The cooler months of fall and winter bring along many changes in the life of a wardrobe: wool coats come out of hiding and warm knits become essentials in shielding the cold. But the one item that receives much trending attention in women's fashion and is often completely left out of consideration among men, is no other than the boot.

The boot serves much more purpose than keeping one's feet warm or for treading through wintery slush. In fact, designers from men's haute couture to ready-to-wear, have begun to style runway looks incorporating this style of shoe in hopes that it may gain the appreciation it deserves and trickle down into our daily fall and winter fashion.

Jean Paul Gaultier Fall/Winter 2010 show in Paris took to the boxing ring-showcasing a variety of ankle, mid-calf, and knee high leather boots in a variety of colours, inspired by the world of wrestling. Dolce & Gabana centered their show's look on a boot many Canadians would wear throughout the winter and not think to be fashionable, but styled correctly, these designers made even the clunkiest footwear high-fashion. Finally, 3.1 Phillip Lim showed some stunning Matrix-like knee high buckled boots worn over straight leg pants, with variations in boot heights to accommodate different looks.

With rumours of a horrific western winter approaching, it is best to be prepared for all kinds of weather conditions, and a pair of boots is the stylish way to make the best out of our coming situation.

by Tanya Colledge
email: t.colledge@gmail.com
twitter: @tanyafanya

It's the look that was made famous by the likes of people like Justin Timberlake and has made the tie-comeback something of a revolution in men's casual fashion. Although skinny-ties first originated in the 1960s and were wildly popular in day-to-day fashions, they have since been consumed with the frame of mind that ties are considered attire for the office or special occasions. Wrong.

An alternative to the regular "office tie," skinny ties have a very distinctive look. They render a simple denim and button down shirt ensemble more sophisticated-adding a little geek chic to your look. They can be a great way to incorporate a punch of colour to a monotone outfit, or bring in your personal style and flare with fun prints and patterns.

Whatever your skinny tie preference, it is important to know a few basic rules on how to integrate this stylish accessory into your wardrobe. Here are a few tips:

• Skinny ties require skinny knots. Stay away from the traditional Windsor knots-they are simply too bulky and will look odd with the skinny tie. Opt for a Four in Hand knot which is more asymmetrical and discrete.
• Pay attention to lapel widths. When choosing an appropriate blazer or jacket to wear with your skinny tie, compare the width of the lapels and the tie-they should be relatively the same size. 
• Collars are important. Just as with the lapels, also pay attention to the collar of the shirt you are pairing your tie with. A much larger collar will make your neck look disproportionate and ruin the chic effect you are trying to achieve.
• Slim is the key. Avoid boxy looking blazers and baggy t-shirts or slacks. The skinny tie looks best with modern suit pieces. Slim-fitting pieces will show it off best.

Skinny ties are a classic and simple way to add flair to your outfit and with such a variety of colours, patterns, and styles to choose from, it is easy to find a tie that is suitable for you. An added bonus is they are easily accessible in most clothing stores and available in a wide price range-no need to break the bank. As with many trends, it is all about experimenting and deciding what look works best for you. It may be a deep-v neck cardigan sweater, button-down shirt and tie combo or a fitted three-piece suit with a neutral coloured tie, but you should feel comfortable in whatever you choose. Wear your skinny tie with confidence and I guarantee you'll pull it off!

by Tanya Colledge
email: t.colledge@gmail.com
twitter: @tanyafanya

With his new movie Buried premiering this week at the Toronto International Film Festival, it seems fitting to feature this Canadian-bred man for this week's male style envy.

Best known for his comedic and romantic roles in film, Vancouverite Ryan Reynolds has a way with appearing effortlessly chic no matter where he is: on the set of a movie, on a date with wife Scarlett Johansson, or flashing a smile on the Hollywood red carpet. They key to Reynolds's style is a creative but subtle combination of wardrobe basics and statement pieces, giving him the comfortably cool look so many men seek.

When it comes to casual gear, Reynolds is a winner. He is a master of the basic, relaxed straight-leg pant. With this staple pant, Reynolds is able to build his outfits to suit his mood by going for a preppy look with a trendy checkered button-down shirt or a biker look with a leather bomber jacket and boots. But what makes these outfits truly unique and perfectly suitable to his personality, are the accessories. Yes, you heard me correctly; men can, and should wear accessories.

An easy addition to any outfit is a hat. Reynolds pulls off a number of them with ease: straw fedoras, knit toques, or pageboy caps. As a good Canadian man familiar with cooler winter months, Reynolds sports bold knit scarves not only to keep warm, but also add pops of colour to his outfits. Just as the hats, scarves need not to match the outfit perfectly, but instead, provide visual interest. Finally, Reynolds has often been spotted carrying a leather messenger bag (this is not a man-purse) to fulfill functionality and demonstrate his willingness to have fun with accessories.

Hats, scarves, and messenger bags are just a few examples of accessories men should not be afraid to embrace and experiment with when creating an outfit. Fashion is meant to be fun and exciting, so why not borrow a few tips from Reynolds? Try on a cap and discover the world of the simply stylish.

by Tanya Colledge
email: tanya.colledge@gmail.com
twiiter: @tanyafanya

Lapels, jackets and suits, oh my!

From Gucci to Dolce & Gabanna, velvet has graced the runways of many haute couture and ready-to-wear fall 2010 fashions shows this year, and has become one of the season's biggest trends in men's fashion. Although this fabric is not by any means a new trend and has been adopted by many fashion-forward men throughout the past few years, it has begun to take-on a more common role is men's wardrobes-making it an impeccable choice of style for this upcoming season.

A velvet newbie? No problem. The easiest way for a man to pull-off wearing velvet is by investing in a velvet sports jacket or sportcoat. Velvet integrations vary on these pieces from simple velvet detailing on the lapel or cuffs, to the full velvet jacket. And while a full velvet jacket may give off some feminine vibes for some, it is in fact the complete opposite. A velvet sport jacket is classic. It is eye catching, dominant, and demonstrates confidence in one's masculinity.

When is comes to colour, it is best to choose velvets in a dark hue. Black velvet is always a staple; however, plums, navy, charcoal, or even dark rust are very suitable options. Choose jacket with a funky lining to get your fix of funky colour.

The other consideration when buying into this trend, is the cut of the jacket. Because the fabric is the main focus of this piece, you want to opt for simple and clean shapes. Single-breasted jackets are best, as they can easily be paired with dress shirts, ties, and slacks for a many occasions.

Whether it is for a special occasion or another day at the office, give your safe wool jacket a rest and try on something velvet. Test the waters with a lapel, upgrade to a jacket, and graduate to a full suit, and you will be the personification of sophistication and class.

by Tanya Colledge
tanya.colledge@gmail.com
@tanyafanya

The cardigan has been a staple item in the closets of men and women for decades, offering its admirers the perfect combination of comfort and style. Over the last few years, the manigan, a cardigan designed for, and worn by men, has risen in popularity amongst young hipsters-creating a style movement that has trickled down into mainstream fashion for men of all ages.

The manigan has come along way since the days of Mr. Rogers, and is now more than just your grandfather's sweater. Cardigans add an instant touch of effortless sophistication and class to your wardrobe, adding a multitude of new styles to your repertoire. But with so many styles to choose from: v-neck, double or single breasted, knit or wool, fitted or loose, the combination of man + cardigan may seem overwhelming and slightly intimidating. But fear not, for I have some simple tips that will help you dress a cardigan for most occasions.

The Casual Look

To get the best casual look for you and your cardigan, it is best to begin pairing it with a slim-fitting pair of denim or slacks. This will help give you an elongated silhouette from head to toe. A plain white t-shirt under a black sweater gives a crisp, classic look, but be adventurous and try a bold-colour or graphic tee for added visual interest.

The Dressy-Casual Look

A simple way to upgrade your casual manigan look is by switching your plain tee with a fun, printed button down shirt. This will not only add another texture into the mix, but this type of layering is extremely effective if you're feeling a little funky. Style it up by rolling up the cardigan and shirtsleeves to your elbows.

The Formal Look

The formal manigan look can be adapted for many occasions, from the office to a more upscale function. Pair your cardigan with a nicely tailoured pair of dress pants and a dress shirt, and you will be the talk of the party. This style is fashionable, classy, and not to mention much more comfortable than a suit jacket. Feel like taking it up a notch? If you're wearing a v-neck cardigan, add a tie or bowtie to your dress shirt.

Fashion is all about taking risks. Never worn a manigan before? Take one off the rack and try it on-you never know what may become your next fashion "must-have."

Things to keep in mind when shopping for a manigan:

Fit: You want the cardigan to be slim fitting. Button all but the last button to ensure it fits you properly;
Style: If you're a beginner, v-necks are the easiest style of cardigan to pull-off;
Knit vs. woven: Knit cardigans are great for layering because they are lightweight. Wovens are especially great in the winter to help keep warm;
Colour: Pick a neutral colour-it will be easier to pair with items you already own in your wardrobe
Price: Manigans are everywhere and available in a variety of price ranges. Don't feel like you have to spend a lot of money to test-out this style.

by Tanya Colledge
email: t.colledge@gmail.com
twiiter: @tanyafanya