Aritzia

In my youth, I used to shop here all the time. I would spend my hard earned tutoring dollars towards $ 100+ shopping trips that really only got me a pair of yoga pants and maybe a tank top. It was the ‘in’ store in my neighbourhood. Thankfully I went to an university with no access to Aritzia and I saved money (and it went into my book and tuition budget :(). Now that I’m back in the GTA, Aritzia is everywhere and this Sherway location is in the heart of the mall. So how does this store stack up against my childhood memory? It’s just as expensive (if not more) but the clothing shift is noticeable.
Aritzia comes from British Columbia (if my memory serves me right) and it has an eye towards comfortable yet trendy casual wear now. Five years ago, they used to have more slightly upscale wear. I would be able to wear some of the clothes to a business casual work environment but now… it’s all casual. The quality of clothing is better than Jacob, Mendocino, and H&M but you could also pay upwards of $ 180 for a casual tank dress or $ 100 for a casual jersey skirt. Most things now are unlined whereas they used to lined. I know the cost of things have gone up but this place seemed to have gone up in price and lower in quality. One great thing about this store is this size availability and offering. I rarely find things I can wear off the rack but Aritzia fits me pretty well. The size XXS is truly small and not some vanity sizing.
This store is like all others… chic and fashionable. It has a courtyard feel with it’s ‘faux’ gate opening and lots of dark chocolate colours. It’s open and never claustrophobic… their merchandising department is always spot on with displaying their clothes in an eye grabbing way. I like shopping here much more than H&M (which feels like a discount place in a bad way).
Service here is pleasant. People here make eye contact with you, smile, and even say hi and ask you if you need another size proactively. It’s much better to shop here than Square One or Yorkdale for Aritzia. Unfortunately I find Yorkdale having much nicer items and less casual items. If you’re looking for trendy but casual clothing that last more than 2 times in the washer and drier (and don’t mind spending $ 100++), this would be the store for you.

Silly me.
I walked into this store to look for a birthday gift, but instead I walked out with a gift for meeeee! What can I say… I’m weak — found my fave cardigan in a new colour, available in my size. Add that with a non-​intrusive but helpful, friendly staff person equals me walking out with a regular priced purchase.
Oh Aritzia, you get me every time…