Once in a while Mackage ditches those wide leather belts and practical pocket decorations for the sake of versatility.

Which is actually very good.

At the opening show of Toronto Fashion Week Mackage designers presented the full range of chic flattering - and warm (at least it looks warm) - outerwear. Suprisingly, they can do more than coats with leather details.

For more fall inspirations check full Mackage fall 2006 show.

And even though this (2006) winter is warmest ever in Canada, no one cancelled the pleasure of wrapping one's face in sultry fur while facing harsh winter wind. Or at least in generous wool collar.

Who knows what next winter has for us, right?

Among the practical yet sweet and Opera Company/Distillery-worthy things of Mackage fall 2006 collection to crave are:

- Military-dyed jackets with lavish fur details (work for the office and party afterwards just as well)

- Oversize collars that can be zipped or hooked

- Camouflage prints combined with luxe fur.

- Madonna-approved leggins - just for the show, though.

- Zero wide (obi) belts, finally, and zero leather ruches, too. Denis Gagnon does seriously deconstructed leather every season, and whoever digs it, they buy it. Just how many ruched leather jackets people need?

However, we saw as many as five identical linen jackets with plisse collars in the audience at Mackage show. But that's linen, it's cheaper than leather, so value-driven Canadian fashionistas will buy it anyway.

Message to Mackage: Please continue pleasing regular folks, we need comfy neutral clothes, too. And yes, we spend money on comfy clothes.

Also, please get over the puffy pocketed shorts. If they make superslim models look bumpy, think of what they do to a size 10 gal.  

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