Fashion Stores
Timeless Apparel
Timeless Apparel is CTS reborn, though the new store bears little resemblance to its former vintage nouveau self.
CTS on Queen at Spadina, was, for about four years, very much a thrift store. Akin to Value Village — albeit, with a few gems thrown in the mix — CTS offered a lot of gently worn t-shirts along with select vintage finds. But now, it is all and only vintage, with a much better honed collection of retro finds.
I barely recognize the store a few days after its relaunch, and I even manage to pass right by in my quest for the front entrance (in my defense, however, the exterior sign had yet to be erected). Inside, the space is transformed; Timeless is much more organized and chic than CTS ever managed to be, now with recycled barn board accents and gas pipe fixtures boasting collections of army jackets and navajo designs. And, best of all, a striking wood thunderbird surveilling the front entrance.
Emma Recourt of the new Timeless tells me the overhaul took about four weeks, prompted mainly by customer feedback and the changing demographics of the neighbourhood. "The appeal of vintage has definitely grown," she says, as we watch a few men affix the front sign. "Queen Street itself has changed, and 2011 was really when vintage was reborn."
Indeed, F as in Frank opened a few doors down last year, as did the new concept store by 69 Vintage and Kind Exchange by Bathurst.
"We're seeing higher income shoppers, and shoppers who know what they want. So we've decided to give them that," Recourt continues. "Before, like many thrift stores, you would sort of have to sift through the racks to find the gems. It's all the gems now."
I ask Recourt how Timeless plans to distinguish itself from the growing collection of other vintage stores on Queen West now that it has lost its nouveau. "Two ways," she replies. "Size, and variety. We have a lot more space than some of the other stores, so we have room for more variety; a greater selection." Sounds to me like that's one way, but in any case, Recourt is right. The front of the store is wholly '80s/'90s, with Bill Cosby sweaters, colourful windbreakers, and lots of bright tees. Then the store sections off; men's L.L. Bean leather jackets (~$60), Ralph Lauren polos and tees (~$30), unisex ponchos and denim (~$30), shoes for men and women, and — my favourite — an entire room of sequins, crinoline, and everything else to do with retro dresses.
As for the prices, they might seem slightly higher, though Recourt says they simply reflect the quality of the merchandise in store. Since the bargain basics are mostly out, so too are the uber-bargain prices, in short. But customers can expect Timeless to deliver (or rather, receive deliveries) much more than CTS, with new items arriving daily — all of which, of course, is now vintage.
Photos by Erin Jones
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Maybe some privacy between the men's clothing section and the change rooms please? A curtain? Something? Because I really do want to love you again and give you all my money. :)
I also have to giggle at the fact, that most of this stuff is from the late 70's, and early 80's and is considered 'vintage'.
That stuff is ugly. Let's be honest, guys.
I went to Timeless 2 weekends ago and I found that the stuff they're selling were pretty much the same as what CTS was selling. But because of the "vintage" label they're now fronting, the prices have all been jacked up :( $40 for a used denim jacket? COME ON!
Sorry Timeless, I'm not a fan.
Bought a couple tshirts from this place that people have asked about. The only thing ugly
Im kidding. Lets meet up and discuss when mr potato isnt home.
So, perhaps, maybe, you need a lesson in how fashion really works,
I went to timeless the day they onpened. They are a lot more picky with their product, the store looks AMAZING, and their prices are great. The pieces that they have on the floor are only the few jems you found at CTS. Now, ALL the product is GREAT here. They're lower priced than the stores on Kensington Market / Queen West, yet their quality and selection is far supperior. From what the staff was saying, they will be having a quick rotation as well, they will have new product regularly.
I saw a Louis Vuitton Monogram Leather Jacket for $200!!! They sell for $1,300 at other stores!!! Too bad it wasn't my size.
Hermes jacket for $70!! Can't go wrong with that!
Monkey Fur for $1,000... Not my type of clothing, but it goes for $2k on ebay... WHO HAS MONKEY FUR?!!
I'm a big fan! Will go again for sure!
Please have a look at the tags in this store. It's all MADE IN ASIA! (seriously)
Me disliking Timeless doesn't mean I dislike vintage clothing. I happen to like the vintage dresses & accessories sold at Cabaret, a few blocks west of Bathurst & Spadina. My complaint is how Timeless jacks up the $$ while most of the stuff they're selling are similar to the stuff CTS used to offer. It's my personal opinion based on what I saw when I went there 2 weeks ago. Don't attack my fashion sense. Have we even met? NO. Your argument is invalid.
And what's wrong with shopping at Wal-Mart? Times are tough. At least I know how to cut costs and save money ;)
Staff are lovely and the new layout is a big improvement. The merchandising is fantastic. Great shopping experience overall!
I pity your ignorant vocalizations. The best thing about retro and vintage is that many of the products are made in the USA, Canada and Europe. If you look around at the tags at Timeless you would see this. If one were to walk into the Eaton Center and observe the tags, one would find merchandise to come predominantly from Asia, high and low prices alike.
I have found shoes made in Italy at the former CTS for under $30, and Timeless is proving to put out even finer product. My Timeless purchases have been a pair of teal acid wash Levis (made in USA) and a silk blouse (made in France). My grand total was still under 60 bucks.
Great clothes, great tunes and great staff make Timeless one of my favourite spots on Queen Street.
Great selection of mens and ladies cutoff shorts.
Because Timeless looks better than you?