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Nadya Toto
Defined by a unique recipe of spandex and wool in asymmetric cuts, Nadya's garments offer a wonderful mixture of flexibility, comfort and warmth. Not to mention that just about every woman looks great in these gems that cost only about C$150 each.
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Odyssey Books
Odyssey has soft- and hardcover books as well as a good classical and jazz CD selection. Strong in mystery, literature, jazz, philosophy, history, art and cookbooks, and recent arrivals have a special section so you can check out the latest gems.
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Ogilvy
Once a Victorian-era department store, Ogilvy has been transformed into a collection of high-profile boutiques without losing its heritage. Be sure to visit the concert hall on the 5th floor. Here too is an historic collection of photos of visitors, from Queen Elizabeth to Martin Luther King. A bagpiper winds his way through the store daily at noon.
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Oink Oink
Westmount parents flock to this place for the latest and greatest of everything from toy gadgets to fashionable clothing for children. You'll find that pink mini-ghetto blaster, Barbie wig set or Sunday picnic garb in this adorable little shop.
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Parasuco Jeans
Newly renovated and reopened, this store shines with self confidence and shows their sexy denim designs to terrific impact. What was a rough-and-ready garment for goldminers has clearly got out of hand. Parasuco caught some thieves on security camera saying 'take only the Parasucos' and it became the basis of a successful ad campaign.
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Parisian Laundry
A former industrial laundry turned monster contemporary art gallery, this 15,000 sq ft space is worth a trip for the building itself. Natural light floods through enormous 19th-century-era windows into two floors of exhibition rooms. Recent exhibitions have included print artist Francine Simonin and international star Jean-Paul Riopelle. They also hold occasional artists' talks or lectures. Admission is usually free.
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Place Montréal Trust
One of downtown's most successful malls, with enough rays from the skylights to keep shoppers on their day-clock. Major retailers here include Athletes World Superstore, Indigo books, Mexx, Winners and Zara. It has a tremendous water fountain with a spout 30m high, and during the holidays a Christmas tree illuminates the same five-story space. The mobility-impaired can also borrow wheelchairs from the concierge.
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Priape
Montréal's biggest gay sex store has made a career out of parodying itself in great style. It's been on the scene for a quarter of a century so it's plugged into the mainstream erotic wares (videos and DVDs, mags and books) but has recently branched out into high-quality clothing with a titillating edge - shrink-wrapped jeans but also a vast choice of black leather gear in the basement studio.
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Renaud Bray
One of 14 branches in greater Montréal, this bright 'n' cheery bookstore specializes in French titles but has a decent choice of English bestsellers, travel and literature titles. A good portion of the store is dedicated to CDs in both languages, with a vibrant choice of local rock and pop.
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Revenge
This renowned showcase store for Québécois designers displays subtle designs for professional women who want to balance chic with audacious. The men's ready-to-wear garments have a less challenging task, stressing confidence and masculinity in direct, commanding lines.
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Roots
Its reputation is now soooo big worldwide that customers may forget Canada's own Roots started off as a humble shoemaker in the '70s. Now its ever-expanding range includes Roots for kids, Roots athletics, leather and home accessories. Tastes are easily accessible and geared to teens and 20-somethings, fashionable and at times even innovative.
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Scandale
The magnificent Marie-Josée Gagnon has been running this boutique since 1977, bringing in exciting Parisian imports and more recently showing off the creations of Georges Lévesque, one of Québec's most exciting designers.
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Schreter
This rambling cut-rate Jewish-run store has been going for 75 years thanks to its inexpensive brand-name clothing in all sizes. It hasn't changed much since its opening in 1928 except for the plate-glass display installed during a recent expansion. Parents remember how their parents brought them here to stock up on the equivalent of Nike, Reebok and Adidas at great savings. You seriously have to wonder how the place stays in business.
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Sexe Cité
Spicy, sexy gear is all over this place, one of the most popular sex boutiques in town. It also stocks the gamut of sex toys, games and joke items. It's all so upfront that any inhibitions are checked at the door.
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Simon's Camera
A real shopping icon in the Old Town, Simon's has one of the city's best selections of photography equipment. On any given day, a lineup may include old-timers bringing in their radio-sized hulks as well as young kids with credit card sized digital cameras. New and used digital cameras, darkroom gear, video and sound equipment go at competitive prices, with trade-ins possible. It also does a sideline in rental equipment.
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Simons
This Québec City chain is a phenomenon that everyone, no matter their age or style seems a fan of. The selection runs the gamut from around C$15 T-shirts to around C$5000 designer coats. Simons is known for stocking fashionable, trendy creations from its own designers that aren't available anywhere else.
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Tabagie Pat & Robert
Pat & Robert has a marvelous selection of the aromatic leaf - canned, rolled, displayed in plastic dispenser bins, with whatever accessory to make those rising coils a heavenly trip.
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Twist Encore
Close to Mojo and Friperie St-Laurent, this is another favorite friperie because of its small but extremely well-chosen selection. Famous 1940s ties and Gothic-flavored blouses proudly adorn window displays that are always fresh and very colorful. Places like this pooh-pooh the upstarts shops from Toronto that may not have the same instinctive feel for the street.
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U&I
Eric Toledanone, owner of one of Montréal's chicest designer boutiques U&I, put local designers in the spotlight from day one - YSO, Morales, Denis Gagnon - with an international sprinkling of offerings from Paris and other fashion meccas. The boutique itself has won a design award; and a film loop in the front window has people unselfconsciously dressing and undressing, constantly stopping foot traffic on boul St-Laurent.
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Un Amour des Thés
Over 160 types of loose tea sit in canisters behind the counter of this charming shop. They stock leaf varieties and flavors you've likely not only never heard of, but have never imagined (ie red-berries and maple syrup, tea with chocolate oils, cream of Earl Grey). Regular tea tastings and ceremonies are also held.
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Underworld
Underworld is a 1st-class punk refuge and supply house on an appropriately grungy stretch of rue Ste-Catherine. They've got jeans, a big CD and record store in the basement and a killer selection of skates and snowboards.
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Urban Outfitters
An impossibly trendy garment store for the teens and 20-somethings. Music thumps from morning to night throughout the warehouse-style building and the front mini-boutique is full of amusements like Homer Simpson bookmarks, vampire teeth or solar-powered toothbrushes.
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Westmount Square
Designed by Bauhaus architect Ludwig Mies Van der Rohe, this modern complex with office towers, terrace and shopping concourse was opened in 1967. It has a variety of boutiques, gift shops and art galleries, as well as a good selection of liqueurs and wines form the local SAQ outlet. The Marché Westmount Square is a pretty food court and market with an English flavor.
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Zéphyr
Breathtakingly cramped, this bright little emporium on the fringe of the Village is dedicated to showing art from Montréal artists. The proprietor, Daniel Roberge, will also rent his stock of prized faux Victorian mirrors, beanbags and cube chairs for movie shoots.
