Where to shop for that festival dress code in Toronto
Toronto is filled with excitement during the summer season, with music and food festivals, concerts and outdoor events happening every day. This is your time to have fun with your style – like Halloween, but without the mask. So get rid of that work and school uniform and let the carefree-you come out to play. Find the perfect statement and flowing pieces to heighten your look at one of these local shops.
Free People
79 Yorkville, Toronto, ON M5R 1C1Ah, the feeling of freedom! If you’re looking for comfortable, yet stylish 70s looks, then this is the place to shop. All the pieces complement one another; from apparel to accessories, you can find your full festival attire here. Get your groove on with maxi skirts, printed bell-bottoms and wide-leg pants. Pair your bottoms with a crop top or a trendy bralette, and layer it with long or choker necklaces and bangle bracelets to finish off the look. Other freeing pieces include dresses, like sequined kaftans, maxis and tunics. And, they have tie-up sandals – a hot festival trend.
Durumi
630 Queen St W, Toronto, ON M6J 1E4Simple, yet different: that’s how I’d describe the collection of clothes and accessories at Durumi. This Queen West boutique carries fashion trends from Korea. Here you’ll find printed dresses and crop tops, many of which are loosely fitted. Their accessories are more extravagant, with tribal printed shoes, white soled shiny silver and black oxfords, and colourful statement necklaces and earrings. They also have delicate jewellery that can be layered to create a bolder look. Their cat-eye sunglasses are great accessories for sunny outdoor events.
Courage My Love Inc
14 Kensington Ave, Toronto, ON M5T 2J7This place is literally a gem. In the 6 since 1975, Courage My Love carries vintage clothes and accessories from far-off places like India, Mexico, Thailand, Turkey and Namibia. The second you walk in, you’ll see a galore of jewellery around you that can make even the simplest outfit a festival-worthy one. Their bohemian-style earrings, coin belts (perfect match to a maxi skirt), statement necklaces and antique rings will add just the right amount of pop to your outfit. You can also design your own beaded necklaces and bracelets at their bead station – perfect for layering or wearing solo.
Deluxe Colab
781 Queen St W, Toronto, ON M6J 1G1If you’re more of a minimalistic, this could be the place to shop for your festival wear. While the clothes are basic and proper with slim classic cuts, the accessories give them an edge. They carry espadrille flats and wedges by Mint & Rose, F-Troupe bathing shoes, Modern Vintage and House of Harlow shoes, and low cut boots that are all both comfortable and stylish. They also have a few Quay Australia sunglasses, including Shay Mitchell’s Vesper in white. Plus, their fringe side bags are a trendy and practical festival option.
The Store on Queen
662 Queen St W, Toronto, ON M6J 1E5It’s all about fringes, florals and laces for this year’s summer festival trends and this boutique has you covered. They’ve got floral crop tops and shorts, and fringe (printed and lace embroidered) shorts that you can pair with one of their $45 lace embroidered bralettes. They carry a few For Love and Lemons crop tops and dresses, floral embroidered with a pop of mesh designed to give a nude effect. You can style your outfits with baroque statement necklaces that will have people asking where you got them. Other special accessories include body and head chains and coin headpieces.
Lavish & Squalor
253 Queen St W, Toronto, ON M5V 1Z4Summer festivals require lots of walking and dancing outdoors, so you want to make sure to wear the proper footwear. Lavish & Squalor has high-end cowboy boots you can comfortably pair with a short dress to make it a festival-approved outfit. They also carry many styles of hats, from cowboys to straw fedoras to match. You can represent your neighbourhood at the events with printed “The Junction,” “Queen West,” “Muskoka,” “The Beaches,” “Parkdale” and “High Park” t-shirts. Supa Sundays sunglasses are also available for $49; other sunnies are on sale at the back of the store.
Untitled & Co
438 Queen St W, Toronto, ON M5V 2A8Heading to the OVO fest? Get yourself a Drake-themed t-shirt for the occasion. Canadian designers Cameron Wilson and Chloe Sam-Mcgrath locally manufacture the majority of items at Untitled & Co. They have tons of digitally printed t-shirts and cropped tees with phrases like “Goin up on a Tuesday,” “on Wednesdays we wear pink,” “Call me maybe” and “Woke up like this.” They also have the most bizarre style of sunglasses – in a good way! You won’t find duplicates elsewhere and their bold, outrageous designs make a hot festival accessory. Trending jewelry-inspired metallic tattoos by Fashionista are sold here too.
Risqué Clothing
660 Bloor St W, Toronto, ON M6G 1K9Actually, there’s nothing risqué about the clothes here. I’d describe them as more sweet and fun, with a slice of edge, depending on how you style the pieces. You can wear one of their lace bralettes with a fringe kimono and high-waisted denim shorts for a festival-vibe. They also carry many scarves you can use as a hair wrap, floral dresses and rompers, and lace-embroidered maxi skirts. Their $30 “Toronto VS Everybody,” “Home is Toronto” and “Love Toronto” t-shirts and tanks are a great way to show your city pride at the fests.
One Heart
77 Kensington Ave, Toronto, ON M5T 2K2Can one single person make all the items in a shop? The answer is yes and his name is Walter Munoz. Walter is the artist behind the beautiful bohemian surf-style jewellery and accessories at One Heart. Crafted by hand using nothing but scissors and creativity, this boutique sells coconut-shell (yes, from real coconuts!) pendant and macramé (a form of textile-making knots) necklaces and bracelets. Walter also carries embroidered combat boots and leather backpacks. Colourful and bold: These accessories will add a definite statement to your festival attire.
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