Kotn is on a mission to elevate ordinary things. Egyptian cotton tees are their core product, intended as a step towards revitalizing Egypt’s cotton industry.

They partner with family-owned farms and charities in Egypt and all their production takes places near Alexandria. 

Their store on West Queen West feels like a sleek extension of owners Mackenzie Yeates and Ben Sehl’s living room, their little dog traipsing around the boutique. 

A front area is the most shop-like, white and minimal.

An elevated section further back is more personal, with comfy couches and a coffee table, and some personal touches like photos of Yeates’ and Sehl’s grandparents.

Kotn sells innovative no-brainer unisex “kits”: the weekday kit contains three tees, two polos, five pairs of undies ($18 alone, also Egyptian cotton) and a tote ($249).

The only things in these kits not made by Kotn are the bags. Tees are $30 on their own or three for $75, and come in a variety of styles, with scoop, crew and V necks.

The weekend kit has a hoodie, sweatpants, two tees, two pairs of boxers and a backpack, so you could essentially waltz in and out of the store and be ready for a short getaway instantly. Sweaters are $75, and ultra-comfy pyjama sets are $98.

Other home items and quirky knick-knacks and gifts fit right in with Kotn’s simple yet elegant style, like timeless bowl sets ($108). They retail products from small independent companies as much as possible.

Cards decorated with spare text are $8, smaller but equally quirky ones going for $4.50.

Public Supply notebooks ($16) replace something typical with a North American product that’s a pleasure to use.

Sydney Hale is also a North American company, making candles ($40) in scents like bergamot and black tea.

Brooklyn company Fredericks and Mae is everywhere in here, adding whimsy to all sorts of usual things, like putting rainbow tips on these matches ($34).

San Francisco company Crow Canyon makes a range of enamelware products with a classic nostalgic look, from kettles to camping style mugs.

Leather goods from local Toronto company Varsity Brown can be found here, like wallets ($60) and larger clutches ($90).

Kotn accomplishes its mission of elevating the ordinary, but somehow does it while still managing to remain accessible and everyday.