Boutique Monique

This is just A-​OK for me because it’s not my style.
I like 50s vintage, as in very tight top dresses with flared skirts (think: Cat’s Meow at $ 500 a dress or Mad Men).
This shop is more ACTUAL vintage, if that makes sense. Think of the thrift shops along Queen Street or in Kensington market.
It’s very well laid out, GREAT selection, and I managed to find one dress I was about to try on (the only Size 2 in the place), but thought the better of it.
It has a lot of beautiful gowns for special occasions (glittery, sparkly, etc), but they aren’t things I can buy on a regular basis to wear daily, which is why I won’t be coming back.
If you are interested in vintage, a great, well laid out store, special occasion dresses and not looking for specific vintage pieces like I am, this is the place for you.

Amongst the beautifully displayed clothing, accessories and shoes; the cozy partitioned salon, dressing room area, shoe room, and front showroom you will find the real gem of this establishment, owner Monique Nanton.
I’ve been able to enjoy Monique’s personal attention while shopping for something to wear as a wedding guest — which is a novelty as I’m usually at weddings as a photographer and doubly novel because my daily uniform of jeans, sweater and comfortable shoes leaves me a bit clueless as to how to get gussied up. Backed by experience, a keen eye and a mental inventory of all the pieces in her collection, Monique brought out a number of blazers and tops to go with my skirt that I wanted to wear. The winning piece was a great wool crêpe blazer with sequinned sleeves and the designer escapes me right now because I don’t have it with me yet — I’ll pick it up tomorrow because Monique wanted to move the buttons so that it fits me even better! She’s even advised me to bring up the hem a bit on my skirt, what shoes to wear, how to wear my hair, and earrings.
The location at St Clair west and Oakwood may be a bit off the beaten path for some but it’s totally worth the trip. Prices reflect the quality of the clothes and service. (My blazer was $ 95)