kelliebellie

My husband has just lost over 40 pounds with a bit more to go, so we are going with our two kids and my mother-in-law to Toronto over Fourth of July weekend (also Cananda Day weekend) to go suit shopping. My mil and I have been dress shopping there with great success, so hopefully we can find some great things that we can't find here in Detroit. The exchange rate isn't as good as it once was, but I think we will still do well.

So my questions are, what are some nice suit shops and are we going to have trouble with stores being open that weekend? We will be there from June 30 to July 4 (Friday night to Tuesday). Are there nice festivities going on that weekend?

I have rooms booked at the Cambridge Suites since we need a suite because of the kids, but I see it has no pool. Is there a better option? One kid will be 2 years old and the other 1 month old.

Thanks in advance!

Lois_L

Excellent menswear at Harry Rosen (several stores in Toronto, and in other major cities across Canada). Wonderful service will make your husband feel like a prince--they do alterations in no time and will deliver to your hotel. They are the best in menswear--not inexpensive, but great taste and good value. Remember that July 1 is Canada's national day, and everything will be closed.

Carmanah

Is everything really closed on Canada Day in Toronto? You'd think that most stores would be open, but just on holiday hours.

kelliebellie

Wonderful. We will definitly go to that store. I was worried about alterations, so that would be great. We aren't looking for cheapy stuff, but we don't want to pay tons for store atmosphere. That place sounds perfect.

Are stores in Canada usually open on Sundays? July 1 is Saturday, and I figured things would be closed. But then if they are also closed on Sunday we will have to delay shopping until Monday and we are leaving on Tuesday.

Carmanah

kelliebellie,

Shops are open in Canada on Sundays, but it also depends on where you shop and what province you're in. In Vancouver, for example, stores stay open until 5 or 6 on Sundays. In the province of Nova Scotia, I believe, they still don't have Sunday shopping hours. I could be wrong. I'd only imagine that Toronto's stores would be open all throughout the holiday weekend - it's a big time for business!

SallyCanuck

Harry Rosen is located in the Eaton Centre (a bigger shop is in First Canadian Place plus there are other locations downtown, one near Bloor and Bay in Yorkville area). The Eaton Centre is designated as a tourist spot so will likely be open on July 1 but if it isn't it will be open on the Sunday and Monday. Harry's is on the pricey side.

If you want to see a list of stores in the EC, go to www.cadillacfairview.com, then Mall Finder, Ontario and the EC.

Cambridge Suites is well located for the Eaton Centre. If you really want a pool, you might consider the Delta Chelsea Inn a couple of blocks north of the Eaton Centre or the Sheraton on Queen West across from city hall.

BAK

Year by year, we're sort of surprised at what is open and what isn't.

But the Eaton Centre is a tourist spot, and thus open on most holidays.

Is slim tall, average, or short?

thre's a specialy store called Short Man Brown's that seems to have excellent clothing, except sized for those who are vertically challenged.

For some fun, walk over to Tom's Place in Kensington Marget. Excellent men's clothes, including suits, at significantly reduced prices, in a store in the middle of a unique shopping area. Maybe 15 minute's walk from the hotel.

Are we assuming reasonably conservative business suits onthis project, rather than high-fashion Armani, Hugo Boss, etc.?

For the expensive, radical, stuff, the Yorkville neighborhood has several good stores. But Fifth Avenue, NYC, prices, too.

BAK

gemelli

I second Tom's Place in Kensington Market.


http://www.toms-place.com/MoreAboutTomsPlace.html

kelliebellie

Hey thanks for the Kensington market info. Besides the suit store we will have a look at the whole area.

The hubby is average height and now average weight and we are looking for work suits. He's a lawyer. A real estate lawyer, so nothing too fancy. He needs solid suits that he can wear day in and day out.

When we were there shopping for dresses, we went to Alan Cherry. I see they have a men's store. Does anyone know anything about these folks? It was a beautiful store, but I just couldn't tell if they were in fact designer originals or knock offs.

Keep the suggestions coming, especially on any Canada Day festivities or a better place to stay.

SallyCanuck

http://www.toronto.ca/special_events/ - that's the city's site - there's always festivities at Queen's Park on the lawn outside the Provincial Legislature and several other places on July 1.

delacour

Hi Kelliebellie,

I can't believe I'm saying this, but you can try Moore's also if you're looking for basic everyday suits. They have good quality suits and very reasonably priced. They also often have specials.

If you have a car, both Holt Renfrew and Harry Rosen have outlet stores I believe north of Toronto. They may be worth a visit.

Happy shopping!

BAK

More on Harry Rosen's. (There relly is a Harry Rosen, by the way.)

I was in the First Canadian Place store today, talking to a salesman about your situation.

They are closed on Saturday, July 1. We looked it up.

And they are normally closed on Sunday.

So, if you want to go there, arrive on Friday, and chances are you'll be able to pick up the altered-to-fit suit on Monday, allowing a Friday afternoon or Monday morning for the tailor to do his magic.

And, as the salesman says, there are alteration shops in Detroit.

The eaton Center store will probably be open both Saturday and Sundoay, though.

But... there's something about buying a suit that, to me, requires the right store in the right place. In First Canadian Place, you are in a high end men's wear store in a high end business tower, and there's an ambiance about it.

Over at Eaton Centre, even though it is the same chain,now you're in a store in a giant consumer shopping mall. Same clothes, to some extent.
but different mood.

Now, about Moores.

The nearest Moores is on Yonge Street, on the west side, a couple of blocks south of the hotel. It's a world away from Rosen's, but they make good quality clothes, and sell them at reasonable prices, and I have several Moores suits, and several sports jackets, and it is always a "safe" place to buy.

They also have very good value shoes. Not a lot of styles, but again, practical and stylish. And comfortable. At least mine are.

Tom's Place, on the other hand, is sort of an adventure.

BAK

kelliebellie

How kind of you to check on all that for me! I don't think there is any way that we can be there in time to shop on Friday. Hubby will be taking Monday and Tuesday off, so I don't think he could do Friday as well. But it is something to think about. And yes, we could very easily have things tailored here. It is usually just much cheaper or free to have the purchasing store do it.

So it sounds like we'll stick with the touristy spots for the weekend and hit the other stores on Monday and Tuesday. (yeah, like my husband will be able to handle 4 days of shopping anyway).

Thanks all for the great advice. I still need to check that link and see all that is happening that weekend.

nks267

THe Hugo Boss outlet in Windsor has a great selection...its about a mile or so from the Ambassador bridge on the Sandwich expressway (yes, thats what its called!!)and you'll find the same suits at Harry Rosen for twice the price. Given that you're in Detroit, you probably dont have to wait until July to make this trip..

Ben99

The Delta Chelsea would be great for you- you can get a suite(with kitchen facilities if you want). There are really good facilities and programs for kids, baby sitting too and a fabulous waterside if your kids are of that age. Harry Rosen is fine but I think the cheapest suit will be at least 750 bucks- Moores offer reasonable quality at much lower prices. Have a good visit.