Just Don't Wear Green

It's a Monday night. It's St. Patrick's Day. Your buds have been bombed off Irish car bombs and green Steamwhistle since noon, but you've shirked the shamrock fever all day, calling it purposeless partying.

Well, do-gooders, it's time you pull up your party pants and hike down to the Drake. We promise you won't be pinched if your outfit excludes shades of sage or spinach.

It's been almost a month, but the businesses burned in the Queen West blaze still need some help fire-fighting. Preloved, F-List, Vervegirl, and Degrassi student Adamo Ruggiero are leading the effort, with a little help from Fashion Week. Drinks, dresses, dancing, and donations go to support victims, whether they be residents or residing businesses.

Despite the store damage, Preloved promises to show off their Fall/Winter '08 collections in Nathan Phillips Square, Tuesday at 2 p.m., as part of L'Oreal Fashion Week. Expect the unexpected, unique hybrids of new and old—you might see an grimy pair of work pants re-stitched into a fantastic cocktail frock, or seven pairs of ripped and ragged jeans joined into one seemingly-seamless skirt.

While your Irish pals may have passed out by eight, this party gets started at 10 p.m. Like many Drake events, it's a pay-what-you-can, but we'd encourage you get generous—after all, this party's for a cause. And if that's not enough encouragement, be reminded that you'll look cheap if you spend more on cocktails than contributions.

Photo by Danielle Scott from the Torontoist Flickr Pool.