The truly fashion-obsessed don’t let heavy workloads or business hours get in the way of obtaining new duds. With e-commerce, we can now shop 24-hours a day without leaving the comfort of our office or home. There are the obvious heavy-weights in the world of online shopping — Net-a-Porter, ASOS, Urban Outfitters, Topshop — but what about the little guys? More specifically, what about the ones based in Toronto?
We’ve tracked down five great boutiques in the city where you can shop in person and online.
Bicyclette
Launched last summer as an online boutique, owner Paige Boersma set up a permanent location in March after the huge success of her pop-up shops throughout the fall. Specializing in girly, city-pretty pieces, labels stocked include Wildfox, Equipment, MINKPINK and Evil Twin.
Shop online @ www.shopbicyclette.ca and in person @ 880 Queen St. W., 416-532-8048
White Crow
Here’s another independent e-tailer that found a boutique space after the success of its pop-ups. White Crow offers stylish ladies inexpensive, runway-inspired looks in small quantities. This is the new way to get your fast-fashion fix and avoid style doppelgangers on the streets. High-five to that!
Shop online @ www.whitecrowonline.com and in person @ The Burroughes Building, 639 Queen St. W., 647-828-7302
Nomad
Since its opening in 2005, Nomad has outfitted the men of Toronto with its exclusive mix of luxe sportswear clothing and lifestyle goods, with brands ranging from the Canadian to the Japanese. It has recently grown from its original spot on Richmond Street by opening a second location on Queen West and launching a sweet online shop.
Shop online @ www.nomadshop.net and in person @ 431 Richmond Street West, & 819 Queen St. W., 416-682-1107
Jonathan & Olivia
You have to give credit to Jonathan & Olivia’s owner, Jackie O’Brien, for stepping up the shopping game at Queen and Ossington in a big way. Thanks to her, downtowners no longer have to trek up to Yorkville to get their hands on coveted lines like A.P.C., Alexander Wang, Pamela Love and Isabel Marant. Now, with the new online shopping site, they don’t even have to leave home!
Shop online @ jonathanandolivia.com and in person @ 49 Ossington Ave., 416-849-5956
Carte Blanche
This boutique is filled with cutting edge pieces that leave you lusting after each one. Expect to find some of the best that Europe has to offer – Camilla Skovgaard, Ann-Sofie Back, Mark Fast, Cheap Monday – mixed in with the shop’s notable in-house line, Pink Cobra. We love.
Shop online @ www.shopcarteblanche.ca and in person @ 758 Queen St. W., 416-532-0347
