The place: Club Monaco has launched its new menswear section at the iconic Bloor Street location. The stairs down are lined with real books with the spines facing inwards and a tough rope banister (watch your hands, we got a little scratched up), leading to a study that looks like something Hemingway would feel right at home in—rough hewn-wood floors, nautical ropes and classic menswear abound.
The stuff: The big new draw is a collection by A Continuous Lean’s Michael Williams and designer Aaron Levine called Made in the U.S.A. (yes, they know Club Monaco is formerly Canadian, too). Slim-fitting suits sold as separates ($395 for a blazer, $245 for pants), ties in silk, chambray and wool ($89.50) and oxford shirts ($139.50) sit amongst hand-picked items like Tanner Leather goods (all vegetable dyed), Canadian-made Aether shirts and Mark McNairy for Bass shoes.
The shoppers: Urban dandies waiting for J. Crew to open a men’s shop in Canada will find plenty to coo over—the entire section looks like something we’d see on any sartorially minded flaneur. Being on the major shopping strip of Bloor can’t hurt, so expect a lot of families, weekend brunchers and ladies who lunch to wander in. Men with their mind on the bottom line will also find a good selection of affordable pieces; this is still Club Monaco, after all.
Our favourite things: We loved the sweatshirt in heather grey with a Henley placket ($89.50), the hooded duffle coat with plaid lining ($389) and the Fair Isle sweater ($169.50) with a reverse knit that makes the stitching look more abstract.
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