It might surprise you to know that I don’t do a lot of shopping for myself. When I find things I like, I often tell myself I’d have nowhere to wear them. So I leave it behind.
Two things happened this week that made me rethink that. First, I went shopping with a new client who was upgrading his fall wardrobe. Every time we found a standout piece, he’d hesitate the same way I do: “I don’t really have anywhere to wear that.” Then, I was invited to speak at an event and couldn’t find anything in my closet to wear. I ended up scrambling to buy a sweater that I didn’t really like and probably won’t wear again.
The lesson for both of us is: unless it’s a tuxedo, if you find something you love and it fits, buy it. The occasion will come. And if it doesn’t, being the best-dressed at your next dinner doesn’t hurt.
— Jacqueline, JGYL Styling Founder and Head Stylist
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Send To The Group Chat 💬
Don’t forget about shoes when putting together the perfect outfit. There are four pairs of shoes I think every man should own: the dark brown boot - winter-friendly, a little rugged, not too shiny, and perfect with jeans. The brown loafer - best with no socks and a pair of straight pleated pants, but also works with socks in colder weather. The black dress shoe - classic and easy to match with any work or event outfit. And the white sneaker - preferably with a small colour detail. They go with almost any outfit, yes, even a full suit.
Meet the wax jacket: a lightweight coat made of waxed cotton that’s not quite a rain jacket, but is waterproof. British brand Barbour is famous for making them, but sadly, they don’t ship to Canada. The good news? Some Canadian retailers like Sporting Life often carry select pieces. Similar to a barn coat, it’s one of those trendy outerwear items you don’t need, but it adds stylish versatility to your wardrobe.
Knix recently launched a menswear line called MNTD (Minted). The popular Canadian women’s underwear brand, founded by Joanna Griffiths in 2013, now offers men’s basics - underwear, socks, and short- and long-sleeve tees, made with a new moisture-blocking technology that prevents sweat from showing through.
I recently learned that Toronto used to have an official Fashion Week. When those organizers stopped producing the shows, several groups in the city stepped up to spotlight Canadian designers. Next week, RCHIVE is presenting Toronto’s Own Fashion Week, a three-day event showcasing fall/winter 2026 collections from designers across the country. The shows are being held at some really cool spots - Billy Bishop Airport, Lower Bay Station, and the Toronto Reference Library. I’m going to check out the Beyond Space show, an athleisure brand founded by Canadian designer Xavier King, whose pieces have been worn by athletes like Toronto Raptors, Brandon Ingram. I’ll report back with a review.
Indulge 🤑
While shopping for a client at Harry Rosen, I (somewhat naively) walked into the Zegna section in awe. Being the first time I experienced the brand, I was impressed by the quality and detail of every piece. Then I looked at a price tag. After doing some research, I learned that Zegna is the definition of old-money luxury (see: very expensive), a legacy menswear brand known for its Italian-made fabrics. The pieces are special, but admittedly, outside most people’s budgets.
Why It Works 👀
You know when you see a great outfit, realize you already own every piece, try to recreate it, and then it just doesn’t quite land? That’s because the magic behind a good outfit is in the small details. I saw this nice outfit from Reiss, and here’s why it works.
Colour palette - All light tones. The blue-on-blue is a nice example of monochrome: not the exact same colour, but the same tone. And choosing light cream pants instead of a darker tan or khaki keeps the palette cohesive.
Textures - Notice that the sweater is a ribbed texture while the jacket is a smooth fabric. This gives the outfit some dynamic and makes the top portion of the outfit the centrepiece without being flashy.
Fit - The sweater is untucked and lands perfectly in the middle of the pant zipper. The jacket is about two inches longer than the sweater. Getting this balance can be tricky depending on your height, so don’t be afraid to make adjustments with a tailor (your dry cleaner can do most hems).
Trends - Straight leg, non-skinny-fit pants with a middle pleat are very in right now, and look good on almost everyone. The cream shoes match the pants too well, though. I’d swap them for white shoes for better contrast.
Add To Cart - Black Friday Edition 🛒
Between now and Dec 1, Reigning Champ is up to 50% off. Remember this perfect wool cashmere peacoat I shared a few weeks ago? It’s more than half off 🫠.
Stock up on comfy travelwear. Unbound Merino is having its only sale of the year - everything is up to 40% off.
Calvin Klein might have one of the best Black Friday sales out there. 50% off plus 20% off your entire cart at checkout. Including suits.
Banana Republic is taking 40% off your cart at checkout, including cashmere (which is very rare).
Speaking of cashmere, Everlane is taking up to 50% off everything, including cashmere crewnecks and this awesome coat.
I love shopping at Steve Madden because they have all the classic and trendy styles. They’re having a 20% off sale for Black Friday with code BF2025.
Ask Me Anything 🙋🏻♀️
“What should I add to my holiday wishlist?”
The older I get, the more I appreciate when someone just tells me what gift they want. So if your family or friends are asking what you want this holiday, give them a list. They’ll appreciate it more than you think.
On that note, I’ve pulled together a few items that fall into the “I want this… but I can’t quite justify it” category. The things that spark joy, aren’t always practical, and make great gifts.
Cashmere sweater - I can’t shut up about the Banana Republic cashmere sweater (which is on sale right now!), but Club Monaco also has nice ones, and many stores have cashmere blends. It’s an investment that feels and looks amazing.
A non-staple coat - I.e. not a peacoat or trench, but one that catches your eye even if you think you’ll only wear it a few times. Bomber jackets are a great option because I don’t think they’ll ever go out of style.
A watch - Here’s a list of my picks under $500. Some days you’ll want your watch to be the standout piece; other days you’ll want it to blend in. You don’t need a Rolex to look sharp.
A personal styling session with me - Shameless plug, I know. But it’s my busiest season for a reason. Partners love gifting this.
Gift card for Cadillac Fairview - Keep your options open. This will let you shop everywhere from Zara to Harry Rosen.
Matching cashmere or wool scarf and hat - Choose a colour you can match easily, like black or grey.
Nice luggage - Because I know you’re at least thinking about escaping the Canadian winter. Ask for a nice carry-on luggage to match your stylish airport outfits.
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