TO's most fashionable know well that strong hosiery game is essential to day-to-day style excellence, from patterned nylons in the winter to colourful ankle socks in the summer. Whatever the season, these Toronto boutiques have the leg-wear you need to safeguard those precious stems.[Image credit: iStock.com/coloroftime]
This shop has a love affair with legs. Everything they sell is guaranteed to turn up the heat – if that’s your desired effect. The hosiery line fairly sizzles with opaque, sheer, fishnet and black-seamed tights, nylons and stay-ups, to name a few. They feature the cutting-edge fashion brands Voila! And Trasparenze, as well as Spanx control garments and alluring ankle socks. The Queen West store is open all seven days including Sunday afternoons.
Successful specialty retail is often about finding the right niche. Gussied Up has identified its target market and is going after it: plus size women, size 14 and up, who’ve been perpetually frustrated by their lack of options in fashion apparel. The west side location is midway between the downtown shopping Mecca and uptown mall scene and aims to offer the sizes and variety missing in those neighbourhoods. The ultra-comfy, basic leggings are among the shop’s top sellers.
Wertex Hosiery’s history in Toronto dates back more than half-a-century to its humble origins as a family-owned business. Today it’s a major Canadian manufacturer of pantyhose, socks and specialty hosiery items under its own name and for private labels. The factory location on the west side includes a retail outlet open Monday to Friday from 8 am to 4 pm. The Wertex line includes comfort activewear, tights, sportswear and shapewear.
You don’t have to go downtown to find the best and latest in fashion hose and nylons. It’s been over 20 years since owner Ellen Somer turned a childhood love of merchandising (her Dad was in retail) into this well-stocked shop on Avenue Road, north of Lawrence. The comprehensive selection of socks and stockings is a boon to busy women. The shop welcomes strollers and pets, so you can stop by without having to leave your kids and dog at home. Over the years, Somer has expanded her product line to include sportswear and accessories as well.
A visit to Kensington Market isn’t complete without a careful browse of the ever-changing stock in this vintage shop. Inventory usually includes a good selection of nylons and other stockings in sheer and solid styles and all lengths and sizes. The search requires patience. It’s the perfect place to hunt down the pieces you need to complete a steampunk costume or tweak your wardrobe with a splash of nostalgia.
These sock specialists excel at covering your legs from the knees down. They also carry Daub & Design leggings and underwear in their two locations in Toronto and online store. The socks are sourced from the best designers in North America – selected for their outrageous designs, vivid colours and first-class textiles. This is footwear that you want people to see as much for its sheer visual impact as to flaunt your fearless personality.
Located among the high-end shops of Yorkville, Wolford has everything you need in luxurious and beautiful legwear just steps from the so-called “Mink Mile” shopping strip on Bloor Street. Feeling extravagant? Cap those new wardrobe purchases with coordinating nylons or other items from the stunning selection of designer socks, tights and leggings. You’ll even find holiday tights studded with Swarovski crystal accents!
This worldwide chain has thousands of stores in dozens of countries, including this downtown location in the city’s retail hub. The merch is aimed at girls and young women aged three to 35, so it’s ideal for tweens, teens and moms with kids looking for carefree clothing, jewellery and accessories. The legwear line covers everything from sassy knee-highs and boot socks, to cartoon-themed ankle socks, bow boot cuffs and basic legwarmers. As if your daughter doesn’t have enough attitude already ;-).