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Wilfred’s first standalone boutique opening in Toronto this summer

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For those ladylike trendsetters who clamour to Aritzia for its ultra-feminine Wilfred line, here’s some very good news: Wilfred will open its first-ever boutique this summer at Toronto’s ever-evolving Eaton Centre.

Though faithful Aritzia customers may frown upon the label’s new digs (let’s face it, malls don’t have quite the same cache as they did in the Clueless era), the ‘grand apartment’ concept of the new store promises its clientele the cozy boutique aesthetic they’re used to, along with a contemporary edge.

The Dressing Room: a men’s summer wardrobe guide

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When barometer meter readings are on the rise, collared shirts and slacks are no man’s friend. And though none should be denied the right to cool down in a pair of Bermuda shorts, there is a clear distinction between a breezy summer wardrobe and a sailor’s closet (circa 1930s/Popeye era) that should not be ignored. It’s the simple difference between a tailored short-sleeved button-up and a cuffed cap sleeved plaid shirt buttoned to the top.

This Week in Sound: Death Cab for Cutie, Frightened Rabbit, The Weeknd and more

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Indie flagship band Death Cab for Cutie (July 29 @ The Molson Amphitheatre) are indie only in name and don’t need to be introduced. Their electronics-heavy new album Codes and Keys has bewildered critics, and, well, Narrow Stairs wasn’t exactly their finest 45 minutes either — but it’s easy to forget that Death Cab are still among the sturdiest acts in indie rock, with a huge stable of quality material reaching back to 1998. How much of it they’ll play, mind you, is anyone’s guess.

Next to Normal is next to perfect

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Nearly all art forms go through constant changes and growth. Musical theatre, for instance, has gone from silly vaudeville to the gorgeous, memorable music of George and Ira Gershwin; through the uneven but hauntingly-singable works of Rodgers and Hammerstein to the occasionally high art of Stephen Sondheim, who covers such serious themes as divorce, betrayal, adultery, aging, and even operatic bloodshed (as in the great Sweeney Todd).

The weird, wistful and wonderfully delirium-inducing sounds of Philip James

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Philip James is all about the good vibes. Like Real Estate, his music is, in fact, for the faint of heart. Call it shoegaze, call it chillwave or post-rock, call it a pop song wrapped in a fuzzy blanket and fed helium until it floats — Philip James is a link in the new chain of bedroom-based “rock” musicians coaxing listeners into pleasant delirium instead of bludgeoning them into submission.

It's official: Captain Canuck is getting his own film

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Toronto’s limelight went up and then away with the creation of the world’s most recognized superhero, Superman, in the 1930s. Toronto-born Joe Shuster was one of two creators of the icon, but unfortunately for us, Canadian pride was in short supply: Superman’s loyalties have always resided with the U.S. However, Canada does have its own purebred comic book hero, Captain Canuck, who will be sweeping the nation once again — and this time, it’ll be on the silver screen.

British brunch in Riverdale: Hammersmith’s takes over Logan Grill’s space

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It took east-enders Colin Reed and Brittany Peglar several months to find the right spot for their first restaurant, Hammersmith’s, a British-inspired brunch destination in Riverdale. But landing the former Logan Grill space at the corner of Logan and Gerrard has proven to be a smart move for the couple. Local residents have been frequenting the restaurant since its opening earlier this month.

T.O. Sales Roundup: vacation (or staycation) essentials

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With summer at its peak, chances are if you haven’t already left for some fun in the sun, you soon will. But first thing’s first: packing (groan). Trying to consolidate a summer’s wardrobe down to a few bags can be exhausting (trust us, we know). But you can relax. Whether you’re going to the beach, the cottage, or staying at home, with this week’s sales roundup, we’ve got your vacation essentials covered.

Drink your coffee and wear it, too

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Toronto’s Lit Espresso Bar is no stranger to the fact that one man’s waste is often another man’s gold. Last year, it donated used coffee grinds to Urban Productions, a local design company, which used the grinds for a tile project. These days, though, the cafe throws out around one and a half green bins worth of coffee grind per week. But who knows, maybe brown will become the new green. A Taiwanese textile company has found a way to transform used coffee grinds into fabric fibers.