By Luis-Enrique Arrazola on
Take a much-needed shopping trip into Toronto’s exciting shopping districts to assemble the classic, vintage or trend-driven wardrobe of your dreams.
Yorkville is Toronto’s fashion design hub and the go-to destination for anyone looking to elevate their wardrobe with luxurious flair. The shopping in this neighbourhood brims with designer elegance and European sophistication.
For an upscale avant-garde shopping experience, browse the gorgeously curated racks of 119 Corbò for ready-to-wear designer garments by the likes of Ann Demeulemeester, Rick Owens and Maison Margiela.
Nestled into a beautifully remodelled Victorian-era townhouse on Thomas Street, WDLT117 is a contemporary concept store that merges the collections of emerging designers like Ottolinger and Dion Lee with art-world favourites like Y/Project and fashion powerhouses like Issey Miyake and Yohji Yamamoto. The store is packed with pieces that verge on contemporary art and make a bold sartorial statement. It’s a must-visit for creatives and the fashionably brave!
For supremely stylish casual wear, take a detour to TNT on Avenue Road or Over the Rainbow in the Manulife Centre shopping mall for an extensive collection of designer denim.
Kensington Market is a National Historic Site of Canada and one of Toronto’s most vibrant and diverse neighbourhoods. Adjacent to the hustle-bustle of Chinatown, Kensington is packed with eclectic cafes, international restaurants and a profusion of unique vintage shops tucked into Victorian row houses. It’s the perfect shopping destination for vintage lovers in search of that one-of-a-kind piece.
Walking into Kensington Avenue’s Courage My Love, you are greeted with the smells of vintage leather, timeworn flannel and smoky Nag Champa incense. Opening its doors back in 1975, this vintage shop is a Kensington Market institution and is known for its unique collections of bohemian apparel, remade vintage pieces, kitschy antiques, glimmering beads and vintage jewelry. It’s a must-visit for anyone venturing into the market.
Head across the street to Fashion Old & New for vintage Western finds, before turning onto Augusta Avenue and making your way towards Bungalow, a much-loved vintage haven that melds retro style with contemporary cool. Its collections of new and carefully curated vintage clothing, home décor and mid-century modern furniture have made the shop into a Kensington Market staple.
Other notable shops in the neighbourhood include Exile, One Heart and Space Vintage.
The shops in West Side’s Ossington Village and Queen Street West are the perfect antidotes to wardrobe blahs. If you’re struggling to emerge from your pandemic style, the Ossington Avenue boutique Permission will revive your closet with a trendy range of women’s leisurewear. Here you’ll find minimalist bodycon dresses and skirts in comfortable fabrics, stretchy bodysuits and rompers, playful accessories and a range of luxe lifestyle goods.
If you’re in the mood for a quick caffeine fix or menswear that oozes urban cool, stop by the hybrid boutique/coffee shop Lost & Found on Ossington Avenue before heading down to Philistine on Queen Street West for premium alternative fashion brands and a trendy take on vintage.
Next up is Fawn, a purveyor of indie fashion and a Queen Street West favourite since its launch in 2007. Under the visionary stewardship of its owner, Kasha Bilobram, the womenswear boutique features seasonal collections of timeless and organic pieces by independent international designers, placing an emphasis on wearability, quality fabrics and ethical manufacturing practices.