Theodore 1922
497 Bloor Street West 
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Phone: 416.850.0175
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Modern ready-to-wear fashion for men, and bespoke made-to-measure tailoring.
Comments (8)
my boyfriend decided to visit Theodore to pick up a shirt for a wedding. Unfortunately the old fashioned charm of generations past has been replaced with questionable business practices.
He tried on a garment, and it was lovely save for the collar being just slightly snug. The owner insisted on having his father move the button for a better try. 2 minutes later it was moved and fit great.
He decided to buy the shirt and off he went. After getting the shirt home he decided it just didn't go with his suit. I went in the next day to return it, in the original package with the receipt. I pulled it from the bag and David the owner said nope, that was altered, final sale. I said, no it wasn't altered at the clients request but rather the button was moved by you at your insisting before he even decided to buy it. what was presented as old fashioned service at the time, turns out is their way of locking in every sale. I asked when the client was told that this "service" pre-sale, would mean it was a final sale? He replied, it's always been our rule, it says so in our return policy. I said, where is this return policy? He said oh, on the receipt. I showed him the receipt which indicates nothing but the store name. It really didn't matter anyway because the point was that as far as the client and his actions were concerned he was not requesting any alterations. If it was an option, he would have taken the shirt as is. He was not given the choice.
The owner's response was if you don't like it, call my lawyer. I left shaken and shocked at the conversation. My boyfriend went back himself to see if he could talk any reason. David the owner told him to call the better business bureau if he's so unhappy.
Old fashioned service apparently does not always get passed down with the store legacy. Buyer beware, the shirt in question was $370.00. I would suggest giving your business to someone else.
There is a big difference between Gentleman's Club and Locker Room.
Theodore 1922 is the latter.
When I shop for nice clothes, I have a certain expectation in the experience and not just the garments. To me it should feel like a classy experience from when i enter the store straight through to when i leave. In my experience having shopped (and purchased) at Theodore 1922 there were elements of pressure, aggression, and frat boy conversation - but no elements of actual class.
My reccomendation would be to take your money to a place that understands that understands that they aren't selling you a shirt, they are selling you a sense of sophistication to feel while you wear their shirt.
And lucky for us guys who appreciate the finer things in life, Toronto has much to offer by way of excellent tailors.
I am so sorry to find this happened to Cindy.
David was not the owner of Theodore 1922. Yes, he acted like the owner (and made up stories about being a "third generation clothier". In reality no one in David's family has ever owned a men's store.) In actuality he was just a salesman...and an exclusionary one which is too bad for the store. This is no way to treat a customer and I truly apologize for your experience here. He no longer works at Theodore 1922.
It needs to be noted that following the crazy experience with David, Miranda contacted us, apologised for the rogue salesman and was nothing but professional and mortified at what had taken place. I've since tried to delete the post after discovering it was not the store, but rather the man that was the issue.
I highly recommend Theodore 1922 as one of the best sources in Toronto for high end, high fashion men's wear.
370 for a shirt? Insane.. I have been shopping at Harry Rosen for over 20 years and would NEVER.. ever.. (even if super rich) by a shirt for more than 200 bucks.. and with the service given in this store, I will NEVER set foot in Theodore - they should be out of business - period.
Sssssooooo....how come none of the stories about David, his ownership and lineage have not been corrected? Just a cursory Google search comes up with NOW and Toronto Life profiles of the shop, including such statements as "Owners David Petrash and Miranda Black (...)" (NOW) or better yet, TO Life's tribute: "A third-generation clothier, David Petrash is betting his grandfather’s good name (Theodore, born in 1922) that the boho, book-loving Annex crowd is ready for a luxury menswear store. (...) But localistas opt for Petrash’s own custom suits (...).
Wow. A third-generation clothier...his own custom suits...impressive!!!
Was it convenient to let the BS fly at the time only to backpedal now? I live close by and was tempted to stop by a few times (usually b/c of some display item) but I am glad I didn't. I'd rather deal with someone who's straight with me. Something's fishy here, sadly.
I have shopped at the store a couple of times, always dealt with Miranda and have been very happy.
I also look move svelt than ever, thanks to the fine threads offered there.
I would recommend it to anyone!
Cheaper than a flight to London to do your shopping!
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