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There’s a nondescript bar on the West End of Toronto that has become a major conduit for my personal style evolution. Upon first glance, it’s nothing special: dim retro lighting, dusty blinds and a rickety wood patio. But it is home to the most delicious martini my best friend and I have ever tasted. The drinks are served in teacups, the olives are firm and, at this point, the bartenders know our orders. We saunter in and say hello; a joke is made about not needing the menu; our chilled extra dirties arrive—hers vodka, mine gin—and we feel like our most fashionable selves. The peak of this experience, I’ve come to realize, is the satisfaction in having a signature drink. The innocent smugness of not needing to consult the specials board or take into consideration “what kind of mood” you’re in. As I’ve adopted this go-to order over the past year, my style, too, has become more self-assured.
Photo via instagram/@charlixcx
This is not just my experience, it’s science. Developing your tastes is a multi-faceted endeavour that comes from trying things out and seeing what works. Once you find a drink you jive with, you know yourself a little more. And at its best, this discovery can help solidify your style. Take Charli xcx. The queen of slinky summer debauchery has partnered with Aperol Spritz and is often seen holding an icy orange drink in paparazzi photos or stage performances. Kris Jenner’s famous martini recipe—terrifyingly, all vodka—is an emblem of her severe, to-the-point productivity. When Hailey Bieber pulled up to the 2025 Met Gala in a blazer and tights, it was her sippable accessory—a martini christened with olives—that blessed the otherwise plain look with some buzz.
Photo by Aeon/GC Images
What you choose for your signature drink, much like how you take your coffee or the type of music you like, says a lot about you. Emma D’Arcy became the internet’s collective crush after revealing their hyper-specific taste for a “Negroni Sbagliato” in 2022. It was niche, esoteric and a perfectly fitting choice for their rule-breaking red carpet style. The right order can also make for camp-y character building. On Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, cast member Dorit Kemsley’s high-maintenance cocktail of choice—Belvedere and soda served in a short glass with three lemons, juiced and “carcass out” (whatever that means)—is an extension of her divisive diamond-dripping persona. In real life, the coolest people I know have a signature drink. FASHION Editor-in-Chief Liz Guber has written about her go-to order being a paper plane, and fittingly, she has a wardrobe full of designer vintage gems. There’s something impressive about a person who knows what they want, both in beverage and outfit selection. Back when I conformed to the unspoken dress-codes of King West night-life fashion (mini skirts; strappy tops), I would have gone for the most syrupy cocktail I could find. I loved a Lychee concoction—something thick that would coat my mouth and mask the alcohol. Then, I exited my early-twenties going-out phase and moved onto Lambrusco—a sweeter take on red wine, its chilled bubbles effervescent and easy to drink on a first date. But as I’ve gotten older and my life has become richer—more full of community and less riddled with anxiety—my palate has evolved. These days, instead of only wearing hyper-feminine silhouettes, I’ll reach for the odd necktie or dad-adjacent Bermuda shorts. My hair has gone through phases of extreme experimentation—chopped to the apples of my cheeks and grown into an androgynous lob. Over the months, I’ve dabbled with other iterations of my beloved order. I’ve tasted pungent curry martinis and tried various pickled garnishes. They’re all good, but there’s nothing like a classic; sitting down at my favourite hole in the wall and sharing good conversation over something I know I enjoy. Like a great outfit, the right signature drink can make you feel more like you. Continue Reading
