The place: West end clothing stores continue to move north from Queen Street, allowing the Dundas West strip—especially from Ossington to Sheridan—to morph into the next gentrified hot spot. New vintage store Magwood fits right in, located across the street from beloved subterranean hipster lair Unlovable.
The stuff: Owner and gal-about-town Sarah Magwood is her own best advertisement, sporting a different elaborate vintage ensemble (and signature red pout) every day and inspiring customers to pick up their very own piece of haute history. The sunny, exposed-brick shop spans the sartorial decades, starting with a Victorian petticoat ($285), then moving onward to a 1940s beaded wicker box purse ($85) and black silk 1950s party dress topped with a big velvet bow ($265). An Elvis-era display case is packed with chunky gold jewellery from the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s, and enough old-school studded Versace and Chanel knits to outfit the entire cast of The Sopranos. Hip kids on a budget can shop here, too, whether it’s for a retro white leopard-print silk blouse ($50) or brown leather earrings adorned with a silver saddle ($38). The non-girly girls will appreciate slick, minimalist pieces from Jil Sander and Issey Miyake.
The shoppers: Creative chicks who appreciate a piece built to last, including art gallery owners, hot west end moms, premiere-shopping filmmakers and the local cool contingent.
Our favourite things: We loved the twirl-friendly floor-length 1950s gown with a glass-beaded bodice ($265) and the Victor Costa black cocktail number adorned with two pink shantung silk wings ($245). Daywear is less dull when we’re sporting an embroidered mesh vest dripping in gold fringe ($80), a Rena Lange ruffled silk blouse ($325), or a leopard-print shirt-dress ($95). Life’s too short, right? We’re a big supporter of second chances.
Magwood, 1418 Dundas St. W., 416-818-3975, magwood.ca
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