Top Streetwear Shops in Canada

A new wave of retailers are setting the stage for the Canadian fashion industry - creating a perfect playground for burgeoning designers and luxury labels alike. It could be the influence of SSENSE’s steady domination of the luxury e-comm world or Shopify’s headquarters in Ottawa, Ontario. Either way, Canadians have been making strides in the fashion world with the vast growth and expansion of shops and across the country. The days of paying for clothes and footwear in foreign currency are over - no more duties or international shipping fees.

From coast-to-coast, there are the old heads like NRML, who have been selling sneakers to the nation's capital since 1997 or Vancouver’s Anti-Social skate shop, which Bobby Hundreds stated as one of his favorite skate shops in the world. There’s veteran luxury retailer Nomad, located in the heart of Toronto or Montreal’s staple shop Off The Hook. If Paris Fashion Week taught us anything it’s that the conversation around fashion is changing. The list of international brands and compelling retail concepts is vast-growing as the fashion industry shifts into a state of experimental streetwear and embraces e-commerce.

For our great neighbors up North, below are the top 10 shops, in-store and online, for you to find all the latest apparel and sneakers across Canada.

90 Saint-Paul St W, Montreal, QC

Founded in 2003, SSENSE has become a major player in the luxury e-commerce world. In this competitive marketplace, SSENSE catalog of fashion-forward merchandise highlighted by their edgy and compelling content has made it a directional leader in the e-commerce world. At the forefront of all the latest releases and collaborations, their roster includes up-and-coming streetwear brands like 032c, All-In, MSGM, St-Henri alongside established luxury brands like Balenciaga, Balmain, Maison Margiela, Raf Simons and more. From exclusive lookbooks to the world’s first-ever shoppable music video, luxury retailers are taking notes on SSENSE’s continued innovation.

Now, after years of running a successful ecommerce platform, SSENSE opened its first brick and mortar location in Montreal’s historic Old Port.  The two-storey boutique features collections from over 100 labels from ssense.com.

135 Yorkville Avenue, Toronto, ON
1060 Hamilton Street, Vancouver, BC

With locations in Toronto’s Yorkville and Vancouver’s Yaletown, CNTRBND has established itself as an luxury boutique with international style. One of the more upscale streetwear stores in both cities, CNTRBND mixes high-end fashion with under the radar niche brands making it a must-stop-shopping destination for men in the Toronto and Vancouver area.

Their minimalist aesthetic boasts a true-to-trend forecast - juxtaposing vintage and thrift-inspired looks with higher end fashion houses. CNTRBND currently is a stockist for over 50 brands bringing Acne Studios, OFF-WHITE, Thom Browne, Haider Ackerman, Raf Simons and more to the Canadian market.

380 Elgin St, Ottawa, ON

On the corner of Elgin and Gladstone, in the heart of Canada’s historic capital is a concept like no other. COMMON Shop is a grouping of independent business in one “common” space. Build around the concept of the "anti-mall," the shop is a revolutionary hub of fashion, art, and food, cradled by the luxurious Le Petit Salon and the lively downtown corner.

COMMON Shop is putting the nation's capital on the map, housing some of the most sought-after brands in fashion. From Palm Angels, RHUDE, Stone Island, Rick Owens, Raf Simons and more. On top of all, COMMON plays off it's shop with an eatery and cocktail bar, recently being ranked in the Top 10 of Canada’s cocktail bars. No matter your flavor, COMMON Shop is sure to draw you into its space.

116 Spadina Ave g2, Toronto, ON

From its original Kensington market location to its current space on Spadina, Adrift Skate Shop has been at it for over 10 years. More than just a retail hotspot, Adrift is an integral part of the city’s skateboarding community and acts as a community center for skaters from all corners of the six. The shop partners regularly with non-profits like Toronto Skate Stop and Skate Lofts to host youth-oriented events and skate camps.

Adrift recently got a brand-spanking-new store complete with a brand new board wall, a larger sneaker selection, and all the fashionable digs from Adidas, Dime, Rip N Dip, Polar Skate Co, Levi’s, and more.

184 Rideau St, Ottawa, ON

The capital city is home to one of Canada’s oldest sneaker shops - NRML first opened its doors in 1997 and since has been an integral part of the Canadian sneaker community. Celebrating its 20th anniversary last year, the shop has now expanded across the city with new retail locations NRML Femme and NRML Select. To commemorate their 20th anniversary, which happened to coincide with Canada’s 150th anniversary, NRML launched a collaborative project with New Balance called the “Parliamentary Runner,” 998. It’s metallic green details and cream upper is highlighted by rusty brown shadows draws inspiration from Ottawa’s iconic Parliament Hills.

NRML continues it’s milestone celebration with its adidas x NRML 20th anniversary football jersey, Ewing Athletics x NRML Rogue “Glowsole,” and New Era x NRML 20th anniversary 9Fifty snapback. 

819 Queen Street West, Toronto, ON

Nomad is a Toronto veteran retailer dominating the burgeoning menswear game. Ask a stylish local where to cop and chances are they’ll say Nomad. Known for its multi-faceted boutique offerings and storied history, the shop has been clothing Torontonians since 2005. They’re refined selection of goods includes a variety of high-end labels like COMME des GARÇONS, Gosha Rubchinskiy, Raf Simons, Yeezy as well as Adidas, Stussy, Reigning Champ and more.

Back in the day, Nomad was (keyword) one of the only shops in Canada to officially carry Supreme. But no matter, Nomad is definitely a one-stop-shop for menswear in the six.

141 East Pender St, Vancouver, BC
116 Spadina Ave, Toronto, ON
406 Roncesvalles Ave, Toronto ON
407 Graham Ave, Winnipeg, MB

First opening its doors in 2004 in Gastown, Livestock was primarily known as a footwear store. Fast-forward 13 years later and Livestock now has four brick-and-mortar locations in Vancouver, Toronto, and Winnipeg. A long-standing player in the Canadian streetwear game, Livestock has evolved into one of Canada’s top apparel and footwear destinations both in-store and online. Their exclusive collections of streetwear apparel are available to Canadians coast to coast, including brands like BornxRaised, Fucking Awesome, Asics, Carhartt and many more.

Always keeping up on the latest trends, don’t be surprised to see a long line of people waiting (or camping) outside the shop for the latest drop.

1021 Ste Catherine Ouest, Montreal, QC

A staple in the Montreal community, Off The Hook has been the city’s go-to for urban clothing since its doors first opened in winter of 1999. It’s 3-storey shop is located in downtown Montreal and has a wide selection of brands such as Nike, adidas, New Balance, PUMA, Stüssy, The North Face, and more for both men and women.

OTH is Canada’s only Vans partnership store with the largest selection of Vans products as well as numerous exclusive OTH x Vans collaborative projects. Also known for their collaborations with the coolest of kids, OTH celebrates photographers, musicians, athletes, and designers alike from international urban centers around the world with regular events and showcases.

29 Bellair St.#108, Toronto, ON
179 Enterprise Blvd. Unit M102, Markham, ON
69 Yorkville Ave #104, Toronto, ON

Since 2003, Capsule has been the mecca for sneaker heads - building a reputation within the Toronto community by expanding locations in Yorkville and Markham. One of Capsule’s Yorkville locations is solely dedicated just to sneakers! Capsule made news when they launched their Capsule x Reebok Question “Windchill,” during the 2016 NBA All-Star games. While the shop is definitely sneaker-centric, Capsule has a selection of clothing brands to balance the store. Their racks are filled with Saucony, Filling Pieces, Raised by Wolves, UNDEFEATED while their shoe wall carries Reebok, ASICS, Air Jordan, Nike, Adidas and more.

2337 Main St, Vancouver, BC

Anti-Social is a beacon in Vancouver’s skateboarding community - a cultural institution of art, music, and skate events and more. The initial location was a massive gallery with a mini-ramp, but in 2007, due to gentrification doubling the rent, the shop moved to a smaller space a block away. While there is no mini ramp now, owners Michelle Pezel and pro-skater Rick McCrank still hold regular community events. Additionally, they donate skateboards to youth in remote aboriginal communities and were the first skate shop to have a float in the annual pride parade. Anti-Social is more than a skate shop, it's a community.