Shopping
BY R AC HA E L F RE Y
SHARP-
DRESSED
BLOKES
Guys, if you’ve set your sights across the
pond for some style inspiration, finding the
perfect piece of British-inspired kit just got a
lot easier. Newly opened in Calgary by two
English expats, Blokes Menswear stocks
high-quality, iconic clothing brands favoured
by the UK’s casual yet fashion-forward
gents.
“We try to visualize someone in line outside
a night club in London or Manchester
wearing that brand or piece of clothing,”
says owner Phil Lane. “If that visual doesn’t
work, we don’t consider it.”
Along with their focus on long-term, staple
wardrobe pieces comes a fondness for the
not-yet-bygone ‘80s era of British fashion.
“The late ‘70s and ‘80s saw Liverpool
FC dominating in European competition
soccer—when those fans returned from
Italy they brought new styles with them
and in particular one of our favourite
brands, Sergio Tacchini,” Lane says. Blokes
is the only store in Canada to carry Sergio
Tacchini, and you won’t find many of their
other brands—among them, Weekend
Offender, Gabicci and Farah—in Canadian
department stores either.
“We only select brands that work with
high quality fabrics,” Lane says. ”Clothing
with style aspects that you won’t find in
mainstream stores—otherwise what’s the
point (page 36)?”
TO MARKET,
TO MARKET
With the end of the holiday season comes an end to frenzied
shopping amongst big crowds. Granary Road’s public market offers
a relaxed and enjoyable experience in a large, rustic indoor setting.
Take your time browsing carefully curated vendor stalls packed
with gourmet foods and handmade crafts. Check out Dips-ology
for tasty dips, tapenade, spreads, salsas and hummus, or swing
by Luc’s European Meats, a family-owned deli specializing in
everything from salami to landjäger. The market has regular events
and specials where you might even get to meet Granary Road’s
most adorable inhabitants, the fuzzy alpacas (page 43)!
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018
where.ca
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