These local Toronto fashion boutiques will make you want to forgo malls forever
Written by Grayson Miller
When people first think of great local shopping cities, the classics like New York, London, and Paris come to mind. While these well-known cities provide an experience that is a treat and an experience like none other, Toronto is becoming a shopping metropolis to be recognized.
From cool Toronto brands that house their own local goods to fantastic independent retailers offering the world’s best products, Toronto’s local shopping scene continues to flourish as mid-size national retailers shutter their doors. In this climate, local shops not only have to reign supreme with stellar customer service and superior knowledge, they must also offer a product mix and offering that is top-notch and easily accessible.
Whether you’re looking for hard to find gems, or the coolest brands Toronto has to offer, the local shops nestled in our city house some of the best shopping around. If you know where to look and what shops are a must visit, you can easily navigate the local scene, score yourself superb products, and at the same time support some of the brightest local entrepreneurs in the city.
MADE Clothing Co
145 Berkeley St #500, Toronto, ON M5A 2X1
There are many places to get a custom suit in Toronto, but none do it with the ease and lack of pretentiousness as MADE Clothing Co. Located in Toronto’s east end on Berkeley street, MADE focuses on made-to-measure tailoring and is for the man that wants to look his best and is ready to upgrade to the wonders of a bespoke suit.
MADE has a four step-process that ensures that you not only get a beautiful suit, but you get an experience commensurate with the garment. You can sit down with a MADE expert, enjoy a drink or cocktail, get measured and leave knowing you’re going to receive a beautiful suit. When you’re talking about bespoke suits, be prepared for a wide variation in price, as the garment is a reflection of you and your wishes.
Nomad
819 Queen St W, Toronto, ON M6J 1G1
Nestled on Queen Street West lies one of the best street wear stores in North America. Known for being the purveyors of style, Nomad has been catering to the well dressed in the city since 2010. The small shop with big brands houses coveted names such as Commes des Garçons PLAY and Common Projects and the shop’s concrete floors paired with reclaimed wood and white walls makes the space feel like you’re in a Lower East Side New York City boutique.
As far as price point goes, Nomad isn’t the place for bargain shopping. Beautiful and hard to find street wear comes with a hefty price tag. Clothing and footwear start around $200 and quickly go up from there – sometimes hitting the $1500 mark.
Uncle Otis
26 Bellair St, Toronto, ON M5R 2C7
Uncle Otis has been a local staple for over 25 years, which is no easy feat. Donnell Enns who heads up Uncle Otis credits the success of the store to carrying coveted staples as well as focusing on customers’ changing needs. Uncle Otis is a Mecca for the urban gentleman looking to enhance his wardrobe with upscale and polished items such as oxford shirts, tweed ties, tailored apparel, denim, and sophisticated accessories that assist in complementing any outfit to any style. Housing brands like Universal Works, Wings + Horns, Norse Projects and many more, Uncle Otis is one of the must shop local spots.
What’s also awesome about Uncle Otis is that the store tries to keep around 20 per cent of their product Canadian made or designed.
With coveted brands, and a premier location, Uncle Otis is competitively priced but in no way inexpensive. Shirts start around $150 and jackets and beautifully made outerwear can tip the scale above $1,000. Whatever the price, you can be assured that shopping at this local spot will keep you looking great.
Vitaly
505 Queen St W, Toronto, ON M5V 2B4
Local brand Vitaly has grown from selling rings to close family and friends to launching their first Flagship store in one of Canada’s premier shopping neighbourhoods.
The Vitaly Compound is one of the coolest new local shops on the Queen Street West block. Known for their bold unisex jewelry and their load of 325,000 fervent instagram followers, Vitaly opened the shop in late 2016 and hasn’t looked back since. This local brand is known internationally, but makes Toronto their home. This is truly awesome for the local shopping scene as Vitaly’s jewelry and clothing are not only affordable, but cool and unique as well. With most pieces under $100 it’s easy to see why the brand has reached amazing heights.
Capsule
69 Yorkville Ave #104, Toronto, ON M5R
If you’re looking for coveted or hard to find sneakers, Capsule has you covered. As one of the premier local retailers for sneakers, Capsule is the place you go for hard to find Adidas, Original NMD’s or the latest Jordan release. People shop at Capsule because it’s essentially a premium service retailer for shoppers who love sneakers!
With somewhere close to 250 styles of footwear including brands like Nike, Converse and New Balance - Capsule is one of the only shoe stores in Toronto that caters to every sneakerhead.
As far as price point goes, expect to find shoes retailing above $100 with most falling around the $149 - $275 price mark.
Park & Province
927 Queen St W, Toronto, ON M6J 1G5
Time and time again, Park & Province has been recognized as one of the best new menswear stores in the city, and when you’re talking about true local shops, it’s hard to beat. Originally an online only shop, Park & Province has now morphed into a beautiful store that aims to curate amazing clothing for men. High-end customer service provided by owners Gray Butler and Chris Naidu make Park & Province feel like home and a place where you want to shop over and over again. The company houses all your local shopping needs, from the softest and coolest basics to luxury hotel level apothecary.
With a product range like no other store in the city, Park & Province provides a price point that matches the quality of their goods. A button-up oxford will cost you around $165; a technical mac rain jacket will set you back about $585.
Shopping at Park & Province is a treat to say the least. As one of the highest Google rated stores Park & Province offers amazing products, a great atmosphere and a chance to chop it up with some of the Toronto’s best young retail talent.