Introducing: Bicyclette, a shop for demure and sexy ladies alike

The place: Bicyclette boutique’s warm, soft lighting and its emphasis on repurposed furniture and props are what initially grabbed our attention. Once we were inside, owner Paige Boersma’s sunny disposition added charm to the sometimes-surly and sometimes-apathetic nature of a Queen West strip overturned by bigger box brands like Urban Outfitters and American Apparel. After trying her hand at retail with two pop-up shops, Boersma finally settled on this brick-and-mortar version of her popular online store and blog.

The stuff: Boersma discusses what the average shopper will find inside, noting the merging of street-style essentials and fairy-tale whimsy. The airy all-white space with quirky vintage accents nicely reflects the store’s affordable mix (prices range from $40 to $250) of unabashedly feminine clothing and accessories. “I like to find pieces that have a bit of a story behind them,” Boersma says of the indie lines she handpicks for the shop, like the spring-ready dresses from Aussie label MinkPink or California’s Charlie Jade.

Our favourite things: We loved a relaxed-fit floral crochet-trimmed sundress ($118) from MinkPink, and we’d accessorize the look with a Rouge crystal necklace ($60) that features a rough-hewn chunk of crystal hanging off a long silver chain. Flying Tomato’s denim romper ($72) is perfect for warmer weather, but layering pieces like the printed silk circle scarves (there’s even one featuring a bicycle pattern) from local line ScarfParty ($30 and up) help with transitioning between seasons. One Teaspoon’s cocktail dresses are among Bicyclette’s more sultry choices, including a black dress with elastic straps holding together a cut-out back ($178). Sometimes a girl just wants to ride side-saddle with the wind hitting her exposed back, and that can’t be done without a bicycle.

Bicyclette, 880 Queen St. W., 416-532-8048, bicyclette.to