A 2024 guide to Toronto autumn street style
By Sarah Bauly
As the warm weather kisses us goodbye, a crisp morning breeze pulls in the beauty of the fall season. Hues of vivid reds, warm golds and bright oranges dance within the trees. The smell of pumpkin-spiced treats and warm lattes fills the air. As our surroundings change to adapt to this new season, so must our wardrobes!
To welcome in this new season, we scoured around our beloved city and on your favourite local influencer’s social media to scout the biggest up-and-coming fall fashion trends. Beyond its iconic skyline and amidst its bustling roads and vibrantly diverse fashion taste, Toronto brings the heat to this chilly time of year.
On the prowl: Feline-friendly patterns
It’s no question that animal print has made a wild comeback this year. Many people use this pattern to add a bold statement to any outfit, one in particular has clawed their way to the top — Leopard print! Toronto digital creator Zeynab Mohamed rocks a fun collection of fiery skirts, sweaters and blouses to uproar the city streets. Originating from centuries ago in Africa, the feline pattern is seen as a symbol of great power and royalty. In 1947, French Fashion designer Christian Dior was the first to bring the print to the runways.
On the Canadian fashion scene, Vancouver-based company The Latest Scoop dropped a collection of leopard pieces designed to enhance any wardrobe. While some might associate the look as a costume, the trend has transformed itself from a cliche into a wardrobe staple. Dare I say leopard is the new black this fall season?
Colours of the autumn wind: Cherry wine
Autumn is a season filled with rich colours, so it is only fitting that the fabrics in our closet reflect as such. Long gone are the days of relying on muted neutrals for those “ber- months”. The luxurious cherry wine red, in particular, is truly having its moment this fall and taking social media by storm! As seen on digital creator Melody Defrias, who elegantly adds a pop of cherry red to her cool-toned attire.
From nail art to kitten heels, incorporating this luscious red is the key to being the city’s chicest. Fashion influencer Chloe Zhang stunts in a collection of dark burgundy attire. Zhang elevates her look from basic to bold with the use of a midi leather skirt for a monochromatic fit!
Denim meets denim: Embrace the faux pas
We’ve heard it all before, the classic “never mix denim with denim!” Although we vow to never fall victim to fashion faux pas, when have Toronto fashionistas ever been tied down by rules? PhD candidate and content creator Kate B. is not afraid of breaking barriers and pushing buttons — denim ones that is. Forget the big-named brands as Kate finds all her beloved pieces through thrifting!
The Canadian Tuxedo we have now grown to love started with one significant misunderstanding. In 1951, American singer and actor Bing Crosby attempted to check into his Vancouver hotel yet was turned away by a hotel clerk due to his “shabby” denim-on-denim fit. The artist was only let in after another staff member recognized him and stepped-in at the front-desk. Designers at Levi’s quickly received word on this mishap and went to work creating a custom denim tuxedo designed for Crosby with the words ‘Notice to All Hotel Men’ sewn into the interior. Crosby’s iconic denim-clash moment transformed the fashion world and continues to shape it today.
Blogger and lifestyle influencer Jennifer Wang is also no stranger to styling the classic and somewhat controversial Canadian tuxedo. Wang layers this look with a bright red base and fuses fashion with function by adding a stylish belt around the torso. Her use of a satin ‘neckerchief’ also brings a patterned-punch to the fit. Not only is denim a go-to that pairs well with any outfit but it’ll keep you warm on those frigid days as it retains body heat much better than other fabrics.
Being warm has never looked so COOL!
Saddle up: Cowboy chic
This fun and fringed-filled trend is what happens when country style meets city lights. Fashion model Bella Hadid set new standards this year by bringing an elegant and edgy feel to Western attire (plus getting a hunky cowboy boyfriend). Studded, suede and leather pieces take centre stage, giving us an autumnal twist on this typical summer fad. Calgary and Toronto’s Ania Boniecka should be crowned “queen cowgirl” as she effortlessly fuses together the chicness of October fashion and the rustic appeal of rodeo wear. Rock the bull this fall by pairing together ruffled skirts, fitted vests and a cowboy hat!
Layer me up: The art of fashion tiers
Comfort meets sophistication as oversized pieces continue to dominate the Toronto fashion scene. Voluminous blazers, baggy trousers and nonna-approved knit sweaters have become closet staples when the temperatures begin to drop. One creator who is changing the game with a unique approach to layering and playing with patterns is Lexson Millington, who brings a fresh and edgy vibe to his layering tactics. Millington executes the art of pattern mixing by fusing together uncommon plaids and harvest hues to create a mix-match made in heaven. Whoever said ‘don’t mix prints with patterns’ clearly was too scared of adding a bit of fun to their fits.
Layering doesn’t have to be complicated either. Chicness meets functionality with Toronto’s Alma Rex-Ezonfade. The entrepreneur and style influencer pieces together timeless fall necessities, perfect for the office to a lively night-out. Ezonfade effortlessly pairs a white button-up blouse, maxi denim skirt and a black lengthy-wool coat over-top from French-Canadian brand RW&CO.
This season invites you to take a step away from the basics and instead blend together cozy, couture and perhaps a dash of chaos. The loud and bold ‘6IX’ does not fall short in leading Canada’s fashion scene. The city is buzzing with trends and thrift-friendly fits, acting as a testament to Toronto’s rich and lively culture. Use this guide to inspire your next outfit for the deciduous days to come.
Which fall fashion trend will you bring to the Toronto streets?
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