Anyone know a good shoe store in TORONTO? Like Queen St. West or Yorkville, a store with hip casual shoes.?
by Logan Steele · 1 Comment
Looking Tsubo, simple or diesel shoes for men.
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Finn in Yorkville
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Founded by long time fashion lover and devotee Amalie Bruun. Finn Boutique offers its female clientele both exclusivity and elegance. This Yorkville located gem carries an array of independent, local and international designers which include – Jaime Galindo, Burfitt, Flawnt, Tankus, Park Vogel. Its modest antique infused setting lends itself to an intimate shopping experience. And, as those who have been in can attest to – a world of contemporary discovery. Take my word and see for yourself what is going on at Finn.
Finn Boutique | 1 Yorkville Ave. | (416) 961-0101
Hours: Mon – Fri 11-7, Sat 11-6, Sun 12-5
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Marc Jacobs – Finding Marc in the heart of the city
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Hailed as being one of New York city’s favorite sons, Marc Jacobs 25 year career as a designer has influenced the way the world views glamour and practicality. Jacob accredited as the man who single handily brought “grunge” to the runway during his tenure as the Head Designer for Perry Ellis. Can also add being Americas youngest designer to ever be recognized and awarded by the prestigious Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) in 1987. His self titled line as well as its ready to wear offspring Marc by Marc Jacobs, have flourished and has quickly become one of the most sought after and co vetted designs in the global market. So desired in fact that many imitations and knock-off have spawned worldwide. His work with the legendary house Louis Vuitton, have surpassed any and all expectations. And, generated record breaking sales for the power house label.
As “in demand” as Marc’s clothing are unfortunately, Toronto has limited locations in which the designers work are available. I don’t think we will see a Marc Jacobs boutiques anytime soon but, here are a list of some retailers that carry the line. If you seek, you will find.
Holt Renfrew | 50 Bloor St. W. | (416) 922-2333
Hours: Mon – Wed 10–6, Thurs – Fri 10–8, Sat 10 -7, Sun 12-6
Sherway Gardens | 25 The West Mall | (416) 621-9900
Hours: Mon – Fri 10–9, Sat 9:30–6, Sun 11-5
Yorkdale Mall | 3401 Dufferin Street | 416-789-5377
Hours: Mon – Fri 10 – 9, Sat 9:30- 9, Sun 11 – 6
Corbo Boutique | 119 Yorkville Ave. | 416-928-9898
Hours: Mon. – Wed. 10–6, Thurs. 10–8, Fri. – Sat. 10–6, Sun. 1–5
Plum Shoes – Yorkville’s fix for any woman’s shoe addiction
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I was first made aware of this particular Yorkville gem when on the hunt from one of my favourite women’s shoe designers, Chie Mihara. This quaint sub-leveled shop is and absolute treasure chest of hard to come by brands. Everything from Calvin Klien’s couture line to lesser known but equally amazing Hussein Chalayan, are all available in this petite shoe boutique. This is definitely the shoe store for that women with her own sense of style and who does not mind paying for it.
Plum Shoes | 29 Bellair St., Suite 107 | (416) 964-6404
Hours : Mon – Wed 10–6, Thurs – Fri 10–7, Sat 10–6, Sun 12-5
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Over The Rainbow
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This denim wonderland is stock to brim with all the current lines that you would expect to find in a swanky Yorkville locale. From highly recognizable jean designers such as Diesel and Nudie, to lesser known but equally mentionable brands as Earnest Sewn and Joe’s Jeans, this boutique has certainly made its mark in our city’s retail forum. Its clothing exudes youthfulness and edge, perfect for those shoppers that refuse to conform to the cookie cutter format that society often dictates. A definite stop for any and all jean fiend. Maybe Dorothy was on to something?
Over The Rainbow| 101 Yorkville Ave. |(416) 967-7448
Hours: Mon –Wed 10–6, Thurs– Fri 10–8, Sat 10–6, Sun 12–6
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TNT Blu
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Nestled in Toronto’s ultra-chic Yorkville district (its most recognized location), this boutique has brought a much needed urban edge to the highfalutin’ area. Sister store of the highly successful TNT Woman and TNT Man family, this attitude-driven addition houses some of the most interesting lines the world has to offer.
It is almost overwhelming the amount of merchandise available at this retailer. Lines like Comme Des Garcons, Helmut Lang and Nudie don’t even begin to scratch the surface of what one may find. Toronto has finally found that explosive element we’ve been looking for!
TNT Blu | 55 Avenue Rd. (Hazelton Lanes) | (416) 972-1593
Hours: Mon–Wed 10–6, Thurs 10–7, Fri–Sat 10 – 6, Sun 12–5
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Good Ol’ Reliable Uncle Otis
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The early 1990s were an interesting time for fashion and, let’s face it, just an interesting time overall. We had all bid farewell to the 80s and were getting set to approach the upcoming millennium. The world had recently embraced House Music as well as its street-wise alter-ego, Hip-House. Pop music was at its height and groups such as Technotronic, Ultra Nate, Deee-Lite and Blackbox dominated our airwaves. Neon, paisley and African print served as the canvas to this stylistically disorienting movement, and meanwhile the shoulder pad made its final stand. Needless to say, we all made some seriously bad fashion choices in the name of the all-powerful Trend. I propose a moment of silence for our fallen comrades: the eight ball jacket, the polka-dot shirt, African medallions and yes, the “X.” You shall all be missed, but hopefully remain missing. OK, I do have a point with all this. Even in these very confused times a glimmer of hope surfaced in this city and to this day has managed to stay true to itself: Uncle Otis. How can you hate anything named after the great Otis Redding?
Founded in 1991 by the Cure’s keyboardist Roger O’Donnell, this shop instantly became the “must go-to” vendor for all current street-oriented fashion, and originally carried its own line along with other international brands. At the time, every known local and visiting celebrity had made their way into this budding boutique. To have an item from Uncle Otis had become a status symbol within the urban community. Many argue that it is the template of the high end street wear store for Toronto, and I’d have to agree. At very least, it is an original. Of course honourable mentions must be given to other highly influential local lines such as 2 Black Guys and 100 Miles. But for some reason, Uncle Otis still stands and maintains its relevance, throughout all of fashion’s many changes.
Newly renovated and at twice its former capacity, this Yorkville maverick has held its own in a part of town that is known for its tough-to-please crowd. Although the store no longer manufactures its own line it still houses some of the most cutting-edge urban apparel the U.K. and the U.S. have to offer. Brands such as: Levi’s Warhol, Vans Vault, Corpus, W+H, Helmut of the Hill, Luggage from Burton, Mosley Tribe eye wear and more. Not to mention Stussy, a line that it was one of the first to carry in the city. For both the young and those who’ll never grow old, Uncle Otis still has some tricks up his sleeve. Why don’t you give the old man a visit?
Uncle Otis | 26 Bellair St. |416-920-2281
Hours: Mon – Fri 11:30–7, Sat 11:30–6, Sun 12–5
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Toronto City’s Elite, Loves Corbo Boutique
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When the name Yorkville is brought up as the topic of conversation, many stereo types come to mind. Elitists, Euro-delusional, aristocratic, snobbish and all things pretentious. Now, I’m not saying that these are necessarily completely off the mark, a bit harsh, but not thoroughly untrue. This Toronto area on to its self, has developed a bad rap over the years however; within in its jurisdiction, houses some of the most exciting and cutting edge boutiques in the city.
Which brings me to Corbo Boutique. Carrying such world renowned and highly recognizable designers as: Jimmy Choo, Yves Saint Laurent, Stella McCartney just as a start, certainly does not put you in my bad books, by any means. It is definitely for the woman who wants to be noticed and leave a lasting impression. Also, she must not mind dolling out the designer dollars. There just seems to be something a little different about this particular woman’s boutique, that separates it from all the others on this affluent strip. I’ll leave it to you, to judge for yourself.
Corbo Boutique | 119 Yorkville Ave. | (416)928-9898
Hours: Mon – Wed 10–6, Thurs 10–8, Fri – Sat 10–6, Sun 1–5
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Bloor Street Shopping in Toronto – One Stop Shopping
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When I think of the Bloor and Yorkville shopping experience, for some reason I often can’t help comparing it to a dismantled high-end shopping mall. Allow me to explain further; with in this 2 x 2 kilometer block, you can literally find every high-end and common label brand this city has to offer.
I dare you to think of a well-known label, be it LV or even Lululemon, which is not readily available within the confines of Bloor St. or Yorkville. It is your one-stop shop for recognizable branding, much like … well you see what I’m getting at. And, have I mentioned the words “label” or brand”. However, this is not to say that the edge has completely been diverted from this retail landmark.
The picturesque Yorkville, houses many cool upscale but edgy storefronts. It is not just about the Euro-labels and luxury items. Retailers such as the veteran Uncle Otis, Over the Rainbow and TNT have managed to create and carve its own nook, in the part of town some have nicknames Little Rodeo. Once here however, no one can deny that Yorkville is definitely its own little world within our city. And, with arrival of such terrific designer boutiques as; Betsy Johnson and Vivian Shyu, this street will continue to be just that. But, that does not mean that it is not accessible to us regular city folk. Although it is geared more towards the higher end of the retail spectrum. Take it from a regular run-of-the-mill shopaholic (that had worked in this part of town for many years) there is still plenty to discover.
Now, Bloor on the other hand, is whatever you want it to be. It caters to everyone from the work driven, to those still working it all out. You have everything from Roots, Puma, The Gap and Winners. Right up to Prada, Escada, Cartier and Holt Renfrew. It can be a destination for your work and leisure attire, as well as your more opulent and jet set events. I can not say anything bad about the shopping on Bloor. Well, maybe just that it always seems to be under some form of construction but, welcome to Toronto. This is the part of town for those of us, who just want to see the brands we have come to know and trust.
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