Toronto’s Best Dressed: Shay Mitchell

She headlines a cult teen show, co-runs a lifestyle blog and has a fawning Instagram audience that recently breached the 9.5-million mark. Still, Mitchell finds time to look ridiculously fashionable at every turn. We asked the actress to reflect on her signature brand of pouty-lipped perfection. Here’s what she said.

I’d describe my look as...

Eclectic, and constantly evolving. Some days I dress like a flower child, other days I’m a biker girl. It depends on my mood.

My style icon is...

Sophia Loren. She’s so beautiful and classic. And sexy, obviously, but in all the right ways.

I break the bank on...

Bags, bags, bags, bags, bags. I have a problem. I could shop at the dollar store for everything else, but I need a good bag. My latest purchase, a tweed Chanel, was close to $3,000.

My favourite childhood outfit was...

Jeans and a bulky sweater, with all my hair pushed to one side. It was an ’80s look.

The most important item in a woman’s wardrobe is...

A basic black or white tee.

The most important item in a guy’s wardrobe is...

Great-fitting jeans. Slim, but not too tight. Maybe classic Levis with little rips in the knees. I’m weak for that.