In the Net Loft mall on Granville Island, (across from an entrance to the food market) lives a gift…read moreshop that is a cut above the rest. First Nations artwork reproduced and applied to hundreds of everyday items make this a great gift stop for tourists to the Island. I would definitely think of stopping in here to pick up some unusual items for our friends south of the border. Okay so these aren't "one of a kind" pieces as found elsewhere in the plethora of fine art galleries in and around the Island -that isn't an Island ;-), but they're certainly more affordable!

Though slightly underwhelmed by Granville Island, I was impressed with the Wickaninnish Gallery…read more Lots and lots of Native art, in the form of jewelry, clothing, wood, glass, silver and more. I picked up a gift for my niece or nephew. The salesperson was very helpful when I mentioned I was looking for a gift. From the website I learned this is a Native - owned shop opened in 1987. In fact the owner is a relative of Chief Wickaninnish! They also work with artists and are able to assist customers with ordering custom made items. I also thought this was an interesting tidbit: "The Wickaninnish Gallery is named after a powerful First Nations chief, Chief Wickaninnish of the Tla-o-qui-aht People from Clayoquot Sound on Vancouver Island. The name Wickaninnish translates to "having no one in front of him in the canoe". During the time of European contact, Chief Wickaninnish was a highly revered leader and was very influential in the fur trade." There is no shortage of NW Coast art in Vancouver, but this little gallery is affordable, Native - owned, and carries some nice pieces. May you have no one in front of you in the canoe!

Amazing! Itch free wool that "loves to be washed and dried". They sell sweaters, toques, wraps…read moreand scarves for men, women and children. Very good quality - extremely well made, dense but light, great colours. locally made. Perfect for west coast winters. I bought a lovely bamboo scarf for a gift and a wool scarf for myself, best wool scarf ever (sorry grandma). I am very hard on things, and unlike others I have had it does not pull, it is the perfect length and it hangs well. It is so warm and cozy and it looks great, I really wear it all the time. The wool scarf was pricey at $88 per scarf, but all above qualities considered I think it is a worthwhile investment. Luckily, you can also order online - I look forward to trying out their sweaters and wraps soon and a few sweaters for Christmas gifts. The shop itself is located right above Nancy's Bakery at the Lund marina, you really cannot miss it. The shop is tiny but has a great selection of their clothing, accessories and also a small but well selected line up of interesting books from children's to coastal guide books.

Every time we go sailing past Lund we seem to buy another sweater! Or shawl!…read more We Love these products. We have purchased sweaters for family members, buddies new wife from Mexico who can't stay warm in Canada. Family in Newfoundland who love them! If you want a sweater that will be your go to natural keep warm outdoor wear anytime sweater try one of these!!

As a lover of hats and keeping my head warm in this damp often chilly climate, a shop devoted to…read morenothing but chapeau's is my idea of fabulosity! I have to say that this is one of the largest hat shops I have had the pleasure of being in and the selection of head-toppers is astronomical. From more familiar brand names like Kangol to obscure, imported and local types, if you cannot find a hat that you adore in this store, then it simply doesn't exist or you are simply too much of a picky bugga. Anyhow, one could spend hours searching out the perfect hat for the perfect occasion, from fedoras, straw hats, toques, fancy women's hats (for the races you know, or your next wedding), baseball caps and everything in between.

When Anyhat first opened last November, I was one of their first customers. I didn't think that…read morewe'd ever use a stand-alone hat store, but now that it's so cold outside, the owner musty be doing well. The styles and selection of hats are really cool: They have the hunter-style with flaps and faux-fur, they have regular top hats and touques. Knits, felts, leather and suede the colours, styles and selections are really great! Kangol, and other UK hard-to-find brands are also available. Oh, pet the dog while you can.

If you are a fan of fashion jewellery, fascinators and garden hats, this is the store for you…read more This great little store is my new faviourte store for all things bling and tea party. The staff are so very kind and the product is well worth the prices. They aren't overpriced but they aren't cheap either. I got a great blinged out, without being gaudy, headband and toe ring. They are so cute and just my style. I will definitely be back as my Mary Kay business allows me to have fabulous parties with fabulous hats and jewellery!

A most amazing store. This is where you come when you want sparkly earrings, gorgeous necklaces and…read moretiny thongs. Yes, from your top to your "bottom" you will find blingy fakes that sparkle like the real thing. Really, go big or go home with the shoulder-duster earrings, great for proms, and really spectacular necklaces, blindingly bright. Very small prices! For under $50CAD, you will have more sparkle than ever before. Good deals on undies, less than $8. for smooth thongs, tummy shapers for under knit dresses. and some of the cutest celebration dresses around. Dressed in Tyme is a bit of an odd duck, for sure, but take your "tyme" going through the store and find items that are far superior to the chain store's fabulous fakes. Looks a bit old lady-ish at first, but get in there and get "brightened" up! Located across from the Safeway inside the mall, downstairs from Blanche McDonald beauty school, 1.5 blocks from Canada Line Cambie Station.

To be fair, I have no idea what their main business is. Not a clue. The storefront has a random…read moreassortment of goods and nobody ever seems to be in it. I went to them to get custom embroidery service on some clothing items. I started by emailing them, and ended up communicating with Kitty. She was very prompt and helpful. I told her what I wanted embroidered, she made a sample and sent me a photo. I dropped off my items to be embroidered, and she got it done in a few days exactly to my specifications. Pricing was actually very reasonable too. So while I dont know what their main business is, for some custom embroidery work, I can easily recommend.

I appreciate the concept of this place and that most things are hand made by the owner (so I was…read moretold), however, a lot of the stuff is over priced, even for hand made home made stuff. $20 for a faux fur small scrunchy? seriously? Some things are reasonably priced like the owl bags. The owner is really nice. They even have an embredory place in the back to get some stuff done.

Located in the Gastown district, Ric Yuenn's boutique stocks unique dresses designed and created in…read moreVancouver. I was drawn to the clearance rack ($39), as I was tempted to buy a gold lame frock that was so unlike me, but sometimes it's good to step outside your comfort zone. Unfortunately nothing fit! He also has other designers in addition to his own label. Cool spot, this is one spot I would go back to to see what's in stock. His dressing room at the top of a set of stairs is not for the vertically-challenged. One wrong step and you could end up in an embarrassing situation!

Yuenn R B is a cute little boutique in Gastown filled with unique dresses from local designer Ric…read moreYuenn and other not very known brands. I've had a dress custom made at this store for a wedding and to this day, I still love it. You can choose the material as well as the style, but it's not cheap. The quality in the workmanship is definitely there. I would probably frequent this shop a lot more if Ric was a less grumpy. The 3 times I came in to shop, he was grumpy and that's a huge buzz-kill. I'd be in a good mood, ready to buy a dress and in the end, I won't buy the item if I'm not completely in love with it. 4/5 since the designs are gorgeous, but the mood kills. #30DaysOfYelp 7/30

A great place to browse and shop on Bowen. This store has labels I've not come across before (and…read moresome I have) and lots of beautiful clothes. I found two really cute and unique items here, a dress and a shirt, and I am thrilled with them! The owner who helped me out was really friendly and knowledgeable. It was a lot of fun to shop there. Bonus: in the back there is a soap store (the must share the space), where I picked up some cute soaps and other gifts. Definitely a great place to stop at!

A very cute shop within the Artisan Village. A raw but also cozy interior brings out the simple and…read moreclean layout of the shop. Modern and contemporary styles. Items are well picked, and they carry many local & Canadian brands such as Mackage jackets, and Granted sweaters (love them!). Pretty dresses and tops, as well as Hudson and Habitual jeans. There was also a cute pair of Matiko booties too! Pretty Elle Macpherson lingerie, and even Hunter boots for women and kids. I had a great experience just browsing through the store and its items. The owner/ operator was very friendly, and their website is to go live soon. I can't wait to go back to this shop (or shop online!)

An authentically unique Vancouver place --…read more I've lamented the decline of Kitsilano over the years, especially in the Broadway area, as niche shops and folksy hangouts disappear and nail salons and ramen take up the space . . . not that I mind having my nails done, or a decent bowl of the noodles, but they're multiplying rapidly. Black Swan Records, Yoka's coffee ... so many wonderful shops, with the personal touch of expertise and distinctive taste, have gone away . . . Celtic Traditions, formerly Celtic Woolens, still stands -- and the neighbourhood is all the better for it. Run by the husband and wife team of Michael and Lynn, this establishment has survived the frenzy of 'Lord of the Dance' faddishness by providing quality, authentic items from the isles. This is not some twee token shop of plastic Guinness magnets and 'Irish Only' parking signs -- they carry unbelievably beautiful knits from regions of Wales, Scotland, and Ireland: knitters can delight in the patterns and styles, and true appreciators of old world drop spindles and soft wearing jumpers will find some really exquisite pieces. Michael does not carry the usual whack of oatmeal coloured Aran cardigans that are so common to shops that carry Irish clothing. These are artisan level designs that he has personally sought out from the Shetlands down to Clare in selecting the most distinctive and gorgeous designs. He also carries excellent jewellery from the great line of St Justin's, who make amazing pieces based on artefacts found in passage tombs and so forth from pagan era Ireland and Cornwall. Also worth noting is the top notch music school they have in the store: harp, fiddle, bodhrán, voice, concertina . . . taught by session players with real expertise in folk music. THere's nothing else like it in Vancouver, and we're very fortunate that they're here. A truly distinctive shop that deserves our patronage.

Very organized and inveting store that sell quality products imported from Scotland. This is the…read morereal deal store if you're looking for something authentic, no imitations here. The gentleman at the til was nice and the prices were reasonable for what they are. Lots of sweaters.