How Not to Dress Like a Street Style Victim

Fashion week street style has become a sartorial circus, with graphic tent stripes and elaborately feathered fascinators sure to get you snapped by the likes of Scott Schuman or Canada's own Tommy Ton. However, we encourage you to go back to basics with spring's minimalist redux. From Balenciaga to Jil Sander, the focus remained on immaculately crafted pieces that will outlive fleeting seasonal trends.

Investing in these closet-cleansing staples—like a crisp men's shirt or a precision-tailored blazer—will not only spare your wallet the financial perils of the fickle cycle of fast fashion, but can also have a positive impact on the environment. Consider this: Canada generates nearly two million tonnes of textile waste each year. By investing in a few quality pieces that complement your existing wardrobe, you'll reduce the need to stock up on throwaway fillers each season.

The key here is fit and craftsmanship. Look for clean silhouettes in a pared-back palette—a carryall handbag, sumptuous cashmere sweater and pair of perfect-fit jeans can be worn interchangeably throughout the year. Toss on these pieces with little thought, wearing them with a devil-may-care confidence that seems second nature to the French (think Emannuelle Alt’s perfectly imperfect rolled sleeves or Carine Roitfeld’s disheveled tresses and slept-in eyeliner). It’s this sustainable and anonymously chic intrigue that will land you on the style pages—print clashing not required.

Click through to see our picks for the building blocks of a thoughtfully curated wardrobe.