Vancouver Good

I attended a fantastic talk by Danielle Laporte this weekend at the Ask a Woman event and one of her many points was that a person should have a few go-to stores when it comes to shopping. These are stores that know you, and that you can trust to have pieces that represent yourself.

I wholeheartedly subscribe to this. When I need something, I have a circuit of a 4-6 stores that will have what I need.  Two of these stores are in Gastown and I can count on them for great clothes and service to get my shopping fix done efficiently.

1. One of a few & Two of a few
354 and 365 Water St, Vancouver

- This is technically two stores next to each other, but both are owned by Michelle Rizzardo. I think “One of a few” carries more feminine styles, while “Two  of a few” carries men & womens lines, shoes, and more streetwear.

Why it’s fabulous:
Honestly? The owner, Michelle Rizzardo. I don’t know Michelle well, but she knows how to run a business. She’s warm, friendly, and has an infectious passion for fashion and her stores. She carries a mix of classic, edgy, and trendy styles, which let customers create classic outfits with a twist.

I would never call myself a fashionista, and prefer classic pieces and colours. Michelle and her staff  repeatedly give me classic pieces with an edge while showing me how to wear them well. I’ve done special orders, special sales, and lots of impluse buys at this store.

No, it’s not the cheapest, but it’s not the most expensive either. I will often wait for the Gastown Shop Hop event or similar events, when the store is usually 20% off.

2. The Block
350 West Cordova Street , Vancouver

The Block is a 1-minute jaunt down the road from One of a Few and carries women’s and men’s clothing, accessories, and shoes.

Why it’s fabulous:

Big selection and many exclusive brands. The Block carries a huge range of options, including denim, evening dresses, leisure wear, casual dresses, outerwear, flowy tanks, and these beautifullly expensive Loeffler Randall shoes and boots, which I will one day own. I regularly see costume designers from film sets at this store.

The store also has awesome sales – so check the sale rack. I was there last week and picked up a great bargain: a $450 Theory belted black shirt dress for $150. I must say, it’s fabulous.

A must-buy: Their $20 cotton tights. I don’t know what brand they are, but the store carries these fantastically comfortable cotton tights in various colours and patterns. I lived in these during the fall & winter.

In the Gastown area, there are more and more fantastic stores within shopping distance. Definitely walk around Cordova and Water St. and poke around the shops. Dream, John Fluevog, Obakkai and Dutil Denim are a few more examples.

Have fun! And tell me what you buy.