Toronto’s Soho – Queen Street West
by Logan Steele · Leave a Comment
When you think of Queen Street in Toronto what do you think of…?
All you resident “townies” please hold your sarcasm for the closing credits. And, all those who have fled to the burbs for safer refuge, please save your screams for the strip malls.
Whether we agree or disagree, over the years Queen St. West has become its own style haven. Where else can you find so many straight, non-metrosexual men, wearing jeans tighter than their female counter parts? Women in cardigans and tops so over sized and slouchy (accompanied by their respective coloured American Apparel tights, of course ) that the ability to see any feminine curve what so ever, should be chalked up to a mild form of clairvoyance. Let’s face it, this is Toronto’s Soho, it is our Wicker Park or even our Alexanderplatz. And, for the young and young at heart, it is the pulse of what is current, forward and edgy in this city.
Let’s face it when you shop at a mall it is more or less a quick fix solution to your fashion dilemmas. Not, to say that there is anything wrong with a shopping mall. They are a necessary evil and there are many great ones in and around Toronto. If you need to find an outfit in a hurry, you can always count on your local Club Monaco, H&M or even Zara for something safe and flattering. But, we don’t shop at malls for those truly unique stand out pieces. Those items that the minute you put on, you know you look good in. The ones that may cause a lot of envy from your fellow urban dwellers. Those items require a bit of adventure and shop hopping. This is where Queen comes into play.
I know that for those that live in the city’s core, Queen is nothing new and may even be considered a bit dated and a glimmer of its former more, progressive self. Many may say it has become over run with retail chain stores and tourists. But, what is more Torontonian than wanting to always think that you are slightly more hip to something, that everyone else is not? It may be more over run by the “Big Fish” franchises but, by no means has it lost its attitude. Right in the heart of the madness you can still find great boutiques such as Decibel or the new kid, Lavish and Squalor. Stores such as Lounge and Groovy that has stood the test of time and has never wavered from its original client base. Boomer is still alive and kicking and still setting a standard for men’s style.
The list continues: Get Outside, Next Door, Due West, C Squared… I can go on. And, for those adventurous enough to cross Spadina into the “Textile District” well, the list of stores are endless all the way up to Dovercourt. What I’m saying is; that we all need to rediscover our city. Although, no one can deny that Queen has become more of a household name than it was in the past. It is still popping up some of the more exciting shopping hot spots in the city. Break out your Chuck Taylor’s and get out there.
[mappress]
