The Metro Vancouver Retail Thread

[Hot Rod]

Originally Posted by Capitol Hill

I think Oakridge would be a good second location. And regarding Nordstrom having a higher quality of merchandise versus Seattle and Portland, I'm not too surprised. We dress like crap here in Seattle. I always bring much nicer clothes with me in Vancouver, and I fit in. In Seattle, people would think I was trying to put on airs.

I agree with this, I tend to dress much better when in Vancouver vs. Seattle. I think Seattle is more laid back than Vancouver, and Portland is most laid back of all.

[Prometheus]

Wow, Portland and Seattle worse-dressed than Vancouver? Are you sure? Vancouver is pretty bad. I think Vancouver was ranked the 3rd worst-dressed city in the world (yes, the world) a few years back. For what that's worth.

[officedweller]

Add to the discussion that Nordstrom has very few sales (mainly a semi-annual one?).

Vancouverites will eat up the clearance sales at Simons!

[connect2source]

Originally Posted by Prometheus

Wow, Portland and Seattle worse-dressed than Vancouver? Are you sure? Vancouver is pretty bad. I think Vancouver was ranked the 3rd worst-dressed city in the world (yes, the world) a few years back. For what that's worth.

I think that's quickly changing, Gastown is super-stylin' hipster chic yes but they do it well and in huge numbers. Downtown is quickly improving, most businessman have updated their look to slim fitting suits, great shoes and haircuts, many more styling' women as well both young and old. I live downtown and have witnessed a huge improvement over the last couple of years, maybe it's more high-end retail and dining spots but overall there's more places to see and be seen for sure and people are dressing the part.

[Prometheus]

Originally Posted by connect2source

I think that's quickly changing, Gastown is super-stylin' hipster chic yes but they do it well and in huge numbers. Downtown is quickly improving, most businessman have updated their look to slim fitting suits, great shoes and haircuts, many more styling' women as well both young and old. I live downtown and have witnessed a huge improvement over the last couple of years, maybe it's more high-end retail and dining spots but overall there's more places to see and be seen for sure and people are dressing the part.

Yes, Vancouver has been visibly improving in recent years.

[Vin]

Originally Posted by Prometheus

Wow, Portland and Seattle worse-dressed than Vancouver? Are you sure? Vancouver is pretty bad. I think Vancouver was ranked the 3rd worst-dressed city in the world (yes, the world) a few years back. For what that's worth.

For the Lower Mainland, it really depends on where you are. Vancouver (exception of East Hastings, Chinatown, Kingsway/East Van.) , Richmond (exception "the farming community"), Burnaby, North shore, etc are pretty ok. Once you hit the less urban suburbs, then the fashion gets a little sloppy. Sweat shirts, baseball caps, lululemon tights with ugg boots (all the time), Ed Hardy Ts, gangland hoodies, etc, are just the staples there.

[Sheba]

Hot Topic has opened in Guildford and Park Royal, and apparently the Metrotown location will open by the end of October.

[whatnext]

Has anybody else got the vibe in Nordstrom's that the crowd is kind of "douchey" for want of a better term? It definitely struck me compared to othe Nordstrom's I've been in, and a friend in retail said he'd got the same impression.

[osirisboy]

^Lol. No I didn't get that impression

[theKB]

Originally Posted by whatnext

Has anybody else got the vibe in Nordstrom's that the crowd is kind of "douchey" for want of a better term? It definitely struck me compared to othe Nordstrom's I've been in, and a friend in retail said he'd got the same impression.

Definitely not douchy. I will preface this by saying that I have gotten some amazing service at nordstrom but it isn't at the level that the US stores are at. I think the "vancouver" attitude still needs to be washed out of 'some' the staff but it will come. Holt Renfrew and the Bay are still a disaster when it comes to customer service.

The Bay downtown is definitely nowhere near as busy as it was, Holt is still busy but seemingly not as busy as before. I am still interested to see what happens six months to a year down the road, even more so the same store sales reports pre and post nordstrom.

Overall love having Nordstrom here!

[NewfBC]

Originally Posted by Capitol Hill

I think Oakridge would be a good second location. And regarding Nordstrom having a higher quality of merchandise versus Seattle and Portland, I'm not too surprised. We dress like crap here in Seattle. I always bring much nicer clothes with me in Vancouver, and I fit in. In Seattle, people would think I was trying to put on airs.

There will be a 2nd location in Vancouver way before they can open one at Oakridge.. that's years away with the redevelopment plans - and the reason Target didn't open a store there.

Ron.

[SpongeG]

Originally Posted by s211

Your observations mirror mine. I was disappointed to see that Nordstrom Vancouver carries fewer traditional "business wear" clothes and shoes than the US stores.

nordstrom said months before opening there was a number of brands and items, mainly shoes, that they couldn't carry because other stores such as hudsons bay and holt renfrew have exclusive rights in canada but would do their best to bring in different brands

[SpongeG]

i always get laughed at when i say this but i think people in edmonton dress much better than vancouver people do, as been that way since i was in high school in the 80's

[hrhsheba]

Originally Posted by SpongeG

i always get laughed at when i say this but i think people in edmonton dress much better than vancouver people do, as been that way since i was in high school in the 80's

I'd agree with that statement. I have never been in such a sartorially challenged city as Vancouver. It's been a few years, but I was pleasantly surprised at the well-put-together people in Edmonton - at least they don't look like they picked up whatever they found on the floor and threw it on - which is, by and large, the state here (sigh)

[trofirhen]

Originally Posted by Hot Rod

I agree with this, I tend to dress much better when in Vancouver vs. Seattle. I think Seattle is more laid back than Vancouver, and Portland is most laid back of all.

Originally Posted by SpongeG

i always get laughed at when i say this but i think people in edmonton dress much better than vancouver people do, as been that way since i was in high school in the 80's

Originally Posted by hrhsheba

I'd agree with that statement. I have never been in such a sartorially challenged city as Vancouver. It's been a few years, but I was pleasantly surprised at the well-put-together people in Edmonton - at least they don't look like they picked up whatever they found on the floor and threw it on - which is, by and large, the state here (sigh)

People in Vancouver tend to dress more casually than in cities like Montreal (where, except in wilting summer heat, most people are as chic as you can get.)
But it's not so much whether one dresses casually or formally; it's how you put together the clothes you have.
People sometimes think of Paris as the ultimate in chic ... women on the Champs Elysées, or Av Montaigne in 3/4 length gloves, wide-brimmed hats, the string of pearls, bla bla bla.
But, although you can find that here in Paris, most women wear outdoor jackets and slacks.
The BIG difference is that put it all together in a natty, elegant, way, with smart scarves and jewelry.
Businessmen here dress in a more classically formal way than in Vancouver, no question.
It seems to me that in Seattle, people either dress very expensively or very lumberjack.
In Vancouver, I've noticed: formal-smart, casual-smart, and casual-sloppy.
At the risk of being sued, Geoff Meggs is a perfect exemplar of the last category.
(Sorry, Geoff, no offense, but I wonder where you buy your clothes, have your hair cut, and what kind of rasor blades you use.
Not to worry, though. You exemplify sloppy-casual-extreme with the utmost of perfection ...)

[dreambrother808]

Originally Posted by SpongeG

i always get laughed at when i say this but i think people in edmonton dress much better than vancouver people do, as been that way since i was in high school in the 80's

If your frame of reference is usually Coquitlam, as per your location, then yes, such a statement is perhaps applicable. But as someone who lives in the downtown peninsula and has also lived in Edmonton, your observation doesn't make any sense.

[s211]

Originally Posted by trofirhen

In Vancouver, I've noticed: formal-smart, casual-smart, and casual-sloppy.
At the risk of being sued, Geoff Meggs is a perfect exemplar of the last category.
(Sorry, Geoff, no offense, but I wonder where you buy your clothes, have your hair cut, and what kind of rasor blades you use.
Not to worry, though. You exemplify sloppy-casual-extreme with the utmost of perfection ...)

Could it be that Vancouver's bike culture has had some impact on our concept of business wear? It's hard to keep a full wardrobe of proper suits at work at an end-of-trip facility. As a result, guys riding bikes to work typically are dressed more casually than otherwise would be the case. At least that's my non-scientific observation.

[Vin]

Originally Posted by dreambrother808

If your frame of reference is usually Coquitlam, as per your location, then yes, such a statement is perhaps applicable. But as someone who lives in the downtown peninsula and has also lived in Edmonton, your observation doesn't make any sense.

Certainly interesting most would point out thay downtown is 'better'. We may have all the high end retail shops and services, and work places that expect a more prestige form of dressing from the employee, but still need to point out why downtown is still far from being 'fashionable'.

Certain parts of downtown have way too many 'zombie' types wondering the streets, spoiling our overall street fashion look (think International Village, Granville street, etc). Perhaps lack of wealth is a factor for some, like the retirees who can only afford subsidized housing, but there is still no excuse for being so sloppy. A simple shower, haircut and clean clothes can make a whole world of diference. Factor in the occasional sloppy sports crowd and many gangsta types from the burbs to come to party, it's no wonder outsiders would never consider downtown's fashion sense any alluring.

Definitely need more people to clean up their toxic lifestyles, for we are still a far way towards being a utopian fashionable downtown.

[Vin]

Originally Posted by s211

Could it be that Vancouver's bike culture has had some impact on our concept of business wear? It's hard to keep a full wardrobe of proper suits at work at an end-of-trip facility. As a result, guys riding bikes to work typically are dressed more casually than otherwise would be the case. At least that's my non-scientific observation.

You should see how people dress and bike in Copenhagen, or Amsterdam.

[WarrenC12]

The whole west coast is more casual in business settings. People here tend to look better and be in better shape as well. It's more about lifestyle choice and where people end up gravitating. The down side is that it can lead to being more superficial.

I'm not sure how this relates to retail. You don't need a Nordstrom's to dress well.