Shop Crawl: Quaint and quirky shops in the Annex

Trot down Bloor from Spadina to Bathurst and find some of T.O.’s best boutiques.

A quarter century of style
After 27 years, Risqué has become an institution in the Annex. Their staples — the seamless bamboo collection and locally made jewellery — draw in clients looking for homegrown talent. They were one of the first to carry Peace Collective’s “Toronto vs. Everybody” sweatshirt that exploded during the Blue Jays’ playoff run. Prices range from $22 to $150. “Nancy and I love, love, love this business, this fashion and its constant challenges,” says Ondina Carvalho, co-owner of Risqué. “We love coming into our stores every day as if it’s the first.”
Risqué, 404 Bloor St. W.

For the made-to-measure man
Theodore 1922 dresses men from top-to-bottom and offers an on-site tailor for in-house garments. Made-to-measure service is available for suits, custom suspenders and more. “When I see a fabric or a texture that I haven’t seen before, I’m drawn to it,” says owner Miranda Black. “I like transferrable fabrics, to transfer a tux to a nice dinner jacket.” Among them is a pale grey Versace suit ($1,495). They also stock Pullin, a French underwear line with loud designs ($45).
Theodore 1922, 374 Bloor St. W.

Get personal with your intimates
“Bras are just underwear,” says owner Jennifer Klein. “This view is altered when you work with a woman who bursts into tears of joy because she has finally found a bra that can fit and support her!” This one-on-one personalized service is why the shop has been around for 17 years as of this April. Brands include Toronto’s Fortnight, Claudette and Danish Underprotection, which uses sustainable fibres such as Tencel, bamboo and organic cotton.
Secrets From Your Sister (SFYS), 560 Bloor St. W.

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