So Flock Boutique is this cute little shop in my 'hood that sells cool indie Canadian brands and…read morealso Canadian brands that have made it big(ger). They have clothes by Jennifer Glasgow and Miik. They have soaps and body care by Purple Urchin. They also have jewelery by local designers and weird knick knacks like hand puppets of Canadian prime ministers, lol. So funky and weird! This store is more neat, clean and upscale-ish, a la "Yorkville" (Toronto reference) and not like Adorit in the Byward Market (that also carries local and Canadian designs, and some of the same brands, like Miik) which is more, a la "Kensington Market" (sorry, another Toronto reference), but meaning more bohemian and smelling of patchouli. Prices are high, but your getting good quality and supporting the Canadian market.

I will definitely be going back to this trendy boutique soon. I have been looking for a wedding…read moredress (something trendy and artistic and untraditional!) and I found several options here. The great thing about Flock Boutique is that the clothes are made by Canadian designers, the majority of which are women! They try to bring in lots of fashions from Ottawa and Montreal also, to be local. The accessories here are amazing! They have lots of colourful pins and earrings and some great bags! I really had to control myself, or I would have had an empty wallet when I came out. I did see several dress options, but was tight on time, so I couldn't try anything on. One of the girls working in the store patiently showed me several dresses and answered all my questions about the designers and the store. The people who work here clearly know what they are talking about. It is also great that so many of the designs are by Canadian women! For someone who wants to dress artistically, this is the perfect spot to shop.

I have to go back here soon, since I am looking for a funky dress. This store has lots of…read moreinteresting styles and some really amazing accessories. The wallets in the window always catch my eye as they have some really original designs! The location is really convenient, in the middle of the Byward Market and on the same street as several other hip stores, this place is a must to fit into a day of shopping! There is a new location opening soon in Westboro!

From the owner: Women's clothing store located in the heart of Wellington West Ottawa's best shopping district!read more

As far as the quirky Dalhousie street shops go, Victoire is the most expensive. Their clothes are…read moreof exceptional quality, but not as affordable for the average person. They have lots of soft fabrics, unique accessories and dresses, all with a vintage, "hipster" feel. The staff is always pleasant and the atmosphere in the little shop is always nice, I just can't seem to bring myself to purchase any of their clothes. Their typical price point is just outside what I am able to justify buying a dress for. Definitely check it out, they sometimes have good sales and you don't lose anything by doing what I do: browsing and dreaming. Browsing and dreaming.

Fantastic. I am not…read morein Ottawa often, but when I am I beeline for Victoire. It is a magical place where unicorns, baby deer, blue birds and super cute and well dressed girls come from. do yourself and your wardrobe a favor and go here!

Beautiful new store in the heart of Preston Village. Popped in due to the beautiful window display…read moreand found a new retail shop full of clothes, accessories and jewellery. It was uber cold so I picked up a pair of mackage gloves where I can text and use my phone. So helpful! Great staff, and the mirror and dressing room reminds me of a tailor or a seamtress's with the multi dimensional mirrors. Feels cozy and friendly.

Vincent is an amazing store located in Little Italy. Angie and Amanda welcome customers into the…read morestore like it was their home. I couldn't help but admire all of the interior decor and wished I could make my house look as good as the store! Last year Angie and Amanda were so helpful in helping me special order a very limited and unique jewellery piece. I get compliments on it all of the time. Without their outstanding service, I would not have gotten it! I loved their store so much I wanted to write a blog post on them! Read more here: http://www.tobakiss.ca/vincent-a-womens-fashion-boutique-on-preston/

Workshop is part of the original revival of Dalhousie Street as a relatively new shopping…read moredestination in Ottawa. The shop is chalk full of stylish Canadian labels, crafty accessories and handmade lines of jewellery. All of the designers are women and Canadian (many of which are local) which makes this store totally unique in Ottawa. Some cool labels include: Annie 50 and Soit Disant (both out of Montreal) and Dagg & Stacey whose latest collection feature tweeds in collegial cuts. There is also a funky line designed completely out of recycled sweaters! The store environment is inviting and chilled out with nice familial chatting amongst staff and customers. Something else worth noting is the community spirit that the shops on this street seem to have. They all seem to know each other and don't hesitate to recommend a visit to their neighbouring stores for something specific you might be looking for. I find this to be a totally refreshing take on retail and a great reason to visit this store.

If you want beautiful, original, quality clothing and great, honest service, this is the place for…read moreyou! My closet is filled with Workshop clothes and they are real treasures. They are the kinds of clothes you can wear year after year - they are so well made and so unique, they don't go out of style or fall apart. Plus, it just feels so good to wear clothing that is made and designed in Canada, and is bought from a store owned by two fabulous local women.

I would say that Jason D's review of this store is spot on. They have clothes which are on the…read morepricey end, but in unique styles. They carry a huge selection of Sympli pieces in lots of styles and colours (I personally am not a huge fan of this brand, but I do see the appeal of pieces that pack well (i.e. don't wrinkle and fold down to nearly nothing) and you can mix and match). Their clothing aesthetic I find very similar to Marianne's in Westgate and Shepherd's at Trainyards. So, yes, perhaps catering to let's just say women who would subscribe to magazines like More, or Zoomer. Their kitschy items are fun and cute. They have fridge magnets that say things like "a clean house is a sign of a wasted life," or "housecleaning never killed anyone, but why take the chance?" I hate household chores, so I can relate to these sentiments, haha. They have luggage tags shaped like fashionable shoes, by Fluff. They have quirky handbags shaped like unusual items, like one by Betsey Johnson shaped like an ice cream cone. I love kitsch and I love quirky, so I like looking at the accessories here. They also have a lot of things (greeting cards, magnets, napkins, books, etc.) that divorcees would find funny. They also carry costume jewelry. Lots of statement pieces. A great place to pick up something for that wild eccentric aunt you have, lol.

I have to admit that the name of the store really hooked me. Three Wild Women Living Sublime. Hmm,…read morejust what the heck was this place about? I have listed it under women's fashion because the back half of the store is devoted to very glamourous and fabulous women's (not girl's) clothes. The front half is a collection of kitschy items targeted to women who are more "mature" and may or may not be divorced. There were fridge magnets, greeting cards, aprons and oven mitts sporting saucy and witty slogans. There were also novelty luggage tags, divorce guides and books offering advice for those over 40 and 50. They even had tables with high-heeled legs! It was a hoot to hang out there for a while, but it is definitely aimed at a specific demographic of which I am not really a member.

Joanne's is owned by the same people who own Marianne's in the same mall. Like Marianne's, they…read moresell a lot of Canadian designers and made in Canada pieces. Unlike Marianne's, they don't sell lingerie. Regular prices are not cheap (I'd say about $150+ for dresses, $50+ for tops, $75+ for pants/skirts). However, they often have 50%-80% off sales (and that's when you'll see me in the store, lol). Admittedly, many of their items are frumpy (at least in my opinion), but they have some cool pieces, you just have to look for them. Staff are friendly and nice and their change rooms are beautiful (looks a little like a boudoir). Joanne's is in the Westgate Shopping Centre. Lots of free parking.

This is a gorgeous independent boutique located in the heart of Wellington West…read more It's beautifully designed and curated with a gorgeous selection of women's clothing, shoes, purses and jewelry. They even have a men's section upstairs filled with rustic gift ideas like an old-time razor set or natural personal care products. If you like supporting local, this gem is for you!