Q1: With this warm weather this week, we’re looking to toss all the drab winter gear and for livelier Spring clothing. What’s hot this season?
A: For the women out there: Lots of sheer fabric, sheer prints, 50’s higher necklines a la Marilyn Monroe and Audrey Hepburn – and their 7/8 ankle-length pants, thin belts, pleated dresses. Expect a huge amount of bright colors including candy colored jeans. Men – it’s all about color too.
Q2: We always would like to know where to buy it – especially where to buy it for less
This is the time of year that warehouse sales start. Premium Retail Group holds liquidation sales worth waiting for, even if they are only a few times a year. Males and females who oogle the hot brands of Scotch Shrunk, Selected, Minkpink Kaporal 5, The Fresh, Garcia Jeanswear, Jack Jones, Vero Moda, Firetrap, Maison Scotch, Schott, AM, Scotch & Soda,Bench, Evil Twin, Antony Morado and Only will love the 60%-90% off prices. And yes there’s denim of course but also jackets, tops, dresses, hoodies, handbags and footwear. 4454 Garand St. at Pomba, Ville St. Laurent. Sale Dates: Mar 14 – Apr 1. Hours: Sat, Sun, Wed 11-5, Thurs & Fri 11-9
Fashionwear has been a fashion service which holds shopping events in the Ruby Foo’s Hotel and also has a retail store in Hudson. At the sale, they show off about 2 dozen lines of female trendy clothes, accessories and shoes.
As you try on outfits, you are aided by one of the consultants, who helps you coordinate a wardrobe. Remembering what you bought last time (they keep a computerized list), they try to update your look based on what you already have at home. You can find out the dates of sales by getting on their e-mail list. Location: Ruby Foos Hotel, 7655 Decarie Blvd. Room: Shanghai AB. Phone (Ruby Foo’s): 514-731-7701. Dates and Time of sale: Tues & Wed Mar 20 & 21: 11-8
If you are unable to make it, you can visit their shop for clothes and giftware. Fashionwear Shop: Exit 26 off 40 West, 3100 Rte. Harwood, Centre d’Achats Hudson. Phone: 450-218-1955. Hours: Tues, Wed & Fri 10-6, Thurs 10-8, Sat 10-5, Sun 12-5
Manhattan Industries usually offers their premium brands at their clearance sales so you will find Superdry, Adriano Goldschmied, i.am, pure & simple and Debbie Shuchat. Now they have taken a retail location for a limited time for their sample clearances for men’s and women’s clothing and shoes at up to 70% off.
The brands they usually offer and still will have at this time: Industry (edgy streetwear for men and women sizes XS-L), Industry shoe company (mens’ casual and dressy leather shoes sizes 38-44), pure & simple (women casual basics, some for men). New Location: 4910 Jean-Talon ouest at Victoria. Dates: March 22-25. Times: Thurs & Fri 10-9, Sat 10-5, Sun 11-5. www.manhattaninc.com www.industryclothing.com www.pureandsimple.com
Q3: If we can’t fit those times into our agenda, where else can we shop?
Head for the liquidation stores of famous chains and you can score similar deals.
Trio Selection is right on Chabanel street with liquidation and overstock merchandise. It’s men first here, so you have their President Stone line of suits, shirts, ties and casual wear, outer jackets and underwear. Keep walking to the back and ladies can scoop up tops and jackets too. 353 Chabanel ouest at Jeanne Mance.
Jaf is known as a neighbourhood corner store which has deals on men’s clothes, some with well known names – Robert Graham, Jack Victor, Baumler, Tombolini, Tommy Bahamas, m.e.n.s., Alberto, Victorinox, S. Cohen, Façonnable, Nautica. Even in their Centre de liquidation helpful salesmen will find you pants (to 50) and shirts (to 2XL) starting at $10, suits (to 56) at $145 – $995, sports jackets $75 & up, sweaters, jackets and free on the spot alterations (not in the liquidation center) . There are also made-to-measure suits and shirts, and suits for athletically built men. Ask about tuxedos and rentals, and if you need them, boys’ suits in sizes 4-20. Centre de liquidation (closed Tues): 1880 St-Martin o. (450-688-3636). Other regular retail locations regular: 619 boul. Rene-Levesque (514-877-9888); 3240 boul. St-Martin o. (450-978-9661); www.jaf.ca
Both Buffalo and Mexx have liquidation stores on the South Shore. Buffalo is at 3575 Taschereau Blvd at Charles and Mexx is located at 5000 Taschereau Blvd at Auguste.
The Suzy Shier that you know has been re-branded as SUZY. They now have a liquidation store for all the lines that you loved of theirs in the malls. Now you can buy them all (sizes 0-XL) for less. 5455 Rue Des Jockeys, (Blue Bonnets). www.suzyshier.com
Q4: Any other ideas for Spring wardrobes?
Coronet Leather is a friendly family business, around for 33 years. This manufacturer has a showroom of jackets and coats in lambskin, cowhide and sheepskin for men, women and will do made-to-measure as well. They can make suits, pants, skirts, long coats and can do repairs. If you have a sports team, jackets can be personalized with logos or emblems. Anyone looking for retro wool jackets with leather sleeves, this is the place for you. 7475 boul. St-Laurent at Faillon. www.leathercoronet.com
Boutique Avantage is a lovely boutique open since since 1983 offering great service and is fully stocked (4-18) with those labels women love – Gerry Weber, Rabe, Spanner, Junge, Conrad C, Katherine Barclay, and Vex. Scarves, purses, hats and high fashion jewelry can finish off your look and make this one stop shopping. It’s comfortable shopping here as they remember who you are so you always feel connected. Taxes are included in the prices. 1264 Beaumont at Rockland Rd, Ville Mont-Royal. Phone: 514-733-1185.
Every now and then you come across a hidden treasure. S.I.L.K. Prêt à porter is nestled in a courtyard and is divided neatly in half between new samples (European labels and domestic labels) at 50% off (suggested retail price) and quality designer consignment clothing. The collections are so carefully handpicked that’s it’s really quite difficult to tell the new clothes from the gently worn ones.
Labels such as: DVF (Diane von Furstenburg), Dolce Gabbana, Escada, Max Mara, Marccain, Sonia Rykiel or Save the Queen all might be there. You can stock up on great basics or classics from Jones NY, Joseph Ribkoff and Simon Chang. New locally handmade artisanal jewelry is showcased for you to accessorize the clothes.
The impeccably organized shop is for the discriminating woman. Each piece is hand selected for style, season and condition (any loose threads are snipped and wiggly buttons re-sewn), so perfect quality is assured.
S.I.L.K. accepts for consignment fine clothing and accessories from European, Canadian and American designers. Consignment is accepted by appointment only. 1213 Bernard Ave at Bloomfield, Outremont. Phone: 514-274-8282.
