RACHEL BILSON HEARTS SMYTHE

Rachel Bilson and her Canadian fiance, Hayden Christensen, have been in Vancouver during the Olympic Games. In honour of her soon to be Canadian citizenship, Bilson has been spotted wearing Smythe jackets all over the Olympic city. Rachel was seen leaving the Hudson Bay Company gifting suite wearing what is known as the "Bay blanket" jacket. Smythe has reinterpretted the classic Canadian coat and it was featured in a recent copy of FLARE magzine. Rachel was also seen wearing "The Smythe Black Swing Coat" while getting coffee with Hayden.

The HBC blanket jacket went out of style for a while, but I have a feeling it's back in a big way!

Fun Fact: I sold Hayden the hat he's wearing on Valentine's Day in Niagara on the Lake where he and Rachel had a romantic getaway. It's a Canadian hat by Tilley.

Photos provided by LaineyGossip and Smythe.
Writer: Kate Murphy

Canuck Coats

We at FABRIC love nothing more than clothing that is not only practical, but absolutely gorgeous as well. When we came across these made-in-Canada (they’re not outsourced people!) coats we instantly wanted them all. Smythe is a Canadian based label that began in 2004.

The jackets are designed by Toronto based design team and high school friends Christie Smythe and Andrea Lenczner. The duo decided against the idea of producing an entire collection, instead they were interested in putting their energy into one piece and perfecting it as much as possible. “We don't like the idea of prescribing what a woman wears from head to toe...and in this way we weren't interested in producing a full collection with looks. The jacket is such a critical piece in every woman's wardrobe, [both] an emotional and versatile piece, one that can bring it all together and finish any look, leaving the interpretation up to the individual. We also wanted to do one thing and do it well, to become experts in a category." The coats are very versatile; they can be dressed down with a pair of jeans and Chuck’s, or can accessorize a cute dress and sky high heels. Their pieces feature quality material and flawless tailoring, and the coats come in an array of styles and colours.

The fashion world has taken notice of Smythe as well. They’ve been featured in spreads in InStyle, FLARE, FASHION, and Harper’s Bazaar, as well as on eTalk. Their coats have also graced the backs of Kate Hudson, Anne Hathaway and Blake Lively.

Smythe coats can be found at Holt Renfrew and other high end boutiques in Canada. They’re also sold at Saks and Bergdorf Goodman in the US as well as being available online at net-a-porter.com and shopbop.com.

Smythe coats don’t run cheap, but you can’t put a price on quality... or Canadiana!

Writer: Kate Murphy

Britney <3's Canadian Designers

Britney Spears showed up to her concert after part rocking another garment by a Canadian designer.

Britney Spears' entire tour costumes were designer by Toronto twins Dan and Dean Caten, aka DSquared2. While performing in Montreal, Britney showed up to her after party wearing a coat by Montreal-based designers and childhood friends Eran Elfassy and Elisa Dahan, better known as Mackage.

Mackage's strengths lie within their outerwear and use of wool with well cut leather detailing. Their coats have great shape and clean lines. They balance the femininity of the sexiness and sleekness of their coats with the masculinity of leather and large silver or gold button detailing.

Britney isn't the only Hollywood starlet rocking Mackage's coats. Hilary Duff, Jessica Biel, Halle Berry, Kreesha Turner, and Kristen Bell have all been spotted wearing Mackage. Mackage is also a favourite of wardrobe departments and can be seen in shows such as Gossip Girl, Nip/Tuck, 24, and The Sopranos.

Mackage's coats are quality coats that will set you back a few hundred dollars or more.

Currently Mackage is selling this leather bomber jacket (below) at popular Canadian boutique Aritzia for $550.

Writer: Kate Murphy

Windy Wear

As we have finally come to accept here at FABRIC, fall has befallen us and brought the windy and cool weather with it. As many of you have noticed, it's time to bust out your fall and winter wear and here at FABRIC we've always believed that when the cool weather hits, it doesn't really matter what you're wearing underneath, as long as you have a fabulous coat on! While some may call this fashion laziness, we maintain that it is sheer style ingenuity.

This season, transition with those booties by pairing them with great trench coat (we think khaki is a classic), or spice up your girly threads with a tough chick leather jacket. Plaid is way hot this season, so keep your eyes peeled for plaid wool and cashmere coats, especially in nutty colours and deep blues and greens. The cape has made a serious comeback, as seen on Posh Spice and Nicole Ricci, and we suggest opting for a cape in one of the fruity colours of the season (cranberry, for example) instead of a simple black to steer clear from the Count Dracula look. We're loving white coats right now for a fresh, crisp, Mod feel. Look for a new empire-waist coat or something a little lengthier than you would usually go for - Talula Babaton makes lovely fitted warm wool/cashmere coats. Whether you're sloshing around in UGGS or out for a night in town in your favourite Louboutins, your coat should be well fitted (remember: wool and leather both stretch) yet roomy enough to pile on a couple sweaters underneath. To dress up a basic wool coat, spice it up with a wide patent waist belt or a knotted thin brown leather belt. Regardless of the denial you may be in now, -20 degree weather is on its way faster than you can say "Cabo?". They say that step one is admitting there is a problem. If this is true, then step two is buying a kickass coat to hug you through the frostbite warnings.

(Top to Bottom: Banana Republic Monogram Collection $1200, Silence & Noise at Urban Outfitters $98, Mackage, $550, available at Holt Renfrew)