Vancouver shops for work wardrobe essentials
For some people, a work wardrobe means jeans and steel-toed boots; for others it means hospital scrubs and comfy sneakers. For those of us with nine-to-five jobs, sticking to the company dress code means dressing in sophisticated separates and formal footwear. If you’re looking to revamp your office attire, here are some standout retailers in Vancouver – for men and women – that’ll send you to work in style.
Wear Else West 4th Avenue
2360 4th Ave W, Vancouver, BC V6K 1P1Outfit yourself from head to toe in sought-after designer brands at this Kitsilano womenswear boutique. The curated collection of clothing includes tops, bottoms, dresses, outerwear and accessories that’ll keep you looking polished and professional throughout the seasons. For summer, we love the silk blouses and patterned shift dresses from Diane Von Furstenberg. When the temperature dips, step into structured trousers from Elizabeth and James and drape yourself in cozy cardigans from Michael Kors. Stop in during clearance sales to get up to 70 percent off on designer apparel.
Samson
1240 Seymour St, Vancouver, BC V6B 3N9Mad Men wannabes, this is the shop for you. Steve Samson is a sartorial wizard when it comes to tailoring. His eponymous Seymour Street menswear shop prides itself on offering high quality bespoke suits and separates that stand the test of time. Made-to-measure shirts and suits are customized with your fabric of choice and designed to fit your body perfectly. For a more affordable option, shop the off-the-rack collection of men’s dress shirts (starting at around $50) and suits.
gravitypope Tailored Goods Vancouver
2203 West 4th Avenue, Vancouver, BC V6K 1N9Dressing for success starts from the ground up, so it’s important to make sure your footwear is both functional and fashionable. At Gravity Pope, stepping out in style is made easy thanks to the vast choice of dress shoes for both men and women. With high ceilings and bold light fixtures, the large Kitsilano showroom is a chic place to browse for heels, boots, sandals, loafers and other footwear options in a range of prices. Sophisticated gents looking to add a pop of whimsy to their work wardrobe can also pick up patterned dress socks and colourful shoelaces.
Loft 82 Corp
840 Granville St, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1K3Looking for multipurpose pieces that’ll take you from the boardroom to the beach? Your closet will thank you after a visit to NOUL (formerly Loft 82), a Granville Street destination for the on-trend office worker. Affordable apparel and accessories will appeal to the younger set looking to build up their work wardrobe while sticking to a budget. The feminine fashions are versatile and great for layering, which is essential given Vancouver’s unpredictable weather. Lightweight ribbed tank tops are a must-have that can be dressed up with a funky blazer and a skirt or paired with jeans on your days off.
Roden Gray
8 Water St, Vancouver, BC V6B 1A4Well-dressed men with an appreciation for fresh styles and cutting-edge fashions can stock up on seriously hip office attire at this Gastown boutique. With a clean and modern aesthetic, the ultra-modern showroom is the perfect setting for the shop’s well-curated collection of avant garde clothing and footwear from cult labels such as Thom Browne, Engineered Garments and Carhartt. Roden Grey also has a design-conscious selection of accessories, including eyewear, timepieces, socks, ties and pocket squares. Editor’s pick: Retire your old gym bag and tote your stuff in style with leather backpacks and duffels from Vancouver-based brand Herschel Supply Co.
Twist Fashions Inc
This womenswear boutique has been dressing Vancouver’s stylish set since 1986. Unlike big box stores, shopping at Twist is a personalized and fun experience. All of the employees are in-store stylists who love fashion and will take pleasure in finding the right outfit for your body type, taste and budget. It’s the perfect store if you’re heading back into the workforce after a long absence and don’t quite know where to begin. Featured brands include Michael Kors, James Perse, Mexx and more. Urban fashionistas with a fresh sensibility will love the feminine-yet-modern pieces from Danish labels InWear and Part Two.
Harry Rosen
650 41st Avenue W, Vancouver, BC V5Z 2M9This leading high-end clothing store specializes in stylish and chic menswear with a contemporary touch. Founded in Toronto more than 60 years ago, Harry Rosen caters to both young go-getters and established professionals. The 27,000-square-foot flagship store in the Pacific Centre has an impressive range of custom-made or ready-to-wear options. Shop for fine tailored suiting, casual pieces, sportswear and accessories from leading designer labels such as Hugo Boss, Burberry, Giorgio Armani, Brunello Cucinelli, Canali and more.
The Block Clothing Co
350 Cordova St W, Vancouver, BC V6B 1E8Located in the heart of Gastown, The Block is stocked with easygoing and trendsetting professional wear for men and women. If you want to look confident and stylish, peruse their mix of well-known international brands and local labels for clothing, shoes and accessories that are best suited for a hip and accessible office environment. Urban sophisticates will appreciate tops, bottoms and shoes from French label A.P.C., loose-fitting blouses and easy-to-wear polos from Filippa K, and the solid selection of tailored denim – perfect for those casual Friday ensembles.
ZARA
1056 Robson St, Vancouver, BC V6E 1A7Inject a European sensibility into your work wardrobe with Zara’s sharp, eclectic and on-trend looks. You’ll find trousers, dress shirts, skirts and inexpensive suits for both men and women. In addition to the impressive selection of affordable work wardrobe staples, you’ll also find plenty of weekend wear, including casual denim and chic eveningwear. Whatever your fashion needs, this ubiquitous clothing store is there for you.
CELINE VANCOUVER HOLT RENFREW MEN
737 DUNSMUIR ST, VANCOUVER, BC V7Y 1E4Carrying only the best high-end brands, this luxury department store offers an invigorating shopping experience for style conscious men and women. You’ll be tempted to spend all day at this multi-level retailer, discovering of-the-moment handbags, fine jewellery, seersucker sports jackets, printed silk scarves and many more on-trend items and classic wardrobe staples. Personal shopping, beauty touch ups, made-to-measure tailoring and valet parking are available for shoppers who appreciate an added level of service.
My Twitter
My Instagram
