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What Vancouver People Wear

Katie Lister

| September 2, 2009

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The "boyfriend" blazer | Club Monaco

Samantha: “This is the new version of the blazer. It’s very trendy and is great for work as well as for going out on the town.”

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The vest | A gift from his cousin

Ken: “I have always liked vests and it’s a different look from the norm.”

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The blazer | Bebe

Dionne: “The jacket is very versatile: you can layer it over anything!”

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The vest | Guess

Johnny: “It’s simple and classy.”

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The blazer | A store in England called Next

Jaslina: “I noticed that it was a trend in Europe and knew it would be popular in Vancouver as well.”

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The plaid | Armani

Lucas: “I like the slim design and the colour stands out – It is unique.”

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The vest | Boys'co

Sia: “Vests are the trend right now and it is a good dressy alternative to a suit jacket.”

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The plaid | Club Monaco

Sam: “Plaid is in and the colour is strong.”

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The braid

Sarah: “Honestly, it’s just easier to keep my hair together!”

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The braid

Stephanie: “It’s simple and it’s in style right now.”

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The plaid | Somewhere in Japan

This guy, Yousuke, didn’t speak great English. He said something about these pants being "funky and comfortable."

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The braid

Lindsey: “It just adds a little something to the daily hair routine.”

Which fashion trends are seeping into Vancouver street style?

Back: The Complete BCBusiness Style Guide
Video: Behind the scenes at our fashion shoot
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For intrepid BCB reporter Katie Lister the mission was clear: scour downtown Vancouver – camera in tow – and photograph fashionable people. She wasn't looking for trends, exactly – let's call them recurring motifs.

And on Robson, Georgia, Burrard, and Cardero streets, this is what she found: lots of men are wearing vests and plaid, and many women fond of the “boyfriend blazer” and simple hair braid.

When asked why they’d chosen what they’d chosen, most had the same response: “Because it’s trendy.” Katie’s conclusion? That in true Vancouver style, fashion must be voguish and of the moment, but also easy to pull off. No one, it seems, wants to be seen putting in more effort than our West Coast ethic allows.