Topshop
 

Not sure how I missed this, maybe you already know...but Topshop (and Topman) is coming to Canada in the Autumn through The Bay. Looks like the first store is going to be Yorkdale Mall, Toronto, but you'll be able to shop online via The Bay across the country. Looks like there are some pop up stores in Ontario this summer too. First Next, now Top Shop, maybe Primark soon or is that wishful thinking.....

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Giant Tiger isn't a million miles away from Primark.

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Where did you see a Next ?

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I think that was just delivery to Canada.

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Why does everybody start wishing that certain chains were available here in Canada? I thought that you came to experience a foreign country. Besides, Canadians are not fashion-forward enough for a lot of the British fashion looks!

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Most people move to Canada because they want a better life. I've not met anyone yet that moved here because they wanted to try a different fashion.

What difference does it make to you if people want to wear clothes that they like?

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I thought people moved to Canada to get away from chavs but now we're so nostalgic we want to dress like them?

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Yes TopShop and TopMan are hardly geared at most of the people on here's demographic.

Topman is aimed at teens to early twenties- then it's upto Burtons.

There is definately very little choice in Canada but I miss the food retailers way more than clothing. You can go clothes shopping on any trip to the UK or NYC. Decent food doesn't keep however.

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Did you know that Tesco are now doing a strawberry and clotted cream sandwich. Now that doesn't sound that appetizing but it's that type of dynamic innovation and adventuresome, thinking outside the box if you want, which is sorely missing in Canada.

Sandwich Story

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I'm puzzled by the whole 'the youth of Canada doesn't do fashion thing'. Every teen I see in St. John's seems to be sporting clothing with 'Bench' emblazoned across it. Not knowing what that meant I turned to my friend goggle. Imagine my surprise when I found that 'Bench' was a British fashion label. Presumably now deeply unfashionable in the UK?

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The research suggest it's a class/race issue. In NA the only major youth demographic that is hyperaware of fashion and use clothes as symbols of masculinity are African-Americans. White NA by extension either adopt the dress like African American youth or being concerned with fashion in general is considered non masculine ie gay. In the UK it has traditionally been the working class that expresses its masculinity and opposition to authority through clothes, whilst UK middle class youth have traditionally shunned that form of expression.

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You have a tight-fitting monocle for a friend?

Whatever next.

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Yes, but Top Shop sells fashionable casual clothing, the sort of thing that you can wear out on the town! Sweat pants and pajama bottoms are not the same thing. Good heavens, you will be saying that the "Canadian tuxedo" and ballcap with fag hanging out of the mouth are "haute couture".

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I came to Canada for love so perhaps my perspective is very different to someone who has spent years trying to get to Canada to begin living what they consider to be their dream life. So whilst I am getting on fine out here, every once in a while I get a yearning for something from back in the UK. I think that's ok!?! I second the other comments on food shopping and the creativity of UK retailers and suppliers. Visiting the UK over the summer and will be making the most of Waitrose. :)

Oh and yes, to just make it clear, Next stores aren't open here, but they have recently started shipping to Canada.

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I have been here 13 years, and still get yearnings for things from the UK, but the fact that they are not always readily available here is what makes them a treat! Why would anyone want to recreate their own "Little Britain" in Canada, when they no doubt railed against that sort of mindset in newcomers to the UK (and don't say that that attitude is not widespread back home -- I did it myself!).

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Sorry, but I'm really not sure what you are getting at. Who said anything about wanting to create Little Britain in Canada? There are plenty of American shops in the UK, as there are plenty of American restaurants.

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each to their own eh? I just thought it would be of interest to some. Better get back to building my little British Empire!:p

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Indeed Jericho! Well said. There ain't nothing wrong with a little bit from home. I've adapted my shopping/eating habits since coming here - you just adjust, but every now and then it's lovely to come across something familiar.

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I'll be glad when there are fashionable clothes in the stores. I like to dress in fashionable, comfortable clothes. Each to their own, but I'll be happy for one.

Poppit

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There is a Top Shop at Carrefour Laval. Not been myself but a friend has and it is listed on the carrefour laval website (but not the Top Shop website bizarrely).

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Next - yes i read they shipped here & signed up for emails

I moved to Canada for a better life with space, more relaxed & better env for my kids however, this doesnt mean that I have to wear my pjs out etc.. I miss nice, affordable clothing that we had in the UK - doesnt mean i want to go back, doesnt mean i want to create a "Little Britain"

Surely, we are allowed to pine for some things, doesnt mean we are knocking Canada at all - sure they are plenty of expats world over that miss things "natural" to their birthplace ie.. Tim Hortons

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www.nextdirect.com

I have ordered a couple of things. They came in two days, I didnt have to pay any duties or taxes. :thumbup:

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OOhhh WOW no duties or taxes..now i wish you hadnt told me that lol

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I noticed in Vaughan Mall last week that there was a River Island - nothing like River Island in the UK. The Canadian version was bland, bland, bland! I wonder if the Canadian version of Top Shop will be the same? BTW thought the store 21 Again was great - very funky! Not seen it elsewhere tho - is this a chain?

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I don't recall the U.K. chain selling anything but badly made toot with random nonsense over-printed all over it.. Hardly the Kings Road or South Molton Street.. More akin to an overpriced Primark..

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Yes I agree - but it didnt even have anything that mad you want to work through the door! Just wondering if British retailers change what they sell depending on the country?

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Forever 21 is a chain, it was in the US to start with I think, and it is pretty good for what I'd call fast fashion - affordable up to date looks. I know there's one at Dundas Sq in Toronto, and they are soon to be opening a huge one in the Eaton Centre.

I'm not sure that Top shop would go to the bother of designing a line just for Canada.....the whole reason they bothered opening their US stores was because people like what they can buy in the UK stores, so I think it would defeat the purpose.

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I agree and people seem to know that their designs are high fashion, just cant see why river island havent bothered to stock there stores the same way.

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Forever 21 is in London now!

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Ooh just googled it - Oxford Street - worth a trip into town!

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How much did you order ? I was just wondering if you spent more would you have to pay tax ???
Janine

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The River Island in Vaughan Mills is nothing at all to do with the River Island we know in UK not even connected - I found that out when went there and was VERY disappointed! spoke to the manager who confirmed many people go there only to be gutted!:(

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That can only be a good thing although I remember it being on par with the junk dishcloths they pass off as clothing in the likes of American Eagle and Old Navy over here.

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Didn't mind it too much, but I really don't get the Primark obsession, now that is TAT of the highest order:blink:

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Nonsense & snobbery...

I get everyone who visits to bring me over the plain indigo jeans, they last forever, fade perfectly & are cut exactly like Levis 505s but at a fraction of the cost..

The business model & third world production base maybe morally bankrupt but the clothing is actually good quality..

If you want one season "fashion" then you get what you pay for, the basic staples (at least for men) are better quality than clothes 10X the price...

It's just seen as cool to knock Primark, even though a lot of people shop there they like to pretend they don't...

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Oh, the irony;)

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No irony, I was lucky enough to have grown up in London, I used to shop on the King's Road & work on South Molton..

The Kings Road sold cutting edge original design & South Molton sold clothes with a certain (nouveau riche) cache..

River Island sells over-printed "fashion" manufactured in the same factories as Primark clothing but adds a huge premium based solely on a perceived market postion..

Primark sells very cheap (but almost identical) clothing utilising the "pile 'em high" retail model...

4/10 for effort..

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i went into a cake shop today in Windsor and asked if they did fresh cream cake's the shop assistants answer was.....they are all fresh dear, they were all baked this morning......:rolleyes:

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Two years of living here and yes I want some English store now, Have you seen Canadian Clothes :blink:

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After 13 years of living here, I have seen plenty of Canadian clothes. Did you know that the UK Top Shop website also delivers to Canada?