Shopping in Vancouver
-
A
Paper-Ya
A magnet for slavering stationery fetishists (you know who you are), this treasure trove of writing-related ephemera ranges from natty pens to quirky, hand-crafted greeting cards. In between, you'll find an intriguing undercurrent of kitsch- cool Japanese journals and reams of sumptuous washi paper. It's a store that makes you long for the return of traditional letter writing.
reviewed
-
B
Obakki
Making excellent use of its brick-lined heritage space location, this handsome unisex clothing boutique looks more like an art gallery inside with its polished concrete floors and spruce wood-block tables. It pitches itself as elegant yet casual. Unleash your credit cards for a full menu of highly contemporary made-in-North-America designs with a hint of mod-Asian influence.
reviewed
-
C
Front & Company
A triple-fronted store covering all the bases, the largest section here contains trendy consignment clothing (where else can you find that vintage velvet smoking jacket?). Next door houses new, knowingly cool housewares, while the third area includes must-have gifts and accessories such as manga figures, peace-sign ice trays and nihilist chewing gum (flavorless, of course).
reviewed
-
D
Burcu’s Angels
This outrageous place has been known to rent out its vintage stock to visiting film crews. It’s best known for its collection of ’70s clothing, but there’s also a fascinating selection from the turn of the century to the 1950s. Consider donating to the ‘24-hour free box, ’ where donated clothes are left outside for anyone who needs them.
reviewed
-
E
Wonderbucks Trading Company
Dedicated to cut-price chic for homes that don't quite have million-dollar budgets, you can find everything here from bargain art prints to mod tablecloths. Always worth a peruse, especially if you have room in your luggage for that all-important floor-to-ceiling vase, it's a challenge to leave here without something in your bag (and we're not talking about shoplifting).
reviewed
-
F
Cherry Bomb
Printing ironic, often retro designs onto American Apparel T-shirts is the main activity at this hipster hangout. If you're not cool enough for a Mr T or old-school AC/DC graphic, head to the back of the store and check out the museum-like array of vintage clothing and accessories. Where else are you going to find that replica Evel Knievel jumpsuit you've always wanted?
reviewed
-
G
John Fluevog Shoes
Real Vancouverites own at least one pair of shoes from this local footwear legend, now firmly established in this cavernous flagship store (there's an older but smaller shop at 837 Granville St, downtown). Pick up that pair of thigh-hugging dominatrix boots you've always wanted or settle on some designer-twisted brogues that look exactly like chunky Dr Martens on acid.
reviewed
-
H
Gallery of BC Ceramics
The public face of the Potters Guild of BC exhibits and sells the striking works of its member artists, often at great prices. You can pick up one-of-a-kind ceramic tankards or swirly-painted French butter dishes – it also had some puffer fish–shaped teapots on our visit. The hot items are the cool ramen noodle cups, complete with holes for chopsticks.
reviewed
-
I
Twigg & Hottie
Just across from Smoking Lily and named after owners Glencora Twigg and Christine Hotton, this wood-floored nook showcases distinctive garments (plus idiosyncratic jewelry) for women from Canadian designers: it's the place to find something that nobody else is wearing back home. If you're in a budgeting mood, peruse the Steals and Deals rack at the back.
reviewed
-
J
Erin Templeton
There's a funky array of vintage and consignment clothing and jewelry here, but the stars of the show are the leather bags, belts, hats and purses made on-site by Erin herself from new and recycled materials (she trained in shoemaking at a London college). They're the kind of must-have items that are hard to resist, no matter how many you already have back home.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
K
Pacific Centre
If rain curtails your street shopping activities, duck inside this handily located central mall. You'll find all the usual chain and department store suspects, plus highlights like H&M, Purdy's Chocolates and Harry Rosen. You can also check your email for free at the Apple Store. There's a large food court if you need a pit stop from all that retail therapy.
reviewed
-
L
Kalena's Shoes
True to Commercial Dr's Italian heritage, Kalena's imports handsome top-quality leather shoes and boots from the old country. Well-crafted men's and women's styles can be had for reasonable prices and there's also a big area devoted to sale items. This is the kind of place where you'll pay $200 for a pair of brogues and they'll last you for a couple of decades.
reviewed
-
M
Duthie Books
Once a citywide chain, this independent homegrown bookseller retreated to this single outlet a few years back, but has retained a loyal following. It’s a nice place to browse for an hour or two, there’s a good selection of Canadiana, and the staff know a thing or two about what to recommend – unlike some ubiquitous chains we could mention.
reviewed
-
N
Umbrella Shop
Often the only outdoor gear you need in Vancouver is a good brolly to fend off the relentless rain. This family-run company started in 1935 and has just the thing, with hundreds of bright and breezy designs that should put a smile on the face of any torrentially drenched visitor. Duck inside, choose a great umbrella then launch yourself back into the tempest.
reviewed
-
O
Brooklyn Clothing
Proving that Yaletown men are just as aesthetically focused as women, this hipster menswear boutique is the perfect spot to upgrade your style from that New Romantic look you've been sporting since 1983. Local designers are well represented – check out the achingly cool T-shirts – and there are dozens of jeans styles so you can finally nail that perfect fit.
reviewed
-
P
Magpie Magazine Gallery
Regularly voted among Vancouver’s best magazine stores, Magpie’s 2000 titles certainly represent the city’s largest and most varied selection. Prepare for a squeeze while perusing the narrow aisles, and make sure you hit the back of the store where a small selection of discount art, philosophy and fiction books waits to lure you further.
reviewed
-
Q
Basquiat
A minimalist but pricey unisex clothing joint where you'll need all your credit cards to buy an outfit. Despite the price tags, the service is excellent and the carefully chosen selection of international labels is top-notch: look out for Ian, Dondop, Montesano and beyond. Since fashion is followed closely here, the end-of-season sales are truly excellent.
reviewed
-
R
Goon Pack
This fantastically eclectic gallery and clothing store offers regular art shows where you can meet the local hipsters. It also showcases some of the city’s best, under-the-radar designers on its racks. Look out for duds by Evolt and Paper Bird and check out the unique hoodies and graphic T-shirts that will make everyone back home eternally jealous.
reviewed
-
S
Holt Renfrew
Vancouver's swankiest clothing and accessories department store; high-end label lovers flock here to peruse the artfully presented D&G, Armani and Issey Miyake togs and accoutrements arrayed over several floors. Service is personal and particular from staffers often better dressed than their customers. The awesome end-of-season sales are recommended.
reviewed
-
T
Funhauser
If you need a break from the area’s noisy Chinese grocery stores, nip into this kitsch-arama of all things pop culture, where you’ll find those must-have tiki mugs, wind-up metal robots and cheetah-print fez hats that no discerning individual should be without. An ideal place to pick up some confusing souvenirs for your friends back home.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
U
Lululemon Athletica
The flagship downtown store of the Vancouver-based chain that made ass-hugging yoga wear a mainstream fashion, this is the shop for that archetypal West Coast look. Sporty tops and pants for ladies are the collection's backbone, but menswear is also part of the mix – at least that can be your excuse as you head in here to meet attractive local women.
reviewed
-
V
Roots
Basically a maple leaf–emblazoned version of the Gap, Roots designs athletic streetwear that's unmistakably Canadian; its retro-styled jogging pants, hoodies and toques (if you don't know what that is, this is the place to find out) are ever-popular. If you can't find this store, there are additional outlets – usually in malls – throughout the city.
reviewed
-
W
Equinox Gallery
Another veteran of the South Granville scene, Equinox generally focuses on quality contemporary works from established Canadian and international artists. Some of the leading lights the gallery continues to showcase are Jack Shadbolt, Fred Herzog and Liz Magor, and, along with the canvasses, there's a commitment to sculpture and provocative installations.
reviewed
-
X
Coastal Peoples Fine Arts Gallery
This museum-like store showcases an excellent array of Inuit and Northwest Coast aboriginal jewelry, carvings and prints. Focusing on the high-art side of aboriginal crafts, the exquisite items here are ideal if you're looking for a very special souvenir for someone back home – they can ship the totem poles if you can't fit them in your suitcase.
reviewed
-
Y
Momentum
In a sign that a well-groomed appearance has become an equality issue, not only can visiting males enjoy a full menu of treatments at locals spas, they can also drop by this men-only grooming shop for the best in quality razors and shaving brushes and enough skin-care products to have you taking over the bathroom cabinets back home. You go guy.
reviewed