For some reason all of the summer sales have hit retailers early this year - I don’t recall having sales until mid summer (end of July-ish). I’m not going to attempt to attribute this to an economic factor (though I’d speculate it would have to do with consumer confidence and attempts to salvage diminishing profits for the year, but uhm, you didn’t hear that from me).
Sales are virtually everywhere (and with great agitation and frustration I will share them with you). Why do I hate sales? Because I’m a person …

Interesting stuff - Aldo has recently started up a blog portion on their website (go Web 2.0, your ways are all-encompassing). Most companies tend to just stick with a press section, but Aldo went a step above and created a platform to relate to their youth / yuppie audience. Strange thing is that most of the stuff on the blog is shameless promotion, product plugs, and a complete overabundance of corporate self-indulgence.
Thanks but no thanks Aldo - try coolhunting shoe polish or something next time.
> sorry aldo, the image is …

So everyone’s been ranting lately about the leggings trend - how they’re not a supplement for real pants. But as much as I agree with that perspective, leggings are evolving more and more into the anti-jean, comfortable trend.
But to a certain degree, some leggings are just getting too elaborate, spandex-y, and shiny. One hot up and comer is Lisa Kline with her LNA leggings line (strangely like Canada’s TNA from Aritzia wouldn’t you say?). This designer has chosen to capitalize on the tights-as-pants fad with adornments such as zippers and …

Anyone remember those jeans that were actually sweatpants back in the early 2000’s? Anyone? Remember how they were sold with the likes of Mavi’s, Guido & Mary, and Parasuco?
If not, well lucky for you you can catch the second wave of the “what-you-see-is-not-what-you-get” trend. Highlighted above are some of my favourites - feel free to share your finds too.

They say never to wear white after Labour Day. I say, abuse this rule while you can, and adorn yourself in that flowing, angelic shade.
And that’s exactly what FASHION Magazine did on one gloriously bright Saturday afternoon. Gathering a flock of all types (models, FASHION Editors, and just plain pretty people), the Flash Mob hit Yonge and Dundas Square Downtown Toronto to create a spectacle. With crisp white lanterns hung from above and a bevy of calm statuesque subjects, the event generated an incredible and artistic presence.
Check out some coverage …

If, like me, you’re sick of seeing every other person you pass by wearing your latest pair of Converses or the t-shirt you’ve been eying for weeks, maybe it’s about time you stopped by Stolen Riches. The boutique is located on Toronto’s stylish Queen Street West (just a bit west of Bathurst) and offers an impressive, carefully selected assortment of sneakers and street wear labels. For anyone with a sneaker fetish, Stolen Riches houses dozens of unique-looking (but totally wearable) sneakers from popular brands including Nike, Reebok, Vans, …

“But I was told it was $7.50.”
“Well it’s $7.95. It’s not that much of a difference,” the drycleaner retorted.
“It adds up - when you dry clean a lot.”
“Well, life is getting expensive,” the foreign lady said woefully.
Clothes are expensive enough, but maintaining them is becoming a nightmare. Thoughts?

Vena Cava is my recent find - I’m loving the strangely European infused, fun-loving line. Why can’t more brands encompass fashions that boast quality and originality all in the same?
Straight from harnessing talent at Parsons, The New School, for fashion, Lisa Mayock and Sophie Buhai have refined their Californian tastes into New York Sophistication. The brand was born in 2003, and is inspired heavily by fine art, culture, and Retro flavour. Their line has received attention from international press, and is sure to be a growing force in affordable, great …

Hopefully by now you’ve noticed some changes to UrbaneBloc.com -

a much desired redesign has come about, just in time for the summer.
Don’t get too comfortable - there will be more changes. I’m going back to the roots, to do what I desired from the beginning with this blog - coolhunting, original posts, and pure visual goodness. PS - I would love to hear your feedback on the new look.
Stick around - you’ll be rewarded.

Word. Nothing like cackling over some ludicrous fashion trend line, where every piece in the line is a mash-up of confusion and pattern, and appropriated obscure and not-so-obscure urban phrases / references.
Official Tourist brings a whole new meaning to cheesy - with a website enhanced by silver chains and gold lettering, the old school graphic car with its trunk popped open is only an afterthought.
Dressed as a gangster’s haven, the Official Tourist website displays prominently each of their “hoodie” products (they’re literally just…hoods). With favourites like “Brown Bunny” and “Big …