It doesn’t have a sign out front.

Nor does it have a website. In fact, it doesn’t even have an official name yet, but a new store at Main and 8th might just have the distinction of being the biggest clothing boutique on Main Street. Stocked with trendy animal-print tank tops, sleeveless denim button-ups and boho dresses that belong in the desert, it carries cheap and cheerful men’s and womenswear. Our favourite feature? The change room tents.

No name, but plenty of game.  —Kelsey Dundon

Boutique at Main and 8th, 2403 Main St., Vancouver.

Making a list and checking it twice?

It’s officially the time of year when we’re supposed to be thinking selflessly of others. Specifically, what on earth to get them. Luckily there are ideas galore at Main Street’s new décor and gift boutique Nineteen Ten, like pillows from Vancouver’s own Identity (a Vitamin Daily pick), whimsical Wonderland candlesticks by Stephen Johnson and a corner filled with modern gear for the kids.

Something for them and something for you? Check and check. —Kelsey Dundon

Nineteen Ten, 4366 Main St., Vancouver BC, 604-558-0210, www.nineteenten.ca

The city’s hippest neighbourhood always keeps us on our toes, with new shops and cafes waiting to be discovered. Each time we go, it becomes a little adventure.

shop (a lot)
New to Gastown via Yaletown is Rowan Sky, stocking an enviable shoe selection for both sexes, with brands like Aigle, Repetto and Lacoste. 334 West Cordova St., Vancouver, www.rowansky.com

No shopping can be done without a little vintage, and Community Vintage is just the place to find that perfect granny-chic floral silk blouse or those lovely ladylike '80s Naturalizer pumps. 41 West Cordova St., Vancouver, http://communitythriftandvintage.wordpress.com

Keep on digging for treasure at The Found and The Freed pop-up shop. And by treasure, we mean treasure, like turn-of-the-century oak library drawers to antique lunchboxes and old photographs and maps. 206 Carrall St., Vancouver, www.thefoundandthefreed.com

shop for him
Just steps away is Neighbour, a new menswear shop carrying sportswear essentials like varsity jackets by Golden Bear, Unis jeans and backpacks by Martin Keehn. 125-12 Water St., Vancouver, www.shopneighbour.com

sip
When the time comes for a coffee break, head over to Nelson the Seagull and grab a cup of locally-sourced Agro espresso and perhaps a little snack like bread and butter, while you relax in this gorgeously renovated heritage space. 315 Carrall St., Vancouver, www.nelsontheseagull.com

If tea is more your thing, look no further than Après-midi Teahouse tucked in the legendary Galeors Mews. With a vast selection of artisan teas like Sweet Orange, Earl Grey Lavender and China Rose, this cute little teahouse might just turn you into a tea gourmand. 1 Gaolers Mews, Vancouver, www.apresmiditea.com

eat
No visit to Gastown is complete without catching a glimpse of the famous giant pig on the Save on Meats neon sign. The butcher shop is now reopened as a diner and serves up a delicious roast chicken and other comfort food goodies. 43 W. Hastings St., Vancouver, http://saveonmeats.ca

— Anya Georgijevic

In many hip 'hoods, it's easier to buy a crystal-studded chihuahua collar than a sippy cup.

New boutique Saf & Benjamin, opened by a Vancouver mom frustrated by the lack of baby and kid goods available in her Yaletown neighbourhood, stocks a fantastic—and practical—selection of Tawna Hill natural skin care products and pieces from Canadian lines, like Mini Mioche hoodies, Escargot cowboy shirts and 3 Sprouts storage bins and wall organizers.

See, there's room for the four-legged and two-legged babies... just try not to stare when you spot a poodle in a pram.

Shop the new online boutique or in-store: Saf & Benjamin, 1081 Marinaside Crescent, Vancouver, www.safandbenjamin.com

Remember when you could pick up a phone and dial a number from memory? Or calculate a tip without help from your smartphone?

Nognz, the new brain fitness store, is working on helping us regain those skills. The concept is this: exercise your mind, and you’ll be happier, smarter, and less likely to have dementia in old age. Games, software, and books help to develop your memory, word skills, coordination, critical thinking and focus.

Considering what we spend on wrinkle creams, yoga classes, and superfoods, this type of preventative investment makes a lot of sense.

And if we lose our phone, we’ll be able to call someone to come to the rescue! If we can find a pay phone, that is. —ASI

Nognz, 1517 Bellevue Ave., West Vancouver, www.nognz.com

Move over boys, Roden Gray has added xx to its already-stellar xy mix.

Fresh on the floor is Roden Gray’s debut womenswear collection, featuring some of our favourite luxury basics from brands like Acne, Theyskens' Theory and Alexander Wang.

For our dream summer outfit, we’re thinking Theyskens' Theory purple ‘Blogo’ blouse ($250) paired with Acne chambray bubble shorts ($210) and, of course, Acne ‘Melrose’ pumps ($560). To top it all off, we’d add Garrett Leight ‘Hampton’ wayfarers ($290).

Flawless, if we may say so. –AG

Roden Gray, 8 Water St., Vancouver, 604-689-7302, www.rodengray.com

Oak + Fort = Water Street’s latest fashion retail rainfall.

The stark space, the brand’s first, carries a cool in-house collection designed by artists here and abroad, in addition to a couple of Korean lines all under the purview of creative director, Eunice Quan. The clothes are edgy and on-trend—sleek blazers, camel coats in roomy masculine cuts, Aztec prints and army detailing—the accessories too, like long chain necklaces, oxfords and oversized clutches.

Best of all, no price tag requires you spend an arm + leg.

Oak + Fort, 32 Water St., Vancouver, www.oakandfort.com

As summer segues to fall, all fashion talk turns to transition pieces. This means nubby knee-length socks ’neath chunky sandals, boy blazers over feminine frocks, and for we West Coasters, the all important rain slicker.

Defeat downpours with Lily + Jae’s Charley Cape ($180). Made of rain repellent waxed cotton with double-breasted snaps, the cute hooded cover-up is perfect topper when caught in an unexpected September shower.

In black or caramel, the cloak can be found at the label’s new four month pop-up shop within One of A Few. There you can also snap up the rest of the sophisticated collegiate fall collection, past pieces and vintage sourced by designer Jude Feller on her global escapades.

Now you're cloaked in style.

Lily + Jae in One of a Few, 354 Water St., Vancouver, 604-605-0685, www.lilyandjae.com

A modern day Holly Golighty looking for fame-worthy frocks would shop where the walls are painted Tiffany Blue.

That shop is the brand new Holly. Stocked with lines beloved by stars (La Rok, Rachel Pally, Jay Godfrey) and made by stars (Nicole Richie’s House of Harlow, Erin Wasson’s Low Luv), thumbing through the boutique’s racks is like flipping through the style section of US Weekly. What would we get snapped in? Kain grey pocket tee ($98), Genetic Denim black lace cigarette jean ($290) and Charlie My Love blue tie-dye sandals ($280).

Someone tell TMZ style has flown North for the spring.

Holly, 215-332 Water St., Vancouver, 604-681-8883, www.shopholly.ca

Criminals love a good chapeau (see Bonnie & Clyde, Al Capone), and while we aim to walk the straight and narrow we can’t help but steal their stylish caps.

Where we’ll be buying them however, is the new Goorin Brothers hat shop that’s popped up in Yaletown, the first of its kind in Canada. Its Hamilton Street space tips its hat to where those wicked wearers of yore would have frequented, an old saloon or gentlemen’s club, with rugs, aged wooden floors, and leather and velvet chairs.

As for the show toppers themselves, the wide-brimmed Bella ($65) and the handmade Clockwork bowler ($140) are the two hats we’d get in trouble for.

Goorin Brothers, 1188 Hamilton St., Vancouver, 604-683-1895, www.goorin.com