Store Guide: Oak and Fort brings breezy, well-priced basics to the Shops at Don Mills
Store Guide: Oak and Fort brings breezy, well-priced basics to the Shops at Don Mills
Name: Oak and Fort
Sells: Women’s clothing, shoes, bags and jewellery, plus some menswear
Contact info: 1090 Don Mills Rd., 647-341-9199, oakandfort.com
Hours: M-F 10-9, Sa 9:30-7, Su 11-6
See it on a map »
Since launching its first boutique in 2010, Vancouver-based retailer Oak and Fort has netted a fan base of fashion bloggers and style icons (including actress Blake Lively), all attracted to its breezy, minimalist designs. Last month, the brand opened its first permanent Toronto outlet: an airy, white-walled boutique at the Shops at Don Mills. The new shop is filled with neat racks of neutral-hued tunics, floaty shift dresses and other wear-anywhere basics, most of which are priced well under $200.
Our favourite looks are plain but edgy, like a pale-pink tank dress with an asymmetrical hemline ($108), or a faux-leather moto vest with silver zipper detailing ($188). The menswear section is currently limited to a single rack, but that should change come summer. For downtowners feeling daunted by the uptown address, take heart: there’s also a pop-up shop on Queen West, which will remain open until the brand is able to secure a permanent downtown location.
See inside »
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- <strong>Oak and Fort’</strong>s permanent boutique is located at the Shops at Don Mills. The brand also has a downtown pop-up shop, at 737 Queen Street West
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- Store Guide: Oak and Fort
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- The shop stocks a mix of breezy, wear-anywhere basics, like tunics, floaty dresses and slouchy cropped trousers
- (Image: Erin Simkin)
- Store Guide: Oak and Fort
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- Blouses are priced from $38 to $118
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- Our favourite pieces are ones with unique details, like the asymmetrical hemline on this pinky-orange tank dress ($108)
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- Clle slip-on shoes, $168
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- Black moto vest, $188
- (Image: Erin Simkin)
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- Jacket, $168
- (Image: Erin Simkin)
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- Trousers, $118
- (Image: Erin Simkin)
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- Sheer dress, $98
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- Faux-leather tote, $78
- (Image: Erin Simkin)
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- Necklaces are priced from $16 to $38
- (Image: Erin Simkin)
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- Bangles, $24
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![](http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https://torontolife.com/style/store-guide-oak-and-fort/&title=Store Guide: Oak and Fort brings breezy, well-priced basics to the Shops at Don Mills&picture=https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/oak-and-ford-toronto-store-guide-01-intro-624x395.jpg&description=[caption id="attachment_274186" align="aligncenter" width="656"] (Image: Erin Simkin)[/caption]
Name: Oak and Fort
Sells: Women’s clothing, shoes, bags and jewellery, plus some menswear
Contact info: 1090 Don Mills Rd., 647-341-9199, oakandfort.com
Hours: M-F 10-9, Sa 9:30-7, Su 11-6
See it on a map »
Since launching its first boutique in 2010, Vancouver-based retailer Oak and Fort has netted a fan base of fashion bloggers and style icons (including actress Blake Lively), all attracted to its breezy, minimalist designs. Last month, the brand opened its first permanent Toronto outlet: an airy, white-walled boutique at the Shops at Don Mills. The new shop is filled with neat racks of neutral-hued tunics, floaty shift dresses and other wear-anywhere basics, most of which are priced well under $200.
Our favourite looks are plain but edgy, like a pale-pink tank dress with an asymmetrical hemline ($108), or a faux-leather moto vest with silver zipper detailing ($188). The menswear section is currently limited to a single rack, but that should change come summer. For downtowners feeling daunted by the uptown address, take heart: there’s also a pop-up shop on Queen West, which will remain open until the brand is able to secure a permanent downtown location.
See inside »
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I’m not sure why they even bother having a menswear section on their website. No matter which category one clicks, one gets the “there are no products matching the selection” message.
This is a perfect example of how menswear is treated as an afterthought – and somehow that’s okay. There is zero product in the menswear section on the website, its presence is described as just “plus some menswear” in the article’s header, and even in the body of the article, it’s described as being just one rack.
Now, I’m sympathetic to the fact that its a womens’ store. I get that. But I find it a little insulting that they proclaim to “sell menswear”, while offering a dismal selection to the male shopper (or women shopping for men – which is not a market to underestimate).
I will say, the store is beautifully decorated. Very much within the current styles. Although I question its sustainability, from a standpoint of space usage. Rents in SADM are rich, but not insane. If they ever want to expand to Yorkdale or Eaton Centre, there’s no way you can get away with that much empty space and still turn a profit.
Even though I am very much of the opinion that menswear is an underserviced market here, I say cut the menswear. A jack of all trades is the last thing you want to be in the fashion business.
Canadianskeezix and Maxwell…. great news… menswear items have arrived to the Shops at Don Mills location. I was told they were waiting to get a sizeable collection before displaying. I picked up a sweet knit sweater and shirt already. Not sure if the pop-up has mens but the full service store at Shops at Don Mills now does.
Stumbled on Oak + Fort when visiting Vancouver at Metrotown, fell in love. Advised them that they really need to expand to Toronto and thought they’d do amazing at Yorkdale and Square One. Now, idk if my advice was followed. I’m just ecstatic that it opened up at Square One, Mississauga which is a ten minute drive away from me.