Review:
90 locations across Canada
Lingerie
The Bay’s extensive lingerie department promises great selection. Its most popular brand, Calvin Klein, recently launched Perfectly Fit Evolution, a retake on the company’s best-selling collection with new features for extra comfort. Valentines should peruse playful pieces from Juicy Couture in white, red and pink, or opt for edgier numbers by Diesel.
Accessories
You’ll find layered knits, modern classics, urban-utility basics and proper, ladylike looks this season at our country’s oldest shopping institution—and to go with them, there are cold-weather accessories by Virginia Johnson (whose scarves are a favourite of many a fashion editor), Portolano, Juicy Couture and Ugg. Top off your look with jewellery by Alex Fraga, Gerard Yosca, Coach or Pam Hira.
Designer Wear
After a few seasons spent fine-tuning the list of designers available at this Canadian institution, the Bay’s list now encompasses the ABCs of niche yet high-end lines: Start with A Common Thread, Antik Batik, BCBG Max Azria, Botkier, Diesel and DKNYC; continue with Joeffer Caoc, Joseph, Juicy Couture, Hanii Y, Kate Spade, Lundström, Manoush and McQ-Alexander McQueen; and finish with Pink Tartan, Tara Jarmon, Doo.Ri’s new mid-range label, Under.Ligne, and Vena Cava.
Beauty Boutiques
A trip to the Bay's beauty department is a familiar experience for generations of Canadian women. Head here for the classics: Clinique, Estée Lauder, Lancôme et al. Score yourself YSL's Touche Éclat&mash;a take-anywhere-and-everywhere highlighter/concealer. One of these beauty secrets sells every sixteen seconds around the world. The Bay doesn’t just house the your mom’s favourite brands&mash;you’ll also find the always adorable Benefit and runway gurus M.A.C. Pick up some of their straight-from-the catwalk DSquared collection&mash;we’re especially in love with the vibrantly-coloured Greaspaint Sticks.
The designer dossier at this store just keeps getting better, whether it’s pleated dresses (à la Andy Thê-Anh) or swing coats (courtesy of Paul & Joe Sister) you seek. Other favourites include sweaters by White + Warren, Tavãn & Mitto’s fantastic tweed cape with a dramatic, draped collar, as well as Twelfth Street by Cynthia Vincent, Baia and Mint. Don’t forget your jacket, either: Betsey Johnson and A.B.S by Allen Schwartz styles are also available at select stores.
Think a boutique is the only place to find a unique necklace? Not so - head to the accessories floor of this Canadian institution. The Bay has been around for centuries (though it’s now owned by U.S. fashion company Lord & Taylor), but its range of affordable and luxe labels is reviving our patriotic spirit. Try the Victorian choker by Expression, the felt cloche from London Fog, or Nine West’s colour-blocked bowler.
Petite: Once reserved for finding affordable socks and underwear, this department store proves it is more fashion-relevant than ever. In petites, look for brands like International Concepts, Lauren Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein and a whole host of Jones New York collections.
The company may have a new president and CEO, Bonnie Brooks (previously at Asian luxury retailer Lane Crawford), but the accessories department is as reliable a stop for affordable, on-trend pieces as ever. Still hot this season are chain straps, studs and skins (especially snake and crocodile) on handbags, while new footwear calls for something either ladylike or menswear-inspired.