If you, like I, spend loads of precious time compulsively browsing sites like net-a-porter and mytheresa for the next best deal in fashion, chances are you've acquainted yourself with Canada's best online retailer, ssense. The Montreal based website, ssense.com, features a killer array of designers and edgy branding, serving fashionable frontrunners with looks from both Alexanders (McQueen and Wang) and other household names like YSL, Balmain, Chloe, Marni, Marc Jacobs, and Givenchy. Looking to try the trend of pronounced prints for the summer? Then check out their line-up from Suno, Matthew Williamson, DvF, and Thakoon. Prefer a more modern sensibility? Then look to their New York and Parisian brands like iro, Maison Martin Margiela, Opening Ceremony, and Rag and Bone.

Ahhhh, but the dilemma of online shopping. While many e-commerce convertees cite its convenience, I, as a working girl who will - without exception - miss all three UPS delivery attempts any time I order something online, find it worse to have to arrange to pick up my package at the nearest postal outlet, bring it home, and try on my newly purchased item with the risk of it looking horrible (and yes, this has happened). What if it was final sale? When am I going to find the time to send it back? All these questions race through my mind at dizzying speed and precludes me from clicking any "proceed to checkout" button, anywhere. Lucky for me, ssense has provided us locals with the perfect solution. As Montrealer's, we have the luxury of requesting any online item to be sent to their Old Montreal outpost, a space just on the corner of Rue St. Paul and St. Sulpice which houses a small selection of their online inventory. Brilliant!

The store, with women on the ground floor and mens below, is streamlined and slick, carrying an amazing selection of bright Proenza Schouler PS1 bags, Givenchy totes and t-shirts, and, my personal favourite, Lanvin. Ohhhh Lanvin. Just the other day I scored the most simple, elegant, featherweight, black cotton Lanvin dress here...on sale for an incredible price...which will serve me well through the sizzling temperatures we're currently spiking this summer. Alber Elbaz, you are a genius...Ah, but I digress! I have nothing more to say other than I highly recommend you visit, website first and store second, to see if there is anything you want to try to brighten up your wardrobe. Enjoy!

SSENSE   |   90 Rue Saint Paul Ouest   |   Montréal, QC H2Y 3S5   |

(514) 289-1906

www.ssense.com

Stylist-turned-boutique-owner David Lesage has amassed an impressive collection of elegant, lady-like labels (think Robert Rodriguez, Schumacher, and Tara Jarmon) with a hit of cheerful, youthful brands (like Tibi, By Malene Birger) at his intimate, second floor shop in Cours Mont-Royal. Since opening in 2009, the minimalist boutique has been on our sartorial radar, with its gorgeous, wood-filled interior envisioned by Lesage in homage to his childhood. He details; “I love wood. When I was young, my house…everything was exposed wood, from the floors to the ceiling to the walls. I love [its] warmth!”

We sat down and spoke to David, who gave us an insider’s view as to not only how we want to dress, but how we, as women, want to feel in the clothes we wear. After all, Montreal women turn to him for his guidance – some even calling ahead of time to setup a personal, salon-like shopping experience with head-to-toe looks that they can easily incorporate into their wardrobes. He hints that fabrics, silhouette and quality are key, noting how, at his boutique, “nothing is over the top or too trendy, but everything is trendy enough, and fabrics are great. Silk Charmeuse, silk chiffon, silk crepe de chine, cashmere, egyptian cotton, linen/silk, cotton/silk, and cotton/cashmere are my favorite. I wanted to offer classic clothes with a twist, at a great price. Of course it's not for everyone, but it's not super expensive either. I call it ‘affordable luxury’.” 

You’ll find the same mentality applies to his handbags, shoes, and jewelry, the latter of which is made exclusively for the store from Montreal based jewelry designer Rene Leblanc. At his spring preview event, I fell in love with a deco-inspired black, gold and crystal drop stone necklace, snapping it up within moments of settling my gaze in its direction. It is quite simply beautiful and, despite its short existence in my wardrobe, has garnered a huge number of compliments for its unique look and character. Its pieces like that which you’ll buy at this store, amongst the many that you’ll be coveting. I must also mention that the boutique just acquired another favourite, The Laundress, a New York based brand that features a range of fine linen care products for your delicates, wools, and cashmere. I love and use their “crease release” and “fabric fresh” products often, and am happy that there is finally a place in Montreal to restock once I’m low.

When I ask, “Who is the David Lesage woman?” he responds; “She is confident, she is classic, but not boring…she is a working woman, but she is also family oriented. She loves the arts, fine food, great restaurants…she is aware and educated. She likes fashion, but fashion is not her definition.” 

Sounds like us…or at least, the kind of women we want to be. 

Boutique David Lesage   |   Top floor, les Cours Mont-Royal   |   1455 Rue Peel   |   Montreal, QC, H3A 1T5   | 

(514) 564-4400

www.davidlesage.com

Westmount recently welcomed the Want Apothecary, a concept store that opened its doors to Sherbrooke Ouest last spring. Owned by Dexter and Byron Peart, the fashionable twins you may have seen while perusing GQ and the sartorialist, the store is so classic its cool, featuring a well curated collection of quality brands and grooming products, not to mention their own terrifically elegant accessories line, WANT les essentiels de la vie. 

Despite racks filled with modern labels like Acne, Nudie jeans, Filippa K and Maison Katsune, the store has a distinctly traditional feel, recapturing the essence and retail experience of a bygone era with aged herringbone floors, custom-designed dark oak tables and Roll & Hill smoked bulb chandeliers. The pharmacy style finishings make for a perfect setting to display body-care products from AESOP and Ursa Major Skincare, and fine scented candles from French brand Astier de Villatte.

The best in store, however, goes to the duo's own WANT les essentiels de la vie, a line of undeniably timeless travel and leather goods that combine both traditional design elements with modern day functional sensibility. The Trudeau bag, for example, is handcrafted in Italy and will house your macbook, iPhone, and documents with room to spare. I recently scored one up at a sample sale and have been in love with its masculine aesthetic and incredible functionality. I also recently picked up their black Naritta zipped iPad case for my father's birthday, and I can't tell you how cute it was to see him all proud, zipping open the soft leather case and wiping down the screen with the accompanying cleaning cloth so that he can read the news on his favourite new gadget. Now I can't stop dreaming about their O'Hare Tote Bag for work. Ahhh, a line that appeals to multiple generations... I love.

The WANT Apothecary   |   4960 Rue Sherbrooke W   |   Westmount (Montreal), QC   |   H3Z 1H3   |

(514) 484-3555

www.facebook.com/wantapothecary

I'm not sure what has been happening to Crescent street as of late but I will say that I am liking every bit of it; Alessi, Nespresso, Shan swimwear, and now the unveiling of Joey Tozzi's new menswear boutique, Tozzi, has the street on a stylish upswing. 

The supercool, streamlined shop, designed by architect Gabriel Kakon, showcases scandinavian staples (Filippa K, J lindberg, Acne) and amazing accessories, with sunglasses from YSL, Carrera and Marc Jacobs, and footwear from Box fresh, creative recreation, and J shoes.

Tozzi also showcases a cool line-up of local brands; here you'll find graphic, supersoft tees from Montreal based Roussel and Hip & Bone, as well as denim by Naked & Famous, a line that imports fabric from Japan before manufacturing the collection in Quebec city's oldest shirt factory. How cool is that? These designers alone make this new Crescent street gem worthy of a visit. 

Boutique Tozzi   |   2115 Crescent Street   |   Montreal, QC, H3G 2C1   |

(514) 285-2444

www.boutiquetozzi.com

This cute shop, situated on the corner of Mont Royal and St. Urbain, will transform you to another era. Outfitted with vintage velvets, furs, hats and costume jewelry, as well as new clothing from vintage inspired lines, I love shopping here for unique, one-of-a kind merchandise with classic appeal. It was here that I discovered Yosi Samra flats, of which I am now obsessed (they are superbly comfortable!), and purchased one of my favourite antique jewelry pieces, an art deco silver and pearl statement ring. 

If you're strolling down Mont Royal on your way to the park, or if you've just finished right across the street at Beauty's, I highly recommend stopping in at this one-of-a kind shop. Regardless of whether you buy, the soft Ella Fitzgerald meets cabaret music playing in the background will set the stage for browsing through what feels like your chic grandmother's closet; glass cases full of brooches, long beaded necklaces, statement earrings and other glittery treasures are what await you at Maskarad.

Maskarad   |   103 Mont-Royal O.   |    Montreal, QC   |   H2T 2S9   |

(514) 844-7676

photo credit: boutiqueduo.com

I really wish more men in this city knew of Duo, the sleek boutique that is carefully tucked away just off the main on the corner of Prince Arthur and Clark. The selection here, split between their high end ready-to-wear boutique and their downtown contemporary cool shop next door, spans the spectrum from James Bond to Chuck Taylor, and leaves women like me (plus all my gay friends) oogling for more. (I don't even know if oogling is a word, but I digress...)

photo credit: boutiqueduo.com

At Duo's newer designer boutique (24 Prince Arthur) you'll find everything from Dior Luggage to Lanvin shirts to Prada tuxedos (hence, James Bond reference above). However, if you're looking for more relaxed summer wear, check next door (the stores are side-by-side but not interconnected) for their contemporary range, which includes Dsquared2, Paul Smith, John Vavartos and nudie denim. Lastly, don't forget to browse through their unique selection of sunglasses and accessories, which include a large array of bags, belts and U-boat and Welder watches.

photo credit: boutiqueduo.com

Boutique Duo   |   24 & 30 Prince-Arthur West   |   Montreal, Quebec   |   H2X 1S3

(514) 848 0880 

www.boutiqueduo.com

If your closet's colour palette could be comfortably reduced to grey, white and black, then this Old Montreal boutique, opened by former stylist Brigitte Chartrand, comes highly recommended. Chartrand, usually followed by her sidekick Pema (an adorable french bulldog), has eschewed colour in favour of texture, selecting designers that focus on structure and form to stay au courant with - or even a few seasons ahead of - the die-hard fashion set.

Reborn carries a well-edited, ultra avant-garde range from Rick Owens, Alexander Wang, Acne, Preen and local genius Rad Hourani. Check out their limited edition, printed silk scarfs by Philippe Roucou, and don't miss their one-of-a-kind accessories by Natalia Brili, Fleet Ilya and Bijules.

Boutique Reborn   |   231 Rue Saint-Paul Ouest   |   Montreal, QC, H2Y 2A2   |  

(514) 499-8549  

www.reborn.ws

If you covet clothes that have covered those pictured on jak&jil and the sartorialist, you will likely love scouring the racks at TNT. The 6,000 square foot Westmount store, analogous to Scoop and Intermix, features a huge array of young designers and contemporary cool brands for both men and women.  As the store's name (or acronym) implies, shopping here will ensure that you and your wardrobe are always on trend.

Current labels include Isabel Marant, Alexander Wang, 3.1 Phillip Lim, Graham and Spencer, Herve Leger and Helmut Lang, just to name a few. Smythe, the five year old Canadian brand specializing in exceptionally well tailored jackets and coats, is a personal favourite that TNT carries each season. For accessories,  check out their new Chloe, Miu Miu, and Elizabeth and James shoe collections, and be sure to peruse their jewellery cases for gorgeous pieces by House of Harlow, Lee Angel and Isharya.

TNT (The New Trend) Montreal   |   4100 Ste Catherine St. W   |   Westmount (Montreal), QC   |     H3Z 1P2   |

(514) 935-1588

http://www.tntthenewtrend.com/

 

photo credit: Carrie Macpherson

This 5,500 square foot boutique situated next to Harry Rosen on the top floors of Les Cours Mont- Royal has been one of Montreal’s top destinations for high end luxury wear since the 1990’s. The boutique boasts brands synonymous with high-style (think Giambattista Valli, Proenza Schouler, Roland Mouret…) and adds fresh, young talents like Thakoon and Erdem to the mix, making it a prime destination for Montreal’s fashionable elite and a wonderful place for people like me who are simply in awe of beautifully crafted, well-made clothes and are slowly starting to justify the “investment pieces” that line their racks. (I’ll have it for the rest of my life and wear it once per week, sooooo, price per wear is only about, what? 50 cents? Plus, I’ll give it to my daughter… and she will give it to her daughter who will wear it as vintage and then in that case we are talking price per wear in pennies! Pennies people! Peesh!) 

photo credit: Carrie MacphersonThe shopping experience at Ursula B is a personalized one, which translates simply to the fact that you will have an associate nearby most of the time. This can be a new experience for some (particularly those used to perusing the racks at department stores alone), but I find it is best to take advantage of it, as they are incredibly knowledgeable about the clothes and the designers behind them. Plus, if you are about to do some serious shopping, the one-on-one can be quite fun.

photo credit: Carrie Macpherson 

Ursula B   |   Les Cours Mont Royal, Suite 328   |   1455 Peel St   |   Montreal, QC, H3A 1T5  

(514) 282-0294

www.ursulab.com

All photos: Carrie Macpherson

It’s official: After seeing Scott Schuman’s shots from Pitti Uomo in Florence, I have found myself amidst what is now a burgeoning love for menswear. Unlike shopping for myself, (which my boyfriend often finds insufferable, bee-lining it for the boyfriend’s couch and assuming his typical bbm-meets-brickbreaker-meets-“you’re done? yessss..." routine) I find shopping for menswear a perfectly enjoyable, mutually beneficial experience. And shopping for menswear at Michel Brisson? A perfectly enjoyable, mutually beneficial experience in a sleek, decidedly stunning space.

While notable cult-brands including Etro, Dries van Noten, Marni, Zegna and Costume National are more likely to be found at their Laurier store, you'll notice younger, edgier labels (think APC, Band of Outsiders, Common Projects and Gilded Age) popping up at Michel Brisson's Old Port locale. Dabble in some comfy classics from Filippa K, James Perse and John Vavartos for Converse, and you have the perfect, steal-worthy boyfriend's wardrobe. But clothing aside, this store is definitely worth a visit, if just to see the gorgeous 1400 square foot room designed by leading Montreal architects, Saucier + Perrotte. 

Michel Brisson   |    384, Rue Saint-Paul Ouest   |   Montreal   |

(514) 285-1012

www.michelbrisson.com

Other locations:1012 Laurier Ouest   |   Outremont   | 

(514) 270-1012

Note: All photography by the very talented Marc Cramer