Pulling off the trends du jour can be a slippery slope (just ask this crazy lady), but long-time BFFs Laya Bail and Hayley French are up to the challenge. Granted, they’re also barely out of their teens and look like they walked off the set of Gossip Girl. (We’re not sure if we want to date them or be them.) This best-dressed duo, spotted at the Power Ball, explain why fashion is forever, but miniskirts have an expiration date.
Laya Bail (left) and Hayley French (Photo by Courtney Shea)
Do you guys always dress alike?
HF: No, but it does happen a lot. In high school, we’d show up at parties in the same dress. It’s because we spend a lot of time together.
You’re obviously both loving this season’s must-have boyfriend blazer. Where are yours from?
HF: Mine’s from Club Monaco.
LB: I found this at Value Village. I think it was the jacket of a little boy’s tuxedo.
Is there a recent mega-trend that you’re not so fond of?
HF: I have to say, I really don’t understand the whole drop-crotch harem pants thing.
LB: Hey, I have harem pants. I like to wear them with a hot corset. I think there are ways to pull off almost anything as long as you mix louder pieces with more basic stuff.
HF: I love people who can do that. Just toss a bunch of different things together and look really unique. I’m not good at it. My style is less daring, more classic.
How old is too old to wear lace leggings and miniskirts?
HF: I don’t know. I think as you get older, the hemlines come down and the necklines should go up. I won’t be wearing this outfit 10 years from now.
LB: I try to be appropriate. Tonight is fun. It’s an art party, so I can wear something a little wild, but you won’t see me wearing lace leggings at dinner with my parents.
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Aarrgh! What is going on with your “best dressed” choices? Hayley’s purse looks like a briefcase and her bra is hanging out. She looks like she threw everything on at the same time and didn’t bother to check her mirror. As for Laya, what’s with the lace tights over the back of her feet and the open toe shoes, not to mention the shorts over the tights. Best dressed, really? What was everyone else at the ball wearing? Yuck!!!
June 10, 2009 at 9:47 pm | by WWIf I was as pretty as Laya, I’d never be sad.
June 10, 2009 at 10:19 pm | by SMBRachel? Rachel is that you?
June 10, 2009 at 10:22 pm | by MSI agree with WW’s comment on bad handbags. Laya’s looks like something she found in her grandmother’s closet.
June 10, 2009 at 10:35 pm | by Sandy SiporaWhat the F, haters? These girls look young and fun – exactly as they should for their age. And how great is it that they raided the little boy’s section of Valu-Village? Although I’m not sure I would describe an exposed bra as “classic”…
June 10, 2009 at 11:04 pm | by sartorial sallyI have been looking for leggings like that. Would love to know where she got them. ps. Love the bag. Structured is totally hot. pps. Is it just me, or do they look like characters on The Hills?
June 11, 2009 at 11:52 am | by gabbygirlslim pickings at the power ball…. what has this column come to!? get some help from FASHION if need be!
June 11, 2009 at 1:49 pm | by zburnettOMG me and my boyfriend love you girls!
June 11, 2009 at 3:31 pm | by thomasnearyIf this were New York, they’d be on the worst dressed list. Come on Toronto Life, what are you thinking?
June 11, 2009 at 3:56 pm | by Kristhomasneary – any particular reason you’re using a fake (real) name?
June 12, 2009 at 8:29 am | by lpps these outfits arent horrid but those gawdy stripper heels are getting really passe…
the looks are a bit cliche.
June 12, 2009 at 8:30 am | by lpi love checking this column almost more much for the catty comments than the actual pic/write-up
June 12, 2009 at 1:01 pm | by shazThese outfits are heinous, very last year. Showing your bra is so passe. Open your eyes Toronto Life.
June 16, 2009 at 5:19 am | by EMI’m really not a fan of lacy tights normally (they’re usually worn SO badly), but layla pulls them off in that outfit. The edginess on the bottom is completely balanced by the flowing white shirt, I love the textures together. Kudos to finding such a cute blazer at value village, but the purse (/brief case?) looks more like it’s from the bag lady’s cart. Adorable despite that!
June 18, 2009 at 11:51 pm | by pennyThis is totally young and fun. Plus, in context there’s no doubt in my mind that these two are “best dressed”. I mean, it was Power Ball. Not exactly your swanky cocktail party crawling with socialites in Chanel.
Love that she got the blazer at Value Village. But that bag has got to go.
June 23, 2009 at 1:16 pm | by heatherThey both look like they’re trying too hard. Ugh.
June 24, 2009 at 9:47 am | by MiLeAgree with Shaz – the column bothers me to know end but i get a real kick over how much most people hate it. it’s stupid. plain and simple. i love toronto life but i detest this column.
June 24, 2009 at 4:15 pm | by LLi agreee, they are trying too hard: all I see is baggy t-shirts, over tights and a blazerform a man’s closet paired with shoes and handbags that don’t go with the “ensemnle”- horrible, dull, i wouldn’t wear it to run to the cornerstore- in hindsight, a regrettable look
June 30, 2009 at 10:00 pm | by Ilia Londinethe brunette needs a haircut bad, the length needs to go, at least 6 inches, its thinning
July 4, 2009 at 11:25 pm | by jo-anneI luv the bruneete’s platform shoes, where are they from??
July 4, 2009 at 11:27 pm | by alisonterrible
July 20, 2009 at 11:51 pm | by edThey look age appropriate and totally fun. Nothing wrong with what they’re wearing. However, not innovative or unique. Standard issue and hardly worthy of being considered “best dressed”. I’d be hard pressed to pick them out from among the crowd of leggy 20-somethings with long hair in minis, boyfriend jackets, leggings and platform shoes.
(Love the comments, lovers & haters alike!)
July 31, 2009 at 10:57 am | by Liz