Where to go shopping in Montreal

Born in Canada and renowned as the Montreal Canadiens’ preferred denim brand, Frank And Oak is the brainchild of eco-friendly clothiers that’s on-trend and at medium-affordable prices. Have fun perusing the minimalist aesthetic of their stores, the cut of their jeans and their classic-with-a-twist styles for both men and women.

Annex Vintage is an chic and enjoyable boutique in the heart of the Mile End. A sister store to Citizen Vintage and Empire Exchange, this flagship boutique provides a lovely mix between its siblings by supporting both the vintage clothing movement and the local designer movement. Look through their collections for the Montreal brand Stay Home Club, in addition to quirky tote bags, scents, accessories, sunglasses and jewellery.

Rid yourself of your old clothes and trade them in for some new, rare finds at this shop. The saying ‘old is gold’ is more than applicable here, where one person’s trash is truly another’s treasure. In both the Mile End and the Little Italy locations, you’ll find pieces donated by others hanging on their racks (washed, clean and in great condition, of course) and after making your donation, you could opt to shop cash-free with store credit! If you’d rather have the cash, they’ll pay you; no need for consignment.

Consisting of curated vintage finds, an in-house handmade brand and spotlit selections made by local designers, Citizen Vintage is a Plateau/Mile End go-to of many stylish Montreal residents. The boutique is an all-around crowd-pleaser: Jackets, shoes, denim, rompers—whatever season you’re looking to step out into with style, this place offers the perfect piece that’ll make you stand out from the crowd.

If you’re on the hunt for a great pair of jeans, then this is where you need to dive in. An industrial spot in the heart of the Mile End, this denim mecca offers racks of jeans at every style, fit, wash and price just waiting to be worn down to death. The variety is more than substantial here, and know that people always refer each other back to this place when looking to invest in a new pair of the essential. Best of all, if your find doesn’t fit perfectly, there are alteration services that go along with your purchase.

Looking for chic clothing for your professional life? Look no further than Room Service Loft Boutique. The store’s been curated with the young urban professional in mind, serving up eclectic looks in a chic setting with pieces from the city’s favorite local designers and brands, ensuring that whatever your purchase becomes an essential in your closet. With a general aesthetic that mimics its trendy Old Montreal location, each piece found in this boutique is a classic work of art.

For the shoe fetishist at heart, this local concept brings you brand-inspired pieces from Spain at off-the-street prices. Step out in style with all the great findings you’ll discover in one of L’Intervalle’s locations in and around the Island. Strappy sandals this season? No problem. Espadrilles? You got it! There’s little you can’t find with this address that specializes in redefining fast fashion.

This establishment is the brainchild of Castle Ho, a Montrealer with an affinity for the glamor of the Victorian Era. We call it one of the best places to grab a chic cocktail dress for an event, a wedding, a party or even just for yourself. It isn’t only cocktail dresses at 1861 though, as you’ll also find other stylish pieces, accessories and shoes curated by Castle herself. Checking back with them regularly reveals collections that are constantly shifting, and keeping us coming back on the reg.

With one-of-a-kind finds on their racks, you’ll always walk out of Eva B carrying some kind of vintage or antique treasure. This is where you can literally dive into piles of cheap clothing, in addition to enjoying their café during your stay or sticking around for when their space becomes a venue for local events. One of our favorite features is their impressive Halloween costumes for rent, which have helped out in a pinch in the past. Eva B accepts clothing donations too, so you’ll be able to rid yourself of old garments and make room for new ones in your closet.

From bath mats to kitschy animal ceramics, fun kitchen gadgets and other trinkets, Chez Farfelu offers something for everyone. It best serves its purpose when you want to add an exciting new decorative piece in your home, or when you’re looking for a nice housewarming gift to give. Colorful and diverse, half the fun here is just in walking around, but be warned that you’ll probably walk out with a bag full of goodies.

This Mile End unisex boutique is the epitome of cool. If you’re craving some serious edge and modernity to your wardrobe, then this is your new favourite shop. Pop in to invest in a beautiful pair of unique shoes, an on-trend outfit or a quintessential seasonal piece. Though it may seem pricy, Les Etoffes only serves up quality to its customers and purchases here will always become staples in your wardrobe.

Gentlemen, if high-end pieces are what you’re after, then Michel Brisson is your calling. Commonly referred to as the best-known menswear store in Montreal, Michel Brisson regularly updates their collection with on-trend quality styles that are sure to make themselves at home in your home arsenal. We can say with confidence that anything you walk away with at Michel Brisson will always be seen as a total investment.

Located in the heart of the Southwest, this trendy unisex boutique speaks directly to the souls of young professionals. The great thing about it is that while their pieces are of the haute branded variety, they take an archival approach to what they offer, which makes them available at accessible prices. The Little Burgundy neighbourhood situates the store steps away from Atwater Market, making it the prime location for a sweet shopping expedition for snacks after.

Since its inauguration in 1999, Off The Hook has been a mecca for fashion-forward Montrealers. Specializing in streetwear, you’ll find anything you can think of here: sneakers, workout clothes, cardigans, athleisure—even gorgeous bath and body essentials by some of time-honoured brands. Their athletic and lifestyle footwear collection offers most household brands imaginable. Question is: what don’t they have?

When Rooney first opened its Old Montreal boutique in 2006, they launched with the intention to share the discovery of eye-catching up-and-coming brands with the masses. Almost 15 years later, Rooney continues to hold its promise to the fashionable by constantly collaborating with emerging designers, prioritizing quality manufacturing in every curated piece. Every sneaker, top, accessory, tote bag and otherwise that makes its way into Rooney has a unique story behind it; just ask the attentive staff there.

SSENSE is a Montreal success story. It’s an ecommerce megabrand known the world over, but before it became that it was just a small Old Montreal shop housing designer brands, offering a personal shopping service, and hosting installations and events. The Old Montreal store remains today, as beautifully curated as ever. Where else will you find everything from Miu Miu to Alexander Wang to Simone Rocha, often at a discount to boot?

A trip to Simon’s is always an afternoon well spent. This Quebec-born institution has quickly become a household favorite, filled to the brim with goodies for all. Fashion-forward clothing, chic home accents, accessories, lingerie and underpinnings—you name it, and Simon’s has it. Don’t shy away from their prices either, as this place prefers to deliver quality and is known to be very generous with their sales and sizes; tailoring options are available on-site if you need them.

Editorial is a marketplace for the edgy, independent and modern young woman to find the outfit that goes along with her voice. The pieces that make their way into this boutique are so current that they’re often the determining factor of what’s about to be trendy on the market. Expect to see branded shoes from Doc Martens and Converse on offer, as well as great sunglasses.

Make room in your jewellery box! Born and bred in Montreal, Corail Blanc prides itself on its pieces that are all handmade and original. If accessories are the cherry on top of your outfit, then this gem of an accessible store is the one to visit. What’s best is that the jewellery you find will be unique, with styles ranging from the edgy to bohemian and refined, and none of them will break the bank.

Speaking of jewellery, if you’re a die hard contemporary jewellery lover, there’s only one place for you. This gallery/store invites browsing with no pressure to buy and carries both wearable and outlandish works of jewellery art by creators from nearby and afar, including wood sculptor Attai Chen, pearl queen Barbara Stutman and textile artist Brooke Marks-Swanson.

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When you’re looking to upgrade a room in your home with just a little sumthin-sumthin new, this is the perfect shop. We’ve never been in there without leaving with something, because everything is affordable and straight-up cutissimo—from bowls to vases to impossibly silky velvet cushions to those cool rubberized rugs that will turn even a muddy entryway into a chic nook.

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A little hole in the wall in what locals call Laurier Village (the eastern part of the tawny street around Laurier Park), this white-and-pastel shop is a soothing experience from the off. It smells lovely, the music is transporting—we won’t blame you for losing track of time as you peruse the pretty notebooks, planters, throws, art prints, toys and itty bitty baby pyjamas. Think of this next time you’ve got a gift list.

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Whether it’s about organizing your life or singing your next contract with flair, there’s something you need at Nota Bene, Montreal’s premier office supplies store. They’ve got files and folders that will make even doing your taxes exciting. Plus it’s conveniently located next to Pullman, well worth a pop-in for a snack and a glass of wine.

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Montreal’s own Maguire is a shoe brand founded by two sisters who wanted to change the fast-fashion model of shoemaking. Their founding store in Mile End—they now have shops in Toronto and New York too—invites you into a fun, friendly atmosphere where all sizes are there, easy to try. Their models range from delicate ballet flats to chunky soled boots, all with a fashion-forward twist and incredible quality. All their shoes are made in reputed European factories—not a sweatshop in sight.

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This is a Quebec brand that has years of cred and a brand new refreshed image guaranteeing great style to go with the material quality. It’s all about winter warmth at their headquarters on Rachel Street on the Plateau, which is, after all, something Montrealers know all about. Shop their coats of varying levels of seriousness—from spring snowfall to deep-dark tundra blizzard. And while you’re there, take a gander at their premium loungewear.

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Gifts-to-self are a cinch at this Little Italy gem. They’ve got the biggest selection of vases and planters you’re likely to find, in a rainbow of neon glass and pastel porcelains—well worthy of all your plant babies. It’s also a great source of eco-friendly cosmetics and self-care items like candles, smudges, thick cushy socks and journals.

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Pony is a super fun Montreal art and streetwear brand founded by a local creative. Its brick-and-mortar shop is on one of our favourite strips, the weather-friendly covered section St-Hubert Boulevard in Villeray, amid the bridal dress shops, second-hand stores and chi-chi restaurants (read: Montréal Plaza). Come for the great sweatshirts, totes, caps and posters, then walk around the hood and soak up some pure Montreal vibes.

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If it’s useful and adorable, it’ll be at this Fleury Street shop. Located on a lovely strip in the northern neighbourhood of Ahuntsic, this is a one-stop gift shop packed with mismatched floral bowls, olivewood chopping boards, macrame lamps, locally made jewellery and accessories, and so much more. 

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Only one of the reasons we decreed Wellington the world’s coolest street, Librairie de Verdun is a bookstore, yes, but so much more. It’s a vast emporium of fun and entertainment, from the books to the on-site café to Réunion, the homeware store that’s accessible from both inside the bookstore and the street. This is where you’ll find made-here goods like Baltic Club candles, Raplapla stuffed toys, coffee cups by Procelaines Bousquet and soaps by Monsillage.

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Amazing things to do in Downtown Montreal are found on every corner, each bursting with arts, culture, food and drink.