Leah McLaren

The mean shall inherit the Earth (or at least clean up on Jeopardy!)

Curmudgeons are far more intelligent than their happy counterparts, according to a new Australian study

Men’s Converse Originals boots, $140 through www.converse.com. On the right,
Aldo boots, $90 through www.aldoshoes.com.
Knockoff

The look for less: lace-up boots

Get yourself to boot camp with these Aldo lace-ups

This funky occasional chair ($1,580) at Bullfrog & Limitless Called seems to spin on two (perfectly stationary) metal rings, giving the base and the ribbons above it a peculiar sense of motion.
Spotted

A weekly design snapshot

A chair that deserves some wiggle room

Ralph Lauren Black Label silk shirt, $600 at the Room (www.hbc.com). Sequined bow tie, $120 through www.christophershermanbowties.com.

Style

Fashion's golden moment

Gold has never been more precious – as a commodity and in your closet

Retail

Have yourself a merry digi-Christmas

As more stores pursue your online dollars this year, the keys to savvy e-shopping include starting early, getting gifts prewrapped

Shopping

Kids' clothes – and the women who wear them

Amy Verner fesses up to shopping the juniors department. She is not alone

Business

Small-scale artisans embrace the virtual dollhouse

From toy makers to physicists, ‘micro manufacturers' are tapping online stores and studios to design, build and market their wares

Work It

Office fashion: The sheer blouse

Go for it, but skip that black bustier

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Design
Matte finishes first as shine loses its lustre

Gloss is falling flat as everything from fast cars to fragrances embrace a darker, duller aesthetic

Butter London Matte Finish Topcoat, $21 at Holt Renfrew (www.holtrenfrew.com).
Advice
To bow or not to bow: That shouldn't be the question

Don't break a sweat over navigating cultural customs

Russell Smith
Vote
Blake Lively: Hit or miss?

We do the trendspotting each week, then let you have your say

Photo gallery
Toronto Fashion Week

New digs in the city's west end and a new energy gave this year's shows a hit of adrenaline

Metallics and sequins added glitz to Pink Tartan's girly basics. The seven-year-old label has developed a loyal following.
Creative control
The modern ad man's style

Forget Don Draper's suit army. Today's image manipulators wear their creativity on their sleeve

Andrew Chisholm, a 30-year-old creative at Juniper Park in Toronto, will often pair his custom shirts with casual details like knitted ties, cardigans and argyle socks peeking over a pair of desert boots (a birthday gift from his girlfriend).
Earlier discussion
Olympic apparel unveiled

Globe Style's Amy Verner chats about The Bay's clothing line for the 2010 Games

The Bay's official Olympic 2010 line
Video
Inside a Globe Style photo shoot

Inside a Globe Style photo shoot

Tools
Cross-border shopping calculator

How much are you really spending?