The cheers, folks – Zara has finally launched a US online store.  One can only hope a Canadian e-shop for us is on the way (that’s usually the way), though for now we must be content for America finally acquiring an online buying environment.

As a celebration of Zara’s new online availability, I’ve selected a handful of favorite items from the online store.  In the world of accessories, Zara features reasonable prices and decent construction; check the Bulcher lace ups, brown Chelsea boots and the color blocked soft leather shopper.

For clothing, Zara can’t be beat for reasonable work pieces; these can be dressed casually for day to day wear or fit within a professional environment.  I’m particularly into the grey V-neck jumper, ankle crop trousers and the fall delight wide lapel blazer.

Whilst surfing Very.co.uk, I located a very cute and curious hanging watch necklace.  Timepiece accessories are classic, trend defying accessories that will always find themselves in vogue.  While this little pocketwatch piece is non functional, the imagery of the piece will never go out of style.

You’ll also not find a piece like this for less than $19 if you’re looking for a functional face, but hey, who actually needs one of those when we’ve got our mobile phones?!

Vancouver has a new option for the ladies, or men that fancy themselves gender defying – Queens boutique in Gastown.  Queens packs a street wear punch; you can acquire accessories, re-worked vintage men’s tees (made to fit the female form), and some pretty sick nail art.

They’ve got a nail technician in every day, that had quite the range of styles, all of which start at $40 and go up with add-ons (gems, that sort of thing).  IMO, Queens’ pieces are best worked into a juxtaposing style look; streetwear is simple, and you will need to mix it up to stand apart.  Logo tees are ace under leather, while a large earring or blangin’ nails will do any look justice.

Need more info? Check out their location deets.

Oh, this would be glorious The Bay arse kicking news if this where true.  Not only would be get Nordstrom, but the true glory lies within the possible coming of Nordstrom Rack!

It’s like the Father and Son of the department store trinity.  Can you imagine?!

Now if only we could get a J Crew and Topshop…

Charlie & Lee had set up shop in Victoria, BC last year and have just released some excellent news that they’re moving to Vancouver.

This is quite a cute little shop with some excellent label stock and a snappy ‘tude, and to celebrate their move, they’re offering an additional 20% off sale items (up to 70% off) from their online store within the month of March w/ the promo code “MAKINGMOVES“.

There isn’t any word yet on the exact located C&L will be taking over, but rest assured it will be announced as soon as I hear.

Vancouver doesn’t have a tonne of rocks to look under, so there aren’t always new and wonderful locations to find.   Just in case you aren’t as familiar with the Main Street row on and above 3rd, you’ve hit the jackpot – these are the places you’re going to want to swing through.  Hot tip: check out Vancouver restaurants reviews from Granville Online.. they’ve got the last word on the eats you’ll need during your shop-a-thon.

For your high street picks, Vincent Park is well worth the trip to 27th Ave. VP is home to the just launched Cheap Monday Cult Club, a host of brands as MinkPink, Super Sunglasses, Funktional, Fred Perry, Alkemie and Something Else by Natalie Wood. [Googlemap]

Burcu’s Angels is vintage fit for the ultimate selective shopper.  Burcu’s picks are romantic, eccentric and individualistic – these are detailed, often period pieces that are going to astound and spotlight those who choose them. [Googlemap]

When it comes to vintage, F As In Frank is one of the city’s favorites.  Frank’s style of vintage is much different than Burcu’s; where Burcu is classically eccentric, Frank is hipster friendly and far more urban.  This is the place where you can acquire everything from hip-hop inspired street wear to leathers and fatigues. [Googlemap]

Mandula may be Main Street’s newest addition after they recently took over grace-gallery‘s old space beside the Narrow Lounge (my favorite Mt. Pleasant hangout) but it is not a strange label to Vancouver’s observant style crew.  Mandula’s pieces are ethereal and will take your breath away; see the new space and take in the label’s works. For those outside of YVR, Mandula has a handful of items available within an online store.  [Googlemap]

New Yorkers, this is an exciting time! Doc Martens is set to open their first NYC store in Soho in the first week of November.

Check it out if you’re in the ‘hood – 148 Spring Street [Googlemap]

I’ve heard rumblings that Vancouver may be getting a DM store of all our own, but for now that’s just conjecture.  It would be pretty incredible to have that kind of selection available, though.. cross yer fingers.

Today marked the grand opening of Joe Fresh‘s free standing shop on Granville Street, the first of its kind in Canada.  First impressions are conflicting; while you immediately recognize aspects of fellow Loblaw owned Holt Renfrew due to interior fixtures by Burdifilek and proper wooden hangars, the front of the boutique assaults you with bright colors of pack away puffer jackets and other less impressive basics typically not merchandised at the front of a store.

It is well known that Joe Fresh has an impressive selection of woman’s clothing, and holds a variance of worthwhile basics and more style driven pieces alike (think the faux leopard coat and knit leggings), after further inquisition the details are more impressive than initally suspected.  Brogues, over the knee (for most) boots ($69), hand studded moto boots ($159), faux fur jackets [white and leopard] were the main stars of the boutique, all shoes were constructed with leathers, many with hand detailing.

The faux fur coats were a particular highlight, not only due to their price point ($69) but the quality of the fibers used to imitate genuine furs – they were soft, plentiful and did not clump; all required aspects of a respectable faux fur garment.  The boots were of a higher quality than the average high street footwear (Urban Outfitters, H&M), and surprisingly their pricing remained reasonable .  Knit and woolen garments found (military style skirts [$39], gloves, leggings [$24]) were all good buys, though none truly stood out as heavily individualistic.

Problems came with the ascending of stairs; particularly with the men’s section, which was really a corner.  It is no surprise that the Joe Fresh menswear selection is lackluster at best, though I had some expectations that [like the womenswear selection], the men’s pieces would be more plentiful, with a bit more attention put to the amount and style they provide.  The men’s corner was full of two things that unnerved me; block color basics and loads of casual, more sport based styles – two looks that men do not need more of.

The general excuse for the state of the menswear was that Joe Fresh was a ‘primarily woman’s focused brand’ (true), and that the collection will be expanding ‘within the next two years’, or so said the associate in the department.  The visiting Loblaws rep assured me that they have the men’s selection on the radar for expansion, though if the design team had put even a fifth of the thought and focus into the menswear that they did in the ladies’, they would have had a much more appropriate range to show off.

Men and women who shop for men in Joe Fresh do not have astronomical expectations for the men’s styles, though when we see a mannequin outfitted with sweat pants and a pea coat, it is cause for concern.  The combination of  brights, lack of attention to the whole gender’s look and overall questionable styling, it is a curious image that Joe is projecting.  While it’s clear that the men’s range would not be an overall bread winning line even if it was amped, more attention needs to be paid for a range that the label stands behind; one can’t have faith in a designer if they can only do one gender justice.

Agree? Disagree? Share your feedback with Joe Fresh on Facebook, and while you’re over there fan demiCouture’s new FB page.

Fluevog fans in San Francisco are in for a treat; not only is their 2nd Flue location opening, but the second shop is actually a whole building!

On Thursday September 18th at 8-11PM, Fluevog on 253 Grant Avenue [Googlemap] will officially open.

The gallery space will hold both Fluevog related and unrelated art showings, and the opening party will show creatives from the 28 FluevogCreative finalists.  Money will be raised via silent auction to the charity, Drawbridge, an arts program for homeless children.

Unshockingly, Alexander Wang‘s first store will be in New York.  This store will be located at 103 Grand Street [Googlemap], at the old Yohji Yamamoto location.

There is no word on when it will officially open, though one can be sure it’s going to have one hell of an opening party for some lucky  New Yorkers, (you dogs!)

Vancouver based Dace is using a very creative method of marketing – illustrated paper dolls, done up by Dallas Shaw.  You can download the paper doll (along with her best friend!) and her first set of outfits here, with look #2 being released next month.

To keep up to date with Dace and their dolls, get signed up with their mailing list.

This one is legendary, folks.. F As In Frank is holding a $10 fill-a-bag vintage sale August 28th!!

It works like this: you come early to creep around the vintage piles being poured onto the pavement, buy $10 bag(s) to put your treasures in, and search through vintage like a crazy person!

It’s chaotic, fantastic and not for those with crowd issues.. be there! I mean it.. if you’re fussy about bumping into people or digging through things ala flea markets, stay at home (your loss, our gain!)

WHEN: August 28, 11AM – 3 PM
WHERE: Behind the F As In Frank store, 2425 Main Street [Googlemap]
YOU ALREADY KNOW THE WHY.

Oh, and RSVP on Crackbook to show you’re going to be there!

Vancouver’s favorite Main Street haunt, Eugene Choo, is holding their monthly marketplace this Saturday.  Stop by for local vendors like Daughters of Dawn Vintage, Heyday ceramics, Solis jewellery, Flower Factory and Banquet designs – it’s a unique experience for sure.  They’ve also got a taco truck coming, homemade pies and a Eugene Choo-manned refreshment stand.

WHEN:  Saturday, August 14, 10AM – 3PM
WHERE: Eugene Choo [Googlemap]

With the closing of the Vancouver boutique, Vancouverites has been left a void in their shops, but no more.  Jonathan + Olivia has officially opened their online shop, which means everyone gets a piece of J+O – even folks worldwide (see shipping costs)

J+O carry numerous designers including Alexander Wang, Surface to Air, Engineered Garments and Pamela Love. They carry Topshop as well, though it doesn’t appear to have been loaded on the e-shop just yet.

Check ‘em out, especially while their [up to] 50% off sale is going on.

If you’ve ever needed an ugly sweater, the Ugly Sweater Store is swinging in on garishly tinted yard cords to save the day.

This is an e-boutique built upon the foundation left by style devoid teachers, middle aged singletons and cold people in the ’70s and 80s.   If you’ve ever visited a thrift store in North America, you’ll know these sweaters are quite a bounty, though some this ugly can’t be found just anywhere – that’s where the Ugly Sweater Store comes in.

The boutique isn’t massive as expected, more of a modest collection of nasties from $20-40 for adults and $15 for the kiddies (they can’t be left out!).  They also have tips for holding a successful ugly sweater party of your own; a must do for Christmastime.

Careful, though – it seems that the admins of the boutique don’t take off sold items fast enough, and you may be left with some disappointment.

Oh, Vancouver.. prepare yourselves for a super collab, which has resulted in one of our most exciting pop-up shops yet.

Scope the flyer below for the official opening party event on August 26, which includes drinks, sounds and discounts – a shopping triple threat.  The event runs from 5-9PM, during which you can get all One of A Few merch at 25% off, Two Of A Few footwear at 20% off and surprise gift bags for the first 30 customers.

If you aren’t familiar with Vancouver-made darling designs of Lily + Jae, get to know their designs by scoping the L+J FW10 lookbook!

WHERE: One Of A Few [Googlemap]
WHEN: August 26, 5-9PM
WHY: Sample rack, vintage rack, deal rack (starting at $9.99) and new arrivals from Lily + Jae’s FW10 collection. Oh, and there’s cupcakes.

The pop up shop will continue to run from August to the end of December 2010, so you’ve got time even up to your last minute Christmas shopping to stop by!  All items (including vintage) will be available, though the One Of A Few discounts will only be available on the opening event day.

If you’re coming to the launch par-tay, RSVP on Facebook so they know how many cupcakes to have ready!

Some of the most sought after designer labels will be selling sizes up to 14, and some to 20 at Saks‘ new department for the larger ladies.  Chanel and Dolce & Gabbana, YSL, Alexander McQueen, Fendi and Cavalli will be included amongst the plus sized wares, though one has to wonder if they’re going to actually go up to a size 20, since 14 really isn’t that much of a stretch, especially considering European sizing is usually less than America’s concept of vanity sizing.

Reportedly Armani, Carolina Herrera, Escada, Donna Karan, St. John, Oscar de la Renta, Max Mara, Valentino and Michael Kors will be amongst the designers available for buy in extended sizes.  One has to wonder if this is part of America’s size acceptance, or a byproduct of a hurting retail industry.

Urban Outfitters may be founded by those with shit morals, but it’s good at what we need it to be: a place for fast fashion for the hip-loving modern spender.  My near 16 year old sister happens to quite enjoy UO, so I decided to hit up the Buchanan Street location in Glasgow for a gift find.

This may have possibly been the most boring fast fashion retail outlet that I’d yet been to… and that says something.  The store was filled with paper thin blouses and shapeless playsuits; even the Vancouver UO has a more startling selection than this one.  There were items on sale, but they were only more thin blouses and shapeless playsuits that roused less than interest (that’s saying something, since I usually love shapeless playsuits).

It was then I happened on the Kirkland Signature button ups.  Yep.  KIRKLAND SIGNATURE, the freaking Costco clothing brand.  It wasn’t a mistake, because there were 10 of them – all discounted and sitting amongst other various UO house labels and vintage reworks – one really felt odd about it.

The only saving grace was its designer sale; a £40 anchor knit cardi by Le Mont St Michel and the Vivienne Westwood Anglomania flower leggings for £80.  Sadly, it was all too much fail to warrant a purchase… no Vivienne for me, no gift for sister.  Sad, sad.

North Americans know the excitement of cheap, amazing fashion finds.  It’s due to two things; scarcity of reliable deal sources and lack of retail outlets willing to supply said merchandise.  The weekend, I’ve officially had my first Primark Experience.

At first, it was very much a Target feeling; messy and overwhelming.  Once the mental dust settled and I began to take a look at what Primark actually had to offer, the excitement set in.  Leather gladiator sandals for £10, thin metallic brogues for $8, colored leather court shoes for £6, and printed sweaters for £11!

Beyond that, there were floors and thousands of square foot’s worth of amazing merchandise.  The Glasgow Primark that I’ve been at is located on Argyle Street, incredibly close to Buchanan (the famed style mile) and the Glasgow Central Station (rail).

Primark’s website may be awful and completely without product details, pricing or even a proper list but it’s surely worthy of a visit.  My only suggestion is to eat a decent meal and prepare yourself for the chaos before you arrive!y

It’s the season of the pop-up shop, and what better way than for Vancouver’s Wear Else to spread their wings and fly to Coquitlam!  It’s 40-70% off to boot, so it’s worth a trip (and technically a short term outlet!)

The WE pop-up shop is open from June 19, for only four weeks.