Toronto is not known as a fashion Mecca, but it is a city with its own style. Although its citizens are too laid-back for ostentatious labels, it does have a cosmopolitan sophistication. The best place to get a feeling for its casual urban Canuck aesthetic is to explore the funky district of Queen West.
Like Melrose in Los Angeles, it is a long street broken into neighbourhoods. Previously an artists' enclave, Queen Street West became a fashionable address when the downtown-living renaissance took hold in the mid-1980s. But as the yuppies and developers moved in, the bohemian vibe moved out, with artists, used bookstores and stylish clothing shops pushed further west in search of lower rents.
A familiar name is Comrags (654 Queen St West; tel: 416 360 7249). The creations of local designers Judy Cornish and Joyce Gunhous use lots of black and have a lot of fans. Meg (849 Queen St West; tel: 416 364 3983), by Meghan Kinney, makes upmarket evening and day wear that is simple but subtle, while Chinese-Canadian designer Anne Hung (829 Queen St West; tel: 416 364 7840) is a terrific women's wear designer who likes vibrant, bright colours. Another name worth checking out is Annie Thompson (674 Queen St West; tel: 416 703 3843), who designs clothing for men and women that is rich in texture.
Vintage clothing store Preloved (613 Queen St West; tel: 416 504 8704) takes the fabric of old clothes and stitches together unique, creative pieces in colourful styles. More imaginative creations can be found at Fresh Collective (692 Queen St West; tel: 416 594 1313), which is a co-operative run by 16 of Toronto's young designers. If you're into more snazzy, girly thrills, head to Peach Berserk (507 Queen St West; tel: 416 504 1711). Designer Kingi Carpenter likes fun, ornate prints and puts them on everything from slinky bodices to chiffon evening wear.
Yoga fans will want to browse Lululemon Athletica (734 Queen St West; tel: 416 703 1399). This line of sports clothes is all the rage across Canada. Comfortable, colourful and stylish, it's primarily for women, although the men's athletic gear is gaining in popularity. Canada's own John Fluevog Shoes (242 Queen St West; tel: 416 581 1420) is not as hot as it used to be, but is still too fly to disguise on Queen West. Its fancy retro-inspired soles have fans from Boston to Chicago to Los Angeles.
However, if you want to pick up something uniquely Canadian, head to Barfly (673 Queen St West; tel: 416 364 8260). Its calling card is gutting 50s-style refrigerators and re-fitting them with a tap so they become beer-serving pieces of furniture. The cabinets are handsome, stylish home centrepieces that serve cold draught beer. Now that's what you call Canadian style.