs (homemade mac & cheese, if you're curious) and thinking "I really need to get back to yoga" (except I can't, which is a whole other story).

So because I know you're dying to know, the Haus of Hybrid's BEST and WORST of the 2012 Golden Globes.

(Sidebar: Did anyone else notice that there were a large number of underwhelming gowns? Neither best nor worst, but just, meh.)

The Worst

Amanda Peet in Marc Jacobs
I just can't.

Amy Poehler in Naeem Khan
The sleeves are wrong. The colour is wrong. It's just wrong.

Callie Thorne
Is this the 90s? Bedazzling? Are we mermaids? A sea-foamy grey? Take off the sheer and the rhinestones and we could have a winner...and by winner, I mean Calvin Klein Collection.

Dianna Agron in Giles
I feel like the dress is just so overwhelming on her. It's a daring choice for her, but it doesn't work. I could see January Jones wearing this.

Emily Watson
Emily Watson is on a show called Appropriate Adult (there's a joke there...somewhere). This dress is pretty much the exact colour of her skin.

Jessica Chastain in Givenchy
Turtlenecks, so in right now. But I just cannot get on board with this dress.

Jodie Foster in Gorgio Armani
The Von Trapp children called and they want their clothing back. Is this dress made out of corduroy? Is it a tapestry? Drapes? (Also, special shout out to the man with the crazy mo' in the back!)

Natalie Portman in Lanvin
I love me a pink and red combo...but what is that thing sticking out on the side? Know what it reminds me of?

The ugly step sisters from Cinderella

Naya Rivera
Is this from Macy's? It looks cheap.

Piper Perabo in Theyskens' Theory
While I enjoy the simplicity of this gown, and the fact that it's a hard colour to wear without washing you out, I just can't do it.

Sarah Paulson in Pamella Roland
I think part of me died when I saw this dress.

The Best

Clare Danes in J Mendel
 Well tailored and slimming in all the right areas. Plus black & white are so classic.

Emma Stone in Lanvin
I love this colour on Emma Stone. Sometimes when you're quite fair, black can be a bit stark on you. But this deep burgundy works for her. I love the shoulder pads, but I think the belt may be a bit strong.

Angelina Jolie in Atelier Versace
On anyone else, this dress would be a snooze. But somehow Angelina can make an average dress look completely different. It fits amazingly and is neither black nor green! It's cream! Have we ever seen Angelina in a cream gown? It's almost pure.

Laura Dern in Andrew Gn
Love the colour (a little Angelia Jolie at the 2010 Globes, no?) and cut. I do not, however, love the hair. Charlie's Angels was cancelled, remember??

Michelle Williams in Jason Wu
Michelle Williams is just so cute all the time. Except last year when she wore that daisy dress thing. And I love me some Jason Wu. The print isn't overwhelming, and THIS is how you do a 3/4 sleeve (I'm talkin' to you, Poehler).

Nicole Kidman in Versace
Say what you want about her face, but this is the best Nicole Kidman has looked in awhile. In fact, this photo actually makes her face look good. The details on this dress take an otherwise boring gown and kick it up a few notches.

Nicole Richie in Julien MacDonald
This dress looked better on TV. But it's a great look for Nicole Richie. I'm totally digging the ponytail. Makes me wish my hair was long again. But then I'd wish for short hair again. #fashiongirlproblems

Tilda Swinton in Haider Ackerman
Pastels are so hot this season! I'm not always really into chiffon, but this dress (skirt?) paired with the satin jacket just work. And with Tilda's flawless skin? Into it. A variation on simplicity. I also REALLY want my hair to be like that.

Zooey Deschanel in custom Prada
Love this dress. Do not love her hair. Seems like Zooey and I have a similar body type (boyish), so I think this is a dress I could definitely pull off.