Félix Leblanc-Garceau

Whenever I venture out of my Belle Provence, I’m reminded of the sophisticated reputation that Montréalers have in the rest of Canada. When moving to Toronto for university, a friend of mine was greeted with startled-yet-impressed looks when he showed up to a party wearing a shirt and bearing a bottle of wine. This culture shock isn’t really surprising seeing that Montréal’s identity is as European as it is American. And while our national meal wouldn’t exactly be depicted as refined, the same certainly can’t be said about our men, whose innate sense of style is esteemed by their fellow Canadians. Intrigued by it all, I asked two trendy Montréalers how they do it.

Whether it was to attend his job at Holt Renfrew or simply to go to class, Laurent Bergeron always made it a priority to dress smart. Meanwhile, Félix Leblanc-Garceau’s mastery of the nautical trend wasn’t picked up by studying the runways but rather followed years of sailing trips with his dad on the St. Lawrence River.

Where do you find inspiration on what to wear?

Félix: I live in one of Montréal’s hippest neighbourhoods, the Mile-End, and I like to stroll around observing how the artsy residents dress. Some of their outfits might be too extravagant for me but if I find something interesting, I’ll tone it down and adapt it to myself.

How would you define your style?

Laurent: I grew up in a house where the aesthetic philosophy was to mix and match. My mom decorated our home with French inspiration paired with accents from the Victorian era along with Asian art. I feel that evolving in such a diverse environment influenced the way I dress today. I would call my style “eclectic chic”; I just love to experiment.

Do you have a trademark look?

Félix: Yes, my long hair. I started to let it grow around the age of 18; it is an integral part of my identity. It’s not to everyone’s taste but no one’s ever managed to get me to cut it (and no one ever will!).

How can you stand out sartorially in a country that’s covered in snow almost half of the year?

Laurent: The key lies in layering. Piling up different pieces of clothing gives me the opportunity to distinguish myself in colder months. Accessorizing is also a must. Every winter, I invest in quality scarves, hats and gloves to dress my coat up.

Laurent Bergeron

What are the best shopping addresses in Montreal?

Félix: I love to go bargain hunting in thrift stores. The Plateau neighbourhood has tons of great ones. They might be pricier than places like Value Village or The Salvation Army but they’re much more selective in what they retrieve which makes finding stuff easier, especially when looking for specific items.

Laurent: My go-to stores are Duo (www.boutiqueduo.com) for their extensive selection of designers, Old Gold Boutique (www.oldgoldboutique.com) for fantastic vintage finds, and Manhood (www.boutiquemanhood.com) for affordable yet fashionable pieces.

What do you consider to be the ultimate style infraction?

Félix: I can’t stand to see young professional men wearing teenager gear (baggy pants, long tees, etc.) I find them quite ridiculous. At our age, you need to dress the part if you want to be taken seriously.

What’s your favourite Spring/Summer ’11 trend?

Laurent: I’m a big fan of orange so I was thrilled to discover that it is the color of the moment. I find its punchy hue tremendously refreshing. For instance, a pair of orange loafers instantly makes an outfit on its own.

When asked about style’s golden rule according to them, both answered that one should always trust his instincts and dare to be bold. (Almost) anything can work if worn with confidence!