Where Do Canadians Buy Clothes?

On my bucket list is visiting Canada, starting with Montreal or Quebec (so two trips) to familiarize myself with retailers where Canadians like to shop for clothes. I'm open to both luxury and affordable markets. It's fun to explore shopping districts away from home, and you never know where you'll find inspiration or a steal.

Below is a roundup of where a few Canadian women say they buy their clothes. Some explained why they favor them. The recommendations are 100% theirs. Perhaps one day I'll step foot in the following --

25 Popular Canadian Apparel Shops: 

Aritzia - Expensive but I have to say that they really hit the sweet spot of the modern trendy look. I would say Wilfred and Babaton are the house brands that make more sense for a 30-something - Talulah and TNA are more sporty, and casual, which reads younger. Also, check out the Sunday Best line.

Frank and Oak For basics - Women's clothes are online only but pretty well made. I avoid most of their poly stuff, but anything cotton, silk, merino, etc. is very nice and they have decent sales every other month or so.

Oak and Fort - For more unique and architectural looks. Their fabrics aren't great and are very rarely natural but they do some really neat outside-of-the-box clothes.

Simons - I mostly shop here for the access to other brands and their frequent sales. I'm not a huge fan of their house lines (Twik, Iconé, and Contemporaine). Pretty good loyalty program and easy shipping.

Gap - I buy here for the neverending sales on basics and the occasional really great deal. Also in the USA.

eBay - Especially doing searches and limiting it to Canada to avoid high shipping fees and duties. I like searching for pre-owned Aritzia brands, Theory, Eileen Fisher, Joie, Isabel Marant, Dusen Dusen, Nic and Zoe, and vintage.

Silver and Gold

Silver and Gold Boutique - Trendy and casual style.

Street and Saddle - Quality and fitted garments.

Seek Shelter - Clothes made to improve with wear.

Jeska Grue - Silk and linen fabrics.

Beaton Linen - Linen dresses, jumpers, and fabrics too.

Korinne Vader - Linen dresses, bottoms.

Nordstrom Rack - Also in the USA.

Winners - In the USA known as T.J. Maxx, Marshalls, and Home Goods.

Marshalls - Also in the USA. The sister company of T.J. Maxx or T.K. Maxx in UK countries. Canadians named it separately. Don't count the retailers and tell me there are 26 because I didn't count Marshalls twice. It's counted under the Winners corporation. :)

Holt Renfrew - Known for its exclusive designer collaborations and high-end fashion brands.

RW & Co - Classical Canadian clothing.

Reitmans - Good for work clothes.

Ricki's - Trendy and casual clothes

Cleo - Linen pants, blazers, and dresses.

Uniqlo - Also in the USA. Good quality basics and layering pieces that look expensive. 

Dynamite - A mix of dresses, tops, and jeans.

Laura's - Slightly pricy, but for clothes that will last for years. Classic Canadian clothing.

Mark's - Great bargains.

Hudson Bay

Hudson's Bay - Tons of options on their website. My note: The Bay and Hudson's Bay operate under the HBC portfolio. HBC is North America's oldest company, founded in 1670. HBC also acquired Saks Fifth Avenue in 2013. The Bay is like Macy's or Saks in the USA.

Blondie Boutique - Online shopping only except in Calgary, Canada.

Wow, most of these merchants have no stores in the US, so are new to me. How about you?

Click the links of the Canadian retailers to check them out!🇨🇦

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Canada's Nanaimo Bars

Oh, Canada, why have you been holding out on me?

These classic Canadian cookie bars popped up on my Facebook feed. They are named after Nanaimo, British Columbia, but I've never heard of them. They look so delicious I've decided to make them! After googling the recipe to find that other recipes call for custard powder, another food item I've never heard of and won't find in my supermarket, I decided to go with this 12 Tomatoes recipe adapted from Classic Cooking. I like the white chocolate flavor in the custard layer. Another version of Nanaimo bars suggests making a coffee-flavored custard, also tasty! You choose. I'll go with white chocolate the 1st time.

Nanaimo Bars - 12 Tomatoes version:

Ingredients:

Photo: 12 Tomatoes - FB

Bottom Layer --
1 stick unsalted butter, cubed
⅓ cup brown sugar
3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups graham crackers, finely crushed
8 oz sweetened coconut, shredded
1 teaspoon kosher salt
½ cup chopped nuts (walnuts, pecans, or almonds)

Pudding Filling -- 

5 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature

¼ cup heavy cream 

2 tablespoons white chocolate instant pudding mix

2 cups powdered sugar

 

Photo: 12 Tomatoes

Chocolate Topping -- 

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips - See my tweak - step 6.

4 tablespoons salted butter 

Optional: ½ teaspoon kosher salt

Directions: (From 12 Tomatoes with my tweaks in blue font).

1) Line an 8x8-inch baking dish with parchment paper. Set aside. (It works in a buttered 9x9-inch baking pan equally well. I think the crust is better without parchment paper.)

2) Melt 1 stick of cubed butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add cocoa powder, salt, and brown sugar, remove the pan from heat, and whisk until mixture is well-blended.

3) Slowly whisk in the beaten egg and mix constantly until the egg is incorporated. Return the pot to the stovetop over medium heat and cook until the chocolate mixture has thickened, stirring frequently, for up to 2 minutes.

4) Stir in vanilla extract, shredded coconut, chopped nuts, and graham cracker crumbs. Once blended, pour the chocolate mixture into the prepared baking dish. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 40 minutes.

5) Beat 5 tablespoons unsalted butter with heavy cream, and instant pudding powder until smooth. Stir in powdered sugar until a creamy mixture comes together. Spread the cream filling over the top of the chocolate base layer and recover with plastic wrap. Return the pan to the refrigerator for 20 minutes.

Photo: BBC

6) Melt chocolate chips with butter in a microwave-safe bowl, cooking in short increments of time and stirring until melted and smooth. Add salt, if using, and stir until blended. (See my tweak below👇). Spread chocolate topping over top of the cream filling. Cover with plastic wrap and return to the refrigerator to chill for 30 minutes or until the chocolate has completely set. My chocolate ganache is pure and simple without sacrificing flavor: Melt chocolate chips or broken dark chocolate pieces in a microwave-safe bowl with a tiny amount of any fat milk. Remember you can always add more milk, but can't remove it, so start with less. You don't need the butter or salt to make chocolate ganache. After melting, stir well and pour the ganache over the 2nd layer. Cover and refrigerate.

7) To serve, cut into squares. Store in an airtight container. If stacking your Nanaimo bars, place a layer of parchment paper in between each layer. Don't stack the cut bars as thy're moist because of the middle layer of pudding. It won't end well! 

Makes 16 bars. Refrigerate any leftovers and return the next day to eat the batch up! Let's not lie and pretend otherwise.

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