Vancouver Shopping: Main Street

WT and I decided to spend the last day of the long weekend wandering down Main Street. This is an area that I'm unfamiliar with and really should spend more time in. It's so close to my apartment downtown, yet I never head over. Cute boutiques, yummy restaurants, cozy cafes and sexy men. Yeah - I think I'll be heading back very soon... We stopped in most of the stores on the strip, and some we liked and some we didn't really care for. These are the stores we'll be returning to:

Valley of the Dolls: 4332 Main Street Loved everything in here. Plus, they have a rack of designer vintage clothes at the back of the shop all very reasonably priced. A Ports suit for $85 in great condition... can't go wrong. I will definitely be heading back here.

Line: At 28th and Main Street (I think - I need to take better notes...) Really great consignment / vintage store. There were at least 6 bags in there that I wanted to take home with me. The selection for vintage purses and clutches was the best I've seen.

Lushuz: 3731 Main Street Another shop with great bags. Some nice clothes too, reasonably priced. The shop assistant was friendly too. I liked the space, it was easy to browse in. They even carry those Kanye West shades.

Lip Lounge: 3628 Main Street Very cute shop with some great jewelry and clothes. There's even a makeup counter with products I've never heard of. Saw a nice grey winter coat for only $145... May have to go back.

Umeboshi: 3638 Main Street Love it! Shoes shoes shoes. Go now, there's a sale. They carry Ted Baker - nuff said. Check out their website.

Ark: 2549 Main Street This store is right out of Camden in London. I loved it! So many funky clothes and accessories for men and women. Plus... cute boys throughout the store trying on clothes. Added bonus ;) And these are the ones we didn't like:

Kris & Cris: At 28th and Main Street This is way too kitschy and the stuff looked tacky. Think sequined purses. We noticed a lot of stores like this one on Main Street. Same product, probably bought from the same wholesaler.

Barefoot Contessa: 3715 Main Street Wayyyy too girly and feminine for my liking. Too many pastels and other girly colours (yes, I am a girl, but I prefer my blacks). Plus the store had a really strong lavender odor that made me want to gag. But if you're into that, knock yourself out.

Life of Riley: 3695 Main Street Not my cup of tea. Too much fleece. I'm just not the patchouli oil wearing kind of girl that this store would appeal to.

Twigg and Hottie: 3671 Main Street Again, not really into the clothes sold here. But that's just me. Perhaps more for the indie rock type (ask WT for a full definition ;) )

If you need a shopping break, head into:
Gene Cafe (2402 Main Street): Think old school diner. Small space though, so can get packed.
Caffe Barney (2528 Main Street): Yummy yummy food and coffees and wine... mmmm

Main Street is easily accessible for those without a car, like me. Just hop on the Skytrain to Main Street, then catch the #3 Main bus. Or walk. Easy peasy.


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