#johnsington

[johnsington]

009 Influences

BRIXTON Hat | OAK NYC Jacket | ZARA Denim Jeans | VINTAGE denim shirt | SPRING Boots

Refining your personal style takes time, and for me, my fashion aesthetic is a product of various people and experiences in my life. 

With respect to people who shape my brand, following style bloggers on Instagram help me identify the latest trends from fashion influencers themselves. Currently, the accounts I follow the closest are @ohanthonio, @yummertime, and @imdrewscott; these folks have solid brands that I constantly draw inspiration from. There is also fashion icons in music like Lady Gaga who influences the modern Western aesthetics of big hats and denim in this look.

Then there’s also the collective influence of living in new cities that influence your style. From living in New York, my style has definitely been impacted by the streetwear I observe in my daily commutes. The monochrome palette of the city seemed to mirror the fashion of its citizens, where folks would adorn chic ensembles in greys and neutrals. These colours ended up influencing my everyday wear, evolving my pastel neckerchief looks shaped by the San Francisco neighbourhoods to a muted, minimialist streetwear identity. 

With the days of cooler spring weather dwindling to an end, this week was an opportunity serving some layered looks. One of my favourite wardrobe items is this bomber jacket from Oak. Its overall boxy fit reminisces the pre-2000′s urban baggy style, a trend that seems to be resurfacing with contemporary streetwear trends from the runway (notable examples: Yeezy, Hood By Air, and Vetements). Pairing the oversized fit with slim-fitting denim is a great combination drawing from today’s streetwear fashion, and it’s an easy look to wear on the daily.

John

[johnsington]

008 New Basics

OAK AND FORT Shirt and Trousers | ZARA Coat | ALDO Round Sunglasses | ZARA Sandals | ZARA briefcase  

Summer school is back in session, and today’s lesson is how👏to👏serve👏.  I’ve been laying low for quite some time now, and that’s because I realized how much effort and time it required to maintain a stream quality of quality photos. It’s also so difficult But after months of collecting new fashion from New York and San Francisco, I thought it was time to recharge the blog with some new looks.

Having been in New York for four months prior to returning back to school has been an creatively transformational experience for me. For example, I was there for a four-month product design internship with a health start-up, and finally pursuing a role in both code and design felt accomplishing in my professional career. Outside of work, I was immersed in a city that breathed creative forces, visionaries, and contemporary fashion. It was daunting being a student, whose fashion involvement meant a projects-based commitment to a small student group on campus, to enter a world where folks had a fashion agenda and worked the concrete sidewalks with effortlessly flawless looks. It was a chance for me to absorb new inspiration, and it was an exciting time to experiment with new aesthetics and self-expression. 

Coming back to Waterloo felt like a halt in my creative transformation. My first days back was met with the familiar heteronormativity that I recalled from my freshman years, and the flourishing diversity of fashionable expression that lined New York’s streets seemed like a pipe dream to exhibit in Waterloo’s college town. It felt hopeless, and I’ve yearned to return back to the metropolitan jungle ever since.

Until then, it’s important to surround yourself with friends that feed your creativity. One of those people to me is Amanda, aka Nails and Threads. She’s a style-blogger from Calgary with a sartorially progressive mindset, and I’m lucky to know that she shares an ambitious vision for style regardless of where we are.  So while the fashion capital flourishes on the other side of the US border, I’m excited to serve some looks with her in the KW region. You can read more about her side of the collaboration here—take notes!

This look was about reimagining basic school uniforms in a new silhouette. Contrasting forms are at play—trousers are slim, tapered, and functional while the button-up is boxy. I also love pairing the uniform with a refined take on sandals by Zara. A light wool overcoat works well to complete the spring look as the weather transitions to warm temperatures.

Slayward,

John

[johnsington]

007 TATHAM

TOPMAN blazer | SILENCE + NOISE fedora | ALDO sunglasses | BOSTONIAN desert boots

Happy Friday! To match today's dreary weather, I opted for an all-black ensemble from head to toe with a camel blazer from Topman. Pairing the camel jacket against a black outfit lets the color contrast and pop against the black, and it also adds a sartorial finish to an otherwise casual tee-and-jeans combination. To polish my desert rocker look, I accessorized with my Silence + Noise fedora from Urban Outfitters and clubmaster sunglasses bought from Aldo. With this half-prep, half-casual look, I can both interview for jobs and then go to my boy band practice all at the same day. What a win!

Speaking of interviews, my co-op hunting has been fruitful as of lately. I currently have a job offer with a company in Vancouver, and the idea of living on the West Coast sounds like an exciting venture for me! I have a couple more interviews next week with employers from Toronto and New York before I make my final decision. With all these opportunities presenting themselves to me recently, I feel like all my hard work through school is slowly paying off. Literally, because that co-op guap's gotta pay my bills. Anyways, wish me luck!

J

Photography: @hichamoaj

[johnsington]

006 Waterloo

JOE FRESH cotton shirt | ZARA cropped trousers | CALL IT SPRING Oxford shoes

Say goodbye to heavy, dark knits and say hello to summer! Completing my second work term last month means that I'll be back in Waterloo studying for the next four months, but that shouldn't immediately translate to sweatpants and Birks. With rounds of interviews in full effect, this means that I need to step up my sartorial game to dress for success.

Today's look channels minimalism eleganza featuring a great pair of windowpane trousers from Zara. For the summer season, opt for pants with cropped lengths above the ankles, or simply roll up the extra fabric from your pants to frame the shoes you're wearing. Windowpane print is also a trending pattern to integrate with your wardrobe; pair these prints with a solid top for a clean, polished look. With this windowpane combination, you're ready to snatch weaves on campus and interview with confidence. Or you will have extra space to do graph your homework assignments at the very least.

J

[johnsington]

005 ST. GEORGE

H&M blazer jacket | JOE FRESH wool pullover | FRANK & OAK plaid shirt | CALL IT SPRING Oxford shoes | TIMEX watch

With the weather well above the negatives, it’s time to ditch the heavy parkas and geese jackets in favour for jackets of lighter fabrics. For this pre-spring prep look, I decided to play neutral grey hues against subtle earth undertones of navy and olive from the plaid collar detailing. Pairing the rest of the ensemble with a textured grey blazer completes your prep scholar look and has you ready for your next book signing at the nearest Barnes and Noble.

Being in Toronto for the past four months has been a ride! It may have been possibly have been spent in freezing negative temperatures, spending it with my friends both old and new have made it a memorable winter. My internship at the digital agency has taught me invaluable technical and soft skills as an aspiring software engineer, and their company culture has been so colourfully vibrant with great people and events even in the dullest frozen climates. Amidst the new skills I've come to learn over the months, a physical tolerance to -40 degree windchill has to be one of my favourite accomplishments. To wear a fall peacoat amidst a winter whiteout should be just as worthy to include in your resume next to learning Javascript. Style over function(), people!

Next up: short shorts, floral looks, and a summer study term back in Waterloo—I see a bright future ahead!

J

[johnsington]

004 ALLAN

THRIFT shawl cardigan / FRANK AND OAK floral tie / H&M dress shirt / H&M jeans / CASIO watch / SPRING Oxford burritos

With Thursday marking the first day of spring, I decided to fast-forward to warmer climates by shooting in Toronto’s Allen Gardens. With relatively little crowds, this colossal greenhouse is an understated downtown attraction to escape the lifeless urban scenery with lush plant life and palm trees. It was also the perfect setting to sport my Frank and Oak floral tie dressed in a smart business casual looks. To complete the ensemble, I paired the tie with a classic work shirt layered with a textured cardigan (worn as a cape because DRAMATIC RIGHT?). Although Toronto isn’t exactly blooming yet with tulips and daffodils, subtle spring detailing worn in a winter palette of greys and blacks is perfect transition wardrobe while we wait for mama nature to give us the full floral go-ahead.

J

[johnsington]

003 BROOKFIELD

Credits: THRIFT turtleneck sweater | 21 Men trousers | H&M belt 

Winter doesn't seem to be over soon, so this week's look borrows senior aesthetic circa 1950's with mock turtlenecks. Dressing like seniors from old-age homes has never been cooler since pop culture made a song about it, and nothing says mature sophistication like a heightened neckline in dark shades. Pair them with a set of thick-framed lenses and you're ready to slay the workplace via vintage realness, all thanks to the gorgeous grandpas paving the way for the turtle trend. For future inspiration, look at Vogue issues dating from the 20th century, or simply refer to the fashionable seniors found on sidewalks near you.

Dressing well doesn't necessarily need to translate into huge bank spendings and three-figure price tags. Being a university student, budget is found to be seemingly limited after all the textbooks and booze purchased in a term. I believe good fashion lies beyond the context of brands. A good outfit simply emerges from a carefully focused understanding of style, and how you choose to express your vision is all fair game. This week's outfit places an emphasis on a "dress well, buy cheap" mantra, with both the turtleneck and patent leather shoes being thrifted from a local Value Village. I'm guilty of stepping into stores I frequently criticize like A87 for unbranded winter pullovers. I may or may not have bought my envelope case from the dollar store. I may source my fashion from questionable places, but then again, no one really needs to know.

[johnsington]

002 McCAUL

Credits: H&M scarf | ALDO messenger bag | 21 MEN peacoat | TOPMAN boots | THRIFT wool sweater

I nearly froze my face off today as I headed off to work, but of all the seasons in a year, winter has to be the most dapper to dress in. Unless you're already basic, winter brings about romance in the air with people looking lovelier in all their seasonal layers. There's a curious kind of beauty in how scarves flitter against the harsh cold winds or how snowflakes sprinkle themselves on dark winter coats. Granted I may have romanticized winters too much because being out in the Canadian cold is absolutely horrific, but I prefer styling in the frigid weather over any other season. A key essential piece I love wearing out recently has to be my blanket scarf; not only does it channel urban Gotham hero looks, but it doubles as an extra layer of warmth to keep you cozy in the cold. Dark, neutral tones continue to dominate my wardrobe choices in the recent weeks as inspired by the color of my soul: black. I'm the reincarnation of the black moon emoji if you don't know that by now.

On a personal note, I've just finished my first week as a web developer for a digital media agency, and it's been amazing! It's great to be working in the industry I'm studying in school for so early in my career, and the free beer on Friday's make it all that much better. It's in these moments where you enjoy what you do that I feel accomplished and successful. Always keep your goals in check and have faith in yourself.

Until next time,

John

[johnsington]

001 KENSINGTON

Journaling hasn't been completely new territory for me. I've always kept a personal diary with me for several years now as a platform to channel the inner ramblings of my mind into tangible, penned dialogue I can look back on. It was a mode of self-expression free from public criticism and judgment, and it enabled me to internally reflect on who I was and needed to become. For a while, I've felt uncomfortable channeling my thoughts and identity in their most genuine form in fear of rejection and disapproval. It wasn't until I've grown from these insecurities that I came to realize how important it is to live beyond these social confines I've limited myself in.  As one of my favourite quotes by Lady Gaga goes: "If you don't have any shadows, then you're not standing in the light."

As a resolution for the new year, I've started a blog as a way of chronicling the outfits, ideas, and personal experiences in 2015 and beyond. For this entry, my friend Tiffany and I shot this look at Kensington Market, a distinctly diverse neighbourhood situated near Toronto's downtown core. You can think of family-run restaurants, vintage thrifts, street churro vendors, and kitsch knick-knack shops, all exteriorly decorated in graffiti art. I wanted to create a sophisticated urban look by combining neutral-toned wardrobe pieces since it guarantees a matching colour palette without requiring much effort. My favourite piece from the look has to be my faux-leather messenger bag from Aldo, channeling high-luxe Hermès vibes! This neutral aesthetic will definitely be a recurring theme in the winter.

Until next time,

John

[johnsington]

000 CHRISTMAS MARKET