Vancouver Shops

Beth McTavish founded Halfmoon after a trip to India in 1983, inspired by the yogis she saw practicing at the edge of the Ganges River. Her goal: to integrate yoga and meditation into our everyday routines through products and props like eye pillows filled with Brazilian gemstones and intricately designed, hand-crafted yoga bolsters. If you love what you see, but don’t feel like lugging an extra piece of luggage with you, Halfmoon will ship anything they offer to the U.S.

With its blush pink accents and hints of greenery, Umeboshi is a store you want to spend time in for the atmosphere just as much as the selection. The edit consists mainly of leather goods and footwear from the likes of Maryam Nassir Zadeh, Veja, and The Stowe, with a handful of art house magazines, cases of delicate jewelry (the tiny Muraco Wolfe studs are perfect for multiple piercings), and fragrances sprinkled through the store.

With a second location in Toronto, Reigning Champ rules the Canadian streetwear space. The washed concrete floors and tiled walls reinforce the laid-back aesthetic that dominates both the men's and women's in-house collections—sweaters, loose joggers, and puffers in a neutral palette and super-soft fabrics (we're big fans of the raglan-sleeved terry robes, emblazoned with the store's name across the back). Don’t miss their recent collaboration with Adidas.

The focus at One of a Few is to make the shopping experience as seamless as possible for everyone involved. This means shoes and bags from both established (Clare V., Creatures of Comfort) and emerging designers (Building Block, Kara Bags) are displayed on a few scattered tables, encouraging patrons to make their way around the store so as not to miss any of the Rachel Comey, Wood Wood, Ganni, and LoQ lining the racks; meanwhile, seating for weary partners guarantees uninterrupted shopping time.

One of our favorite Vancouver finds, Charlie & Lee is one of those rare independent stores that doesn't adhere to a strict fashion-season calendar—everything is meant to stand the test of time. The owners are major champions of locally made, ethically sourced goods, like woven shoppers, wooden utensils, and a solid round-up of clean beauty products. You’ll find a selection of Scandinavian-style clothing—jumpsuits, dresses, and tops in natural fibers like linen and silk—as well as pieces for the home, including painted cushions and super-soft throws.

While "Misch" was owner Lara Osen’s childhood nickname, her store is one filled with grown-up clothing and accessories for women to wear in their everyday life. You’ll see racks brimming with easy Isabel Marant dresses, chunky Nili Lotan knits, elevated sneakers from Common Projects, and beautifully delicate gold jewelry from Satomi Kawakita—essentially, everything you need to feel good about getting dressed. The store is small and intimate, with spacious dressing rooms and chic details like Moroccan rugs and ceramic vases to add personality, a feel-good space to spend an afternoon and near-impossible to leave empty-handed.

The Block Owner Jennifer MacKay stocks a very deliberate edit of season-specific pieces like floaty Ulla Johnson dresses and Janessa Leone hats in spring, and chunky knits from Henrik Vibskov at winter time, making leaving empty-handed a real struggle. The store is set up to resemble an apartment, with carefully chosen pieces casually displayed on tables and shelves, adding to the relaxed vibe.

We’ve long been fans of Vancouver-based Aritzia’s suped-up basics—a well-tailored trench, a crisp poplin ruffled blouse, lacy bralettes, and high-waist trousers, are among our favorites. Robson Street is the brand's flagship, meaning that it's also their largest space (they recently wrapped a 4,800-square-foot expansion). Spanning 13,000-square-feet, the warm interior feels like a well-appointed residence with lots of natural light, an interesting assortment of artwork—much of it by local artists—plus an indoor garden.