Do you shop at Aritzia? I hadn’t until just recently and, if I’m being honest, it’s because I had Aritzia all wrong. My bad.
Prior to this week, my limited exposure to the 30-year-old Vancouver-based boutique chain consisted of walking by the store in my local mall. I was under the impression it was more of a fast fashion shop, in the same league with Forever 21 or the fleet of strangely named “cheapie” shops that tend to pop up in malls. I was wrong.
Turns out Aritzia is more like a Euro-minimalist version of Anthropologie: a selection of high-quality house labels mixed with the occasional complementary contemporary brand. Plus, their online shopping experience is fabulously intuitive and detail-oriented. I’m a fan.
Which is all to say that I’m continuing my quest for affordable minimalist pieces in unexpected places with Aritzia, the mall store you never knew you loved. Check out my favorite finds…
1. Citizens of Humanity Corey Bourbon Jeans, $248.00
One of the few non-exclusive labels to grace the Aritzia e-racks is modern denim favorite Citizens of Humanity. The selection ranges from perfectly proportioned skinnies to these artfully distressed slim boyfriend jeans. I’d wear them with super pointy flats and a tee for a downtown take on the French Vogue-ette vibe.
2. TNA Alder T-Shirt, $35.00
This super fine rib cotton/ poly/ rayon blend tee drapes like a dream. Of course, this heather grey version is my favorite, but it’s also available in two shades of blue and simple white.
3. Babaton Mikey Coat, $225.00
A tailored duster coat is a minimalist staple, and this version strikes me as incredibly well-proportioned and thoughtfully crafted for the price. It’s also available in white, which sounds good, but actually looks a little like a lab coat. I’d stick with the black.
4. Wilfred Richepin Sweater, $95.00
The super light linen-cotton blend fabric of this slouchy sweater is perfect for spring into summer. It’s also available in a deep navy blue, which would look quite nice paired with denim to capitalize on spring’s denim-blue-on-denim-blue trend.
5. Community Acadus Dress, $65.00
Tee shirt dresses are available everywhere, but this one gets a special kick of cool from the relaxed fit, raw edge sleeves, and side slit. It’s also available in a dark indigo mélange, for a slightly more casual look.
6. Wilfred Gavarni Pant, $110.00
Cropped wide-leg pants are the hot new silhouette, but the standard offerings are already starting to blend together in my head. This version throws a funky twist on the trend with a dobby fabric, which adds a ton of textural interest.
