Montreal Shopping Trip

The Plateau
Bella Pella
Incorporating edible ingredients into body and bath products is a big trend in the world of beauty, and Bella Pella expertly does just that. The Montreal-based company blends disparate edibles like olive oil, avocado, and goat's milk into soaps, lotions, and balms. Its chocolate massage bar ($3) is especially decadent (not to mention hunger-inducing). 3933 rue St-Denis, 514-845-7328

Couleurs
Salt-and-pepper-haired brothers André and Lambert Gratton own this welcoming, well-edited temple to midcentury design. Scandinavian glass, in the form of vases and vessels, along with lots of circa-1960s Québécoise ceramics ($24 to $173), gets star billing atop the many teak shelves that line the walls. 3901 rue St-Denis, 514-282-4141

Dex
The Montreal location is the best and most ambitious branch of this popular Canadian streetwear chain-no surprise, as the company started here. Dex clothing is best described as sexy urbanwear, and prices rarely top $100. This season, athletically inspired pieces swamp the racks. 3651 Blvd. St-Laurent, 514-286-3883

Ima
Though shoppers will discover familiar labels here, like Joie and Luscious, the lesser-known lines are Ima's biggest draw. A tiered halter sundress ($124) from Spanish label Muchacha is essential for surviving a stifling midsummer Montreal heat wave. 24 rue Prince Arthur W, 514-844-0303

Lucky Favorite
Lola & Emily
One of the best stores in Montreal, Lola & Emily represents everything that's special about boutique shopping: an intimate environment and the perfect mix of funky and functional clothing. Don't leave the country without buying a sexy off-the-shoulder top ($49 to $64) by local talent Christie Dyball. 3475 Blvd. St-Laurent, 514-288-7598

Meow
This shop, which makes customized tees (from $10) while you wait, is among the best-kept secrets in town. Peruse the thousands of different images-from cheesy-as-Velveeta metal bands to wonderfully dorky sayings like caution-this t-shirt stops at all bars-and select your design. 74 Ave. Mont-Royal E, 514-843-3055

Mont Royal Friperie
Friperie is French for a "secondhand/vintage store"- and it's a good word to know, since Montreal has a reputation for stellar resale shopping. This particular friperie is one of three sister shops, all situated within walking distance of one another. Mont Royal is our favorite, for its selection of excellent-condition '60s and '70s leather jackets (from $35 to 150). 371 Ave. Mont-Royal E, 514-842-7801; Friperie St-Laurent: 3976 Blvd. St-Laurent, 514-842-3893; Requin Chagrin: 4430 rue St-Denis, 514-286-4321

Preloved
This line of reconstructed vintage tees and denim is a huge hit all across Canada. Now Montreal has its own branch, and it has been a tremendous success, partially due to the fair pricing: about $35 for an asymmetrically seamed tee, and about $89 for a jacket made from pieced-together old corduroys. 4832 Blvd. St-Laurent, 514-499-9898

MO851
Though this Canadian company's leather goods can be found in the States, few people there are familiar with the brand. A shame, since its handbags and jackets are made from such amazingly resilient (yet wafer-thin) leathers, and are so perfectly and sparely designed they would no doubt garner a huge following. The prices are realistic, too: A tote is about $118. 3526 Blvd. St-Laurent, 514-849-9759

U & I
There's little debate that this minimal, gray-hued shop is the Plateau's most avant-garde retail destination. Experimental denim is big this season, especially jeans and jackets by Levi's. And, as in many stores in Montreal, local designers are well represented. 3650 Blvd. St-Laurent, 514-844-8788

Ste-Catherine & Area
Bedo
Similar to shops like Zara or French Connection, the Montreal-based Bedo chain consistently provides trendy separates that never border on cheap or club kid. You can count on finding modified versions of each season's key looks, which currently include military-inspired jackets and drapey white tops-for far below $100. 1256 rue Ste-Catherine W, 514-866-4962

Browns
Long the spot where locals have headed to find groovy footwear, Browns stocks lines ranging from the instantly recognizable, like Miu Miu and Diesel, to the more esoteric, such as Yin, an Italian brand that currently offers fancy hippie sandals ($100 and up). 1191 rue Ste-Catherine W, 514-987-1206

Lucky Favorite
Caban
We're crossing our fingers that Club Monaco will open one of its Caban home-goods shops in the States, but until that happens, we'll have to continue heading north of the border to load up on the store's mod-inspired lamps, chairs, tabletop wares, and more. We fell in in love with a curvy, mushroom-shape milky white glass lamp ($20). 777 rue Ste-Catherine W, 514-844-9300

Holt Renfrew
Like Caban, upscale department store Holt Renfrew is a force in Canadian retailing that Lucky can't live without. Look for designers ranging from Marc by Marc Jacobs to Rebecca Taylor, along with a spot-on shoe selection. 1300 rue Sherbrooke W, 514-842-5111

Jacob
Key trends translated into office-appropriate clothing are abundant at this Canadian chain, which also boasts an excellent lingerie department filled with mesh boy-cut undies and cute camis (from $3). Right now, we love Jacob's sheer lace-trim jersey tees ($18) and the perfect transition-into-fall piece, a retro-inspired canvas jacket ($60). 1220 rue Ste-Catherine W, 514-861-9346

Les Ailes de la Mode
This department store-gigantic in both size and scope-offers jeans by Paper Denim and Cloth, clothing by Diesel, and undies by Paul Frank. Les Ailes also supports Canadian designers (keep your eye out for intricately cut clothing by local talent Andy Thê-Anh). 677 rue Ste-Catherine W, 514-282-4537

Luck Favorite
Mona Moore
Perhaps one of the best footwear shops we've seen in North America, Mona Moore is housed in a serene pale-pink space and filled with the sharpest shoes from the collections of Marc Jacobs, Sigerson Morrison, Chloé, and Pierre Hardy. Look for Jamin Puech handbags, too, along with sexy undie-and-tank sets by Frost French. 1446 rue Sherbrooke W, 514-842-0662

La Maison Simons
This youth-oriented department store, a Québécoise institution, is loaded with streetwear, feminine frocks, curve-hugging jeans, lingerie, and more-nearly all by Canadian labels. One of the house labels, Twik, is a blessing: We scored a cute multicolor smocked top for a mere $9. 977 rue Ste-Catherine W, 514-282-1840

Lucky Favorite
Space FB
Designed by 30-year-old local François Beauregard, this line of athletically inspired separates is wildly popular among young Montrealers. Affordable tank tops ($15), hip-hugging sweatpants (from $45), and snug-fitting hoodies ($50 and up) should be quickly snapped up, as Space FB is not yet sold in the United States. Les Cours Mont Royal Shopping Center, 1455 rue Peel, #210, 514-848-6494; 3632 Blvd. St-Laurent, 514-282-1991

Old Montreal
Espace Pepin
This shop serves primarily as a showcase for artist Lysanne Pepin's paintings, but also offers a few items of clothing by local line On & On. Expect sleek camisoles ($70 each), made from reworked men's pinstriped suiting, and cleverly seamed clam-diggers ($80). 350 rue St-Paul W, 514-844-0114

Want Stil
Scandinavian designers rule at this shop (no surprise, the Swedish word stil means "style"). Tabletop wares by Arne Jacobsen for Stelton flatware, J. Lindeberg clothing, and Själ skincare products are just a few of the items that draw shoppers. 231 rue St-Paul W, 514-499-8549

Jennifer Scott
Montrealer Jennifer Kakon, whose punk-meets-prep accessories can be found in stateside stores, has opened her first boutique-and on her home turf. Visit the open, airy space to find Kakon's signature "corset" handbag with lace-up sides ($185) and satin bow belt ($79). 440 rue St-Pierre, 514-844-2255

Westmount
Blue Marine & Co
Though Montreal by no means suffers from a shortage of places that sell designer jeans, Juicy Couture hoodies, or Miss Sixty anything, Blue Marine is the premier spot to find any of the above. Its sheer volume of kick-around wear is impressive,and there are three locations that dot the city, simplifying the process of locating and procuring the ideal pair of terry-cloth sweatpants. 1383 Greene Ave., 514-935-9825

Indigo
The bounty of hip-hugging jeans by Paper Denim and Cloth and other well-loved lines is the singular reason to visit this neighborhood favorite. 4920 rue Sherbrooke W, 514-486-4420

James
One of the best boutiques in the entire province, is known for stocking ahead-of-the-curve labels like Saint Grace, Lemon, Ella Moss, and Triton (a tropically flavored line by Brazilian designer Tufi Duek; we covet its Pucci-esque print circle skirt, $120). Look for great beachy stuff, too: Vix bikinis and C. Ronson espadrilles. 4910 rue Sherbrooke W, 514-369-0700

Lucky Favorite
Mimi & Coco
Just over a year old, this airy shop, which sells an eponymous line of high-quality Italian-made tees and tanks in sherbet-bright colors, is quickly gaining momentum as a local favorite. The prices are truly accessible, starting at $26 for a seamless tank top and just a tad more for a perfect-fitting tee. 4927 rue Sherbrooke W, 514-482-6362; 6717 Blvd. St-Laurent, 514-274-6262

Lucky Favorite
S/he & Co
Both sexes flock here to restock their bathroom cabinets with high-quality beauty goods by names like Paula Dorf, I Coloniali, and Kiehl's. If you're having a hard time deciding what to buy (the selection is plentiful), retreat to the downstairs spa for a treatment-and take a few moments to formulate a shopping list. 1361 Greene Ave., 514-932-1444

Zone
Hip, bright housewares beckon from the windows at this trio of boutiques. The easiest to navigate is the Westmount branch. Though smaller than the others, it has a perfectly edited stock of table lamps, kitchen utensils, picture frames, and more by Karim Rashid and other trendy names in the world of shelter essentials. 5014 rue Sherbrooke W, 514-489-8901

Rue Amherst
Jack's
This shop offers the city's-and we'll go out on a limb here and say one of Canada's-best selections of midcentury modern furniture and housewares at fair prices. That includes a bevy of chrome ball lamps (from $50) and Lucite tables (starting at $75). 1860 Rue Amherst, 514-596-0060

Spoutnik
Gregarious owner Sylvie Rochon scours both the States and Canada for funky geometric-print '60s fabric, cool metal room screens, teak credenzas, and hundreds of other items with which to stock her ever-evolving boutique. The adorable store mutt, Cacsy, is added incentive to visit. 2120 rue Amherst, 514-525-8478