Back to school, back to work and back to business — but who says workwear has to be boring? Jeanne Beker pulled together outfits inspired by the city’s most literary for a fall style uniform fit for the classroom and the office.
1. The Globe and Mailer
Sweater vest: Simons, $49, 260 Yonge St. Pants: Erietta, $195, 320 Danforth Ave. Messenger bag: Roots, $448, 80 Bloor St. W. Loafers: Get Outside, $289.99, 437 Queen St. W.
Throw a white T-shirt or collared button down under this vest for a fall-approved look that’s a little bit Gilmore Girls (particularly during Rory’s newspaper era).
2. Toronto Reference Library chic
Knit top: Homebody Studio, $218, 1575 Bayview Ave. Skirt: Freda’s, $169, 45 Elm St. Boots: Heel Boy, $748, 773 Queen St. W. Glasses: Warby Parker, $150, 3401 Dufferin St.
A plaid midi paired with Frye boots is pretty much all you need this fall. The glasses and cool short sleeve take on a knit sweater kick it up to librarian chic level.
3. Indie bookstore seller uniform
Tie shirt: Hilary MacMillan, SALE $120. Jeans: Over the Rainbow, $365, 55 Bloor St. W. Flats: Gravitypope, SALE $299.99, 1010 Queen St. W. Tote: Type Books, $30, 427 Spadina Rd.
This chartreuse shirt is a funky colour and comes with something even funkier: a built-in tie with detachable pins for accessorizing! Pair your outfit with a tote of your choosing (like this Alice in Wonderland one) and you’ll fit right in among the city’s most literary.
4. U of T professor vibes
V neck pullover: Andrews, $415, 2901 Bayview Ave. Corduroy pants: Freda’s, $310, 45 Elm St. BOOK CHARM, Marmalade, $32, 9 Davies Ave. Brogues: La Canadienne, $475, 138 Cumberland St.
V necks are a big trend for fall, and this lightweight one has a beautiful pattern that pairs perfectly with every professor’s best friend: corduroy. Drop the silver book charm on your favourite chain or bracelet (or turn it into a keychain) to really broadcast your love for reading.
5. The next Margaret Atwood
Cardigan: Gravitypope, $535, 1010 Queen St. W. Pleated skirt: Maje, $445, 3401 Dufferin St. Heels: Maguire, SALE $215, 750 Queen St. W. Library-themed pins: Hopeless Romantic Books, $25, 1080 Queen St. W.
Cardigans are the ideal literary layering piece for fall, and they pair well with pleated skirts and old-fashioned library pins!
6. Classics PhD student
Blazer: $895, and TOP, $350, Smythe, 1116 Yonge St. Midi skirt: Holt Renfrew, $598, 50 Bloor St. W. Kitten heels: Maguire, $265, 750 Queen St. W.
Blazers and plaid are a match made in heaven, and this business chic outfit takes that pairing to the next level. It’s perfect for dissecting The Odyssey and then stepping in as T.A. for a class of bored first-year students.