Essential indie boutiques in Vancouver

Every city has those amazing, out-of-the-way stores that tourists often don’t know about. Whether they’re stocked with beauty products, unique clothing, quirky cards or vintage pieces with a story, these are the essential Vancouver stores that you need to have on your shopping radar. No rainy afternoon is wasted perusing these boutiques while stopping in at cute cafés along the way! [Photo courtesy of Neighbour / Woman]

By Jill Lansky

Neighbour / Woman

1

45 Powell St, Vancouver, BC V6A 1E9

• Phone Number
  • 778-379-1409Primary
• Directions

Favouring European designers, you can find Neighbour's beautifully curated mens and womens boutiques just down the block from one another. These upscale spots definitely have a higher price point (think brands like Acne, Common Projects and Comme des Garcons), but it’s worth a turn around the gorgeous store to look for investment pieces.

This business is featured in the following Smart Lists:

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One of A Few

2

354 Water St, Vancouver, BC V6B 1B6

• Phone Number
  • 604-605-0685Primary
• Directions

Located in a gorgeous white space in Gastown, this is one quirky and stylish boutique. They have simple, but elegant separates from little known European designers and interesting accessories I saw my first Building Block bag here and they stock plenty of structured leather bags with interesting details such as a wood ball or tassels.

This business is featured in the following Smart Lists:

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Front & Company

3

3772 Main St, Vancouver, BC V5V 3N7

• Phone Number
  • 604-879-8431Primary
• Directions

This well known Main Street store has amazing vintage and second hand collections as well as little trinkets for the home. I snagged a favourite white lace dress from here and still wear it years later. They also have a second shop next door with the best greeting cards in the city (I jokingly got one for my mom with the following: “My therapist says its not your fault.”)

This business is featured in the following Smart Lists:

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F As In Frank

4

2425 Main St, Vancouver, BC V5T 3E1

• Phone Number
  • 604-568-5130Primary
• Directions

My favourite vintage t-shirt (a New York music tee) is from this shop on Main Street. F as in Frank has one of the best t-shirt selections in the city, with prices ranging from $10-$100 (think a rare Bruce Springsteen concert tee – yup, have that one too!). They’re also known for having a great assortment of vintage Levi denim cut-offs for a lot cheaper than you’ll find at Urban Outfitters.

This business is featured in the following Smart Lists:

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8th & Main

5

2403 Main St, Vancouver, BC V5T 3E1

• Phone Number
  • 604-559-5927Primary
• Directions

I discovered this newer store after lunch one day at 8 ½ around the corner (amazing appies!). 8th and Main have great unknown and very affordable brands, which makes for a fun and unexpected shopping trip. The budget-friendly price point makes it the perfect store for trendier pieces. I also love their jeans from Just USA (affordable and flattering).

This business is featured in the following Smart Lists:

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Nouvelle Nouvelle Retail Inc

6

208 12th Ave E, Vancouver, BC V5T 2G9

• Phone Number
  • 604-709-4566Primary
• Directions

With locations in Gastown and Mount Pleasant, this local boutique has beautiful basics for men and women (think classic striped tees, simple bottoms and quirky shoes). As a sucker for a good greeting card, I was drawn into the store to also find beautiful stationary, as well as dainty jewellery, purses and an apothecary section.

Barefoot Contessa

7

3715 Main St, Vancouver, BC V5V 3N8

• Phone Number
  • 604-879-1137Primary
• Directions

Housed on Main Street’s best vintage block (Front and Company is just across the street), this little shop is quite well known among the locals. It has girly dresses and skirts and interesting accessories. They also have great pieces for home; my sister has a beautiful vintage chandelier from here that I am constantly admiring!

This business is featured in the following Smart Lists:

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Kiss & Makeup

8

1545 Marine Dr, North Vancouver, BC V7P 1T8

• Phone Number
  • 604-922-6292Primary
• Directions

This is the best place for hard-to-find beauty brands like Vincent Longo and Ellis Faas. They’re also known for having great natural products from RMS Beauty and Ilia as well as handmade soy candles from Vancouver Candle Co (I love the Gastown scent). With locations in Olympic Village and North Vancouver, it’s a great way to spend an afternoon browsing and stocking up on your favourite beauty must-haves.

More from Jill Lansky

The August Diaries is a style blog where European chic meets West Coast sophistication. As a digital and style influencer, Vancouver blogger Jill Lansky empowers her readers to become the best version of themselves and to use clothing as a means to gain confidence. The August Diaries has been featured in InStyle and People StyleWatch magazine as well as on Refinery29, New York Magazine’s The Cut, Who What Wear, and CTV news.

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Affordable fashion chains that won't break the bank

As someone who lives and breathes fashion, I have to be careful how much money I spend. So when I need failsafe stores that won’t completely break the bank, I head over to these places. Plus, most of them are located on Robson Street if you want to do a one-stop shop!